Chapter 74

Chapter 74


Ivan had just finished breastfeeding her, so she decided to leave the room. She called out to a passing nurse and asked for a wheelchair for Ivan. The nurse quickly obeyed, and a few minutes later, he returned with the wheelchair.

Together, they helped the nurse inside and were startled to see Ivan suddenly sit up from the bed. It clearly alarmed the male nurse. Ivan frowned at his wife, sensing her foul mood.

The nurse supported Ivan until he was properly seated in the wheelchair. Ivan would have scolded the nurse if she hadn’t stopped him. The nurse said he couldn’t push Ivan all the way to the rooftop, given Ivan’s current condition.

"I'm jealous of that nurse, Rigella," Ivan said firmly as they reached the rooftop, clearly still bitter about the earlier incident.

His brows knitted. "Jealous? But you're the one who was brought up here."

He wiped the sweat off his forehead, exhausted despite taking the elevator.

Ivan’s jaw tightened. His gaze darkened. "I didn’t like the way he looked at you. I saw that sparkle in his eyes. Damn it—can’t he see you’re pregnant? It’s like... you still want someone else."

Rigella chuckled softly. He wrapped an arm around Ivan and gently ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s crazy. Even if he liked me, I don’t care. I love you, okay? You’re just being paranoid.”

“But, Rigella,” Ivan said seriously, “I don’t want anyone else looking at you like that. I want it to be just me. You’re mine—because you’re my wife. I love you. You’re mine.”

Rigella took a deep breath and shivered—not out of fear, but something else. Ivan’s possessive side thrilled him in a way he couldn’t explain. Maybe because it made him feel truly loved.

“I’m really yours. I’m not going anywhere, so relax,” he whispered, trying to calm him.

Ivan didn’t respond, but he felt Ivan’s arms wrap tightly around his waist. He looked down at him, saw his folded arms, his distant stare. He smiled and continued stroking Ivan’s hair, soaking in this rare peace they now had.

God had answered his prayer—to breathe in fresh air, to feel the warmth of the sun, and to have Ivan by his side. It was enough compensation for all the pain and hardship he had gone through. He needed nothing else. The people who mattered most were with him now.

Their story felt too unbelievable. If others heard it, no one would believe them. The impossible had become their reality. They had survived every storm that tried to break them.

His mind wandered back to everything he had endured—every moment of pain, of recovery, of near-death. But he survived, because he believed in something greater. And now, he finally felt worthy of this life.

“Sit on my lap,” Ivan suddenly said, breaking his thoughts.

Rigella winced. “I’m heavy.”

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “If you don’t want to sit, then I’ll stand, and you can take the wheelchair. Is that what you want?”

He sighed, scowled, and then gave in. He was still a little surprised they even got a wheelchair big enough for both of them.

Ivan wrapped both arms around his waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. When Rigella turned to look at him, their noses bumped. He smiled, but that smile faded quickly when Ivan pressed his lips to his.

She closed her eyes and returned the kiss, feeling tears escape from the corners of her eyes. She was overwhelmed with joy. The impossible had truly become possible. Ivan had survived, and now they were together.

Tears streamed freely down her face. Ivan pulled away and gently wiped them.

“Hey… why are you crying?” Ivan asked, his brows furrowed but eyes full of concern.

Rigella smiled softly and took Ivan’s hand from his cheek. “I’m just happy. I never thought we’d get to this point again. You’re free. We’re both free.”

Ivan stared at her, tears beginning to fall from his own eyes.

“I love you so much,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion, then kissed her again. She cried as she kissed him back.

This time, she felt as if she were floating—like she was sitting on a cloud. Ivan’s kiss was gentle, sweet, and filled with emotion. She could feel how much Ivan was crying too. Maybe, just like her, he was also overwhelmed with joy.

Finally, they didn’t have to hide their feelings. They were free to love each other openly.

Ivan pulled away again, but this time, she didn’t open her eyes. She wanted to stay in that moment forever. It felt like a dream—and if it was, she didn’t want to wake up.

“I love you so much. I’ll never hurt you again. Please stop crying… it kills me,” Ivan said, still teary-eyed.

“I love you too, you know that,” she said, wiping his tears with her palm. Ivan wiped hers in return, and for a moment, they both simply wiped each other’s tears in silence.

When the tears stopped, they turned to watch the sunset. Ivan wrapped his arms around her waist again, and she held his hands tightly.

She remembered all the times she cried because of Ivan. She once wished her pain would disappear like the sunset—gone by morning. But now, she realized pain had a purpose. It made her stronger.

“It’s my birthday today…” Ivan whispered unexpectedly.

Her eyes widened as she turned to him. He was pouting, eyebrows furrowed. She recalled the date and realized he was right.

“Ahm… I’m sorry. I—” Rigella didn’t know what to say.

Ivan nodded slowly. “Yeah. You forgot.”

She sighed. “It’s not that I forgot… it’s just—”

“Even if you hadn’t left me for five years, I still would’ve celebrated your birthday,” Ivan said like a sulking child.

