Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 7

Chapter VI

"Tristan, how is she?" It was Maricris, calling as soon as they got home. "What happened?"

"He went to see her at Wizards," Tristan answered. "What's going on, Cris? Is there something I don't know?" he asked nervously.

"I'm sure she told you already. Cynthia called her because Dominic really did have an accident." Maricris sighed. "But why on earth would he go to Maricar?"

"He has amnesia, Cris." Tristan's brow furrowed. "Maricar told me what the doctor said. From his behavior at Wizards, he truly believes it's still 1998."

"What the heck..." Maricris's face turned pale. "Does that mean he doesn't remember the cheating? Or the annulment?"

Tristan shook his head. "Cris, do you think...?" He couldn't finish the question.

"Tristan," Maricris massaged her temple, "whether his memories return or not, they were never legally married. Their marriage was void from the start."

"But what if she still loves him?"

"Tristan," Maricris pressed, "my sister loves you. You know that." Of course he did—but what chance did he have against the father of her children? He loved them, but now that Dominic was back in the picture... where did that leave Tristan?

"He's already married." Maricris added, "And that woman will move heaven and earth to fight for their marriage. You have to fight for yours."

Tristan straightened. Of course—why was he even afraid? Maricar wouldn't go back to Dominic. Not now. Not ever.

⸻

He entered Maricar's bedroom. She looked exhausted. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked her face.

"I love you, Baby..." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Maricar stirred and opened her eyes. "Hi..."

"Hi... What time is it?"

"Only 3 PM. How are you feeling?" He took her hand, and she lay down beside him. "Not hungry yet?"

"I am..." She exhaled. "But let me hold you for a while, please..."

"You can hold me as long as you want," he whispered.

She chuckled. "I love you..."

He shifted so they faced each other, foreheads touching. "I love you." He kissed her. "How are you really feeling, Baby?"

She met his gaze. "I—I'm okay. Just... a mix of sleepy and hungry."

"Do you want to talk about what happened earlier?"

He caressed her cheek. "I want to talk, but I don't know where to start... I don't know what to feel, Tristan." She honestly said.

"What happened? What did he do?"

"H-He kissed me."

Tristan froze—his fingers still resting at Maricar's lips. "What? He kissed you?"

"I pushed him away..." She lifted his chin. "Baby, I pushed him away. I didn't kiss him back, okay?"

He pulled her close, trembling with concern. But she was here with him now—and that was all that mattered.

Maricar sensed his fear and gently pushed him back enough to meet his eyes. "Baby, look at me, please?"

Tears welled. "I'm sorry..."

"Why are you crying?" Her tone was soft and full of worry.

"I'm scared." He confessed. "I don't know if I could ever let you go... if you still love him."

Maricar bit her lip and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her tightly in return. "Don't... don't let me go, Tristan. You are the one I love. I'm yours, Baby..."

"I love you..."

"I love you too. That's why I'm marrying you... I love you, Tristan. We'll get through this, okay?"

⸻

Maricar fell asleep again and only woke when hunger made her stir. She couldn't ignore it any longer.

She was about to leave the room when she heard her children playing in the hall—laughing, teasing, with Tristan acting as peacemaker whenever her big boys teamed up on little Huffle.

"Mommy!" They all called when she stepped out, "Are you feeling better?" asked Slyther.

"Are you sick, My?" Gryffin chimed in. "Maybe you should get checked, My. You've been dizzy and nauseous a lot lately..."

"What?" Tristan looked at her, alarmed. "Is that true?" He asked.

"You guys are like a police squad. It's just fatigue from Wizards." She said.

"But Gryffin has a point, My." Raven approached, offering her water as he sat beside his mother. "You really should see a doctor."

"Papa, let's buy ice cream!" Huffle suggested. "Mommy, I think that'll make you feel better."

Maricar smiled. In the end, Huffle always wins—Tristan agreed, and Gryffin and Slyther went along, leaving Raven and Maricar behind.

"Mommy, is it true?" Raven asked softly. "Did he really visit you at Wizards?"

Maricar closed her eyes, unsure how to answer her firstborn. "Son..."

"Did he hurt you?" Raven pressed. Maricar shook her head. "What did he say?"

"Raven, your father—"

"Don't call him that." Raven cut in. "He's just Dominic to me."

Maricar stopped—how could she be angry at that? Raven had stepped up when Dominic left; he'd become both mother and father. His sacrifice had robbed Raven of a normal childhood, but he did it for her sake.

"Sweetheart, I'm okay. Don't worry too much..." she whispered, pulling Raven into a hug.