Chapter 11

Rigella's POV

I am currently feeding Ice today. We just came home here today. Ivan and I live in the house. I didn't want us to stay here anymore because what happened to my son might happen again but I thought about how he would feel.

I know he already understands everything even when he is young. Ice is a smart kid, so maybe she already knows who Lara is in her daddy's life ... and what our situation is.

After he ate, I wiped his mouth and gave him medicine. I laid him down properly on the bed and he slowly fell asleep.

I smiled miserably and stroked her hair. He is fine and relatively well. He also stayed in the hospital for four days so I was very worried. But the doctor said that her fever and allergies were not that bad.

So from now on, I will double the care of her. I don't want this to happen to her again. Because just in case, I might not be able to cope.

I sighed and decided to go down first to cook lunch. When I went downstairs, the housemates were still very clean. The things in this house are so shiny e.

Lara, the feeling señorita, is just as bossy. I also wondered why he wasn"t here now and yelled at the housemates. Thankfully, it looks like my day will be peaceful even for a moment.

I stopped the housemates from cleaning first and let them rest. Unfortunately for them, their sweat is already dripping with cleanliness.

"Me, Mam, thank you. You're really smart. We still like you boss more than Mam Lara. You have a bad attitude." A housemate said so we all laughed.

Oh right? Someone else is saying that Lara's behavior is bad. Tsk, I don't know that Ivan's taste is like that. He wanted a bad and beautiful woman. Different class really.

I went to the kitchen and peeked at the refrigerator. I just sighed when I saw that the food stock was low. I just disappeared a few days after this right away?

I saw Marilyn smiling, she is the youngest maid here and she is Manang Lisa's granddaughter.

"Ate, there's really little food there because Mam Lara cooks a lot of dishes every day. The others are just wasted." Aniya.

My blood boiled. Why, the thickness of his face would tamper with my kitchen. I just went to the grocery store last week and ran out right away? Annoying!

I saw Manang Lisa approaching us. I would have smiled at him when I saw what he was eating. Chicken sandwich.

I covered my mouth and quickly approached the sink and there vomited. The smell of that sandwich was sour. Disgusting.

I vomited everything I ate, including my insides. After I vomited I took a glass and gargled. I took a face towel and wiped it in my mouth.

I leaned over the sink and swallowed my senses. I saw Manang and Marilyn looking at me in shock. I swallowed, I looked like a buking ata.

"A ... Ate why are you vomiting?" Marilyn's eyes widened when she asked me.

My mouth opened but I couldn't speak so I picked it up again. I averted my eyes. What are you going to do, Ella?

"Daughter, ma'am ... are you pregnant?" Manang asked seriously.

I close my eyes tightly and sigh. I guess, I have no choice. I need to tell her.

I nodded slowly while still closing my eyes. I sighed when I felt Manang hug me. I don't know but suddenly my tears flowed.

I hugged back to Manang and cried on her shoulder. I'm crying because ... I'm pregnant but my husband doesn't love me. What a pity for my baby. He looks like a man who doesn't have a whole family.

After I cried, Manang rubbed my cheek and smiled at me.

"You're pregnant again. I have a new pet ..." Manang put the hair that was blocking my face behind my ear.

"Manang ..."

"Does Ivan already know this, sister?" Manang asked.

My mouth fell open. "No ..." I answered.

Manang sighed. "Are you going to tell her, daughter? She's still the father of the one you're pregnant with ..."

I shook. "I have no intention of telling her about this, Manang. I don't want to hope and get hurt. It's okay for her to lie to me and for her to leave Lara here ..."

"But ..." Manang sighed and didn't continue what he was going to say. "Oh hey, go ahead. If that's what you want. But take care of yourself, daughter. They might notice ..."

I smiled and nodded. I'll make sure other people don't find out about my pregnancy ...

~ • ~

Here I am today in a supermarket in a mall. I go to the grocery store because I have run out of food at home. I pretended to be the one to go to the grocery store because the housemates were very tired.

Manang should go with me here, in case I told him I would be alone and he would just rest. So I"m the only one doing grocery now.

I go to the meat section and get some meat that I will need for cooking. Some time later I heard someone call me.

"RIGELLA!"

I turned to the source of that voice and saw a pregnant woman. She has a big belly and looks like she will give birth this month.

