Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 32

Maricar woke up to a strange stillness.

It wasn't like before—when the moment she opened her eyes, her chest was already burning with anger, her mind was set on an agenda, and her heart was weighed down.

This morning, she just felt... tired.

Not the kind of tired that sleep could fix.
But the kind that felt like she was fighting something inside.

Slowly, she removed Tristan's arm from around her waist. He was sleeping deeply; she knew he wouldn't wake up easily.

She glanced at herself in the mirror—disheveled hair, weary eyes, and a heart that, no matter how many "victories" her plan achieved, was still not happy.

She was happier last night, with Tristan.

A different kind of happiness, one that words couldn't explain. The kind of joy that brought peace. That's what she felt last night.

She couldn't do this anymore.

She didn't want this anymore.

She wanted to end this revenge against Dominic.

Later that day, she met with Delia and Wena after their counseling session. There, she told them everything—from the very beginning—about her and Dominic.

"I'm sorry," Wena said, looking at her, "we didn't know everything you went through. We shouldn't have encouraged you."

Delia looked down, "It's true. We let our own pain speak into your journey. That was wrong, Maricar. And we're sorry for feeding your anger. You deserve more than just revenge."

She couldn't speak. Because the truth was... she knew they were only mirroring what she allowed.

She nodded. "I don't want this anymore... I can't bear seeing my family suffer because of who I've become... but I want to talk to Dominic. For closure. Not to continue this—but to finally end it."

And so she messaged Dominic.

She just wanted to meet. Talk. End this in peace.

But just before he arrived, a call came.

Unknown Caller.

Maricar never answered calls from numbers she didn't know, but something felt different this time. She could sense it.

It rang three times before she answered.

"Hel—"

"Don't even think about backing out," the voice growled. "When you're this close to finishing, you're quitting?"

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. Just make Dominic believe you're running away with him. Or we'll start with Raven."

Her blood ran cold. "What do you mean? Who are you? Don't use my son's name—"

"Should I describe what he's wearing, or what he's doing? Or maybe I'll start with Huffle instead?"

"Stop it!" she cried, "What do you want from me!"

"You think this ends when you say it ends?" The voice was chilling. "You've involved the wrong people, Maricar. Don't even try to run. We're watching. So go. Tell him. Tell him you'll leave with him."

Before she could respond, the line cut.

Just then, Dominic arrived.

"Hey..." His voice pulled her back. He gently held her arms. "Are you okay?"

She broke into a cold sweat. She needed to call her children.

"Let me just call... excuse me..." She quickly borrowed a phone.