Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 9

Chapter IX

It was 6:30 PM when their flight from Japan landed in the Philippines. It had been a long but blissful day. This was the best vacation she had in years.

"Are you all set?" Tristan asked as he loaded their luggage into the compartment. "You didn't forget anything, did you?"

"No, baby. I'm all set," she said as he opened the door for her. "Thank you."

"Thanks for picking us up, Noel," Tristan told his driver. "We're heading to Maricar's house."

"Yes, Sir!"

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, making her giggle.

"Thank you for coming with me, baby..." Tristan whispered, gently brushing her hair back. "I hope you had fun."

Fun? It was amazing.

"Japan was amazing," she whispered in his ear. "But that sauna experience with you? That was the highlight."

Tristan grinned mischievously and bit his lower lip. "What about the shower?" he whispered back, pulling her even closer.

She caressed his face and reached for his lips. They almost forgot Noel was in the car—until her phone rang.

"Come home with me tonight?" Tristan murmured, trailing kisses from her jaw down to her neck. When was the last time they were this intimate?

Her phone rang again. She pulled away. "Wait—it's Ate," she said, answering the call, only to hear panic on the other end. "Hello, Ate?"

There was a pause, then her sister's frantic voice.
"Icang! Good thing you answered. Have you landed?"

"Yes, Ate. Why?"

"You need to come to the hospital. There's been an emergency."

Maricar's face turned pale. "What happened?"

"It's Gryffin. He got into an accident. He's still in the emergency room!"

"What?!" She covered her mouth, massaging her temples in shock. Tristan held her hand, confused.
"Which hospital?"

As soon as Maricris gave her the name, she told Noel to change their route.

"Who's in the hospital? What happened, baby?" Tristan asked anxiously.

"I-It's Gryffin... I don't know exactly. We need to get there fast... Oh God..." She bit her lip to hold back tears and clasped her hands in silent prayer.

When they arrived, she rushed straight to the ER and found Maricris waiting outside.

"Ate!" She met her halfway. "Where's Gryffin?"

"He's inside—" But she didn't let her finish and ran in. She checked each cubicle until—

"Gryffin—" she gasped, stopping cold when she saw who was standing next to her son. Their eyes met.

"What are you doing here?" He wasn't supposed to be there.

The doctor was already speaking to him when he turned to her.

"Are you the mother?" She nodded.

"I'm Dr. Field, Mrs. Delaverde—"

"Miss," she corrected, "Ms. Martinez." Emphasizing the word. "What happened to my son, Doc?"

Dr. Field nodded understandingly. "A motorcycle accident. They swerved to avoid a child and hit a post. His right leg and arm both need to be cast. No head trauma, thankfully—just some bruises and light scratches."