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Chapter 17: Still Far Better Than Him
Last Updated:
2025-04-14 23:52:20
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The Unwanted Wife Chapter 18: The Familiar Comfort of Home
The hot water felt soothing against her skin, washing away the exhaustion of the day. As she let the steam envelop her, she found herself thinking about Lucas again—about the way he had coldly reminded her not to get the wrong idea, how he left without a second glance. She knew she shouldn’t care. She knew she had no right to expect anything from him. And yet, the familiar sting in her chest reminded her that some wounds weren’t so easy to ignore.Pushing those thoughts aside, she finished her shower, changed into her fresh clothes, and towel-dried her hair. Then, she climbed onto her bed, leaning back against the headboard with a sigh.Reaching for her phone, she unlocked the screen and absentmindedly opened Instagram.Her fingers hesitated for a second before typing a familiar name into the search bar. Eievan Duke Sandejas.It had been a while since she last checked his account. She used to visit it from time to time, just to see how he was doing, but life had gotten too busy lately
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After dinner and some lighthearted chatting with her family, Lara returned to her room.She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, willing sleep to take over. But sleep refused to come. It wasn’t surprising—she had already taken a long nap earlier in the afternoon.With a sigh, she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. Might as well get something to drink.She made her way downstairs, padding softly toward the kitchen. As she entered, she paused, surprised to find Levi sitting at the counter, lazily swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.He glanced up at her arrival and smirked. “Can’t sleep?”Lara walked closer, leaning against the counter. “Nope. You?”Levi chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Guess we’re both night owls tonight.” He then raised an eyebrow. “Wanna join me?”Lara considered it for a moment before pulling out the stool next to him. “Sure. Why not?”Levi stood up, grabbing another glass from the shelf. He held up the bottle of whiskey and gave her a teasing look.
Last Updated : 2025-04-14The Unwanted Wife Chapter 20: Definitely Drunk
After sharing a couple more drinks with Levi, Lara felt the liquor slowly taking effect. A warm buzz settled over her, making her limbs feel heavy and her thoughts a little sluggish. She wasn’t drunk, but she was definitely tipsy. And sleepy.Suppressing a yawn, she turned to her brother. “I’m heading to bed.” she mumbled, pushing the glass away.Levi smirked. “Already? Lightweight.”“I’m not a lightweight,” she insisted, though the slight slur in her words betrayed her.Levi chuckled. “Sure. Go to bed before you embarrass yourself.”She rolled her eyes but stood up anyway. “Goodnight, Kuya.”“Yeah, yeah. Try not to fall flat on your face on the way there.” he teased.Lara scoffed, waving him off before heading back to her room.As soon as her head hit the pillow, she let out a deep sigh, her body sinking into the mattress. Sleep should’ve come easily, but instead, her mind wandered—to Lucas.The thought of him sneaked in like an uninvited guest. Was he home yet? Was he sleeping? Or w
Last Updated : 2025-04-15The Unwanted Wife Chapter 21: Hangover and Hazy
Lara woke up with a pounding headache. She groaned as she sat up in bed, pressing her fingers against her throbbing temples. She regretted drinking last night. It wasn’t even much, just a couple of glasses with Levi, but clearly, her body wasn’t built for it. Reaching for her phone, she squinted at the screen. 9:00 AM. She wasn't even surprised anymore. She usually slept in on weekends, her body already accustomed to waking up late. However, she originally planned to leave early this morning, but judging by her current state, that plan was as good as canceled. With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth—something she forgot to do last night—she took a long, refreshing shower, hoping it would wash away the remnants of sleep and her slight headache. Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom while towel-drying her damp hair. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of denim shorts and a loose, oversize
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A few minutes later, her mother’s phone rang. She checked the caller ID and gasped. “Oh! It’s my friend! I need to take this.” She excused herself, leaving Lara and Lucas alone.An awkward silence settled between them.She tapped her fingers against the table, debating whether to speak. After a moment, she hesitated, then asked, “So… when are you leaving?”Lucas’s gaze flickered toward her, his expression unreadable. “Are you kicking me out?”Lara’s eyes widened slightly. “No! I was just wondering,” she quickly clarified. “Since I’ll be getting ready to head out soon, I thought you might not want to stay here alone.”Lucas studied her for a moment before replying, “I’ll leave once your mom returns. I should at least say goodbye.”“Oh. Alright then.” She shifted awkwardly in her seat before standing. “I’ll head upstairs to get ready now.”Lucas gave no response.She clenched her fists slightly before turning on her heel and walking away.Don’t let it bother you.It didn’t matter whethe
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As soon as they started driving, silence fell between them. It was exactly as she expected—quiet and distant.Lara stared out the window, watching the city pass by as the minutes stretched on. The only sounds filling the car were the hum of the engine and the occasional honk from other vehicles.She had always been used to Lucas’s cold demeanor, but there were times when the silence between them felt suffocating.It took nearly half an hour to reach the café due to traffic. The moment Lucas parked, Lara unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.She hesitated briefly before bending down slightly to look at him. “Thanks for the ride. Drive safe,” she said softly and without waiting Lucas’ response—not that she expected him to—she shut the door close.Lara straightened her back, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the café. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries greeted her, mingling with the soft hum of jazz music playing in the background. The cozy atmosphere,
