"This is your home, sweetheart," Karylle said softly, cradling her grandson in her arms as they stepped through the front door of Richard and Khana's home. Her voice was gentle, filled with the warmth of a grandmother’s love and the wisdom of years spent raising children of her own. The house felt different now—more vibrant, more alive with the promise of a new life.
Khana smiled weakly, still adjusting to the reality of being back home after the exhausting experience of childbirth. Her body was still sore, and though she tried to mask it, the fatigue was evident in her eyes. Richard noticed and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, offering her a reassuring smile.
"Why don't you rest for a bit?" Karylle suggested her tone was kind but firm. "You haven't fully recovered yet, and you need to take care of yourself."
"I'm fine," Khana replied, though the weariness in her voice betrayed her words. She wanted to be strong, to show that she could handle everything, but deep down, she knew she was pushing herself too hard.
Richard looked at her, concern etched on his face. He sighed softly and squeezed her delicate hand again, feeling the warmth of her skin against his. "Please, sweetheart," he said gently. "Just sit down and rest. You need it."
Khana hesitated but finally nodded. "Okay," she murmured. Richard guided her to the bed, helping her settle down on the edge. She sank into the soft mattress, feeling the tension in her body slowly start to ease.
"Let me watch over my grandson while you rest," Karylle offered, placing Kharl gently in his crib. She glanced at her daughter-in-law with a tender smile. "You should sleep for a while, darling. You’ve been through so much."
Khana watched as her mother-in-law carefully laid Kharl down, but just as she did, the baby began to cry, his tiny face scrunching up in distress. The sound was sharp, piercing the air and sending everyone into a mild panic, everyone except Karylle.
"What should we do?" Richard asked, his voice rising with anxiety. "Is he hurt? Is he sleepy? I can't figure it out!"
Karylle remained calm, her experience as a mother kicking in. "He’s probably just hungry," she said calmly. She walked over to the crib and lifted the wailing baby, gently bouncing him in her arms before handing him over to Khana. "Here, let him feed. That’s what he needs right now."
Khana took Kharl into her arms, but her face clouded with uncertainty. "B-but I don’t have enough milk," she stammered, looking down at her son with worry.
Before anyone could respond, a loud, cheerful voice echoed from the hallway. "Where's my little angel?" exclaimed Richard's mother, her face lighting up with joy as she entered the room. She practically bounced with excitement as she approached her grandson, her arms outstretched.
"Mom," Richard interrupted gently, trying to keep the situation under control. "He's about to be breastfed. We should give them some space." He leaned over and kissed his mother on the cheek, then did the same to his father, who had followed her into the room.
"Of course, of course," Richard’s mother said, still beaming. "We’ll just be in the dining area if you need us, dear," she added, turning to Khana with a kind smile. "Don’t hesitate to call for anything."
Khana nodded, grateful for the moment of solitude that was about to follow. She watched them leave the room, closing the door behind them and then turned her attention back to Kharl. She positioned him at her breast, watching as he latched on and began to suckle. The sensation was strange, a mix of discomfort and warmth, but also a deep, primal connection.
"Eat a lot, my baby," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. As she looked at Kharl’s tiny face, she couldn’t help but wonder where he got his features from. She scrutinized his little nose, and his eyes, trying to find traces of herself or Richard in his tiny, delicate features.
But then, a flicker of fear passed through her eyes. A faint resemblance—so subtle it might have been imagined—seemed to echo the features of the priest, a shadow of doubt that made her heart race. Khana shook her head quickly, trying to dispel the unsettling thought. "It’s too early to overthink," she murmured to herself. "He’s not his. He’s ours."
Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. "Honey?" Richard’s voice came from the other side, warm and filled with concern. He pushed the door open slowly, peeking in with a smile.
"I brought you some lunch," he said, stepping inside with a tray in his hands. The aroma of warm soup and freshly baked bread filled the room, making Khana realize just how hungry she was.
