Chapter 78 Chapter 26.3
After visiting my father, I headed out again. My hands stayed steady on the wheel, but my mind drifted. I couldn’t stop wondering if they were truly all right with what I’d done. A tight, uneasy feeling grew in my chest especially now that Desmond and I were in the same country again. The world suddenly felt far too small for the both of us.
I pulled over the moment I reached the coffee shop. I didn’t want to force myself to keep driving with my mind this cluttered, I was one mistake away from an accident. Inside, the warmth of the café wrapped around me. I scanned the menu, ordered a hot coffee and a few pieces of dessert, then searched for an empty table.
Desmond and I might run different businesses, but everything, every branch, every investment, belonged to one family, his. It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed again. I knew that the moment I returned to Manila. But knowing it was one thing, being ready to face him was another.
All the old wounds I had buried deep inside began resurfacing. The pain I thought I had left behind pulsed like a bruise being pressed again and again. I loved him once, too quickly, too deeply. It turned out he only loved me because I carried his child. Maybe it was better that he learned early on that our baby was gone… at least I knew then that Daryl had been the only reason he stayed.
I let out a small, bitter smile. What else could I have expected? He had Macie for five years. Five years of loving her. Of course, she wouldn’t fade from him easily.
I sighed and took a sip of my coffee, nibbling on a cookie.
“Heaven?”
My body stiffened. I turned toward the voice, and there, at the next table, was Macie. My expression hardened immediately. I looked away and pretended I hadn’t seen her.
I took another sip, another bite. Of all the cafés in Manila, why did she have to choose this one? I rolled my eyes.
“You’re back already?” Macie asked.
As if it mattered to her whether I’d returned or not. Every time I remembered how she left me at that exit, my jaw clenched. Because of her, I nearly lost my child.
“I’m really sorry for what happened back then. I panicked. I’m really, really sorry.”
I glanced back at her, unsure if her apology was sincere. But apologies didn’t undo anything. She couldn’t take back what she’d done. I would never forget how she abandoned me that day.
I stayed quiet not because I forgave her, but because I knew if I opened my mouth, my anger might spill out uncontrollably. I didn’t even know what she’d been doing all this time. Was she still modeling?
“I know you’re angry at me, and you have every right to be,” she continued softly. “But I wanted to tell you—”
“Can you stop?” I cut her off sharply. “Don’t you know how to read the room? I don’t want to talk to you, Macie. Every time I see your face, you remind me of what happened. Isn’t it enough that you won? Don’t bother my life anymore, because I won’t back down from you.”
I stood up, grabbed my things, and walked out.
I slammed my car door shut harder than I intended. I didn’t even know she was back in Manila. Then again, she was probably here for Desmond. If I remembered correctly, her contract in France should have ended by now.
I finished my coffee and cookies inside the car before driving off again.
When I reached the condo, joy immediately filled me at the sight of my child. I gently took him from Jessica’s arms.
“How’s mommy’s baby? Did you cry while I was gone?” I cooed, smiling brightly.
“Heaven.”
I turned and the smile on my lips disappeared when I saw who it was.
Aleena.
My friend whom I hadn’t spoken to in so long.
“Aleena? How did you—” I began, startled. I handed my baby back to Jessica so I could face her fully.
“She’s been my secretary for a year,” my mother said, answering for her. “I didn’t know you two were friends. She’s been looking for you for so long, ever since you suddenly disappeared.”
My gaze shifted to Aleena, whose eyes shimmered with emotion as she smiled.
“Heaven,” she whispered before pulling me into a tight hug. I froze for a moment, then hugged her back. Had I really been so selfish, leaving without telling anyone? Still… seeing her again made my chest lighten.
“It’s been so long. I’m really happy you’re doing okay.” She stepped back, still smiling warmly.
“How have you been?” I asked, guiding her to a quiet corner near the glass wall overlooking the city. As we talked, I grabbed some snacks for her.
“I’m glad you’re still close with your mother-in-law, even after the divorce,” Aleena said softly. “There’s so much I didn’t know about your life anymore, but I’m happy you made it through. I heard about your baby, Heaven… you went through so much. I regret being one of the reasons things became messy for you. If only we hadn’t forced you before—”
“I don’t regret any of it,” I gently interrupted. “What happened between me and Desmond may have been a big mistake, but having my son wasn’t. Daryl is the best thing that ever happened to me because I met Desmond. Things didn’t end well between us, but I’m grateful for my child.”
She nodded, understanding.
I would never call my child a mistake. He was the reason I became stronger. Yes, I was hurt by his father but my son was enough, more than enough.
“Do you still see Desmond at the company?” I asked. I didn’t want to talk about him, didn’t want to think about him… but hearing that he had been coming to the house made me curious.
“Yes, but only once in a blue moon. I haven’t spoken to him, haven’t seen him up close. He’s barely in the office these days.”
“Is he doing okay?”
“Oh, he’s fine. Just… too serious, I guess. Every time I see him, his brows are knitted together, and he won’t leave the company without scolding someone first.”
I gave a faint smile. Whatever he went through, it was nothing compared to what my child and I endured.
He chose to leave us. He chose Macie. So why would I still wonder about his life?
He was probably happy with her.
Had he married Macie after I sent him the divorce papers?