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CHAPTER 70
Huling Na-update:
2024-11-27 17:44:57Kaugnay na kabanata
The Contract Bride CHAPTER 71
DAMON'S P. O. VThe morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes of gold across the bedroom floor. I stretched, a contented sigh escaping my lips. The night before, the night we had rediscovered each other, the night we had rekindled the flame of our love, felt like a dream. But the ache in my muscles, the lingering warmth in my heart, the contented smile on Winter's face as she slept beside me, were all too real.I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. She looked so peaceful, so serene, her face illuminated by the soft morning light. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, the warmth of her skin sending a shiver down my spine."Good morning, My Soirye," I whispered, my voice husky with emotion. "I love you."She stirred, a sleepy smile gracing her lips. "Good morning, Damon," she murmured, her voice soft as a whisper. "I love you too."I lingered for a moment, savoring the warmth of her presence, the feeling of her hand in mine. But the scent of bacon wafting fr
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27The Contract Bride CHAPTER 72
1 year later… DAMON'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of lilies and the damp earth of the cemetery. I placed the basket of flowers, a vibrant splash of color against the grey headstones, in front of the grave. "It's been almost a year. I'm still missing you. I still miss you…” I whispered, my voice hoarse with unshed tears.I stood there, staring at the inscription, my mind a jumbled mess of grief and guilt. I should have been beside her sooner. I should have been beside her every day, holding her hand, telling her how much I loved her. But I was lost in my own world, oblivious to the pain she must have felt in her final days.I turned away, my eyes searching the horizon, as if looking for someone who was no longer there. The sun, a pale disc behind the clouds, cast long shadows across the cemetery, making the world feel even more desolate.Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, a familiar warmth radiating through my body."Damon," a voice, soft as a whisp
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-27The Contract Bride PROLOGUE: Where Everything Started
SOIRYE'S P. O. VTHE NIGHT WAS WILD—THE ENTIRE RESORT WAS SURROUNDED BY BLINDING LIGHTS. THE MUSIC WAS A BLAST—ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHATTERING NOISE OF BOTH LAUGHTER AND SHOUTS OF GLEE.Sa kabila ng ingay ng paligid ay rinig na rinig ko pa rin ang malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib ko. I was being followed by my crazy—no, by my obsessed ex-boyfriend. The same ex-boyfriend na pinagbabantaan akong pakakalatin daw sa social media ang "sex tape" ko kung hindi ako makikipagbalikan dito."Baby… the car's waiting. I know you're here. Naaamoy kita. Lumabas ka na,” a voice of a drunk man called. That was him, my ex-boyfriend. Sa boses pa lang nito ay kinikilabutan na ako. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin lubos maisip kung anong nakain ko at pinatulan ko ito. Although our relationship lasted for just two weeks, it still counts. Inilibot ko ang mata ko sa paligid. I was currently hiding behind the bush. Naghahanap ako ng tiyempo na makaalis doon nang hindi nakikita ng baliw kong ex. Madilim ang palig
Huling Na-update : 2024-09-16The Contract Bride CHAPTER 1: The Desires that Meet
SOIRYE'S P. O. VSENSITIVE WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. SUITABLE ONLY FOR READERS 18 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE."WHEN WE LANDED, YOU'LL GONNA BE MRS. IGNACI.”I immediately smiled at the thought. I don't know if this is normal—ang pagpayag na magpakasal sa isang lalaking wala pa nga isang araw kong kilala—at ang kiligin sa isipin na 'yon. There's really something wrong in me, is it?We just finished drinking and right now, we are laying in this cozy bed beside each other. Nasa loob lang kami ng kwarto sa private jet niya pero sa ganda no'n, aakalain ko na nasa loob kami ng isang high-end at luxurious na 5 star hotel. Every detail of the room was intricately flawless. It was as if this entire jet was once owned by a royalty.Mamaya pa, naramdaman ko ang paglapit ni Damon sa akin. Nakatagilid kasi ako at nakatalikod sa kanya. May pagitan din sa amin na kasya pa ang isang tao. Pero sa ginawa niyang paglapit, naramdaman ko na unti-unting sumikip ang paligid. I tried m