Her heart swelled at the sight. Richard had always been thoughtful, but in that moment, he seemed more caring and attentive than ever. "Thank you," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. She smiled and patted the space beside her, inviting him to sit down.
Richard sat beside her, and as they shared a quiet moment, Khana felt a warmth spread through her. Maybe, just maybe, marrying Richard hadn’t been a mistake after all. He was a good man, a loving husband, and the father of her child.
After a while, Karylle returned, offering her guidance. "Once he’s done feeding, you need to make Kharl burp," she instructed gently. "It’s important, darling. If he doesn’t burp properly, he might spit up everything he just ate."
Richard’s mother nodded in agreement, her experience as a mother shining through. "She’s right. You did that when you were a baby, Richard. You’d spit up half of your meal if we didn’t make sure you burped after every feeding."
Khana smiled at the advice, feeling a little more confident with every passing moment. She held Kharl up, gently patting his back until a soft burp escaped his tiny lips. The sound was followed by a giggle from Karylle, who couldn’t resist the child’s display of cuteness.
"My gracious!" she exclaimed. "What a strange expression! So cute!"
Richard's mother chimed in, laughing. "He looks just like you did when you were a baby, Richard. That same little smirk when you were in a good mood."
Richard watched the exchange with a smile, but inside, he felt a strange unease. He adored his son, there was no question about that, but there was a nagging feeling he couldn’t shake. As he stared at Kharl’s tiny face, a wave of jealousy swept over him, catching him off guard.
He didn’t hate Kharl, not at all. But the thought that his son might somehow come between him and Khana gnawed at him. They had only just begun to truly connect as husband and wife, and now there was this tiny, demanding presence that needed all of Khana’s attention.
Richard swallowed hard, trying to push the feeling away. He knew it was irrational, that he was being selfish. But still, the fear lingered in the back of his mind—what if he never truly won Khana’s heart? What if Kharl took her away from him before he had the chance?
Khana lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the silence pressing down on her. Despite her efforts to fall asleep, her mind refused to shut down. The baby, unusually quiet tonight, provided her the perfect opportunity to rest, but sleep seemed impossible to grasp. She shifted from one side of the bed to the other, fluffing pillows and adjusting the blankets, yet no matter what she did, she remained wide awake.She sighed deeply, pushing herself up to a sitting position. If she couldn’t sleep, tidying the room might help ease her restless mind. It had been a while since she’d gone through their things, and organizing might tire her enough.Khana stood, stretching her legs before she began picking up stray items around the room. She carefully folded clothes draped over the chair and straightened the books on the nightstand.As she moved to Richard’s side of the room, her eyes caught sight of something tucked away in the back of his wardrobe—a small box, a safe. Cur
That evening, when Khana left Kharl's room, she found herself alone in the master bedroom. Richard had gone for an emergency meeting, and somehow the curtain of silence fell heavily on her chest. There being no sign of Richard returning, she began wandering around the house until she came into their son's nursery—the nursery they had lovingly prepared for their child. But even amidst the soft pastel shades and comforting lullaby toys here, she could not shake off the unease. Instead of going to bed in the marital bed, Khana opted to retire to Kharl's room, the baby's room. She lay down on the small, decorative bed and tried to calm herself, but she couldn't sleep, and so the endless night dragged along.And yet, as time passed by, there was no Richard in view. The ticking of the clock sounded more ominous, pointing directly at her mind to what had unraveled between them. Khana rolled restlessly to the other side, as feelings of restlessness and being on edge flew over her.Final
Hearing the demise of the priest was like a bomb. She couldn't have imagined there was no longer a chance to reconcile with him. The priest was the last connection to her past, a piece of the life she once envisioned. She had hoped for reconciliation, some closure, or at least the chance to make peace. Now, that hope was gone, extinguished with the news of his passing.She gasped for breath, her eyes blurring as the room spun wildly about her. "H-Honey!" Richard's voice cracked with panic.The world seemed to slow as Khana’s body gave in to the overwhelming surge of emotions. She felt herself slipping away, and everything went dark.Shortly after, the family doctor came to check Khana's condition. Richard kept such news to their friends and family to avoid trouble. His mind was in complete chaos, not just for Khana’s physical state but for their marriage. He knew that this news was more than just a shock to her—it was evident that she still harbored feelings that had always made him
