Heart-wrenching Betrayal. REINA I raised my head to find my husband, Ethan walked into the living room, arms tucked together with my step sister as I clutched tightly on the wiper I had in my hand as my heart wrenched in pain at the sight. “You’re back….” I tried to ignore the sight of my husband being so close with another woman and tried to welcome him warmly but he slammed a file on the table, Interrupting me coldly. “Sign it.” He commanded as I saw the smirk on my step sister’s face. My gaze diverted to how she held onto Ethan. This wasn’t the first time I have seen them been so close. I have had to endure the sight of them always together for the past two years even when he was married to me. I bent down to pick the file and opened the driest page. It read Divorce agreement! The file slipped off my hands due to choke. “What the hell are you doing?! Sign the fucking papers and get out of my house, you filthy whore!” My husband breathed in rage, impatience tinged his voice a
REINA SIX YEARS LATER As I catwalked with confidence, my suitcase beside me in the airport lobby, I scanned for any sign of Bruce, and there he was with a cardboard over his head that read “Welcome Back, Reina.” I smiled and walked up to him amidst the crowd of people waiting for their loved ones. “Welcome back, Reina,” Bruce greeted, hugging me. “You look….” “Hot?” I winked, finishing his words as he nodded with a chuckle. I smiled, flipped my hair backwards, and removed my sunglasses. “Of course, I can’t still remain the same old Reina they knew before.” I chuckled, and Bruce understood exactly whom I was referring to. “I am just happy you are living well, Reina.” “Living well?” I asked as he took my suitcase, and we headed out of the airport. “I am not living well, Bruce. Not until I have my revenge on those who killed my child,” I said with a chilly smile as Bruce opened the car door to the sleek limousine he had arranged for me upon my arrival. As he settled in beside me
REINA I pushed him away when it seemed I had had enough and shot him a glare. “Even if you are a fan of mine, you should restrict yourself from acting so irrational in public, Mr. Steele,” I said through gritted teeth to show how I was pissed at his behavior. “What are you saying, Reina? You’re my wife,” Ethan immediately replied like a little boy who was trying to defend himself when he was already caught in the act. Director Steve's eyes widened at the revelation while my body stiffened in rage. “Ex-wife,” I corrected with a cold tone and smiled when I saw the overall shock on his face. “You know each other before?” Director Steve chimed in. “Yeah, she is…” “Don’t make that mistake again, Mr. Steele. My girlfriend doesn’t appreciate her ex trying to claim a certain ownership over her,” Bruce slipped his hand around Reina’s waist as Ethan chuckled in disbelief and his eyes diverted to the hand Bruce placed protectively over me. Nice one Bruce, I thought within me as I snuggle
REINA “You can’t do this, Ravenna.” Ethan made to come close to me, but Bruce blocked him with his hand. “Keep a safe distance from my girlfriend.” “She is not your girlfriend. She is my bloody wife, now you stay away.” Ethan snapped at him while Bruce's stance remained firm. “Don’t act so cute, Ethan. My Sterling Group is as powerful as your Walters Group, so don’t command me like one of your lackeys or I’ll really get pissed,” Bruce warned. When Ethan saw how serious Bruce was, and the small probability of winning against the heir of the Sterling Group, he stepped back but still had his eyes on me. “Can we have a brief talk? Alone?” I could see the pleading look in his eyes. Like hell I cared. “No,” I replied. “If it is about the project, I won’t change my mind.” “Ethan….” Ravenna grabbed Ethan’s arm, who was completely uninterested in her at that point. “Ignore this wench, I will create another project and head it to save Walters Group, trust….” Ethan brushed her off as she
EthanMy knees were almost scared because of how long I had been kneeling in front of Reina.I knew what I wanted and it was her. Yes, I was not going to allow this opportunity to get past me this time.“Listen to me, Reina. Can you please allow me to explain myself?” I asked her and she just sighed out loud. The sigh was so loud that I knew that she was not feigning it when she said she hated me.Her look, her attitude, everything about her portrayed so.“Can you please stop calling me?” she demanded, blasting her angry words against my ears. “Just listen to…”I could not even get to complete my sentence when her angry rage overpowered me, cutting me short from whatever I was saying.“What are you going to tell me now that is different from all the garbage that you have told me?” she thundered.I raised one of my knees from the ground and stared at her in the eyes. Those eyes were still as pretty as ever and it has not changed ever since.I was half-kneeling now and the only thing I
