Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 1

Chapter I

He didn't come home.

It had been three days since Dominic handed her the annulment papers. And even now, it all still felt like a bad dream.

She stared at her phone, waiting—hoping—for a call or even a message. She reread their last exchange. He even said I love you in his final text.

She bit her lip, holding back tears.

"Mommy?" It was Raven. "Are you okay? You've been sitting there for a while."

She quickly hid her phone. "Of course, sweetheart." She forced a smile and looked at her eldest. At just ten, Raven was already tall—and the spitting image of his father.

"Where are you going, sweetie? You're all dressed up."

"Daddy and I are going out! We're going to watch basketball, Mommy!" he said, beaming.

"Really? When did he say that?" Her heart skipped. Is Dominic coming home? Maybe I can come, too.

But the glimmer of hope faded when Raven added, "He promised last week. He said he'd really come this time."

"Raven... honey..." Should she warn him? Should she say it might not happen again? Should she keep covering for Dominic?

"Mommy, I know it's happening this time. He promised. And Daddy keeps his promises now." Just like he always says. "This time, he really means it."

She knelt and hugged her son. "Okay, we'll wait for Daddy." Her eyes stung, but she refused to let the tears fall. She had to hold it together—for him. If she could shield his heart from every crack, she would.

Hours passed. But Dominic never came.

Instead, a man from Javerde—the company he worked for—showed up at their door.

He brought toys for the kids. Raven said nothing. He just quietly walked away—a silence she'd never seen in him before, even with all the broken promises.

"Ma'am," the man said gently, "Engineer asked me to give you this." He handed her an envelope.

When she opened it, it wasn't just any set of documents. They were thicker, more formal. Another legal file.

"Attorney Tejada will call you," the man added. "That's all, ma'am."

Maricar sat down, hands trembling. This must be a nightmare. If it was, she wanted to wake up.

But she couldn't give up. She was the wife. She had rights. She wouldn't act like a loser.

I will fight.

⸻

The next day she came to the coffee shop while the kids were at school. The youngest was with her godmother. Maricar took a deep breath and sipped her coffee, trying to calm her nerves.

"Attorney, with all due respect, I'm not signing these annulment papers," she said firmly, handing the envelope back.

But Atty. Tejada gave her a long, quiet look. Not with judgment—but almost with pity.

"Mrs. Delaverde... I'm afraid I have to explain something that may be difficult to accept. But it is the law."

She frowned. "I don't understand. I already read them. They are annulment papers, right—?"

The lawyer slowly opened the envelope and took out the documents. "No, Mrs. Delaverde. This is not a petition for annulment. This is a Petition for the Declaration of Nullity of Marriage."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means Engineer Dominic isn't asking the court to annul your marriage. He's asking the court to declare it void from the beginning. Void ab initio. In the eyes of the law... it's as if your marriage never existed."

Her mouth fell open. "That can't be possible. We're married! I have the marriage certificate!" She even showed the ring on her finger, hands shaking. "This is the only ring he gave me. No engagement ring—but that didn't matter. I loved him. We were young, but we married. Maybe just in the municipal hall—but it was real."

"Please calm down, Maricar—"

"Mrs. Delaverde!" she snapped. "I am Mrs. Delaverde!"

The lawyer spoke gently. "Maricar... I know this is painful. But under Philippine law, a marriage involving a minor is void. You were seventeen. Even Dominic is 19 still that marriage—legally speaking—was never valid."

"But we didn't elope, Attorney!" she cried. "Our parents gave consent. We weren't hiding anything!"

"I understand. But even with parental consent, the law is strict. Your marriage was valid but voidable. Article 35 of the Family Code clearly states that marriages where either party is under eighteen are void. These are not just annulled—they are legally nonexistent."

She felt herself collapse into the chair, her mind spinning. "Why would he hurt me like this? He could've just left..."

The lawyer didn't respond. She stood slowly, her legs heavy with grief, and left the café with the envelope clutched in her hand.

That night, she called her sister.

"Ate..." her voice cracked. "Help me..."

⸻

"Oh my God," her sister whispered after hearing everything. "He's planning to marry her, isn't he?"

"W-what?" Maricar could barely process it. "If we were never really married... why would he do all this? Why hurt me like this?"

Her sister leaned in. "Because even if your marriage is void, he still needs a court declaration. Without it, any new marriage he enters into would also be void."

"B-but... what if I don't agree? Do I still have rights?"

"Yes. You can contest it. You still have legal standing. The court will decide after hearing both sides."

"Then... what happens now?"

Her sister took her hand firmly.

"Don't lose hope, Maria Carmina. It's not over. If the court denies the petition, your marriage stands. You still hold the upper hand."

And for the first time in days, Maricar allowed herself to believe—maybe, just maybe—this wasn't the end.