Every day, Richard brought something for Khana. Flowers in vibrant colors, luxurious perfume with a delicate scent, boxes of decadent chocolates, and elegant shoes filled their home, but none of these gifts could mend the growing distance between them. Khana’s heart was heavy, and the gestures that might have once filled her with warmth now only deepened her coldness. "What do you think you're doing?" Khana asked. She picked up the flower and placed it on the vase. Then, she added, “These won’t undo what you’ve done, Richard.” “I know, but—” Richard began, his voice filled with regret and desperation, but Khana didn’t let him finish. She turned on her heel and left the room without another word, her frustration tangible in the air. Khana walked out of the room and left Richard without letting him finish whatever he had to say.She slept in Kharl’s room for the past three days. She was about to carry Kharl and walk around the room. She was tired of the arguments, the silences, and t
Kharl was giggling while being carried by Richard. When Khana heard giggles from the baby's room, she went to check what was going on. She kept her pace light as a feather to avoid making a sound that would interrupt a father-son bonding.When she reached the doorway, she paused, a small smile creeping onto her lips as she watched the scene unfold. Richard was making funny faces at Kharl, and the baby responded with more giggles, his tiny body wriggling in delight. The sight melted Khana’s heart, and for a brief moment, all her worries seemed to vanish.She smiled at the sight. It was sooner when Richard noticed a pair of eyes was watching. It didn’t take long for Richard to notice her presence. He glanced up, a knowing smile on his face as their eyes met."Aren't you going to be late at investor meeting later?" Khana asked, slowly approaching her doting husband. Richard shifted Kharl in his arms and glanced at the clock on the wall. “Right,” he said, sighing slightly. “I wasn’t plan
It was a happy celebration for the first birthday of Khana's first born child. Kharl was also delighted to see a vibrant background. The young boy enjoyed recognizing varying faces.The couple had thrown a grand celebration to mark the occasion. Santillan's garden was decorated with colorful balloons, streamers, and a vibrant backdrop filled with playful images of animals and bright colors. Kharl, who had just started toddling, was delighted by the lively atmosphere.Richard and Khana stood in the center as they welcomed their guests. They had prepared a short speech for the occasion, expressing their gratitude for the love and support they had received throughout the year. After their heartfelt words, a few distinguished guests shared their sentiments, offering blessings for the baby and the family. The atmosphere was warm and celebratory, with glasses raised in toasts and the clinking of cutlery as everyone enjoyed the delicious spread of food.An awkward breath of air only pooped
Richard sat alone in the quiet darkness of their master bedroom. The silence was suffocating. He was consumed by his thoughts, unable to escape the echo of Khana’s words.As much as he wants to fix their marital quarrel, he’s not too dumb enough to force communication again. He knew Khana too well. Pushing her for a conversation when she was still this upset would only make things worse. He needed to give her space, even though every fiber of his being wanted to chase after her and beg for her forgiveness.He knew giving his wife enough time would make her a little calm. He knew something like this would happen, but he simply did not see it coming sooner than he expected. “I thought once we became family, everything will be in place. Even without that priest, she still hasn’t given her heart to me. How come she forgot all the time we spent together?” He cried in despair.His frustration boiled over, and he grabbed the pillows, the blankets, and even the lampshade, and threw them acro
Richard and Bettina rushed to the marital bed, but Khana wasn’t there. Then, they headed to the baby’s room only to find a piece of paper…Richard read it, “I need time to reconsider this marriage. I beg you not to look for me. I don’t want to see the face of a man who consecutively lied to me and harmed me physically.”Richard was speechless and stood frozen in the doorway of the baby’s room. He crumpled the piece of paper in his hand. Bettina’s hand rested on his shoulder, trembling, as she absorbed the weight of Khana’s message. “She left…” Richard whispered, the words escaping his lips like a hollow echo. “She's gone," he added, tears flowing from his eyes.Bettina didn't see this coming. She thought Khana would not do such a thing. All she did to make Richard achieve his love gone in vain. She said, “We have to find her. She’s not safe out there alone, not with Kharl in her arms. She needs us, Richard.”Richard’s face hardened. “But she doesn’t want us. She’s made that clear.”
