Chapter 82 Chapter 28.1
The moment Heaven excused herself from the table, she tried her best to hide the tremor in her hands. She offered polite smiles, bowed her head respectfully, and said goodbye to the businessmen who had spoken with her earlier. Her mind wasn’t in the room anymore—it was focused on one thing alone: escape. She didn’t know where Desmond had gone, or if he was still somewhere inside the venue, but she couldn’t take any chances. She needed to get out.
Gathering the hem of her gown slightly, she walked faster, her heels clicking sharply against the marble flooring of the function hall. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t expected him.
And despite all the changes—the softened lines of her face, the enhanced elegance of her posture, the maturity she carried—he had recognized her instantly.
The thought made her chest tighten.
Once she finally stepped outside the hall, the cool night air hit her skin like a soothing balm. She exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest. ‘At least he didn’t confront me inside. At least he didn’t drag me into a scene.’
But the relief lasted only a second.
“Running away from something?”
Heaven froze.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as she turned around—and her breath caught in her throat.
Desmond stood leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, were pinned directly on her.
She swallowed hard. She had been so sure he stayed inside. She had been so certain she had outmaneuvered him. But here he was.
Of course he was.
Desmond pushed off the wall and began walking toward her, slow and deliberate.
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked. “I knew you’d leave early, so I waited for you out here.”
Heaven tightened her grip on her gown, her pulse racing. She should never have come. She should’ve declined the invitation. But deep down she knew the truth—no matter how long she hid, someday, somehow, their paths would cross again.
“It’s been two years, Heaven,” Desmond said quietly, his voice heavy with something she refused to identify. “Two years you spent running from me. Were you here in Manila the whole time, or did you hide somewhere abroad?”
Heaven stared at him blankly, forcing her expression into ice. Even her eyes—once bright, warm—were colder now. He noticed. He noticed everything.
“What does it matter to you?” she shot back sharply.
Desmond’s lips lifted in a faint, bittersweet smile. There was longing in his gaze—raw, aching. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms. He wanted to feel her warmth for the first time in years.
But he knew she would shove him away.
“I missed you,” he murmured.
Her fists curled instantly.
Why? Why would he say something like that? They were done. Forgotten. Erased. Why did he still speak as if he had a right to miss her?
A humorless laugh slipped from her lips. “I’m sorry to tell you, but I didn’t miss you. Now, excuse me.”
She turned to leave, but his hand shot out, gripping her arm.
“Let go of me!” Heaven hissed. “Someone might see us out here.”
“I don’t care,” he said, voice firm. “You’re my wife, Heaven. There’s nothing wrong with people seeing us together.”
Heaven barked out a sarcastic laugh and glared at him. “Your wife? We separated a long time ago, Desmond. Stop calling me that. Stop following me. We’re done.”
She took a step to leave, but his voice stopped her.
“Who told you we’re divorced?” he asked quietly. “Legally, Heaven… you’re still my wife.”
Her breath stilled.
She didn’t argue. She simply turned and walked away.
Desmond watched her go, shaking with frustration. And when she stepped outside, he followed—not caring that she wanted nothing to do with him.
“Heaven, talk to me,” he pleaded, stepping in front of her and blocking her path. “Please, just give me a chance. Let me explain.”
“There’s nothing left to talk about,” she said flatly. “We’ve been separated for years. We don’t owe each other anything.”
“I love you,” he said, voice low, trembling. “Everything I showed you before—everything I did—was real. You could’ve at least let me explain back then. Instead, you left without even saying goodbye. I searched for you everywhere. Where did you hide so I couldn’t find you?”
Her teeth grit together tightly.
No. She couldn’t afford to break. Not tonight. Not again.
She didn’t stay away just to crumble now.
“I remember everything clearly,” she whispered. “And I don’t want to relive any of it. So please… don’t remind me.”
“Heaven, nothing happened between me and Macie that night. I swea—”
“Will you please stop?!” she snapped, anger flashing in her eyes. “What part of ‘stay away from me’ do you not understand? Don’t come near me again.”
With shaking hands, she rushed to her car, climbed in, and sped off without giving him another glance.
Desmond stood there, helpless, watching the taillights disappear.
“You’ve returned to Manila,” he whispered to himself. “And I’m not stopping until you believe me. I love you, Heaven. I’ll fix us. No matter what it takes.”
Inside her car, Heaven’s hands tightened around the steering wheel so hard her knuckles paled. She had just come back to Manila, and already fate had pushed Desmond in front of her.
She had hoped he would ignore her. That seeing her again would mean nothing to him. She prayed he had moved on, that he no longer cared.
But she was wrong.
Completely wrong.
She remembered sending him the divorce papers. She remembered preparing herself for closure.
‘Did he never sign them?’
Her grip tightened further. ‘He can’t do this. He can’t still have that hold on her.’
When she finally reached her condo, she collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted in ways she hadn’t been in years. She slipped off her heels, letting her feet rest, but her mind continued racing. She hadn’t been prepared for this—for him. For the pain.
Later that night, after showering, she lay beside her sleeping son. Jessica quietly stepped out and headed to the guest room, leaving Heaven alone with Daryl.
Heaven wrapped her arms around her little boy, pulling him close.
Fear gnawed at her.
What if Desmond found out Daryl was alive?
What if he tried to take him away?
What if he used their child to force her back into his life?
She closed her eyes tightly, breathing in her son’s scent. She wouldn’t let that happen. Not again.
The next morning, she sat across from Shiermy—her mother-in-law—barely paying attention as she stared blankly into her coffee.
“Heaven, are you still with me?” Shiermy tapped her hand gently.
Heaven blinked, snapping back to reality. “Mom—I’m sorry. My mind drifted. What were you saying?”
“As I mentioned, you can work at our Pasay branch so you and Desmond don’t cross paths,” Shiermy explained warmly. “He’s assigned to Marikina. You’ve proven yourself capable—you transformed our business in Germany. So we’re giving you the director position in Pasay.”
Heaven nodded slowly. She needed her job with the Velasquez Group. It was her only stable source of income.
“But I can’t promise you won’t see Desmond,” Shiermy added regretfully. “He visits the Pasay branch in person from time to time.”
Heaven gave a small, resigned smile. She expected as much.
“That’s fine, Mom. I’ll stay professional. I only have one request—please don’t let Desmond find out about Daryl.”
Shiermy sighed deeply. “I can’t promise that… but I’ll respect your decision. Still, remember this, Heaven—Desmond never stopped searching for you. The only reason he didn’t find you… is because I paid the investigators he hired to withhold your whereabouts.”
Heaven’s heart dropped.
Everything was about to get even more complicated.