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
ACEIA'S POV "Aceia! What happened?" He came closer and cursed when he realized that my thighs and buttocks were exposed to the eyes of another man."What did you do to my wife?" Hudson angrily accused the man. He pushed Diego away and covered my exposed thigh."Let him treat me. You leave!" I said while still laying on the sofa. I was annoyed by Hudson."You heard her; he wants me—""Try to touch my wife, and I will fucking kill you." Hudson's snarling tone of protective dominance sent goosebumps through my flesh."What did you do to my wife?""I just helped your wife back here. If you weren't an asshole to leave your wife in the dense forest while bathing almost naked in the stream," Hudson turned and looked at me, his face dark."From then until now, your face is still thick as fuck, isn't it? You really put your ex and your wife together in the same house. You even bought your bastard son!" I looked at the two again as I felt that Diego's anger was too much and that there was a do
ACEIA'S POVHudson still loves Marthina. I could feel it. My heart shattered into a million pieces."What's wrong, Mommy Ace?" Phoenix's sad voice pulled me out of my trance. I wiped away the tears I didn't even realize had fallen.And that got the attention of Marthina and Hudson."Aceia?" I put Phoenix down, then I ran towards our room. I ran to the bathroom, leaned my back against the door, and cried.Does I really have a place in Hudson's heart? It hurts every time I see them. It's like I'm the only one who believes that I still have a place in my husband's heart."Aceia?" Hudson called out, followed by soft knocks on the door. I probably need to tell Hudson what I think. I don't want what is happening. It hurts too much. I wipe my wet cheek with my palm before opening the door."Ace?" Hudson said softly."Are you even aware that you've been hurting me since yesterday, Hudson?""Ace?" I punched him hard in the chest before I left the bathroom."You are fucking insensitive!" I bell
ACEIA'S POVI was silently sitting on the dining table eating lunch when Marthina sat down in the chair in front of me. Hudson's grandmother was in the living room, reading a magazine. I had my lunch late because I woke up past lunch."Hudson is mine," Marthina said with anger and jealousy in her voice. "He will never be yours."I knew it. This woman still hopes that she and Hudson will get back together. Well, sorry, darling, I won't let you.You may be dying, but that won't make me give Hudson to you.I looked at her and spoke boredly. "I'll just remind you that Hudson and I are married. So if you intend to get him, then good luck to you."Marthina smirked. "It was an arranged marriage. It only shows that Hudson doesn't really love you, and he only married you because he needed something from you. I came here because of Hudson, and I will have him soon."Pain sipped through my heart, but I did not show it. I didn't want this woman to see me hurt by what she said. I would not give Ma
ACEIA'S POVWhile I was sitting and sipping coffee with a little cream, I was talking on the cell phone with Beatrice. After what happened, I called Beatrice to talk to her about what I was feeling. I need someone to listen to me because if I don't tell anyone about what I felt, I feel like I'm going to explode.I know what is happening is complicated, but I tried to understand. And I guess even if I tried so hard, there was still always a reason for me to question my decision. I knew from the very beginning that I should walk away and let Hudson be with his son and Marthina. That's the best decision for me to protect my heart.But I couldn't just let go of my husband. I need to fight for him."You know what? You two need space so that you both think straight," Beatrice said on the other line.Yes, Beatrice is right, but there's a part of me that just can't leave Hudson with Marthina because I know she's planning something."No, I already told you that Marthina is planning something;