Henry was in the middle of a conversation with one of the nuns when a woman caught his eye. She wore a yellow sundress with white sandals, her long blonde hair cascading down her back, lips painted a bold red. Her presence was striking and familiar."Father...""Excuse me for a while, sister," says Henry.The nun nodded and left. Then, the priest walked in the lady's direction. He warmly greeted her, "What brings you here, Serina?"Henry looked around to ensure no one was around, still hesitant he asked, "How is she?""I heard she won the trial. I thought she'd be happy with Richard. I thought she'd live the best life with the man who loves her and can provide a wealthy life for her," Henry added, watching the clouds move.Serina took a breath before responding. "She's living with Kharl now. She divorced Richard.""I'm glad to hear she's out of danger now," says Henry, relieved after confirming the news."I bet she doesn't want to see me anymore. She'll always think being near me will
The courthouse was crowded, and the heavy weight of judgment and anticipation felt as if it would kill Khana. Whispers passed with the blade of knives in the air. The glances sent her way seeded contempt and hate. "Wretched wife," someone hissed from the back. "Shameless," whispered another. The words seemed to resound louder, filling the room: whore, traitor, unfit mother.Khana clenched her fists to help block out the hateful murmurs. Her gaze flickered over to Richard, who sat tall and composed on the other side of the courtroom. He looked every inch the wronged husband: calm, almost handsome. He was only making the public support him so much. Now Khana could really feel the weight of the room's collective disapproval bearing down on her, crushing what little resolve she had left.The banging of the gavel jolted her out of her reverie. The judge was an old woman who was strict and unyielding. "The court is in session," she said. "First up for today's docket will be the charge again
Khana sensed that something terrible was on the horizon, a storm brewing that would soon crash into her life. The court hearing for her divorce was approaching faster than she had anticipated, and with it, the overwhelming weight of judgment and loss. Anxiety gnawed at her, and each passing day felt like a countdown to disaster.Then, it came. A loud crash from downstairs snapped her out of her thoughts, sending her heart racing. Voices—angry, furious voices—echoed through the house. Her body went cold as she recognized the sound. Richard’s parents had arrived.As she descended the staircase, Khana’s legs felt like they were made of lead. She was nearly at the bottom when Richard's mother, Karylle, stormed toward her, grabbing her roughly by the arm and pulling her down the final steps. Khana gasped in shock, stumbling to the floor.Richard helped his wife stand up, it was never his intention to see Khana hurt. He was surprised as well, he never had seen how violent his mother would be
Richard paced the living room, and his fury was evident in every tense step he had taken.Meanwhile, Khana stood across the room, her pulse racing, her mind filled with dread. She had seen Richard angry before, but there was something different about this time—his anger felt more dangerous, more unhinged.She knew one aggravating move or thing she said, and everything could spiral out of control quickly.The room was suffocating in its silence, the weight of their unresolved conflict hanging heavy between them. Just when it seemed like Richard might explode, the doorbell rang, cutting through the tension like a blade.Khana's body jolted at the sound, as though she had been yanked back from the edge of a cliff. Moments later, a woman stepped inside, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor."Richard, I hope I didn't come at the wrong time?"Richard’s lips curled into a smirk. "You just came at the right time, Chloe. Have you contacted the lawyer you recommend? I need to file adul
Khana wasted no time, she ran to the telephone, her fingers trembling while dialing Serina's number. Her heart beats crazy when she tells her friend about Richard's threat."You need to find a way to warn Henry. Richard left the house, saying he'd kill him."The line crackled for a moment, and then a familiar voice answered."Hello?""H-Henry?"Khana was surprised when a familiar voice reached her ears. She was puzzled. Why did the priest have Serina's cell phone?"Are you with Serina right now?" Khana asked."No. She left this phone to me and returned to the city with you.""Listen to me. Richard might be heading there, or he might hire people to harm you. Take care of yourself.""W-What's going on? Are you okay?" Henry asked after realizing the lady's voice was unsteady. Concern is evident in his voice. He could sense the urgency in Khana's tone as if she were teetering on the edge of something dangerous.Before Khana could reply, a loud bang of the door interrupted. She clutched th
