“The number you are calling is busy at the moment. Please try your call later.”“Really? Your husband is out of reach, out of all goddamn time?” Abby scorned. “What is Damian up to these days? Does he even know that your son is sick?”A forced smile was the only thing I could give Abby. Truth be told, reaching out to Damian has started to become more difficult these days. He was always busy, as he always say. There was even a time he wasn’t going home for a couple of days straight. He would send a message that he wouldn’t, though.But I wouldn’t tell Abby. She would definitely blow. She would get mad at Damian, and that was the least thing I’d want in this situation.My son was sick. He was inside the room beside us, and a fight or an argument wouldn’t help Elon to become better.I sighed, before I put my phone on my back pocket to head inside the room.“Mommy…” Elon wearily called me as I walked in. “Is daddy coming?”My chest tightened. I tried to smile to reassure Elon but I wasn’t
My sister was an actress. She was a child star. Growing up, there had always been a comparison between us. She was talented, whilst I only excel academically. She can dance. She can sing. She was a very good actress, and her trophies and awards can vouch for it.Of course, that put me in a lot of pressure. I felt like I had to do better. I felt like I had to follow my sister so I wouldn’t be left behind. But no matter what I did, I never catch up to her. She was that good.So when Elizabeth insisted to be a surrogate mother for my child, instead of finding another that lived overseas, I was confused.Elizabeth was already living her best life. She was surrounded by acclaim, pursued by many bachelors, and in the peak of her career. Personally, any woman would’ve dreamed to be in her position. Even I, as a kid, hoped to be Elizabeth even for a day.“Now I see it…” I whispered, inwardly realizing it.“You know, Eleanor, I find it ridiculous that you’re here looking for your husband at th
A reluctant smile curved my lips as soon as I emptied my glass. I breathed hard, then looked up to meet the cold breeze and ease all the troubling thoughts in my head, but somehow the glittering stars, and peaceful night sky couldn’t make the cut.I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol that tasted bitter, or the feeling weighing down my chest, but no matter how much I drink, I could still vividly remember my last conversation with Damian.What a ruthless husband. How can he shamelessly ask me for a divorce right after I overlooked his scandalous affair?I chuckled humorlessly.“Tell me what happened.” Abby demanded as soon as she was close enough for me to hear her. “Where the fuck was your husband all these time? He was not wearing his attire, and do not dare lie to save his ass. He wasn’t at work. So where was he?”Abby was fuming. I saw that coming. If the situation was something I could bear alone I wouldn’t have called for her but what happened today was too much. I wanted to cry, s
I wasn’t able to pick myself up easily even after half an hour they left. I was hyperventilating. I cried my heart out as I try to release the pain I had been trying to keep deep inside my chest. My eyes had turned red and sunken by the time my tears subsided so I still couldn’t go to the hospital. To kill time, I went to my art gallery, and read emails from my clients to review their offers.“Are we going to push through with the auction to be held tomorrow night? I have received feedback from the announcement and invitations we sent, but we could delay it for a week. I’m sure they will understand if they hear your reason—”I shook my head, and cut off Alicia. “They do not need to know about Elon’s condition, Alicia. I cannot disappoint my guests either. We will push through with the auction. Is everything ready?”Alicia nodded. “Yes, Mrs. Alistair…”Mrs. Alistair…“I suggest you start calling me by my name and not by my husband’s…” I pushed back my body and looked at Alicia. “How is
“Damian… the husband, right?” Mike eyed Damian, giving him a nice smile. “I heard about you a lot from our friends. Nice to finally meet you,” he said before walking towards Damian to offer a hand.That sure calmed Damian’s expression. He turned to Mike, stood up, and then shake his hand with a very little and unfriendly smile on his lips. I shifted my gaze to my son, Elon then.“Likewise, Mike.” I heard Damian say.I sat beside Elon. I snaked my right arm around his body to touch his small hand. It was there I noticed a black bracelet I’ve never seen before. Must have been from his dad… or my parents.“That’s a beautiful bracelet..” I softly commented when I traced it with my fingers. “Is this hand-made?”“Yeah.” Elon turned to me with a bright look on his face. “Aunt Elizabeth gave it to me.”Hearing Elizabeth’s name rather than my husband’s, I was a little perplexed. Elizabeth was never close to Damian. She wasn’t even interested in him. That fact alone made it hard for me to maint
On my way to our agreed location, I was clouded with thoughts. What would happen from hereon, how we would tell Elon about our separation, how he would react. What will my father say? If news spread about Damian and Elizabeth, it would ruin his name. It would affect his candidacy.Everything would be out of my control and somehow… although I knew I did what I could to not let it uncover the ugliest way, it was still troubling.Unwittingly, my right hand moved towards left to touch the cold ring sitting on my fourth finger. I traced the stones on the side, before I looked down on it like I was meeting its significance eye to eye. My heart thundered. I have worn this ring so long, it now feels like a part of my skin.It was a testament of our love… that has turned to a material about to lose its purpose.That being said, it hasn’t. So, I let it stay there, and walked out the elevator.One taxi ride and I arrived at Retro Roastery. Mike was already there, looking over his watch when I ca
