WINTER:
My heart was hammering against my chest as I sauntered towards the dining area. The smell of rose flowers wafted across the air. But it did not help me at all to calm my nerves. Ynes, our house helper was already at the dining area and gaped at me as she scanned my looks. It had been a long time since she saw me doll myself. In the previous months, I looked like nothing but a walking zombie. "You look gorgeous, Miss Winter," she whispered. "Thank you," I whispered and my gaze wafted through Calcifer who was eyeing me too. I shifted my weight from foot to foot. "Do you like my dress, Calcifer?" I asked nervously even though I didn't have any reason to.If there was someone who should be nervous, it should be him because he was asking for a divorce. He blinked a couple of times as if he was mesmerized. "Y-Yes, pumpkin," he muttered under his breath. And as if reminded by something, he got on his feet and offered his arms. Anchoring myself on him, we both sauntered to the table. "I loved seeing you like this. It reminded me of the old days."Back when we both tried to make this marriage work. Back to the time when he was also hopeful that love would blossom between us or was it only me being romantic? It would also be better if he loved me, not only my dress. "How do you like my preparations?" I asked.He smelled so manly. He was warm, contrary to what I was feeling inside. Cold and nervous. I clenched my fist.Relax, Winter. Ynes watched us with admiration. The woman knew the real score between Calcifer and me, but she did not say anything about it. She was the type who would never say anything against her bosses and that was something I admired about her even if she did not sign a confidentiality agreement. I could keep any secrets to her. "Lovely, pumpkin," he whispered, but his voice was no longer happy. It felt like someone died from his family. "I was not expecting any of this."His happiness did not reach his eyes. He was no longer happy.I need to let him go. For good.The mere fact that he never remembered our second anniversary was already telling something about us. All I did was put him into misery and for someone who loved Calcifer, I did not want him to suffer. I want him to spread his wings and be with someone whom he really loves, even if it hurts me so much. I was to blame. "Thank you," I said.Pulling one chair opposite to him, he offered it to me, but I shook my head and requested, "Can I sit beside you?""Why?""I always sit opposite to you. This time, I want to sit next to you." For one last time."If that's what you wish. But I cannot see your lovely face."Much better so that you could not see the sadness in my eyes."That's fine.""If that's what you wish." He pulled the chair next to me and I sat."I hope everything is to your liking. I prefer it, especially for you. Everything is your favorite." The food was all delicious. There was no doubt about that, but I could not stomach eating them. Not that I was waiting for good news. I wonder when he will drop the bomb?"What's the occasion again? This is so hasty?" Calcifer muttered and hid his nervousness through his laugh.I looked down at my hands. "You forgot."We also need to celebrate your freedom away from me. From our family. You've been unhappy because of that. Leaving the woman whom you loved. Her name was Carmela, right? She was your ultimate love and the two of you broke up when father asked you to marry me.I saw her call Calcifer one evening. Secretly. And seeing I was already asleep, he got out of bed and answered the call with no idea what the two had talked about."What did I forget?"I smiled sadly. "Nothing special," I answered. If he had forgotten about it, then there was no way that I would remind him. Removing the cork from the bottle, I poured wine on his glass."You can leave us for once, Ynes. I will call you when I need you," I ordered. Ynes bowed and left silently leaving Calcifer and me in the dining area. I did not want an audience while Calcifer shoved the divorce paper in me. I did not want anyone to witness my pathetic side. "Thank you, pumpkin."I put the wine next to me, but returning the favor, he poured wine into my glass. Calcifer started eating with gusto. Based on my observation, he liked all the foods I prepared for him.Sensing I was only watching him, he asked, "You're not eating anything?""I am full. Seeing you eat already makes my stomach full."Calcifer laughed. "This is so unlike you, pumpkin. You're usually—" he trailed off and looked at me. Then back to his food. "My apologies.""Staying in my room? Yes. I did that. What else have you observed in me these past few months?" I finished his words. He was silent for a moment, before he mumbled, "N-Nothing else. I became busy after.""Busy for what?" For taking care of the divorce? When did the copy finally arrive in your hand? Above all, how could you do this to me, Calcifer? I wanted to ask them myself, but cowardice got ahead of me.The only mistake that I made was to get drowned by my own fear and sadness and refusing to see the world, but now that