Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 15

"When are you coming home?" she asked, sounding like a little girl sulking after hearing that Tristan still wouldn't be able to return tonight.

She couldn't wait any longer! She wanted to see him so badly.

"Does my wife miss me already?" Tristan teased, then chuckled.

"Don't worry, Baby. I'll be there before you know it. I'm just making sure everything's settled, especially with Papa. I want to be sure he's 100% okay before I leave."

"Alright..." she sighed, but her face lit up when she remembered where Tristan was. "Don't forget my pasalubong, okay? My chocolates!"

Tristan laughed out loud, "Anything for my Baby. Do you want anything else?"

She smiled. This was one of the things she loved most about Tristan—he never made her feel like she was too old for this kind of cheesiness.

She always felt like a young girl again when she was with him.

"You..." she said with a playful grin, "...with a ribbon." Then they both laughed.

"Naughty," he sighed, and they giggled together.

"Tristan, anak... your Papa's looking for you." It was his mother, Talia. Tristan immediately walked over with his phone. "Ma, look who's here..."

"Maricar, my sweetheart!" His mom lit up at the sight of her, even if it was just on screen. "Hon, it's Maricar!" She quickly brought the phone to Tristan's father.

"Hi, Ma... Hi, Pa!" she greeted them both. She felt a little shy—just moments ago she and Tristan had been flirting. Hopefully his mom didn't hear any of it.

"Hi hija," Papa Juan greeted her warmly. "Why didn't you and the kids come with him?"

"Pa, I already told you," Tristan said from behind the camera. "Besides, you wouldn't be able to rest properly if they were here."

"Oh come on, my grandkids are only here once in a while! So what if we play a little?" Papa Juan started coughing, prompting Tristan to take the phone back.

"Let me handle the call. You focus on Papa—he only listens to you anyway," Mama Talia teased.

"Please rest, Pa. We'll make it up to you," Maricar said as Tristan's mom moved to a quieter room.

"So, hija... how are you really?" Mama Talia asked, her voice calm and warm. "Tristan explained why you're not here... How's Gryffin?"

"He's recovering, Ma. The kids wanted to come, but we didn't want to leave anyone behind..." She smiled.

"How about you? My son also mentioned a little bit about Dominic..."

She blinked. "It's... a bit complicated."

"I'm sure it is," Mama Talia nodded. "But let me tell you something, okay? No matter what happened in the past, you're doing so well. And I'm proud of you."

Her eyes welled up. She didn't expect that.

"I've seen how Tristan looks at you, and I know how much he values the life you're building together. So even if Dominic comes back—he's the past. You are the present. You are the future."

She bowed her head, speechless.

"I don't know what I'd do without your son, Ma," she admitted. "It's been so hard..."

"I know it's not easy being the bigger person, especially when there are children involved. But remember this, anak... your peace is more important than your pride. Don't let anyone steal that peace—not even your past."