I felt a stabbing pain in my chest. Just imagining that I'll have the unfortunate opportunity to see both of them together, live— not just in my head like I used to the past two years, was enough to make me feel suffocated.“A plus-one…” I mumbled, masking the pain with ignorance. “I did not invite Elizabeth.”“Your father did.” Alicia handed me the pad, where the list of the guests, special attendees, hosts, and organizers were listed. Elizabeth and Damian’s names were highlighted yellow— an indication that they were invited from my father’s end.Seeing it in my own two eyes, I was speechless. Nagging what-ifs filled my mind, and I could only draw a deep breath as I tried not to show how I felt. There was a big lump in my throat, and I was a ball of trepidation as I handed the pad back to Alicia.Agitation colored my eyes. My heart ached in despair. The event hadn't even started, but my energy was already drained.“Let’s put your dress on, Mrs. Alistair.” My stylist spoke, nudging me
“Elon..”My legs weakened. I propped my hand at the sink for support, and drew a deep breath as I tried to compose myself. “Elon is my son,” I countered, a bit firmly, meeting her scornful gaze. “I did not say anything about your relationship with Damian, but do not think you can take my son away from me.”For twenty years, my goals revolved around achieving the same things Elizabeth did. I respected her a lot, envied her, made her my role model, even tried to follow her footsteps, except it wasn't very hard because she naturally had that star quality, and a mere imitation like me wouldn't be able to copy that. It wasn't until I was twenty-one that I realized our differences; appreciated who I grew up to be.I started to feel less inferior. I began to have friends who thought I was amazing, and they made me believe I didn't have to be as good as anyone, because I had a great talent and other traits I should be more proud of. Maybe that was the starting point of this huge wall between
The house was colder when Abby and I went back inside. The confrontation with my father had drained the last bit of energy I had left— even my appetite, leaving me feeling raw and exposed. The weight of his words clung deep to me, that all I could do was silently weep.The way he could easily throw those words like I was nothing to him spoke so much about how saw me— obviously, not as a daughter. Abby accompanied me. She didn’t say anything at first, and just simply walked beside me, like she was trying to communicate that I wasn’t alone. We reached the living room, and I feebly sank onto the couch, exhausted. Abby sat beside me, hesitating for a second before reaching out to take my hand in hers. There was warmth in it, and I wished I could take the time to pause all these emotions to appreciate her being here, but I was too gloomy."You did the right thing," she softly said. "They crossed you, Eleanor."I let out a shaky breath, then I wiped the tears on my left cheek. "I know. Bu
The day had been long—expectedly, yet uncomfortably long. I spent the whole day running around, preparing for Elon’s treatment at home. And for the first time, the house experienced a whirlwind of activities—medical equipment, phone calls, new people rearranging the house. It was overwhelming, but it had to be done. All at once, since I wasn’t really informed beforehand that it was going to be home-based.The same day, I asked Alice to look for two maids that could assist our doctor and Elon in the house. That automatically occupied all of our vacant rooms, but at least Dr. Advani, Elon’s oncologist from India would be more comfortable. And not that I was saving those rooms for specific people, anyway.Damian surprisingly helped me with all the necessary things needed to be done. From organizing the details, to keeping the doctor’s arrival in check by hiring some bodyguards to pick him up and drive him to our house. He also accompanied me in some of the errands, but it wasn’t the kind
There were seconds of silence. I blinked at Elizabeth, unsure if I heard her correctly. But her mocking expression, the one that had always been rubbing me the wrong way, seemed to grow wider with every second I stood there in stupefaction. “You’re what?” I asked, my voice confused and breathless.“I’m going to move in with you. With Damian,” she said, her tone dripping with satisfaction.I didn’t know what exactly to respond. My mind immediately raced, trying to process her words, to understand what she meant— and what for. Dissatisfaction and dislike bloomed in my chest. Was it not enough that two of the most important men in my life have chosen her over me? Was it not enough that she tore everything apart. Now… she wanted to be in my house too?“No, you’re not,” I finally said, my voice firm, not giving her any room to argue.I never usually speak my mind, but if she was going to continuously push me… then I would resist. “Oh, come on, Eleanor,” she shot back, her eyes narrowing