Huling Na-update : 2024-09-16The Contract Bride CHAPTER 2: The Marriage
SOIRYE'S P. O. VWHEN I GOT TO THE APARTMENT DAMON HAD MENTIONED, THE FIRST THING I DID WAS TO DIAL A CERTAIN NUMBER.Ang tanga ko lang dahil hindi ko naisip na nasa labas na ako ng bansa at iba na ang network reception doon. So instead, I logged in to one of my social media accounts at doon ko na lang tinawagan si Kyree. He's my gay assistant. At ngayon na biglaan akong nawalan at hindi ko alam kung kailan ako makakabalik, I have to call him to make him in-charge or everything while I'm gone."Hello—”"Hello, Madam Winter?! Madam Winter!” tila naiiyak niyang bulalas sa kabilang linya. "Madam! Madam, buti naman tumawag ka na! Kanina pa kami windang na windang at alalang-alala sa'yo rito kung bakit wala ka pa! Never ka naman kasing na-late at absent ng walang pasabi!”Napailing na lang ako at inilayo sa tainga ko ang cell phone dahil kung hindi, malamang na mabingi ako sa lakas ng boses niya."I'm just out doing some business, okay? Biglaan kaya hindi na ako nakapagsabi. Anyways, I don
Huling Na-update : 2024-09-16The Contract Bride CHAPTER 3: The Real H.E.R
SOIRYE'S P. O. V"I HATE HIM, I HATE HIM, I HATE HIM!”Paulit-ulit 'yong tumatakbo sa isip ko habang nanggigigil akong sinusuntok at hinahampas ang unan ko. Unan ko—so basically, I'm back to my very own room. Because just like what Damon said, pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng "kasal" namin ay diniretso niya na akong ihatid sa field kung saan naghihintay ang private jet na ipanghahatid sa akin ni Paulson. Iyon din ang parehong private jet kung saan niya ako isinakay palabas ng bansa.I can't believe I was able to ride on everything Damon wanted overnight! Kabaliwan mang isipin, pero wala na. Nandito na. I was already married with him. With the man I barely know.And after that roller-coaster ride overnight, I'm back again with my usual. Ang kaibahan lang ngayon ay kasal na ako. Pero wala pa rin naman sigurong magbabago dahil as per him, hindi ko pwedeng i-disclose sa ibang tao 'yung naging kasal namin. It was secretive. More like, ginawa lang talaga solely para sa deal na sinabi niya.Pabor
Huling Na-update : 2024-09-16The Contract Bride CHAPTER 4: His Trap
"CONFIRMED, MADAM! SABI KO NA NGA BA, MAY SOMETHING FISHY D'YAN SA RAIZEN NA 'YAN!”Kyree tsked as we watch a familiar figure from afar. Naka-park kami ilang hakbang ang layo sa harapan ng isang tagong restaurant. Iyong pinapanood namin? It was Raizen Policarpio—the same "talent" na pinag-uusapan namin kani-kanina lang.That Raizen Policarpio is definitely a newbie in the entertainment industry. He's probably in his early twenties. May dating ito at hindi maitatangging malakas ang karisma. Pero kung talent at talent lang din ang pag-uusapan ay obvious na waley ito. Kaya nakakapagtaka na sa kabila no'n at kabi-kabila pa rin ang projects na involved ang batang aktor. Maraming nagsasabi na may mas "malalim" na dahilan kung bakit gano'n."That man he is with, pamilyar siya sa akin. Isn't he one of the executive directors of the most famous T.V. network?” saad ko."Oo nga! Shet, I think I know him! Teka lang, Madam, ha? Aalalahanin ko kung sino… Ahah!” Malakas na napapalakpak si Kyree. Nap
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-05The Contract Bride CHAPTER 5: Fool Again
"YOU'RE REALLY AMAZING, MY SOIRYE. YOU NEVER FAILED TO AMUSE AND SATISFY ME.”Damon planted a soft kiss on the side of my forehead as he drew me closer to him. Hindi ko naman magawang sumagot dahil abala ang utak ko sa pagsisisi. Nagsisisi ako sa desisyon ko na nagpadala na naman ako sa mga pang aakit n'ya. I was happy for what we did, yes. Pero naa-anticipate ko na kung ano ang mga susunod na mangyayari; and with that, I was never happy. I will never be."My Soirye…” Hindi pa rin ako sumagot. "I missed this. I missed… you.”I remained silent as I stare at the ceiling of the hotel room where we chose to stay. Hindi ko binigay sa kanya 'yung address ko dahil unang-una, ayokong mabahiran ng kahit anong bakas n'ya ang bahay ko. That was the only safe place I have. That was the only space that remains pure and peaceful. Kung may lugar man na ayokong mabahiran ng magulong sistema ng trabaho at affairs ko, 'yon ay walang iba kundi ang bahay ko. And nor will I let Damon invade that personal
Huling Na-update : 2024-11-05
