Adaline woke up feeling thirsty. She glanced at the clock on the wall of her room and realized it wasn't too late yet. It was only eight in the evening, but all the windows were already covered with thick curtains.
Adaline glanced at her bedside table and saw that her glass was empty. She got up from bed to walk to the kitchen. However, as she was about to turn towards the kitchen, she could hear a conversation coming from the living room.
"Mom doesn't want to know. However you do it, you need to fix all these problems," her mother-in-law's voice sounded.
"Antony has tried to shut down the news portal. But some of the news has already spread through personal accounts. So, it's harder to contain," Adaline heard Antony's voice too. It seemed they were discussing the news Adaline had read earlier that afternoon.
"What about the TV station? Their social media accounts? That woman has even uploaded a lot of evidence photos of you guys. Even if we report her, it'll only make things worse," Delila continued.
"Darling, calm down," Sir Benjamin's voice could be heard calming his wife.
"How can I calm down!" Delila exclaimed loudly. It seemed like her composure had completely worn off. "This is all because of you! I don't care how, but stop her, or I'll take matters into my own hands!" Delila threatened again.
"Mom..." Altezza's voice interjected.
"Why? Do you think I can't do it?! Do you think I'm incapable?!" Delila challenged. "Even right now, I can destroy everything she considers her hard work," she hissed sharply.
Adaline couldn't see her husband's response, but she knew for sure that her husband couldn't argue.
"I'll give you two days. Sort everything out. Make her retract all the news she's made. If necessary, make her appear in public and apologize.
"I don't care and don't want to care how you do it. The news must disappear, and my son's reputation must be restored!
"If she dares to challenge me, then she'll face the consequences.
"Tell her that Delila will shatter Jovanka Lawrence's name instantly. And she won't have anything left afterward," Delila's voice echoed.
Footsteps were heard, which Adaline presumed to be the steps of her father and mother-in-law. Adaline still stood leaning against the wall, blocking her view from the direction of the living room.
"Listen to what your mother says, Al. You know she never jokes," Antony's voice sounded weary.
"I've tried, Antony. I don't understand how she could be this insane," Adaline could hear Altezza's voice, sounding wounded.
Yes, however, that woman was a woman he once loved. Or maybe his husband still loves her.
Adaline chose not to listen. Her thirst wasn't worth the pain she would hear if she continued to eavesdrop on the cousins' conversation. She returned to her room and chose to lay her body down.
Meanwhile, in the living room.
"What are you really afraid of?" Antony looked at Altezza.
Altezza massaged his forehead. He himself didn't know how he felt at the moment. Confused, annoyed, angry, he felt all at once.
Confused because of Jovanka's changes. Annoyed because of his impulsive actions. And angry because all of this caused chaos in his life and especially hurt his wife. Although he had promised that their marriage would be fine.
"What should I do now, Antony? I don't even recognize her anymore. She's like a stranger," he muttered softly.
Antony snorted. "Did you really know her all this time?" he taunted. "You've just assumed that you knew her, Brother. When in reality, you didn't."
"What do you mean?" Altezza looked at Antony with a furrowed brow.
"All this time, you've just been lulled by false happiness. She only gave you false happiness.
"You were too captivated by her to realize that everything she gave you was just a mirage. Your heart was blinded by something you mistook for love.
"But love isn't like this, Al.
"And now she's losing you. Not because she's afraid of losing your love but because she's afraid of losing her admirer.
"You!
"You thought all this time you knew her, when all she showed you was the image she wanted you to see. Not her true self.
"Love isn't always beautiful. It's not always happy. Nor is it always miserable.
"Love is about giving and receiving. But all this time, she's been receiving too much and you've gotten nothing.
"She doesn't love you. Not since the beginning and not now either.
"I beg you, Altezza, open your eyes and realize who you are and your worth in her eyes. Don't waste something right in front of you for something unclear in the distance.
"Get rid of your mother's feelings. Act firmly. Before everything falls apart and you truly lose everything.
"Do what your mother asks, or else she'll carry out her threat. What she said earlier. And in the end, there will be nothing left for both of you.
"Neither you nor Jovanka will be happy together.
"I've seen how terrifying Quirino's wives can be. I've experienced it. Don't let yourself go through the same. Your mother isn't someone you can fight against." That was Antony's clear warning. Altezza could only groan.
