Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Fabian and I separated to do our grocery shopping more efficiently. I took charge of the meat, vegetables, and seafood, while he volunteered to go around and pick up the canned goods and other pantry staples.

I had one hand on the pushcart and the other scrolling through my phone, checking off what I needed to restock at home. I also planned to buy tocino, embutido, and a few of France’s favorites to keep our fridge well stocked.

“Sonia? Is that you?”

I froze and turned toward the voice. A woman had just removed her sunglasses and mask—and I immediately recognized her.

It was Maria. An old acquaintance from my agency days.

“How are yo—” she began warmly, but her expression shifted the moment she got a good look at my face. She blinked, then smirked.

“So the rumors were true. I heard Mr. Valencia divorced you,” she said, not even trying to mask her delight.

Of course, I knew that Victor had spun a story about me going insane after my face was “ruined,” supposedly justifying the divorce. It wasn’t news to me anymore. Honestly, none of it mattered now. My plans were already in motion. The pieces of my comeback were falling into place.

And one day, everyone who belittled me would regret it.

I smiled coolly and raised my hand to show her my wedding ring.

“I’m married now,” I said calmly.

Our wedding had been private—just a handful of trusted people were invited. No one knew except the agency and a few colleagues we’d been working with recently.

“Whoa, you got married again?” Maria blinked in disbelief. “You didn’t even invite me? That hurts,” she added, pouting playfully.

I remembered how quickly she ghosted me the moment she learned I’d been thrown out of the Valencia estate. She even hung up on me.

It was honestly amusing to see her act like nothing had happened.

“Wife,” Fabian appeared beside me with four different cans of tuna in his hands, “there’s no specific brand on the list. Which one should I get?”

Fabian was in disguise—glasses, cap, mask, and even a fake body suit that made him look stocky and out of shape. He’d darkened his skin slightly with makeup and altered his eyebrows. He was virtually unrecognizable to the public.

Maria’s eyes lit up, intrigued.

“Is this your husband? You two look good together,” she said sweetly.

Her reaction didn’t sit well with me.

One of the reasons Fabian managed to go out in public without being mobbed was because of his skill in disguises. Maria clearly couldn’t see past surface appearances.

“Pick the 555 brand. Are you done?” I asked.

“Not yet. Do you need help?”

“No, but I’m almost finished. I’ll wait for you by the cashier,” I replied.

He nodded, gave me a small smile, and walked off—completely ignoring Maria, who stared at him like she was invisible.

“Sorry, he’s shy,” I said, amused.

Maria fanned herself dramatically. “Wow, it’s like he doesn’t even watch TV.”

She was clearly expecting Fabian to recognize her. I almost laughed at the idea that she probably thought he’d fawn over her if he knew who she was. Poor girl. She’d faint if she found out who Fabian really was.

Then a male voice called out for Maria. A handsome man approached with a manager pushing their cart behind him.

“Babe, do you need anything else?”

The women around us started whispering, recognizing him. He was a rising model—one of those constantly featured in men’s magazines.

I didn’t catch his name immediately, but the store manager’s expression shifted the moment he saw me. His eyes widened, and I could tell he recognized me.

I gave Maria a polite smile. “I’ll go ahead. I need to finish shopping.”

“I’ll go with you to the cashier!”

Maria clung to my side, beaming, then eagerly introduced her boyfriend.

“This is Kaizer! Isn’t he so handsome? And even his name sounds hot!” she said, wrapping her arms around his.

I nodded, though I couldn’t care less. Fabian still topped every magazine cover in the country—effortlessly charismatic.

“Is she your friend, babe?” Kaizer asked.

“Yes! She’s a former actress,” Maria said proudly.

“Wait—are you… Sonia Salazar?!”

Kaizer’s face lit up with genuine excitement. He quickly pulled a small notebook from his pocket.

“Can I get your autograph? My sister and I were huge fans! We loved all your dramas!”

I noticed Maria stiffen beside me. Her smile faltered, but I ignored it.

I signed the notebook and returned it with a smile.

“Are you planning to return to acting?” Kaizer asked.

“Yes. I’m part of the cast for a new drama airing next month,” I replied casually.

Maria’s interest piqued. “Which drama?”

“Season 2 of Mirror of Resentment.”

Maria and Kaizer both gaped. It was one of the hottest dramas currently airing. Rumor had it international producers were fighting for adaptation rights.

“Maybe… you could recommend me?” Maria said with a sheepish grin.

“I auditioned like everyone else. It’s a KGC project—very strict. Everyone has to go through the same process,” I answered.