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1 year later… DAMON'S P. O. VThe air hung heavy with the scent of lilies and the damp earth of the cemetery. I placed the basket of flowers, a vibrant splash of color against the grey headstones, in front of the grave. "It's been almost a year. I'm still missing you. I still miss you…” I whispered, my voice hoarse with unshed tears.I stood there, staring at the inscription, my mind a jumbled mess of grief and guilt. I should have been beside her sooner. I should have been beside her every day, holding her hand, telling her how much I loved her. But I was lost in my own world, oblivious to the pain she must have felt in her final days.I turned away, my eyes searching the horizon, as if looking for someone who was no longer there. The sun, a pale disc behind the clouds, cast long shadows across the cemetery, making the world feel even more desolate.Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, a familiar warmth radiating through my body."Damon," a voice, soft as a whisp
The Contract Bride CHAPTER 71
DAMON'S P. O. VThe morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes of gold across the bedroom floor. I stretched, a contented sigh escaping my lips. The night before, the night we had rediscovered each other, the night we had rekindled the flame of our love, felt like a dream. But the ache in my muscles, the lingering warmth in my heart, the contented smile on Winter's face as she slept beside me, were all too real.I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. She looked so peaceful, so serene, her face illuminated by the soft morning light. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, the warmth of her skin sending a shiver down my spine."Good morning, My Soirye," I whispered, my voice husky with emotion. "I love you."She stirred, a sleepy smile gracing her lips. "Good morning, Damon," she murmured, her voice soft as a whisper. "I love you too."I lingered for a moment, savoring the warmth of her presence, the feeling of her hand in mine. But the scent of bacon wafting fr
The Contract Bride CHAPTER 70
DAMON'S P. O. VThe humid air of the Philippines clung to us like a second skin, a comforting embrace after the long flight. We were home, back in the place where our love story began, a place that held the echoes of our laughter and the whispers of our dreams. The house we rented was small, a modest bungalow perched on a hill overlooking the ocean. It wasn't fancy, but it was ours, a haven away from the world's chaos. The air was thick with the scent of salt and jasmine, a symphony of smells that filled me with a sense of peace I hadn't felt in years.I chose this small place over my mansion for so many reasons. Una na ro'n ang peace of mind ni Soirye. Especially when she said that she is not yet ready to face the paparazzi. Hindi pa s'ya handang bumalik sa mga mata ng publiko. And I want to keep it that way either. At least, hanggang sa gumaling lang s'ya. I also don't want her life to be feasted by media. Dahil baka lalo lang makasama sa kanya.Darkon, our son, was a whirlwind of
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DAMON'S P. O. VJust like what I told Soirye—Winter—or whatever the hell she wants me to call her, I picked her up even before the clock strikes seven. The air hung heavy with the scent of dried leaves and aroma of coffee, the kind that clung to you like a nice memory. Soirye stood before me, her face pale under the harsh fluorescent lights of the café, her eyes wide and defiant. My hand, still tingling from the force of my grip, ached with the memory of her weight in my arms."You know," I began, my voice rough, "you could have just told me. No need for all this.""Told you what?" she countered, her voice a tight wire. "Told you I adopted someone's child and I am living with him now as if he was my own?""You know what I'm talking about," I said, my patience wearing thin. "That adopted kid you're saying. The one you've been hiding. Alam ko na akin s'ya.""He's not hidden. Do you have proof na tinago ko nga s'ya?" she said, her voice rising. "He's just... he's just my son.""Your son
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DAMONVS P. O. VThe wind whipped through my hair, carrying the scent of salt and something else, something familiar. I stood on the cliff edge, the vast expanse of the ocean spread before me, a mesmerizing symphony of blue and white. It's been years. Five years, three months, and six days; to be exact. I am not into counting of days or what. But ever since she left, I just found myself counting every day that goes by. With a tiny hope burried within me that says someday, she'll be back. Hindi man ngayon, pero someday. Balang araw.As I stare at the scenery, despite its beauty, my gaze was drawn downwards, to a small figure tugging at my sleeve.A boy, maybe five years old, stood there, his face etched with worry. He wasn't crying, but his eyes, wide and pleading, spoke volumes. They were the same shade of gray as mine, the same worried crease between his brows. He also keep begging as he attain eye contact with me. And the moment it happened, my heart skipped a fucking beat."Why do