The woman approached me and smiled at me. My forehead furrowed. His face was familiar but I can't remember if I knew him.

"Hi, how are you?" He asked eagerly.

I was swallowed. "Uhm, it's okay. Pwe ... Can I know your name?" I'm embarrassed to say.

He laughed and stared. Wait ... "What are you! It's me, Darlyn! Kuya Seymour's sister. You're serious, we were classmates in high school. You forgot about me right away?"

My forehead furrowed for a moment and my eyes widened as I remembered who he was. "Darlyn? Darlyn Louise?" I was shocked by the question.

He immediately hugged me and I hugged him back. She"s Darlyn! Seymour's brother who is stable but kind. She is also good at baking and she used to bake cookies for me.

When we let go of the hug he looked at me from head to toe so embarrassed I just smiled at him.

"Awful! You're still beautiful and sexy. Blooming ah!"

I laughed. "You too."

"Hala, it's nothing! I'm just beautiful now, I'm not sexy anymore. My stomach is balloon oh. I'm menstruating ..." he said with a smile and caressed her stomach.

I smiled. "Are you married yet?" I will ask.

I saw his smile fade and his frown. "Tsk, yes. It's a stupid case, so ... well, I plan to separate ..." he said sadly.

"Ha? How's that, you're still pregnant and you're going to give birth?" I'm worried question.

He grinned raw. "Hayst, let it go. That husband of mine is stupid, he should be left to that cheater. He doesn't lack anything. I like it."

I smiled. He was still good, he was brave. E me, even if I want to separate, I can't. What's holding me back is Ice.

"That's just right, Darlyn. By the way, do you have anyone with you?"

He was slapped on the forehead. "Oh, by the way! Tsk, or I'll be the first? Someone is waiting for me, my friend at Starbucks. Do you want to come?"

"Ah, not anymore. I also need to go home right away because my son is sick ..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, go ahead, maybe your friend is waiting for you ..."

"All right, be careful ..." he kissed me before leaving.

I gasped for breath. I was happy to see Darlyn, she was one of my friends back then and I can say I can really count on her.

I was about to push the push cart away from the meat section when I felt dizzy. I was gripped tightly by the handle of the push cart. With one hand I squeezed my senses.

But I was immediately alarmed when my stomach suddenly hurt. I grabbed my stomach and yawned. I got out of the cart and immediately took my cellphone out of my sling bag.

I immediately dialed Roxanne's number but she refused to answer. I called him once but he did not answer. As time went on, my stomach ached more and more and my dizziness intensified.

Next I dialed Seymour's number but his number was unattended so I just left a text message. Jusko ... maybe my son and I can do it. I accidentally dialed Ivan's number and it rang.

I don't care if he finds out I'm pregnant, as long as he can visit me. I got three calls but he didn't answer the call. I just left a text with him.

I almost screamed in pain in my stomach. Jusko, what is happening to me?

I was closing my eyes because of a severe headache and stomach ache.

And the last thing I know, everything went black.

~ • ~

Lara's POV

Ivan and I are here today in an expensive French Restaurant. We're obviously having a lunch date. He invited me earlier. Who am I to refuse?

He gave me food so I ate it right away. He smiled at me and I smiled at him too. My Ivan is so sweet. It looks like my husband and I are married and the only thing missing is marriage.

It's Rigella's fault. If she hadn't gotten my boyfriend pregnant, we would have been happy now. Annoyingly, I must be the one called Mrs. De Leon and not him. I was better than that woman.

"How's work, babe?" I asked him, we're eating our dessert now.

"Hm, it's fine, babe. I'm just getting a little busy but it's okay, I can always make time for you ..."

I smiled. I love Ivan so much, even though I know it's forbidden because he's married. But isn't that so? You're willing to do something for the sake of love even if it's wrong.

"Oh, you're so sweet, babe. By the way, when are you going to annul Rigella? I mean, so we can get married, right?" I asked.

I saw that he was stunned by my question but he immediately smiled as well. Don't tell me, he's hesitant?

"Sooner or later, babe. Wait, I'm just going to the comfort room." He said goodbye and kissed me on the forehead before leaving.

I sighed then crossed my arms. Something has changed in Ivan, I can feel it. I just don"t know what.