Richard grabbed his wife by the wrist and dragged her to the car. He instructed his men to get the baby from Serina.Richard’s grip tightened as he dragged Khana towards the car, his face a mask of fury. The baby’s cries pierced the air, desperate and loud. But as Richard cradled Kharl in his arms, the baby stopped crying, his tiny face lighting up in a smile."Give Kharl to me. I'll feed him," says Khana in a bitter tone. She sat at a distance, leaving one space between them in the passenger seat."Planning to run away again? Did Serina tell you I found your whereabouts? Did you think you could escape?" Richard uttered with a fierce look."I'm not running away. I was about to return, but hell sent you there before I could leave," Khana shot back."You mean you're going home?" Richard's eyes softened slightly, misreading her words."Yes," Khana replied.Richard misunderstood it and thought his wife was finally coming back. He smiled, caressed Khana's hand, and uttered, "Please forgive
“I knew it!” says a man, an unwanted guest of the church. His eyes were like those who had killing intent.“R-Richard…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her lips trembling as she struggled to speak. Her hands tightened on the edge of the pew, knuckles white. Fear washed over her, paralyzing her in place.Khana felt her body go cold. That voice... It was unmistakable. Her worst fear had come to pass.“R-Richard...” she stammered once again, barely able to speak. Fear was written all over her face as the man she had tried to escape from stood before her.Richard strode toward them, his expression dark and menacing. “So this is where you’ve been hiding,” he spat, his voice low and venomous. His eyes flicked to Henry, then back to Khana, filled with fury and suspicion.His gaze is burning with anger, the kind of anger that could destroy everything in its path. His gaze locked onto her, and in that moment, she felt like prey caught in the sights of a predator.Khana felt her stomac
Khana stood at the threshold of the monastery, her decision weighing heavily on her heart. The cool morning air brushed against her skin as she made a silent vow to herself—she would go back to the house of the man who had slapped her, but not to reconcile. She would return to confront Richard and demand a divorce. She decided to go back to the house of the man who slapped her. She promised not to disturb the priest anymore, afraid of not getting hold of her heart, she chose to leave him alone. Her sole focus now is to divorce Richard and get custody of the child. The sound of soft voices pulled her from her thoughts. The sisters of the monastery were gathered around a long table, filled with plates of rice omelet, fresh lumpia, and crispy bacon. They smiled warmly at her as she approached.Khana was putting Kharl to sleep. So, she could move without bringing the baby with her.“Come, lady Khana. Join us before you leave,” says one of the sisters gathered around a long table full of
“Henry...” she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling with uncertainty. "Wake up! Come on..." she added.Henry gasped with his eyes flew open. For a moment, neither of them moved, caught in a strange, intimate moment as their faces hovered inches apart. Khana’s breath caught in her throat, her heartbeat quickening as the space between them shrank.Then, the world seemed to slow down when he met her eyes. It was unexplainable awkwardness when they realized how close their faces were. A little uncareful move and their lips would touch each other.They were so close—too close. One careless movement and their lips would meet. Khana could feel the heat rising between them. The temptation was undeniable, yet the weight of her marriage and child held her back.Henry blinked, his expression shifting from confusion to recognition as if he had suddenly returned to himself. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he loosened his grip on Khana’s waist, the warmth of his hands fading as the moment sl