That was the last time I spoke to Damian.For three days, I avoided interaction with him. I didn't even want to look at him in the eye. I acted as if it was only Elon and I that existed. Whenever he visited, I'd exit the room on cue and let him bond with Elon. Just like that, the agreement that we had when I first revealed that I knew about his affair with my sister had ended without a word.Not that he cared. Because if he was serious about keeping it, he wouldn't have brazenly come here with Elizabeth everyday, unafraid of people finding out about our failed marriage. I did hope he wouldn't, though.And since he acted so free to do what he wanted, what else could I do to cover him up? I knew Elon was starting to worry about our set-up, but feeding him lies wouldn't cut it. I could no longer prolong it, knowing Damian would just willingly show him otherwise. It would be a useless attempt.And perhaps knowing that my father knew about Damian and Elizabeth's relationship was my last st
I was never going to say it to Abby. I attempted to, but I had always believed it would make things more complicated if she knew. So, when I heard that she had seen both of them in the parking lot today, passionately sharing a kiss, I asked her out, fearing the words she might say next in the same room where Elon was in.When we got inside the car, I put my guard down and told her everything that had happened, from the day I started doubting Damian, up to this very day that I found out my dad was involved in it. I left nothing, and halfway, I burst into tears.I saw how Abby's cold expression melted into concern. There was certainly rage, but it was overshadowed by worry. She comforted me as I slowly opened up to her, and although finally talking about it made me feel a bit free, it no longer made me feel better.It was when I realized sharing my pain to Abby was too late. I was alreadfy far too consumed by it. "That motherfucker..." Abby gasped, looking up in disbelief. "Oh my god,
".... lay low."My body went rigid. My heartbeat slowed, and I halted. Was I hearing things? Did I mishear it? Because there was no way my father would know of their relationship. He may have favored Elizabeth growing up, but he wouldn't condone such a mistake. He wouldn't allow a transgression like that in our family."And back down, dad? We can make stories and manipulate the media. Rumors are just rumors if we can cover them up with some fabricated statements and press releases.""I can't afford to lose this position to Manuel or Roque. Do what I say, or I will not approve of your marriage the moment Damian and Elizabeth divorce."My pulse hammered in my ears, drowning out Elizabeth and Dad's voices from a few meters away. My heart pummeled as I tried to process what I just heard. Fabricating statements? Covering it up? Covering up what, her affair with my husband? She still wanted to deceive the whole world, while openly proving them wrong by showing intimacy in public with Damian
Days passed. Damian and I took turns visiting Elon. It was difficult to dodge Elon’s questions, but facing Damian had begun to feel exhausting, especially since he now often visits Elon with my sister. For that reason, I could not open the topic about asking for a second opinion, as well as taking Elon to California to receive the best possible treatment.I was thinking about doing it this week. No matter what, I was determined to discuss it with him. Further delaying it would only make our son suffer, and that would be the last thing I want right now. Elon was starting to look for his friends, mention his school and teachers. I was afraid his condition would become a reason for him to feel sadder and lonelier. Though I knew it would eventually take a toll on him, I was hoping I could do something to lessen it.“Mommy…” Elon’s voice was filled with distress when he called me. “You’re not going to leave Daddy, right?”I stopped caressing his hair. Elon looked over his shoulder to see m
"Agreed..."The smile on my face collapsed. Just like that, the conversation was interrupted, and the good ambiance circling around was disturbed. Standing up to face him was my initial reaction. Had I not been more careful, I would've voiced out the question that popped in my head as soon as our eyes met.What was he doing here?"I didn't know you're invited." Abby expressed herself the most profound way."This is also my house. I didn't need to be invited." Damian made it clear, raising a brow."I was talking about our conversation, but thanks for reminding me, Damian." Abby answered sarcastically.I returned my gaze to Abby to refrain her from engaging in a discord with Damian. "I'm sorry. I didn't give him a heads-up because I thought he was going to look after Elon."I gently pulled Damian by his arm to take him away from the dining table."That was rude, Damian." I had to say, my face full of discontent. "Why did you come? Elon's going to be all alone.""Elizabeth was there." He
I bawled my eyes out.The moment he turned his back on me, I quickly ran in the opposite direction to relieve the pain. I cried in one of the cubicles in the comfort room, covered my mouth so I wouldn't be heard. I ran out of tissues but still, the stinging pain didn't disappear, and I just stood behind the door, waiting for the afflicting woe to dry out.Damian's words echoed in my mind countless times as I feebly hung fire— none of it were clear enough for me to digest. I couldn't understand how he could care for Elizabeth's feelings, and not mine. Above all, I wasn't sure I could put my mind to rest knowing that I still didn't hear the reason he kissed me on the car; the reason he was so mad about Mike.He can't just tell me those were a spur of the moment because it wasn't. His emotions were raw... why? what for?I took a deep breath. I removed my glasses, then rested my back on the swivel chair. I had just finished answering queries from potential clients. Apparently, Alicia was