The next morning.
From : XXX
"I won't lose. Altezza will be mine forever." (05:22)
"I won't fear anyone's threats. Altezza will protect me because he loves me." (06:37)
"Get ready to leave your husband's side. Because eventually, he will come back to me." (07:12)
Adaline set her phone down after reading all those anonymous messages. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, hoping to calm her slightly aching heart.
Adaline had just woken up right as the short hand of the clock pointed to nine while the long hand pointed to three. Last night, she managed to sleep soundly despite listening to unpleasant conversations. And since she was declared unemployed, she chose to go back to sleep after fulfilling her duties, and now she felt really hungry.
Adaline rose and descended slowly from her bed. The stiffness in her back felt increasingly intense, requiring her to occasionally massage it and apply the ointment given by the doctor to make it feel a bit more comfortable.
She cleaned herself up, exchanging her pajamas for short-sleeved maternity wear with a long skirt reaching her calves. Now wearing a long skirt felt more comfortable.
She stepped out of the room and saw her mother-in-law sitting in front of the TV, which was broadcasting a cooking show.
"Adaline, dear. You're awake," she greeted cheerfully.
Adaline knew her mother-in-law was trying to create a comfortable atmosphere for them, as if nothing urgent was happening in their household. So Adaline would act accordingly. For herself, and for the twins in her womb.
"Are you hungry?" she asked again, to which Adaline nodded.
Her mother-in-law approached and led her to the dining table, seating Adaline while she herself went into the kitchen area.
"I purposely bought salmon. I'm curious to make tom yam soup. I think it tastes delicious, but who knows what you'll think. If you like it, eat plenty. If not, we can make something else."
Her mother-in-law served a bowl of diced fish with reddish-colored sauce. Its aroma instantly heightened Adaline's appetite.
Her mother-in-law placed steaming white rice as her meal companion on a separate plate. Adaline murmured her thanks and began to eat. The tangy and slightly spicy flavors tingled her tongue. Unconsciously, Adaline finished two plates of rice along with two bowls of salmon.
Delila smiled, observing her daughter-in-law's hearty appetite, hoping that her health would improve.
As the housekeeper cleared away the empty dishes, Delila handed Adaline a small plate containing the vitamins she needed to consume. The red and orange-colored vitamins quickly went into Adaline's mouth.
Afterward, Delila guided Adaline back to the living room.
"Darling, when should we go baby shopping?" Delila asked eagerly. She turned on her tablet and opened the online shopping app. "I actually prefer shopping in person. But I'm afraid of tiring you out, so it's better if we shop online." Delila handed her tablet to Adaline, displaying several baby products.
"Is it okay to shop this quickly?" Adaline asked. Nonetheless, she began to swipe the screen, looking at baby cribs.
"Why, are you afraid of getting the wrong size?" Delila chuckled softly, to which Adaline nodded. "It's okay, if it's too small, we can donate it. Meanwhile, if it's too big, we can wait until the size is suitable. Oh, by the way, have you found out the gender?" Mrs. Delila asked enthusiastically.
"Stefanie said the gender is already visible. But she thinks it's better to wait another six or seven months to be sure."
"What's Stefanie's prediction?"
"Stefanie said they're a pair of twins," Adaline replied without turning her head from the screen. But the sound of clapping drew her attention. Delila looked joyfully amused.
"Let's hope her prediction doesn't change," she said cheerfully. Adaline just nodded in agreement.
Adaline returned to her room with the intention of taking a nap. Before lying down, she purposely checked her phone, fearing there might be incoming messages. She regretted it because apparently, Jovanka hadn't stopped bothering her.
From : xxxxx
Haven't I told you that he will come back to me? (08:55)
A photo accompanied the message. Altezza, casually dressed, appeared to be entering through the side door of a house.
Adaline sat on her bed. Her chest felt tight. She had tried to calm her heart and think positively, but with all this...
Adaline still tried to believe that Altezza was now fulfilling his mother's request. But she couldn't lie to herself that he could be doing something else there.
Adaline set her phone down again without intending to reply to the message she received. What for? To make that woman feel victorious? No, Adaline wouldn't do that.
She lay on her bed and rubbed her increasingly prominent belly. "Whatever happens later, you both must know that I love you very much," she said, continuing to rub her belly until she fell asleep.