She felt a pang of guilt. Yes, she forgot—but only because she’d been so focused on taking care of him. She hadn’t even checked the calendar.

“I’m sorry…” her voice cracked.

Ivan chuckled softly. “I was just teasing. It’s okay. I understand.”

“Huh? You’re okay?” she asked in disbelief. Ivan used to get upset when people forgot his birthday.

He nodded. “Hmm. I know you’ve been busy lately.”

Her smile widened. “You’re improving, huh?”

He smiled too, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Of course. I’m willing to change—for you. I’m tired of pretending in front of others. It’s time they saw who Ivan Jed De Leon really is.”

“That’s good,” she chuckled. “But where are your parents? Creed didn’t come either. Did they all forget too?”

“No, they didn’t. I asked them not to come. I wanted to marry you first,” Ivan grinned.

She smacked his chest playfully. “Crazy. It’s more fun when everyone’s here.”

“I don’t care. You’re the only one I want. I don’t want you taking care of anyone else but me.” Ivan snuggled into her neck.

“You’re always like this.” She laughed.

“I only act this way when you’re here,” Ivan murmured, kissing her neck.

She squirmed. “Ivan! That tickles!” she laughed.

“Why? You came back, didn’t you—”

She stood up from his lap. “I’m not saying that!” she laughed harder, not annoyed at all.

“Just kidding.” Ivan laughed and pulled her back into his lap. “But seriously, we need to talk. It’s important…” He kissed her cheek.

“Important? What is it?” She fixed her messy hair.

“I want to explain what I did before…”

He paused. He thought he didn’t care about the past anymore, but it still hit him hard.

He sighed. “Ivan—”

“Shh. Just listen,” Ivan said sadly.

“I had a lot of enemies—mafia. They would’ve targeted my weakness to get what they wanted. So I hurt you… to make them believe I didn’t care about you. To make you look disposable. I didn’t want to—but I had to.”

“I know. Creed told me.”

“What? You and Creed are close now?”

“Yeah. I guess he’s my best friend. Not you.”

“Damn it. He shouldn’t have talked to you while I was asleep.”

“Why not? We only talked.”

“Maybe he exposed my secrets.”

“He did. A little. Don’t worry.”

“I don’t trust that idiot. What did he say?”

“Secret.”

“Hey, I’m the one you talked about! I deserve to know!”

“Ask him yourself. I’m too lazy to explain.”

“Wow. Lazy now, Rigella? Don’t you do anything anymore?”

“People change.”

“But not your love for me, right?”

She just stared at him. Damn, he knew how to shut her up. His timing was perfect.

“Do you think I would’ve waited for you to wake up if I didn’t love you?”

“Hm. Maybe you just pitied me. Or maybe it’s because we’re married.”

“You proposed first, remember?”

“Hey! I don’t recall that. I was young!” he protested—but deep down, he remembered everything.

“Yeah, right. You were head over heels.”

“Yuck! You’re not even that handsome. And you’re thirty-three now—so old!”

“Really? And I’m still hot.” Ivan bit his lip trying to hold back laughter.

“I’m thirty-one. Time flies. Ice turns fourteen next month, and the twins turn six in October. I want them to stay little…” He looked at the sky and realized night had fallen.

“It’s fast. I didn’t get to watch the twins grow…” Ivan said sadly.

“They’re only five, Ivan. You still have time. But first, you have to get out of the hospital.”

“I’m fine, Rigella. You’re the paranoid one trying to extend my stay here.”

“Just being careful.”

“Have you thought of a name for our baby?”

“Changing the topic now?”

“I used to want him to be your junior,” she said, surprising Ivan. “But maybe Roxanne was right. He might suffer if he inherits your fate. So I thought of something new.”

Ivan grinned. “You’re so mean. What’s the name?”

She smiled. “Ievan Rinzen.”

“Ievan? Sounds like mine.”

“Spelled I-E-V-A-N but pronounced ‘You-van’.”

“You really love me, huh?”

She laughed. “Assuming. The name means ‘God is merciful.’ That’s why I liked it.”

“And Rinzen?”

“It means ‘holder of intellect.’ Maybe he’ll inherit your smarts.”

Ivan stayed quiet. They talked about so much today, and he still wanted more moments like this—just the two of them.

After a while, Rigella whispered, “It’s really over, huh?”

Ivan hugged her tighter. “Yes. And I promise, we’ll never be apart again. We’ll go on—until the end.”

“What if I leave again?” she teased.

“I’ll chase you down. Wherever you go. I’ll never stop until I find you. I love you too much to let you go.”

Those words melted her heart. This wasn’t a dream—Ivan truly loved her.

“And if you leave me?” she asked again.

“That’s not happening. No more doubts. Just this—I love you.”

She smiled. “Let’s be late, huh?”

“Let’s be late. Promise.”

They watched the stars together, twinkling above them—just like their love. Even without certainty, love had found its way back. They had survived illness, trials, and heartbreak. But they were still here. Holding each other. Stronger than ever.

Because sometimes, the end of suffering is the beginning of forever.

The End.