ReinaI have been presented this particular document countless times but, I was taking pains to read it again because of formality sake.My inner spirit wanted to throw the documents back at him but he had done what I wanted him to do for me.I was reading the documents thoroughly when something struck my mind. How could I have forgotten such a thing and gone ahead to read his stupid documents? I almost slammed my hand against my head but I held myself. He should not see me doing this. I bet a lot of things would go through his mind.“I forgot something,” I blurted out after clearing my throat of anything that would obstruct my talking.“And that is?” He asked, staring blankly at me. His face has fallen with frustration eating deep into it. He had no idea what I was going to say next.But, I was glad. I was not in any way making this easy for him.This time, he was already on his feet, all his kneeling act had come to an end because to him, he had gotten what he wanted from me.“Oh,
ETHANHeaven knows that the only reason I agreed to her request was because I wanted her on this project.“I'm done with you. I will begin work immediately. As for now, I have other places to go,” she said and left me standing.My phone rang continuously after Reina left and I saw on the display that it was Ravenna who was calling.It felt as though she was monitoring me somewhere and wanted to know how my conversation went with Reina.I had no choice but to answer the call after waiting for so long.“Babe…,” I responded immediately after I answered the call.“When are you coming home? I have spent some time in the kitchen preparing a masterpiece,” she said to me and it was when my stomach grumbled, reminding me that I had not eaten for a long time.“I will be back soon. Just give me time. I just finished discussing with Reina about that job I wanted her to handle,” I informed her about the latest development.And from where I was, I could feel within me that the mood on her face chan
REINAWork started immediately like I had promised Ethan. To him, I made it seem as though I was not difficult to please.But, I know who I am deep down and what I must do to get my revenge.I got to the office before Raveena as I expected. I wore a wicked smile throughout because I knew what was going to befall her as soon as she came in.Although, my mind wandered a little bit and I wondered if Ethan did not inform her about his agreement.I bet he did. Her proud head would decide not to come in here and do what she is supposed to do.I was about sitting in my chair when the door opened, revealing Raveena dressed in a skimpy dress and heavy makeup.She didn't greet me, rather she walked past me with her shoulders all raised up.“I know that you must have seen that I am the boss here, young lady,” I reminded her and she just flipped her long hair.That young lady sounded disrespectful to her ears but I did not care. I was going to give her the taste of her medicine.She was going to
Reina POV“Do you think he’ll wake up today?” Ethan’s voice broke the stillness of the room.The room was quiet as usual and even if a pin dropped to the floor it would be heard. I glanced at Andrew, who was still lying on the hospital bed. He was looking fragile as always and the machines were still giving him the support that he needed. “I have no idea, sweetheart. I wish he could wake up today. It would be a relief. Don't you think so?”I asked and I reached out to brush a strand of hair off his forehead. “I want that to happen too. It would be a miracle.”“He has to wake up,” I said firmly, though my heart trembled with some doubts. I was uncertain about what was happening. “I can feel it. He is going to open those eyes and look at us.”Ethan sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I wish I had your faith.”I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. I was the most pessimistic person but, somehow I had a little faith in me. “You do. You are just scared to admit it.”He stared at me for a
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?” I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ” And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family. Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope. The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself? For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for hi
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?” I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ” And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family. Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope. The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself? For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for hi
Ethan “Mr. and Mrs. Ethan,” the doctor said as he approached us in the waiting room. His voice was calm, but the tightness in his expression betrayed the gravity of the situation. “We have done everything we can to stabilize Andrew, but his condition has deteriorated. He needs surgery immediately.” The words hit me like a truck. My knees almost buckled, but I gripped the edge of the chair to prevent myself from falling. “Surgery immediately?” Reina’s voice cracked as she stood up beside me. “What kind of surgery?” “We need to address the complications caused by the infection. If we don’t operate now…” The doctor hesitated, and his eyes moved between us. “Just say it,” I barked in a sharp voice. I sounded so desperate of course, I just wanted my child to get out of this damn hospital. “If we don’t, his chances of survival are very slim.” The room spun, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Reina let out a soft, choked sob and covered her mouth with her hands. “How soon?” I fo