I was on my feet again, you will have to leave me? How unfair could you be?"Company. Our company is back to its full potential. I also met a lot of investors to invest in the company. The company that we owned is stable now."The Petersons were known for their real-estate company named Redshark and based on what I had known so far, they were one of the best known companies in the country. Plus the agents at Redshark agents receive a salary rather than working a hundred percent commission which was beneficial to the people who buy and sell at Redshark."That's good. I'm happy for you." Maybe that was why he never needed me. He could stand on his own now that their company was back at the top. He was now tossing me away. Calcifer scooped some carrots on his plate and put the spoon in my mouth. He knew carrots were one of my favorites. And without being forced to, I opened my mouth and ate what was offered to me.Calcifer was one of the best men I could ever ask for a husband. He always took care of me. When I was beside him, he did not make me feel that he was only using me for his own benefits. When I was around him, I felt like a real woman worthy to be loved and invested.But I was wrong. He was only doing this for his benefit. Because if he was not, then he would never leave me. My eyes simmered and I had to look away. Calcifer will know that I already had an idea what he would say. The envelope was there in the vacant seat. Marriage certificate my foot. Why was he prolonging my agony? Why could he not say it directly that he wanted to divorce me?"You're not eating anything, pumpkin. You're getting skinnier than ever. That's not good for you." At least his concerns were genuine."Seeing you makes me full," I answered. "I am fine."He looked at me with a stern expression. The same expression I saw from Father. "Pumpkin. You should take care of yourself. What if—""Why don't you do it for me? You're my husband. I won't get sick if you're always with me."He groaned. "I cannot do that. I won't always be around."My heart clenched. This was it, right? He was going to tell me that he would be leaving me soon and that I had to live my life to the fullest."Why? Are you leaving me now, Calcifer? Are you leaving for good?"WINTER:Calcifer held his breath. He was not expecting anything. He believed I could not ask him?"H-how can you think that?"He put the spoon down and faced me. His eyes held a lot of emotions which I could not decipher, but above all, I saw pity. Pity for me that he would be leaving me?It was not hidden to me that women were after him. Especially Carmela. Maybe the two will be celebrating after I sign the papers directly. "Tell me why I should not get worried, Calcifer. Tell me because that might be the reason why you have forgotten about our second wedding anniversary."His eyes widened, remembering this important day. "Pumpkin. I'm so sorry. I forgot. This was an honest mistake."He never forgot even if this was only a marriage of convenience because the Calcifer I knew was not like that. He was putting all his efforts into something if there were some upcoming important events. "Let's forget about this anniversary and talk about the most important thing you wanted to say, Cal
WINTER:I smiled sadly at the realization that my husband had already decided he was going to leave me. “You cannot be stopped, Calcifer.”Calcifer smiled sadly. “I already decided, pumpkin. I am leaving,” he stated quietly. “This is for the best.”For the best? What kind of twisted idea was that? I loved him so why was he leaving me? How could he be so unfair?My heart continued to bleed like crazy.If only I had the power to make him stay…You can make him stay if you tell him that you two are expecting a baby!My hands laid protectively on my stomach.If he already left me over some simple thing, how much more if it was already serious?Calcifer was the type of man who would leave whenever he had the chance to and telling him that we would soon be parents just to make him stay was something I did not want to do.I tried to memorize his face for the last time. His nose. His jaw. The beautiful colors of his eyes. Everything about him. How could it come to this? I loved this man so mu
WINTER: One month later…The house looked empty when Calcifer was no longer with me in the house. No matter where I looked, I was always reminded of him and the things he did for me. Of the way he took care of me. Of pampering me.It had been a month since I last saw my ex-husband. Daddy still did not know what happened to my marriage, but I knew it sooner or later he would find out about this. And he would explode in anger. As much as I hated my ex-husband, I did not want Dad and him to fight because of me. I don’t know if I was able to face him. Or not. It was scary to know the things Dad might be capable of doing against Calcifer and his company. “Miss Winter? Are you okay?” Ynes, my maid asked. She was a forty-year-old woman who had been with us for quite some time now. And sometimes, her children would come over to the house and help her clean it which I welcomed. After my ex-husband left, the house seemed sad. “Maybe it’s best if you just sit, Miss Winter.” She came to my sid
