Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 34

"You can't go there, Icang..." Tristan said. "It's too dangerous."

She shook her head. "But Huffle..."

"I'm not saying we won't get her, but we need a plan." He tried to comfort her as the sound of police sirens reached them. "They're here."

A police officer and an investigator quickly approached, asking for information.

"Huffle Emery M. Delaverde," Maricar said, tears welling up. "She's just... a child... my child is still so young..."

"And the other girl's name?"

"Abby... Abby Delaverde," she replied, but Raven stepped forward, correcting her.

"She's not their real daughter, My," Raven said. "Her real name is Clara Abigail M. Sinfuego."

"What do you mean, Raven?" Maricar asked, completely dumbfounded. "Not their real child?"

Raven sighed. "Can we just find them first? You'll understand then—"

"Raven."

He knew what she meant. She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Cynthia hired her. To play along. They don't have a child, My... Cynthia miscarried a few months after their wedding."

"What?"

"Cynthia!" Maricar exclaimed. "Officer, she might be the one behind this..."

"But she cared for Abby too," Raven said, disagreeing with the suspicion.

"My child, they're in cahoots," Maricar insisted.

Raven shook her head. "No. Abby wouldn't do that to Huffle. She agreed to play pretend, but not to this extent, Ma."

A police officer approached them. "Your son is right, Ma'am. Our team has reached Engr. Cynthia Javier's residence. She's there."

"Sarge!" another officer called. "We've located the vehicle." He seemed hesitant to speak further.

Maricar stepped forward. "And? What did you find?"

The two officers exchanged glances. "Ma'am, there's something you should know..." Sarge said. "The truth is, we've been monitoring this person for more than five years."

"I don't understand... what does this have to do with my child?"

He opened a folder in front of her, revealing a familiar face. "This is Congressman Fuentes," she said. "What does he have to do with my child?"

He showed a photo of a woman she didn't recognize. She shook her head, but the next photo made her freeze. "Cynthia?"

"Ma'am, this is Mrs. Cora Fuentes, wife of Congressman Fuentes," he explained. "They were speculated to be involved in the black market. No solid evidence, until Mrs. Fuentes passed away."

"I still don't understand..." she said. "Why are you telling me this? And why is there a picture of Cynthia?"

"Mrs. Fuentes and Engr. Cynthia Delaverde are sisters," he said. "Engr. Dominic used to be your husband, right?"

She nodded. "Does this involve Cynthia? Do they have my child?"

"No, Icang." They all turned as Dominic arrived. "Cynthia's not involved..."

He approached them slowly.

"How can you be sure?"

He took a deep breath before addressing the police. "Because I'm the target..."

"Target?" Tristan asked. "What do you mean, Dom?"

"I was with Cora in the car the night of my accident," he stated bluntly. "She recently passed away in the ICU. Congressman Fuentes is blaming me."