121

121
Usually, people with disabilities or physical limitations tend to be sensitive. Even a simple glance could make them feel judged.
Eloise looked at Cosmo. “If you had the chance, wouldn’t you want to go back to how you were before?”
Cosmo didn’t show any anger. Instead, his smile stayed calm. “Of course. But if the chances are slim, ”
Eloise quickly cut him off. “Your mother mentioned before that she was searching for a good doctor. I know of an elderly doctor, maybe we can try him.”
Cosmo frowned slightly, studying her. “How do you know him? Since when did you have a connection with that kind of doctor?”
Eloise froze. In her rush, she had forgotten to prepare a proper excuse. Panic filled her mind.
Cosmo then spoke slowly and seriously. “You studied acupuncture under him, didn’t you?”
Eloise’s face shifted in surprise. “You… how did you know?”
Cosmo’s question bounced back at her.
“Ever since we got married, you’ve been pricking me with needles every night to help me sleep. Did you think I wouldn’t feel it?” he replied.
Eloise was stunned. She had been doing it secretly for so long, convinced she hadn’t been caught. But of course, a man like Cosmo couldn’t be fooled. He was sharp and observant.
Eloise smiled. “Since you already knew, how can you be sure it was really me doing it?”
Cosmo raised a brow. “When I noticed something unusual, I had the bedroom CCTV checked. I saw everything you did every night.”
Her mouth fell open. Unbelievable. Nothing ever slipped past this man. She shook her head and laughed. “Why didn’t you confront me right away?”
Cosmo’s answer was simple, almost natural. “Because I wanted to see what your real intentions were.”
From the very start, Cosmo had been suspicious of her. He thought Eloise had another agenda for marrying him, which was why he constantly kept watch, analyzing her every move.
“You’re unbelievable,” Eloise said with a smile. “Good thing I never did anything bad to you. Well, maybe only at the beginning. I did use you for my own reasons.”
Cosmo didn’t respond right away. He only looked at her and let out a quiet sigh.
“But what you don’t know,” Eloise continued, “is that I also truly wanted to help you.”
Cosmo smirked. “Back then, I thought you had a hidden agenda. That you were only pretending to be kind while plotting something else. I never realized you didn’t even want to marry me, that you wanted to leave right away.”
Eloise felt annoyed at his tone. “Do you want to start charging me for everything now? Fine, let’s go back from the very beginning and list everything one by one.”
There had been many harsh words between them before, and she knew she had been at fault too. So she backed down first.
“Alright, let’s not talk about the past anymore,” Cosmo said.
But Eloise teased him, “You’re just scared, aren’t you?”
Cosmo cupped her face and kissed her. “Fine, I was wrong.”
He pulled away quickly, not giving her time to stay mad. Eloise could only laugh.
After Eloise admitted she had learned a bit of acupuncture, she was the one who opened up about it to Cosmo. From then on, Cosmo took on the responsibility of finding the elderly Philippine medicine doctor she mentioned.
Meanwhile, Sasha returned to Tagaytay for the final filming of her program. Eloise visited her but didn’t stay long, only about half an hour.
As the show neared its end, Sasha’s popularity suddenly soared. She gained millions of followers thanks to her personality, beauty, and natural charm.
When it came to plans after the show, Sasha wanted to take a break. She and Faro were planning to travel abroad.
Eloise thought it was a good idea for the couple. Traveling together was a way to test compatibility, how they handled trips, differences in habits, and even small disagreements.
Then she thought of Cosmo. They never had a wedding, much less a honeymoon. She felt a small thrill at the thought of them traveling together, but quickly pushed it aside.
While Cosmo was willing to go out for work, it was different when it came to traveling for leisure. She wasn’t sure if he was ready to leave his familiar environment, a place where he felt safe and secure.
That afternoon, Tania invited Eloise out for snacks. This time it was just the two of them, clearly because she wanted to talk about something important.
“Your relationship with Cosmo has already been exposed. I think it’s time we prepare for a wedding,” Tania said directly, stating her reason for calling her out.
“A wedding?” Eloise asked in surprise.
Being exposed as a couple was different from actually holding a wedding. Eloise understood that the Dominguez family might want a wedding as a response to the rumors, but to her, a marriage that only served appearances and ignored its true meaning felt pointless.
“I can see it in you, it’s like you don’t want to get married?” Tania asked as she studied her. “Usually, when it comes to women, they dream about their wedding day. Don’t you want that?”
“I don’t really think much about it,” Eloise answered honestly. “What matters more to me is our relationship. A wedding is just for show, for other people’s eyes.”
Tania was impressed by her response. She smiled, this time with a touch of respect and warmth in her eyes.
“When the Lopez family asked for a 200 million dowry, I thought you were arrogant and money-minded too. But now I see you’re far from what I imagined. I’m glad I wasn’t wrong about you.”
Eloise laughed. “It’s normal for people to have the wrong impression of someone they don’t know. I understand that.”
She brought the topic back to the wedding. “Have you asked Cosmo about his thoughts on the wedding plans?”
Tania shook her head. “I wanted to talk to you first. Tell him, I’d like to hear what he thinks as well. But for me, you should be the one to decide.”
Eloise didn’t hesitate to answer. “For me, it’s better not to go through with it. We already know where we stand with each other. There’s no need to spend money and tire ourselves out just to put on a show for others. It would be better if we donated that money to charity instead.”
Tania fell silent.
Perhaps, it was rare to meet someone who thought the way Eloise did at her age. She smiled again.
“Charity is good, that’s true. But the Dominguez family isn’t exactly lacking in money. Just talk to Cosmo, hear what he wants, and then get back to me.”
Eloise could only nod. “Alright.”
After their conversation, Eloise went straight to pick up Cosmo from work. The receptionist already knew her, so she went directly to the elevator.
On her way to Cosmo’s office, she overheard some women in the secretary’s office talking, and it was clear she was the topic.
“You know her, she only married Mr. Dominguez for money! If it were me, I’d do the same. He’s rich. Even if you don’t love him, at least you’re secured.”
“Once you’ve been married long enough, you’ll realize he only used you to have kids. If you earn something, fine. But if not, you’re just a waste.”
“Exactly! Rich, with plenty of free time. You’ll have a nanny to take care of the kids. What a comfortable life, no matter what your husband looks like!”
Eloise felt uncomfortable. She didn’t know whether she should call them out or just ignore it. In the end, she decided to let it go and texted Paolo instead.
A few minutes later, Paolo arrived.
“Why didn’t you go in?” Paolo asked.
“I might scare someone,” Eloise joked.
Paolo frowned. “Who on earth would be scared of you?”
Eloise didn’t answer. In her mind, they hadn’t said anything bad about Cosmo, nor had they insulted her outright. There was no need to make it bigger than it was.