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Sumisilip ang liwanag ng umaga sa manipis na kurtina, nagpipinta ng malambot at mala-anghel na liwanag sa silid. Si Soirye, ang kanyang katawan ay mainit pa rin dahil sa init ng kumot, ay nag-inat nang marahan, ang kanyang tingin ay nahulog sa walang laman na espasyo sa tabi niya. Wala na si Damon, nasa baba na siya, malamang ay kinukumbinsi ang kanyang mga lolo’t lola gamit ang kanyang karaniwang init at pagmamahal. Nakaramdam siya ng isang pangungulila, isang pamilyar na sakit ng sama ng loob, isang paalala ng panlilinlang na kanilang ginagawa.Bumaba siya sa kama, ang kanyang mga paa ay malambot na humakbang sa malambot na karpet, ang kanyang isipan ay tumatakbo na sa mga pangyayari sa araw. Kailangan niyang ipagpatuloy ang panlilinlang, hindi bababa sa para sa kapakanan ng kanyang mga lolo’t lola, hindi bababa sa para sa kapakanan ng panlilinlang. Kailangan niyang magpanggap na siya ang mapagmahal na asawa, ang debotong kapareha, ang masayang babae. Ngunit ang totoo, pagod na siya
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Ang hangin sa bahay ay mabigat sa amoy ng bagong lutong tinapay at umuusok na kape, isang nakakaaliw na amoy na pumuno sa kusina ng init at pakiramdam ng kasiyahan ng pamilya. Si Soirye, nakaupo sa mesa, ang kanyang likod ay tuwid at ang kanyang ngiti ay pilit, ay nakaramdam ng alon ng pagkabahala na dumaan sa kanya. Napapalibutan siya ng init ng pamilya, ng pagmamahal ng kanyang mga biyenan, at ng nakakaaliw na presensya ng tradisyon. Ngunit, siya ay tila hindi akma, parang bisita sa isang mundong hindi kanya.Si Damon, na palaging kaakit-akit, ay nasa kanyang pinakamagandang asal. Binuhusan niya ng atensyon ang kanyang mga lolo’t lola, ang kanyang mga ngiti ay malawak at tunay, ang kanyang tawanan ay malakas at nakakahawa. Siya ang perpektong apo, ang masunuring anak, ang debotong asawa. Naglalaro siya ng isang papel, isang papel na kinakailangan, isang papel na masakit.Si Soirye, na palaging isang aktres, ay ginampanan ang kanyang bahagi nang may parehong paninindigan. Siya ang pe
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Nakakabingi ang katahimikan sa bahay, ang tanging tunog ay ang ritmo ng pagtiktik ng orasan sa pasilyo. Si Soirye, nakahiga sa kama, ang kanyang mga mata ay nakatingin sa kisame, ay nakaramdam ng isang alon ng pagkabalisa na dumaan sa kanya. Ang mga kumot, na malinis at malamig laban sa kanyang balat, ay tila kakaiba, ang amoy ng lavender ay isang malaking kaibahan sa karaniwang amoy ng kanyang sariling tahanan. Nasa kanyang sariling kama siya, sa kanyang sariling silid, ngunit nakaramdam siya ng kakaibang hindi pagiging komportable, na parang siya ay isang bisita sa isang ibang bansa.Ang totoo, siya ay isang bisita sa kanyang sariling tahanan. Si Damon, ang kanyang hiwalay na asawa, ay natutulog sa sopa sa sala, ilang hakbang lang ang layo, ang kanyang presensya ay isang patuloy na paalala ng kumplikadong web ng mga emosyon na nag-uugnay sa kanila. Nagbabahagi sila ng espasyo, ng bubong, ng bahay, ngunit magkaiba ang kanilang mundo.Sumang-ayon silang matulog sa iisang bahay, isang
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Ang amoy ng bagong timplang kape ay pumuno sa hangin, isang nakakaaliw na amoy na tila tumatagos sa buong bahay. Si Soirye, nakasuot ng simpleng sundress, ang kanyang buhok ay nakapusod sa isang maluwag na ponytail, ay nakatayo sa kusina, ang kanyang likod ay nakaharap sa pintuan. Naghahanda siya ng almusal, ang kanyang mga galaw ay mabagal at sinadya, ang kanyang isipan ay abala sa panlilinlang na kanilang ginagawa.Ginugol niya ang nakaraang gabi sa kanyang kama, si Damon ay nasa sopa sa sala, isang maingat na inayos na pag-aayos na sinadya upang lokohin ang kanyang mga lolo’t lola, na naninirahan kasama nila sa susunod na dalawang linggo. Ang panlilinlang ay nakakapagod, ang pagkukunwari ay masakit, ngunit ito ay kinakailangan, hindi bababa sa ngayon. Hindi niya kayang isipin na ang kanyang sariling katotohanan, ang katotohanan ng kanilang basag na relasyon, ay sisira sa ideal na imahe ng kanyang mga lolo’t lola tungkol sa kanilang apo at sa kanyang asawa.Ang tunog ng mga yapak na
