Once a Wife [English Version]

Chapter 41

"Are you two back together?" asked Maricris as she arranged the plates in the kitchen.

Through the window, they could clearly see Tristan playing outside with Huffle and their dog, Dobby.

"I-I don't know..." Maricar replied softly, uncertain.

"Are you still not okay?" her sister probed gently. "I mean... do you still need space?"

"What kind of question is that, Ate?" she half-laughed, half-sighed.

"You're the one who asked for space, didn't you?" Maricris's tone remained calm. "Now that Tristan is back... was the space you needed enough?"

Truthfully? Yes. The months they spent apart were enough for her to breathe. But now, watching him with Huffle... she knew — she couldn't push him away anymore.

She was healing. Slowly, but surely.

"We're not kids anymore, Ate," she murmured. "After everything that happened... and still, he's here?"

"So... is the wedding back on?" Maricris asked.

She didn't respond. She and Tristan hadn't talked about it — it was like an unspoken understanding between them.

"Let me rephrase the question," Maricris said. "Are you ready?"

Yes. Finally. She is ready.

⸻

That night, she found the courage. "Can we talk?" Maricar asked softly as Huffle slept upstairs with her brothers.

Tristan nodded. There was tension in the room — awkward but hopeful. Since she was the one who initiated the talk, she knew she had to lead it too.

"Icang..."

"Let me go first, okay?" she interrupted gently. "I owe you this, Tristan."

He remained quiet, eyes on her, patiently waiting.

"I know I asked for a break... because I thought it would be better for both of us if I were the only one to bear the weight. I thought I should be the one to pay the consequences. I thought it'd be kinder to you — to give you a chance to find someone who fits your world better."

She swallowed, voice cracking.

"But during those weeks... months we were apart... it hurt."

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It hurt because I realized... you were the one who made life feel lighter. You carried so much of my burdens. I never felt alone because you were always here. Even my children... they never felt fatherless because of you."

Her voice softened, hesitant. "I let fear consume me — fear that I might never give you a child of your own."

Tristan cupped her face gently, eyes warm and steady.

"Baby... I never wanted a child unless it's with you. No matter what happens, whether we're given one or not, our family is already whole. You and the kids — you're enough. And nothing will ever change that."

"Baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I failed to see... that the reason you never ran out of love was because you had a source I didn't know."

Their foreheads pressed together as her tears fell into his hands.

"You never gave up on me. You gave me space. You supported me too," she whispered, breathing in. "If... if you can still forgive me, can you give me one more chance?"

He smiled, brushing her tears away. "After everything... you remained flawless to me. Strong. Kind. Whole. I've loved you from the beginning — and I'll keep loving you, no matter what."