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Finally, she returned to her seat, still eyeing him with a mixture of disbelief and excitement.“You look different,” she observed, giving him a once-over. She had seen his recent Instagram photos, but seeing him in person was another thing entirely. He was taller, more refined, exuding a confidence that hadn’t been there before. His time in New York had definitely done him good.Duke smirked. “Good different or bad different?”Lara pretended to scrutinize him before leaning back in her chair. “I’ll admit it—you look good. My mom wasn’t lying when she said you got more handsome.”Duke chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Honestly, though, New York seems to be working wonders on you.”Duke leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. “It sure does. I think I’ve found my second home.”Lara tilted her head. “Do you like it that much?”He nodded. “I do. The city, the people, the energy—it’s different, but in a good way. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d stay, but
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Lara and Duke turned toward the source of the voice, just in time to see Ali striding toward them like she owned the place. As always, she was dressed to impress—flawless makeup, designer outfit, and an attitude that screamed main character energy.Lara grinned. “You’re late.”Ali scoffed dramatically. “Excuse me? I was out here fighting for my life in traffic while you were cozying up with your long-lost best friend!”Duke smirked. “Hey, Ali. Nice to see you again.”Ali stopped mid-rant and turned to face Duke, gasping dramatically as if she had just seen a celebrity. “Oh my God! Duke, baby! I missed you!”Before Duke could react, Ali threw herself at him, clinging onto him as if they were long-lost lovers. He laughed as he caught her in a tight hug. Lara, meanwhile, could only shake her head in amusement. Ali always made a scene wherever she went. Subtlety was never in her vocabulary.“I’m so happy you’re back!” Ali squealed, squeezing him tighter before finally pulling away.“I kno
Last Updated : 2025-04-15
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The Unwanted Wife Chapter 54: Walking Away
The rest of breakfast passed with shallow conversation. Evelyn and Lily chatted about upcoming travel plans while Lara nodded politely, responding when needed, but mostly stayed quiet. Her mind was miles away.When the meal ended, she stood up and politely addressed the family.“Thank you for the breakfast, Mom, Dad. But I think I should be heading home.”“Oh, why so soon?” Evelyn frowned, touching her arm gently. “Can’t you and Lucas stay a bit longer? It’s so rare that we have you both here.”Lara’s expression softened. “I’m really sorry, Mom,” she said gently. “I have some work I need to get back to. Maybe next time.”The words tasted bitter as she said them. She hated lying—especially to them. Evelyn and Arthur had always treated her with kindness. They didn’t deserve this. But what could she say? That there wouldn’t be a next time? That their son and his wife were soon be annulled?No. Not today.Evelyn’s disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she gave a small nod. “All right.
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 53: Right Kind Of Pain
Lara made her way to one of the guest rooms down the hall. As soon as she closed the door behind her, the numbness cracked, letting the ache crawl back in. She sat on the edge of the bed, then laid down, staring at the ceiling. It’s over, she thought. It’s finally over.She had said the words that needed to be said. She had chosen herself. She should’ve felt victorious—free. And in a way, she did. But freedom, she was learning, could feel a lot like grief.Her chest felt hollow. Not because she regretted it—but because it still hurt. Despite everything Lucas had done, despite the way she had been treated, she had still fought to keep the marriage alive, and now, it was slipping through her fingers. The reality of it was almost too much to bear. She could feel the rawness of the grief bubbling up, and before she knew it, tears were streaming down her cheeks.Her heart wept—not for Lucas, but for herself, for the woman she had been all these years—fighting for a love that would never
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 52: Breaking Free
Lucas just stood there, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his posture tense. His usual cold, impassive mask was cracking, but Lara didn’t care to decipher the emotions beneath it. She had already made her decision. This wasn’t for him—it was for herself.A few moments passed before Lucas finally spoke. “Lara...” His voice was quieter than she expected, almost hesitant. “You don’t mean that.”Lara stared at him, disbelief etched across her face.What’s this? Why was he acting like this? Wasn’t this what he wanted all along? Didn't he spend years tormenting her—making it clear that he never wanted this marriage—just so she’d give up? And now that she’s finally giving him his freedom, he’s acting like this isn’t what he wanted?What kind of bullshit is this?Don’t read into this, Lara. Her mind warned. Don’t let him confuse you. He’s just probably making sure that you’re serious. This is a game. Don’t fall for it.A bitter smile curled on her lips. “I do mean it, Lucas,” she sa
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 51: End This Charade