Ethan Reina looked up at me, her eyes filled with both hope and fear. “We are going to get through this, right?”I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “Of course, yes. We are together. Don't forget. ”And in that moment, I knew we had no choice but to keep fighting for Andrew, for each other, for our family.Finally, we were both with him after waiting for hours. Waiting. That was all we could do before being let in. Wait and hope.The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual, its ticking loud and relentless, as if mocking us. I sat in the sterile waiting room, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Reina was beside me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles were already white but she didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes stayed fixed on Andrew and I'm glad we were both seeing him. I wanted to comfort her, to tell her everything would be okay, but how could I when I didn’t even believe it myself?For hours, Andrew has been in there, fighting for his life, and
Reina“Why isn’t he waking up, Ethan?” I whispered, clutching the edge of the hospital bed.My voice trembled as I stared at Andrew’s pale face, his tiny body was almost swallowed by the sheets. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room.I was going crazy. My only child was in a critical condition. “Reina, calm down,” Ethan said softly, though from his voice , I knew he was also scared. He was standing by the window, his hand pressed against the glass. “The doctors said they are running more tests.”I snapped my head towards him. “Tests? Ethan, he has not opened his eyes in hours! This is more than a fever. I know it!”Ethan turned to me and his face tightened. “Do you think I’m not worried? I’m losing my mind here, Reina! But panicking won’t help him.”The tears I had been holding back spilled over as I buried my face in my hands. “He’s just a child. Our child. He doesn’t deserve this.”The night before, Andrew was not sick. He just suddenly became
Reina The email came at 7:45 a.m. sharp. It was as if the person who sent this mail did it deliberately to give me chills. I was sitting at the kitchen table, still in my oversized sweatshirt and sipping my first coffee of the day when I saw the subject line. “Congratulations on Your Appointment". My hand shook as I clicked the email, my heart pounding. And then I saw it: the confirmation that I had landed the job I had been dreaming about for years. It was the job of a Creative Director at one of the most prestigious firms in the city. I let out a gasp so loud that Ethan came running into the kitchen. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you fine?” he asked, his face filled with concern. “Nothing’s wrong!” I said, laughing through my tears. “I got it, Ethan! I got the job!” His eyes widened in disbelief, and then, like a switch, his face softened into a smile. “Are you serious? Are you serious right now, sweetheart?” he asked, stepping closer. I nodded, holding up my phone
Reina The following morning, the house felt colder than ever. It was not the weather or the light drizzle outside my house, it was the emptiness Ethan left behind. After our little argument last night. Ethan left the house and refused to answer my calls. I was going crazy because of a husband I had married and now, he had refused to come back. My heart became so heavy as I began to think about the implications of our argument. Had I pushed him too far this time? Was this all my fault? I would have shut the fuck up and not talk much to him about anything. It would have saved us a lot of stress. I stared at the clock, my coffee untouched on the table. Every second that passed without a word from him felt like a ticking bomb. My pride told me to wait, to let him be the one to come back and apologize, but my heart was screaming at me to call him, to beg him to come home. I needed him home. I needed to see him even if we were quarreling. I picked up my phone, my fingers hov
Reina “Damn it!” I almost yelled at the blank wall b The sound of the rain splattering against the window just reminded me of how my mind was. The atmosphere in the house had changed since the accident. I was getting better of course, I knew I was. I was taking my drugs and going for my frequent checkups to make sure I was fine. I was doing all I wanted to do to stay alive. Because, Damn. I still had a little boy that I needed to take care of. Ethan was trying his best to be present, trying to make things better between the both of us and I always appreciated his efforts but something still felt fractured. No matter how hard we tried, the pieces of our relationship didn’t fit the way they used to. That was just the plain truth. I could not continue lying to myself. I loved him, yes. But we were not as we used to be. Tonight, the tension felt unbearable. I sat at the dining table, staring blankly at the steaming cup of tea in front of me. Andrew was already in bed, and t