WINTER: Three Years Later…“Come here, Liam,” I ordered to my three-year-old son. We were done taking our breakfast and were now strolling through the children’s park in the neighborhood. His attention was caught when a bird landed on the floor, staring down at him. “You’re not going to catch him, alright? The bird is only looking at the children.”“Why does the bird have small eyes, Mommy?” he asked, his brows forming a straight line. “Why do his eyes don’t look like mine?”I chuckled while looking for some answers in my mind. I really did not know why.“Ahm…God designed him that way. Come on, now.”At three years old, Liam can talk now and can form sentences. He was chatty like her father and the resemblance between them was uncanny. Seeing him was like seeing my ex-husband. Calcifer and I had never met again and I believed that was for the best. I did not want him to approach me because the reason was our child. I sighed as I watched him continue staring at the bird, his curios
WINTER:My mouth fell open as I continued staring at my husband. Calcifer. He was as handsome as ever. The curls in his hair reminded me of the waves on the ocean rushing towards the shore. Just like my pretty Liam. My heart clenched as the memories of our marriage rushed through my mind. And our last meeting. The signing of the divorce papers. Was he happy now? Maybe because there was no longer the woman who was giving him a hard time.Did he still remember how he hurt me? Did he still remember how he was cruel by giving up on me? If I did not stop Dad, Calcifer would be dead by now. Out of his anger, he nearly ordered someone to kill Calcifer. It was evil, of course, but I could not blame Dad.Despite what had happened to our marriage, I did not want anything to happen to him. I wanted to focus on the things when we were still happy and how good he was to me. I was brought out of my shock and rushed to my crying son.The man. No. Calcifer was stunned for a moment realizing it w
WINTER:My heart thumped wildly against my ribcage. I should not be listening to my ex-husband now and turned my back. He was already part of my past and that I was no longer to return to it. But what was this little part of me that wanted to listen to him?Am I that foolish that I was seriously considering listening to him?“Pumpkin…” He grabbed my hand and as if burned at the touch, I slapped it away. Calcifer looked at me with pain in his eyes. You're not going to fall for those crocodile tears, Winter. Don't you ever dare try!I pulled myself together and laughed at him. “Are you getting poor?”His forehead knotted. “Poor? No, pumpkin—”“Liar!” I spat while my knuckles turned white. “You're only saying this because you're losing your money. You want me back? Really? How come you never looked for me or attempted to look for me during those three years?”He heaved a sigh. “I did. But you were nowhere to be found. You went abroad.”Well, that was true. I did and gave birth there
WINTER:I was glad I never fell on my ex-husband’s scheme. He wanted me back and Liam even after he had a child on his own? What a tough face. Had he no shame? What about Carmela?What if it was not his child? What if he was only babysitting that child?Say for example if that was the case. But then, he could hire someone to do it for him. As much as I knew, his company had prospered a lot and all businessmen were always after him.I mentally shook my head.Why would I let him confuse me again? Calcifer had already done great damage in my life and ruining it again for the second time was already foolishness.We had long gone to the children’s park, but my mind was left to Calcifer. Hawk was eyeing me every once and again, wanting to ask something, which he contemplated if he would pursue or not. He never knew anything of my past except Ynes. Sometimes, the two would talk and I had a feeling that Ynes had already given him snippets of my past. Ynes could blurt out some things which h
WINTER: I played with my hands on my lap. “M-Miss Winter, we never talked about that.” Hawk’s face went red. He was not used to this kind of thing. “I’m only your bodyguard. Not your pretend fiancé.” “I’m so sorry, Hawk. But please bear with me. Until my ex-husband stopped pestering me.” He shook his head. “He will never stop, Miss Winter. He still wants you.” “Why would he do that when he already has a child?” “I don’t know. But I cannot promise anything to you, Miss Winter. Pretending to be your fiancé might be a little difficult, but if it’s what you want, I will try.” “Thank you,” I said. A couple of minutes passed and Hawk finally pulled over in Dad’s mansion. He hurried outside and opened the door beside me and opened it. “I’ll carry Liam for you.” I nodded, stepped out of the car, and waited for Hawk. In a matter of seconds, he was already carrying my son, and together we entered the mansion. Daddy was already waiting for the three of us. Given his old age, he was s