Heartless (Completed)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The clock was nearing midnight, and still, there was no sign of Art. My heart began to clench with worry. The last time he was this late, he ended up stumbling home, drunk. The thought gnawed at me—what if something bad happened to him this time?

Hours had passed since Manang Beth and Mang Jaime left for their home. Despite their reassuring words, my anxiety had only grown. I couldn't bring myself to eat; the worry had tied a knot in my stomach. Manang Beth had tried multiple times to calm me down, but nothing worked.

Suddenly, the front door creaked open. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. There he was—Art, standing in the doorway. Relief and frustration crashed over me like a tidal wave. Without thinking, I rushed to him and wrapped my arms tightly around his body. He stiffened in surprise.

"Where have you been?" I asked, my voice barely steady as I clung to him.

"You left this morning, and I didn't hear from you all day. No calls, no messages. I've been so worried, Art! Damn it!" My voice cracked as I pressed my face into his chest, feeling the sting of unshed tears. He remained silent for a few moments before I felt his arms slowly wrap around me.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear. I exhaled in a shaky sigh. Why is it that no matter how much I worry or how much it hurts, as soon as I'm in his arms, everything feels okay?

"Where were you?" I asked again, my voice quieter this time.

He gently pulled back from the embrace, cupping my face with his hands. His thumbs tenderly wiped away the tears that had slipped down my cheeks, and he gave me a soft smile—a smile that, despite everything, always managed to weaken my resolve.

"Nowhere," he replied simply.

My brows knitted together in confusion. Nowhere? My heart twisted painfully. Why wouldn't he tell me? Didn't I have the right to know where he had been? I wasn't trying to pry; I just wanted to understand. He's my husband, for crying out loud!

"Why won't you tell me?" I pressed, the frustration evident in my voice.

He sighed, almost as if he didn't intend to say anything more. "I told you, nowhere."

His words pierced through me, sharp and cold. Was he hiding something from me now?

"Alright," I said, turning my back on him. I was overwhelmed with disappointment, my heart feeling as though it was being stabbed over and over again. Was it really too much to ask for him to just be honest with me? Was it wrong to expect him to tell me the truth, unless, of course, he was hiding something from me? Were he and Elisse together all day? If that was all it was, I could accept it—no matter how much it hurt. I couldn't deny the pain I felt; it was real, and I was owning up to it. After all, I was the one at fault for this whole mess. He only stayed with me out of obligation, didn't he? So, fine. I could live with that. But I'm still his wife. Doesn't that count for anything? This is betrayal! Damn it! Now, I'm starting to overreact!

I slammed the bedroom door shut, grabbing a pillow and blanket off the bed and dragging them to the couch in the living room. I lay down, covering myself completely, as if that could shield me from the heartbreak gnawing at my chest.

A few minutes passed before I heard the soft creak of the door opening and closing, followed by the quiet, almost cautious footsteps of Art. He moved with such stillness that I barely noticed his presence at first.

And then, after what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

"What are you doing?" His voice, deep and smooth, carried a weight that filled the room.