His phone rang on the table. I frowned and picked it up. I unlocked the cellphone and looked at the message.

From: Rigella

-Ivan, where are you? Can you please go here in the supermarket? Here at the **** mall. I need you, please. Let me go ...

I'm tired. What does he need from Ivan? He's just acting. Yes, she is the wife but I am the dear one. He shouldn't be sharing my time with Ivan anymore.

I immediately deleted the message and locked the cellphone again. Ivan suddenly came so I smiled at him. He smiled at me too and we continued eating.

Ivan is mine, Rigella. Mine and mine alone. He will never be you. Mark my words ...

I woke up because of the light I could see. I slowly opened my eyes and realized that the fluorescent bulb was what I could see. I looked around I think, this is not my room. I found out I was in the hospital when I saw dextrose attached to me. I sighed as I remembered what had happened before I fainted. My baby ... Suddenly the bedroom door opened and a nurse was spit out. He looked even more surprised when he saw that I was awake but immediately smiled. The female nurse approached me. "Mom, are you feeling okay?" He asked. I bit my lower lip so hard and nodded. I can't answer. I was caught in my stomach. Baby, you're still there, right? You didn't leave Mommy, did you? "I'll just take your blood pressure ..." Said the nurse who I just nodded again. After I took my BP I gasped when he said my BP was normal. I could no longer restrain myself from asking questions. "Who brought me here to the hospital?" Kunot when I asked. The nurse's eyes widened when I asked her. Maybe he was surprised because I suddenly spoke. "Uhm, a woman brought you here. She has a lot of bodyguards. But, we couldn't get her name because she left immediately ..." the nurse replied. My forehead furrowed. Women many bodyguards? Who could that be? It's impossible that it's Mom because if it was her, she wouldn't leave right away. I just nodded. "Thanks. By the way, how long have I slept?" I will ask. She cleared her throat. "Uhh, it's been about seven hours, Mam ..." "Ah, okay ..." "I gotta go, Mam. I'll just call the Doctor so you can talk to him. Excuse me." The nurse hugged me and left the room. I gasped and leaned against the headboard of the bed I was lying on. So ... none of those I called and texted brought me here. Is it Roxanne? I understand that he is very busy because he will return to work as soon as his family and I return to the Maldives. For sure, it was very tiring because he had a lot of paper works. As for Seymour, I also understand that he is busy. He attends various meetings because their company has a new project. And as the CEO, he had to take care of it. So, given that reason for not coming to me. And ... Ivan. He doesn't seem busy because he comes home early. His cellphone even rang when I called him. Maybe silent? But, it's impossible because he doesn't turn his phone into silent mode, if there are meetings, yes. But as far as I know, he didn't have a meeting. Or ... he just doesn't really care about me? Napairap ako. What else can I expect from that beast? I really have to get used to not asking for help from him because he won't really help me. After all, that man was very angry with me. But ... I don't care. He will take care of his life. She is a woman but my daughter should not take advantage of us. Because just in case, I can kill them with his hook even more itchy than a caterpillar and even thicker -faced in a thousand page book. My thoughts were immediately erased when there was a knock on the door and a nod opened it. I looked at the front door and saw a female doctor with her hand in both pockets of her uniform and wearing a surgical mask. I was swallowed. I'm nervous about what the doctor can say about my baby. Maybe he's not gone, I can still feel him here in my stomach. But what if ... "Good evening, Mrs. De Leon ..." It was as if I was stuck in my bed when I heard her voice. Familiar ... but impossible. That's not him. "Good ... good evening doc ..." even though I was surprised I tried to speak and greeted him. "What happened to you, Mrs.? Why did you faint?" "Ah, I'm dizzy, doc then ... my stomach hurts ..." I replied. "I'll be honest with you, Mrs.. Your pregnancy has been difficult since it's been seven years since you got pregnant again. If you could, please avoid too much stress and fatigue. It will be with the baby and ... it can fall apart ... " I swallowed and leaned on the bed. How can I not be stressed e I always think of Ivan's deception and despair of me. And one more thing, his asshole even lived in the house. How can I not be stressed right? I took a deep breath and let myself cry. The doctor said goodbye and I just nodded at him. I need to be alone. I closed my eyes tightly and touched my stomach. Baby, I'm sorry because you're still feeling mommy's problems. Just hold on, please? I need you, I don't want you to lose me either. I bit my lower lip. Is this a sign that I should leave our marriage and just walk