ACEIA'S POVIt was lunchtime when I left to meet Aidan at a restaurant. When I arrived at the restaurant where Aidan and I planned to meet, the man was already there. I heaved a deep breath because now it's time to end things between me and Aidan.I planned to not see him again and never talk to him. I want Hudson to trust me. I want to give him the assurance that I will never do things that will hurt him. I don't know why, but I don't want to hurt Hudson. I feel like I want to protect him in any way.While walking towards the table, my bodyguards were with me. I wanted to leave alone, but they didn't want to let me.But I asked them to leave when I sat down at the table where Aidan was sitting, and I thanked God that they really left and waited for me outside."How did you two get married? What really happened?" Aidan asked as I sat facing him at the table."Because something happened to me. I was involved in a scandal, and in order for me to clean my name, I had to marry Hudson. My
ACEIA'S POVAfter what happened earlier, I went home. I expected that Hudson was at home, but he wasn't there. Night came, but he never came home. I was restless. I call Knoxx and ask if he knows where Hudson is. He said he was at The Bar with Wilson and Clark, so I immediately went to that bar."Can you all go away? I am so fucking tired of you following me." I was hostile towards the bodyguards who were always tailing me. I was even more frustrated with what they did."Sorry, ma'am, we're just following what Mr. Christenson orders." I blew air out of my mouth violently and entered the bar.I looked around the dark club as I walked until I saw Wilson and Clark. There were three women at their table. Wilson secured his arms around a woman's waist. While Clark is just having a formal conversation with a girl—oh wait! It's Celine. Claire Carpio's bff.Where's Hudson? I walk toward their table. I was about to get Wilson and Clark's attention when a woman in a champagne dress caught my at
ACEIA'S POVI woke up in the morning and immediately looked at the left side of the bed. The bed was ironed, and there was no sign that Hudson had slept there. Hudson never came home. Again, it was as if something was squeezing my heart. I was completely overwhelmed by extreme sadness. I fell asleep early. I could feel my eyelids swelling because I cried all night.The door of the walk-in closet opened, and Mother Carmelita came out with my small suitcase."You're awake, Senorita Aceia. What else are you bringing?" My brows crumpled, running my hands through my face."Why? What are you talking about?""Señor Hudson, tell me to fix your things. What else are you going to bring besides your clothes so I can put them here?""Why? Where are we going? Did he come home? What time did he come home?" I bombarded the old woman with questions."He went home this morning. He didn't say where you were going. He just told me to fix your things."Then the door opened. My heart seemed to do somersau
ACEIA'S POVHudson and I haven't seen each other for FIVE DAYS. Sometimes he calls me, but not too often. I was currently in the living room talking to Kathrina, Hudson's cousin. I remember how I was jealous of her when I didn't know that she was Hudson's cousin. The man told her to visit me at my parents house. It is strange that she did not know that Hudson went to Spain."Why didn't that man tell me that he's in Spain? And why didn't he take you with him? I heard his mom wants you to go to Spain." When she and Hudson got married, I didn't see his mother again, only his father. Maybe his mom doesn't want to come to New York and chooses to stay in Spain.Hudson's father came back and forth to New York because he was busy expanding their business with the help of my family and Hudson. His dad wants to be hands-on with their company, even though he already handed it to Hudson."Maybe he goes back to Spain because his dad needs his help with their company there. That's why he didn't tak
ACEIA'S POVI stood speechless on the veranda of Hudson's room. I was holding on to the baluster and looking at the view that makes me calm for all the things that I've learned today. Phoenix is indeed Hudson's son. He didn't deny it. And I am hurt. All I wanted at this time was to go home. I felt that I had no place here, especially in Hudson's life.If this had happened before, I would not hesitate to tell my parents so that they would be the ones to file for divorce, but now I don't know why I couldn't do it. There is a part of me that wants to stay, but I don't want to look pathetic. I know my worth as a woman.Hudson's first love is here with their son. I don't have a fight with that woman when the first place is that they have a child, while I was a woman who was forced to be married to him, and on top of that, Marthina is Hudson's first love and ex-wife, so there's no doubt that Hudson would choose them.Phoenix is four years old. I had no right to blame Hudson for having a chi
ACEIA'S POVWe went to the room where Marthina and Phoenix stayed. Hudson opened the door after giving a warning knock. The woman sitting at the edge of the bed smiled at me when she saw me, and the boy shouted "Dad". It was weird that Marthina smiled at me because I know there's something wrong with her; it was not genuine. I could feel it.Phoenix was in the middle of the bed, playing with his robot. Hudson held my back as we entered the room. I simply moved my body to remove his hand. I'm still mad at him, especially while I was looking at Marthina.I can't forget that Hudson really left me in New York just to go to Spain to see his son and this woman. I know it's his responsibility to take care of his son, but I can't really stand looking at Marthina."Don't touch me!" I whimpered. I heard Hudson sigh."Marthina, this is my wife, Aceia.""Hi!" I greeted the woman without emotion, not letting Hudson finish what he was going to say. I walked towards the bed and looked at the boy. Th
ACEIA'S POVWhile we were facing each other on the patio in the garden, I stared intently at Marthina. She bent down and fixed her hair slightly. I slowly took a deep breath. I'm proud of myself for being calm. What happened to me? Why am I able to stay calm in this situation? I used to be a war freak when I thought people hurt me or did something bad to me.I invited Marthina to talk while Phenix and Hudson were in the kitchen eating pancakes."Why now? Why did you tell Hudson about it, your son?" I asked after a long moment of silence."I don't want to cause trouble, Aceia. My son needs a father.""After 5 years, you only thought of that! I wish you had said it before, Marthina. Because whether you like it or not, you're already causing us trouble. And why here? Why are you staying here? What's your plan?""I'm leaving soon.""When?" I didn't want to be a hypocrite, but I wanted this woman to disappear and leave us alone."I don't know. Maybe next month, after two months or more. On
HUDSON'S POV"What will happen now, Hudson?" Marthina said as we lay side by side on the lounge chair. I don't want our position right now, but Marthina insisted, and I don't have any choice but to agree."I don't know, but one thing is for sure: nothing's going to change. I will still stay with Aceia while I'm fulfilling my responsibility as a father to our child.""And do you think that will happen?" Marthina chuckled. "Do you think your wife is okay with this kind of setup? From what I observe, she doesn't like what is happening.""I don't have a choice but to do this.""You have, Hudson." Marthina cut me off. "You just have to leave her and be with me."He wants to shout at Marthina. I thought it was clear to her that I was doing this for the sake of our child. Then why is she trying to convince me to leave Aceia, which will not happen?"Stop it, Marthina; you knew that I would not do that."Marthina looked at me, and there was a disagreement on her face. "Why? Do you love her? I