Maria’s eyes widened. “And you got in? What role are you playing?”

We reached the cashier just as Fabian arrived, pushing a cart—followed by three more carts pushed by staff.

“What did you do—buy the whole store?” I said, startled.

Fabian just grinned. “So you won’t need to go out again soon. These will keep you stocked for a while. Don’t worry, I already arranged delivery. France and I will organize everything later.”

Maria looked uncomfortable seeing how much Fabian had bought.

“I’ll pay for all of it,” she suddenly offered, flashing a black card. “Really, it’s my treat!”

I nearly choked. Even she looked surprised at the size of our carts.

“We can manage, Maria and thank you,” I said, smiling politely. Fabian told me to go rest and that he’d take care of the line, so I stepped aside.

I decided to buy him some food at the food court—he hadn’t eaten yet, and I knew what he liked.

Fabian noticed Sonia disappeared and stepped out to look for her.

“Wait!”

Maria appeared suddenly, smiling sweetly.

“You’re Sonia’s husband, right? Please call me if she ever needs anything. She tends to keep things to herself. Here’s my card,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she handed it to him.

“She doesn’t need anything—from anyone but me,” Fabian replied coldly. “I’m more than capable of giving her everything. That’s why I’m confident she won’t need your help.”

Then he turned and walked away.

Maria was left standing there, stunned.

Fabian knew who she was—one of the so-called friends who abandoned Sonia during her lowest point. He didn’t say it, but he remembered.

From afar, Kaizer had seen everything. He frowned and left the store without another word, ignoring Maria entirely. The staff approached Maria to settle the bill.

“Kaizer?” the manager called after him, but Kaizer just waved him off. “Let’s go back to the studio.”

Back at the food court, I was lining up to buy teriyaki—Fabian’s favorite.

Nearby, I heard a couple arguing.

“My feet hurt! Can’t you get in line this time? You’re just playing on your phone!” the woman said irritably.

The man scoffed. “Fine, fine. You’re so loud.”

He returned later with food—only to be scolded again because it wasn’t what she wanted. People nearby began watching them.

One group of guys joked that women were all moody. A pair of women whispered nearby, criticizing the girl.

I remembered my own youth—how I used to eat whatever Victor bought just to keep the peace. Back then, I thought it was sweet. I didn't realize I was erasing myself to spoil him.

Fabian was different. He always asked what I wanted. At first, I thought he was just forgetful about my favorites—but that wasn’t it.

“I respect you, so I ask. I don’t want to make unnecessary decisions—even small ones—on your behalf,” he once told me.

He was teaching me to think for myself. To make choices. To matter in my own life.

We always made our own orders at restaurants. We always listened to each other.

That was why we never fought. We communicated.

I spotted Fabian through the food court window. He must’ve figured out I went looking for food.

“I was going to bring you something to eat,” I said. “I didn’t expect the place to be so packed.”

“I haven’t eaten yet. Let’s eat in the car instead. France’s class ends in five minutes.”

Shoot. I forgot about France.

Fabian laughed. “I’m telling on him you forgot him.”

“Don’t! He’ll get mad,” I said, clinging to his arm.

He chuckled. “Just teasing. But if he does get mad, he might make you sleep in his room again.”

Last time France got mad at me, he made me sleep beside him. The next morning, everything was fine again.

We walked to the parking lot. As we neared the car, we saw Maria and Kaizer fighting—loud and unbothered by the public eye. Anything for exposure, I guess.

Fabian opened the door for me. Once we were both inside, he spoke.

“Maria approached me earlier.”

I stiffened. Of course she did. None of them ever missed an opportunity to disappoint me.

“What happened?” I asked.

He told me everything, and I looked out the window, lips pressed tightly together.

What kind of person was I back then, that I let them all so close?

“By the way,” Fabian said, “Tania’s coming to the mansion tomorrow.”

I snapped my head toward him. “Why?”

He smirked and glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.

“You’re going back into the industry. You need a manager. So I hired Tania.”

I blinked. “But… I thought she already handles artists.”

He chuckled. “Don’t ask how. Just know that nothing’s impossible if it’s for you. And I know you trust her.”

I tried not to smile, but my heart was swelling.

How could I forget? My husband was Fabian Martinez.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He grinned. “I don’t accept plain thank-yous.”

“Then what do you want?” I asked, suspicious.

“A kiss later. On the lips,” he said, tapping his finger against them.

My cheeks burned. “Fabian…”

We were married, and still—he could make me blush like no one else.

And he loved every second of it.