away? ~ • ~ I stayed in the hospital for another three hours before I was allowed to go home. I also called Seymour earlier to pick me up because I was a bit dizzy. Good thing, he already answered my call. I took a deep breath and picked up my bag on the bed side table. I was able to get dressed as well. I'll just wait outside for Seymour. I was about to open the door when it suddenly opened. Seymour was then vomited panting and sweating profusely. Was he in a hurry to get here? The speed he also arrives. I shook and wiped the sweat from his forehead with my palm. His eyes widened and he averted his gaze. I also saw the redness in his ear. Meaning, he was shy. He sighed before speaking and I just stared at him. "I immediately went to the supermarket when I read your text. I asked at the supermarket if they saw you and someone told me that you fainted and a waman along with her ... uhh, bodyguards took you away from that supermarket. Do you know who that woman is? " Seymour asked. I swallowed and thought. Women with bodyguards? Who the hell is that? Roxanne is impossible because she doesn't bring bodyguards when she leaves. I sighed. Whoever that woman is, I hope, I can meet her to thank her personally, for bringing me here in the hospital and for saving me and my baby. Without her, my baby and I might be in danger. "I don't know her too. The nurse said earlier that she just brought me here and ... she left after that. She didn't even give her name. So ..." I shrugged and stopped added what I was saying. He exhaled and nodded. He was ready to go home so I immediately agreed. The smell of the hospital is creeping me out. Since I was a child, I hate being in a hospital because of a ... horrible event I experienced. When we got out of the hospital we immediately walked towards the parking lot. When we reached his car, he helped me to get in the car carefully. I smiled at him in return. He turned around and got into the driver's seat. "Where do you want to go?" He asked and started the car. My forehead furrowed but I also immediately sighed. Maybe I shouldn"t have gone home first because I still have resentment for Ivan. I am comfortable that Manang will not leave Ice at home and another, Lara is not at home. "Uhm, at Roxanne's condo? I want to stay there for a while. As I get older, it's her day off now so ... I want to go there first. I'll just go home if I want to go home ..." he decided I said. He stared at me for a while, like he's doubting that it's really my decision. I just smiled at him then nodded. He then sighed and put my seat belt on. He started driving quietly. Maybe it's just right, to get me out of the house for a while. Because when I'm at home, I just remember the painful memories I had there. I really think, every corner of that house had an event that was very devastating to my heart. Seven years of being Ivan's wife was really painful. Every day that I became his wife I felt nothing but pain, and fear. Afraid of losing him to me. I did a lot of "desperate" things just for him to notice me ... to at least care for me. Like, our first anniversary, I prepared a candle light dinner that day and I prepared our room. I made it all romantic. But ... he came late that time. He did nothing but to stare at my efforts. He even told me the most painful words that I've ever heard in my life ... "I will never love you. You're a bitch desperate woman and a motherfvcking relationship wrecker." I can't do anything but to cry that time and knelt in front of him. Yes, I knelt down in front of him and begged us to fix our relationship but I received nothing but a crisp slap. That first anniversary of our marriage had a lot of impact on me. Every time I remember that I can"t help but cry. I felt sorry for myself and I didn"t think I could do that thing. In the past, I did nothing but persevere in studying for my future and make my parents proud. I try everything I want and I get them. But why Ivan, I can't get him? I"ve done it all, why can"t I still get her heart? Sometimes, I"ll admit I get tired too. After all, on a daily basis, I receive only physical and emotional pain from him. Who doesn't get tired there right? But every time I think about the outcome then, that he can love me too, I gain strength. The strength to try again. I know that he loves Lara so much, to the point that he can give everything, he can sacrifice everything. But ... why is that? Not even a little, he didn't love me? Do I have no place in his heart, even at the very end? Because ... it hurts so much. That guy looks like I'm going to die of a serious illness. I try to fight even though I know I'm the only one fighting but I'm weakening because of the pain. Because ... I love him, I love him more than myself. I gave everything to him and for me, he is my life. I knew there was only one solution to this, I quit. But how can I let go if I can't? I can no longer afford to be hurt and I can no longer afford to leave him. I'm confused ... I don't know what to do anymore ... To be continued...