Lara’s words hung heavily in the air, thick with finality. Lucas didn’t move, didn’t speak—he just stood there, staring at her as if she had spoken a foreign language he couldn’t comprehend.“What?” His voice was hoarse, almost disbelieving.Lara exhaled, a small, sad smile on her lips. “I’m giving you what you want, Lucas. I’m setting you free.”Lucas shook his head slightly, his brows furrowing. “Lara, you’re drunk. Let’s finish this conversation tomorrow.” His voice was low, cautious, almost… avoiding.“No.” Lara met his gaze with unwavering resolve. “I’m completely sober, Lucas.”Silence stretched between them.“I’ve finally come to terms with reality,” she continued, voice steadier now. “There’s no fixing this marriage. I can’t keep holding on to you just because I love you when you’re longing for someone else.” Her heart clenched. “I don’t want to be in pain anymore.” Her admission came out in a whisper, raw and fragile.Lucas’ throat bobbed, his jaw tightening, but he remained
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 50: Let’s Get An Annulment
Once they were away from prying eyes, she finally gathered the courage to glare up at him. “You can put me down now. No one’s watching.” she muttered. Lucas didn’t listen. Instead, he carried her all the way upstairs, straight to his room. Only then did he finally set her down on the bed. Lara immediately scooted away, putting distance between them. “Thanks. You can leave now.” Silence. For a moment, she thought he would simply walk out. But instead, his voice broke through the quiet. “Are you feeling okay?” Lara almost scoffed. Of all the things he could ask, he chose that? She lifted her gaze to him, searching his face for any trace of sincerity. But she couldn’t find it. Was this still part of his act? Did he actually care… or was he just pretending again? A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. “Why are you asking, Lucas?” she said, voice laced with quiet pain. “It’s not like you actually care.” Lucas’ jaw tightened. He didn’t answer, but the flicker in
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 49: In His Arms
The party was an intimate affair, filled with close family and friends. Lara was pleasantly surprised to find her own parents there, already seated at one of the tables. She made her way toward them, settling beside her mother, while Lucas followed suit, taking the seat beside her, but they barely spoke. It was easy enough to avoid each other with so many people around, and for that, Lara was grateful.And despite the ache in her chest, she found herself enjoying the celebration. The simple gathering, the laughter, the casual conversations—it was nice.At some point, Lily dragged her away to join their cousins and friends at a separate table. The group was lively, taking turns singing karaoke and clinking their glasses together in celebration.“You’re drinking with us tonight,” Lily declared with a mischievous grin.Lara hesitated. “I don’t think—”“Please, Ate Lara. Just one drink!”Lara had really no intention of drinking, but after much persuasion from Lily and the others, she fina
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 48: Beneath the Surface
As Lara stepped outside, she made sure to lock both the main door and the gate. When she turned, she found Lucas standing beside his car, his hands in his pockets.She hesitated for a moment.Why was he just standing there?Lucas had never waited for her before. Had never once shown any concern about whether she got in the car first or not. Usually, he would already be seated inside, engine running, as if eager to be anywhere but near her.Brushing the thought aside, Lara reached for the passenger door handle. Just as her fingers curled around it, another hand landed on the handle at the same time. The unexpected contact sent an involuntary jolt through her, and for a moment, she stilled. She looked up at him, her brows knitting together in confusion.What is he doing?Lucas met her gaze, something unreadable flashing in his dark eyes before he silently withdrew his hand. It was as if he had been about to open the door for her.Lara swallowed the lump in her throat, composing herself.
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 47: Holding It In
The day passed by in a blur, and before Lara knew it, Friday had arrived.She was in the faculty room, gathering her things after her last class, when her phone buzzed with a message.Lucas: I’ll pick you up at 6.She stared at the screen for a moment, then locked her phone without responding. What was the point? He was merely informing her, not asking. There was no room for discussion.“Heading home already?” one of her co-teachers asked as she slung her bag over her shoulder.“Yeah, I have an event to go to tonight.” she said, managing a small smile. “I'll see you all on Monday. Have a good weekend.”They exchanged quick goodbyes before she made her way to the parking lot, sliding into her car and driving home.As soon as she arrived, she headed straight to her bedroom. The dress she had set aside that morning hung neatly inside her closet. She reached for it and let out a slow breath.Tonight was going to be difficult.She pushed the thought aside and slipped into the dress—a simpl
The Unwanted Wife Chapter 46: The Turning Point
Lara drove home in a daze, her grip on the steering wheel weak, her mind clouded with thoughts she couldn’t silence. The pain still lingered like a fresh wound, throbbing in her chest with every breath. By the time she pulled into the driveway, exhaustion had settled deep in her bones, her face still damp from the silent tears she had shed during the drive. Her eyes were swollen, her heart heavy.That night, she made a decision.She wouldn’t run anymore. She wouldn’t stay silent.For so long, she had been avoiding the inevitable, afraid of the answers she might receive. But tonight, she was done pretending that everything was fine. She was done hoping for something that would never come.She was going to talk to Lucas.She wanted answers. A real conversation. A chance to finally lay everything out in the open.Lara sat on the couch, waiting. The ticking of the clock was the only sound that filled the empty house. Every passing minute chipped away at the last fragments of her patience.
