CHAPTER 4

FROM the start, it wasn't really a loss for him. He's a man and he's used to women chasing after him. But what he couldn't understand is why, after everything that happened between them, she's still the one on his mind every night.

And he'd be lying if he didn't admit that everything that happened between them keeps replaying in his mind, and there are even times when they're together in his dreams.

He's not clear about what he truly feels for his childhood friend, but he admits he's angry with her for what she did in leaving him. And if ever given the chance to face her, he can't promise he won't confront her or say hurtful things, because of all the inner turmoil and deep sadness she caused him since she left.

*****

Patricia woke up in a private and beautiful room.

In the early hours, she was taken there by her sister-in-law Sandra, along with her mother and her mother-in-law Olivia.

She quickly touched her belly when she regained consciousness, and excitement filled her heart as she felt that tiny bump. Just then, the door of the room opened, and a uniformed woman appeared, holding in her arms the little life she had just brought into the world.

Tears immediately welled up in her eyes as the nurse handed her the baby.

He was so handsome, a spitting image of his father who had passed away almost a year ago in a vehicular accident. They had been together for three years as husband and wife, and she could say she had been happy because during those times, he had made her feel loved, despite the many unkind rumors she had heard.

"Robert," she whispered, gently kissing his small forehead. "If only your Papa were alive, he would surely be delighted to see you, especially since you look just like a smaller version of him," she murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice as tears welled up in her eyes.

As expected, her in-laws were overjoyed to meet Robert, particularly her mother-in-law, whose eyes brimmed with tears at the sight of her late son's resemblance in his first grandchild.

The day of her discharge from the hospital arrived sooner than expected, but reality unfolded in an unforeseen manner.

"Sandra, take the baby," Olivia commanded authoritatively to her daughter as they stood in the hospital parking lot.

Patricia, familiar with her mother-in-law's tone, did not read anything deeper into it and handed her newborn over to Sandra smoothly, assuming Olivia wanted to spare her any post-birth discomfort.

"Get in the car," Olivia repeated, facing Patricia with a stern expression.

As Sandra closed the car door Patricia had entered, a surge of fear gripped her heart. Glancing at her mother-in-law, she noticed a darkness in Olivia's aura that she hadn't seen before.

"Take this," Olivia instructed, pulling out a check from her bag.

Patricia read the amount—two million! Confusion and fear clouded her mind as she struggled to comprehend its purpose.

"W-What is this for, Mama?" she asked, her voice quivering despite her efforts to remain composed.

"For you. The show is over, dear, you served your purpose. You've given Robert a child, and now that he's gone and you've given birth, there's no reason for you to remain in our lives. Perhaps it's not lost on you that I never really wanted you for my son."

Even in those fleeting moments, suspicion began to grow slowly in Patricia's heart and mind, yet she struggled to maintain her composure amidst the emotional turmoil that surged within her.

"If that's the case, I'll leave. Give me my son back," she said, her voice strained with effort as she tried to approach the car door where Sandra had been seated moments ago. Olivia's swift action, however, pushed her away before she could reach.

Caught off guard by Olivia's forceful shove and already weakened by the emotional strain of the encounter, Patricia lost her balance. Her legs, shaky and unsteady, gave way beneath her, sending her crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

The cold asphalt against her palms brought a stark contrast to the warmth that had filled her just moments ago in the hospital room. Tears stung her eyes, a mixture of anguish and disbelief clouding her vision as she lay sprawled on the ground, feeling utterly betrayed and abandoned.

"Don't be shy. Take the two million and leave," Olivia reiterated, dropping the check on her as if it were a dirty tissue she had been forced to hold onto.

That was when Patricia finally broke down in tears. It was only then that everything became clear to her. In a surge of intense anger, she took the check and tore it defiantly in front of her haughty mother-in-law.

"If you think you can buy my dignity with money, you're mistaken!" she tried to stand up but was pushed back down by a kick from the woman.

"Haven’t you heard? We don't need you in our lives. My grandchild will thrive without you, and we'll never accept you into our family as my son's spouse. Did you really believe my son loved you? You're deluded. Why do you think he kept seeing other women despite being married to you? Do you think he truly ended things with Jane? You're clueless! Robert only wanted a child from you, that's the truth. Now that we have what we wanted, we have no need for you. Leave and never show your face again," Olivia sneered, attempting to turn away, but Patricia quickly gripped her leg, preventing her from entering the car.

"Please, Ma'am, don't do this to me. Give me back my child. If you want, you can treat me however you like, just let me be with my child," she pleaded through tears, her voice trembling with desperation, her hands clutching Olivia's leg as if holding on to the last shreds of hope.

"Get this trash away from me!" Olivia swiftly ordered their family driver, Kanor, her voice dripping with disdain. "I can't understand why my son got involved with a lowlife like you! Disgusting!" With a disgusted expression, she even spat on her before finally retreating into the car.

Patricia felt a surge of panic. Weak and trembling, she struggled to maintain her balance as she watched the car speed away from the parking lot. "Ma'am! Sandra! Bring back my child! You shameless people! My child! Robert!" Her voice echoed through the emptying lot, her fists pounding against the car window in a futile attempt to stop them.

"Robert! Robert!!! You shameless people, bring back my baby!" Her cries rang out, drawing the attention of passersby who glanced with concern at the distraught woman, but she cared little for their gazes now. All that mattered was the child they were taking away from her.

She knew that even if she chased after the car, she wouldn't be able to catch it. With a mix of resentment and physical weakness engulfing her, she quickly felt dizzy, until darkness completely consumed her surroundings.

PRESENT DAY...

"I'm sorry, but may I know what caused your husband's death?"

Patricia braced herself against Alvin's question, sensing a pointed undertone in his use of the word "husband" that tugged at raw emotions.

"It's okay," she managed, her voice steady despite the memories stirring within. "It was a vehicular accident that claimed my husband's life."

Alvin remained silent, absorbing her words with a mix of empathy and curiosity. Patricia couldn't help but feel exposed under his gaze, a reminder of their tumultuous history that she had long sought to evade. It felt as if he could see through her, even though he said nothing about what she was thinking about.

"Are you okay, Mrs. Sanchez?" Alvin's voice broke the silence, pulling her back to the present moment. His concern was genuine, but Patricia couldn't shake the unease that lingered from their unexpected reunion.