Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 7

"PAPA!" Huffle run towards Tristan when she saw him, "I missed you! I haven't seen you like forever!" She said sulking.

"I'm sorry, princess. Papa just had to finish some work so that there will be no problem when your Mom and I get married, I can focus on you all!" Tristan explained to Huffle and as if on cue, Raven arrived from school.

"Tito Tristan, why are you here?" He asked. "I thought you're in Wizards" 

"Raven" he acknowledged and patted his shoulder. "Your Mommy's not feeling well that's why I brought her home," he said.

Worry flash across Raven's face, "What, why? What happened?" Raven rushed into his mother's room. She was already lying on the bed.

"Mommy?"

"Raven?" 

He kneeled beside her and caressed her face. Oh, his firstborn. 

"You're early"

"Are you okay?" He asked, "Huffle asked me to go home early, she wanted to bake something for you," he said.

"Kuya! Why did you tell, Mom? It's not a surprise anymore" Huffle came in with Tristan.

"Don't worry, Puffie. I'm still excited to taste it, could you still bake it for me?" She smiled at her. Huffle excitedly nodded.

"I'll go with her, take a rest for a while" Tristan walked towards her and gave her a kiss on her temple, "We'll be back soon"

"Just don't burn this place down!" She chuckled as she watched the two leave.

Raven didn't leave her side and gave her a meaningful look, "Mom, what's wrong?" he sounded so worried.

He's being Sherlock Holmes again. How could he do this? She didn't know but it seemed he knows something. Was she that obvious?

"You know that you could always tell me everything, right?"

She sighed, "I know" but maybe not this one. Among her children, it was Raven who got really affected by Dominic's decision before. He's a Daddy's boy.

He looked up to him so much that when he was young he wanted to grow up like his father but not until he left them.

He loves him so much that's why he was so hurt when Dominic chose Cynthia over them. He can't hate his own father but right now, it seemed that he doesn't exist to him anymore.

"Say it, My" he calmly insisted, "Is it, Tito Tristan?"

She nodded her head sideways, "Wizards?" he continued yet she answered the same.

He stopped and deeply sighed, "Dominic?" she was caught off guard. Her reaction just gave her away.

"It's him." He said not a question but a statement.

"Son..." she cupped his face. "H-how did you know?"

"I was at Ninang's house with Eumee, we were eating snacks when she slipped her tongue," Raven told her expressionless, "So, he got into an accident?"

She nodded yes, "I-I'm sorry, Raven if I didn't say--"

"It's okay, My. He just got what he deserves--"

"Raven!" She cut it him off, "He's still your father" no matter how bad Dominic has done, she would never let her children become disrespectful. She didn't want that.

He bit his lip and shrugged his shoulders, "What happened, My?"

She bit her lower lip while still torn about whether or not she'll say anything yet at the same time, she didn't want to lie to her son.

"H-He got an-amnesia, son" she carefully said, didn't want to sound as if she cares, it will just disappoint him, "He lost his memories from the year 1999 until today"

Raven's forehead creased, Slyther's barely one year old at that time! "H-he wanted us back" His jaw clenched and let out a cuss.

"No" he firmly said, "Don't let him, Mom" his eyes got moist. She could see his 10-year-old eyes right now. His eyes when Dominic left them.

"D-don't let him" Raven shed tears as he spoke, he's not asking anymore but begging.

"Oh, Raven" she caged her son from an embrace, remembering how difficult it was for him. How difficult for him to stand for his siblings when the man who he thought won't break his heart, just did.

It was already past midnight when Tristan and she were left awake since her children are asleep.

"Coffee?" she handed him a cup of coffee which he loved so much.

He lovingly looked at her, "Thank you, Baby" he said and pulled her into his lap.

"Tristan!" she giggled when he kissed her jaw, "Your coffee might spill!"

He smiled back and carefully put the mug on the coffee table, "Is it bad to flirt with my bride?"

"No" she cupped his face and kissed him passionately then pressed her forehead toward his, "I missed you"

"Do you want to talk about it?" Tristan suddenly asked, maybe he could sense her too, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I've heard you and Raven a while ago--"

"Hey, I love you" she cut him off, "You know that right?"

"Of course" he sighed and gave a smile, "and I love you, too" he cupped her face and properly kissed her.

His kisses were kind of a paradox, careful yet aggressive, steamy yet sophisticated. This is what she loves about his kisses, it makes her feel a lot of things including desire sending wild tremors along her nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling.

Their kisses went deeper and bolder, his other hand caressing her leg while the other was in her back as he lay her slowly at the sofa. However, when he reached her neck, she gasped and stilled.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Tristan sweetly asked as he sensed her tension, "What happened? Did it hurt?"

"H-He... He kissed me" she murmured, as if there is something blocking her throat, "H-he kissed me, Tristan"

His expression changed. A mixture of anger and despair came. However, even before she could explain he attacked her lips again. It wasn't rough, but it speaks a lot of feelings.

Yet he stopped. They both catching up for air.

"Where did he kiss you?" His voice isn't angry but there's something more from it she couldn't explain.

"I pushed him away, Tristan" she answered, "I didn't respond back" she held his hand and kissed  it, "I didn't respond..."

Tristan pulled her into his arms, "I-I'm sorry..." he's like a baby boy scared of being lost.

"Baby..." she broke their embrace and cupped his face, "I'll never go back to him... "

"Do you still love him?" He asked as if he would let her go if she says yes.

Their eyes locked for a moment, his eyes got misty yet trying not to shed a tear, "I don't..." he sighed with relief, "It's already you"

He embraced her tightly once again. No word came out of Tristan's mouth but Maricar knew what he wanted to say in the tight embrace.

I am yours and you are mine.