Once a Wife [English Version]

Prologue

Prologue

2006 was said to be the year of loyalty and anxiety, at least according to the Chinese Zodiac.

And honestly, it makes sense—most loyal people are overthinkers. How could you not be, when breakups have become so common it's no longer a question of if, but when?

"Tell me, Maricar," Pie asked, the mother of her child's classmate. "Aren't you afraid that your husband, Engineer, might be seeing someone else?"

Maricar only smiled. Dominic? Cheat on her? She doubted it. Her husband wasn't like that. She believed in the man she married.

"Oh, please. That man follows Maricar around like a loyal puppy!" Jackie chimed in, another mom from school, and they all laughed. "And look at her—still gorgeous. If he cheats on someone like her, then there's no hope for the rest of us."

"You girls," Maricar chuckled. "It's not just about looks. A good marriage takes—"

"Yes, yes, you're blessed. We get it," Kathy cut her off. Among all the moms in their circle, Kathy was the hardest to get along with—always pessimistic, always doubting. "But do you honestly think your husband isn't hiding anything? He's still a man. With his line of work? I'd be shocked if no one's tried to flirt with him."

"Stop it, Kathy," Pie snapped. "If you have nothing good to say, maybe you should leave."

Kathy shrugged. "Just don't get too comfortable. One day, you'll wake up and find someone's already taken what's yours."

Maricar's friends tried to reassure her afterward, but the thought lingered longer than she expected.

Her marriage with Dominic had weathered many storms. There was even a time she thought they wouldn't make it—not because of another woman, but because of work. Still, she held on. She prayed. She believed God would get them through the trial.

And He did. They found their way back. Their relationship healed, and four years ago, they were even blessed with another child.

Months passed.

Kathy's words faded like a bad dream.

Until today.

"Are you serious?" Her eyes wouldn't leave the paper in her hands. "Dom... what is this?"

Her hands shook. Her entire body trembled. If this was a nightmare, she begged to wake up.

"Hon..." She forced a laugh, trying to dismiss the lump in her throat. "You're joking, right?"

"I'm sorry, Icang."

She took a step back, accidentally knocking over a glass vase. It shattered against the floor—along with every illusion she had left.

"Declaration of Nullity of Marriage?"

"Y-yes..." His voice was unsure. "I can't do this anymore, Maricar. I want out."

She gathered every ounce of strength to meet his eyes. "W-Why? What did I do wrong?"

She tried to think back. Was she lacking? Did she neglect herself? Her marriage? Their kids?

"It's not you, Maricar. It's me."

Bullshit.

She wasn't born yesterday. She knew that line too well. Dominic was hiding something.

"Who is she?"

"Icang..."

"Don't call me that," she said coldly. That nickname once softened her. Not anymore. "Just answer me. Are you seeing someone else?"

She didn't know where the courage came from, but it poured out of her. "Tell me the truth. Is it Cynthia?"

She'd always had a gut feeling about that girl. From the first moment they met, she sensed something. Cynthia had been just a student back then, interning at her father's company. Young. Harmless—or so she thought.

Five years ago, Maricar finally confronted Dominic about her. They fought. Then she found out she was pregnant with Huffle, and suddenly, Dominic was hers again.

Now, they stood facing each other. And in his silence, she found her answer.

Because silence meant yes. And eyes never lied.

"Do you love her?" How did she even have the strength to ask?

"Answer me, Dominic." It wasn't a plea. It was a command.

He looked at her, and his pain was visible too. Why did he look like he was the one hurting?

"I—she's pregnant."

Maricar froze.

Wait. Did she hear that right?

Pregnant?

She shut her eyes and tried to breathe. Stay calm. But she couldn't.

She snapped.

"You bastard!" she screamed. "You told me there was nothing between you! How could you do this to me?" She slapped him, again and again. "You're disgusting!"

Dominic didn't fight back. How could he?

"We have children—four of them, Dominic! Four!" she sobbed, pounding her fists against his chest. "How could you do this to us?"

"I'm sorry..." was all he could say. But he never answered the real question: Why?

"The kids are still young..." Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. "Why..."

But wait. He never said it was an affair. Maybe it was a one-time mistake. Maybe she seduced him. Maybe...

Hope flickered.

If that's all it was, she could live with it. She could even accept the child. She would try, for the sake of their children.

Her pain didn't matter. But their kids didn't deserve this. They were innocent.

"It was an accident, right?" She stood and held his arms. "Tell me she came on to you. That it didn't mean anything."

"Icang—" Dominic seemed shocked.

"I'll accept the child. I'll raise it as mine—" Her voice broke as she pleaded. "Dom..."

"I can't take it anymore!"

She thought nothing could hurt more than the paper he handed her. But this—his voice, filled with finality—this broke her.

It wasn't a one-night stand.

It was an affair.

One she never saw coming.

Not just sex—but love.

"You don't love me anymore, do you?"

"Icang..."

Still, he said nothing.

"No," she whispered. "No. I won't accept this. I'm your wife. There will be no annulment." She crumpled the paper and threw it at him.

If he was going to leave, he wouldn't get what he wanted without a fight.

"You'll get what you want over my dead body."