A couple of days later, Mr. Vargas’ condition improved and he was discharged from the hospital though he could no longer go back to his busy schedule like before. They had a small party after that and Audrey joined in with Asher. The elderly couple was glad to see their grandson and his parents who seemed to be getting along again, not knowing what exactly happened between the two. Nevertheless, the relationship between Shane and Audrey was civil. Shane didn’t try to pursue Audrey again after their conversation in the coffee shop. He could tell that she was really desperate for peace of mind and it was something he couldn’t give her. Although he didn’t plan to easily let go, he managed to conceal his feelings at some point and chose to get along with her instead. He may no longer be her husband but just like what she told him, he was still their son’s father. As for Audrey, she felt even better recently. She could sleep at night without having to worry whether Shane would barge into
It was supposedly another ordinary day for Audrey— taking care of Asher, tending to her plants, enjoying tea in the garden with her book— pretty much doing what she loved, not until she sat in the living room after tea time and turned on the TV only to see her on the trending news. “What on earth?” Audrey was taken aback for a moment when she saw the photo of her on the news, accompanied by an article about Shane Vargas, her ex-husband who happened to be a famous actor. “No way this is happening,” she mumbled in panic, fetching her phone from the pocket of her dress. “Does he know about it? Gosh! It's been on trending since yesterday. Flora!” “Yes, Miss? Oh my! What is wrong with you?” Flora rushed toward Audrey who went pale after the shocking news. “Please stay here, I'll get some water for you.” The maid hurried to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. “Ah! Thank you. Thanks,” Audrey told Flora after she drank the water. “I'm sorry. It's just that... Hold on a sec, where's Asher
“Oh!”Tristan knew he would be rejected and what he did was not a smart move at all. When he saw the news involving Audrey, he felt the need to make a move, so he thought about marriage.“I'm sorry,” he said. “I shouldn't have said that. So unromantic, isn't it?”Audrey sighed. “It wasn't about being romantic or not, Tristan. I just recently found peace and I don't want to ruin it. I'm better off living without a man in my life,” she said. “I mean... I never felt so free and relaxed. Of course, it's starting to crumble now that my picture with my ex is all over the internet,” she continued. “And marriage can't solve it, Tristan. I liked it when we can talk casually like this. Once we take another step forward, we don't know what lies ahead. I'm so tired of life filled with uncertainties.”“I get it,” Tristan said. Then he continued, “I may need to leave for now. You should get some rest too.”Audrey looked away for a moment to collect herself. Finally, after a few seconds of silence,
“Who’s the sweetest boy?” Audrey beamed at Asher as she gently poked his cheeks. She just finished giving him a bath and would want to take him outside in the garden for a small walk. On their way to the garden, Audrey realized she forgot to put on Asher’s socks. So, they went back inside to put his socks on. “Are your tiny feet warm enough?” She smiled when the baby giggled. “Miss, check this out,” Flora said to Audrey and handed her phone. “Mr. Vargas is having a press conference right now. I think it’s about his relationship with you,” she added. “Oh.” Audrey wasn’t thrilled about it but she wouldn’t deny she wasn’t curious about what Shane would say. She subconsciously locked her eyes on the screen while waiting for Shane to speak. *At the Press Conference* “Good morning, everyone. Thank you for sparing me your time today,” Shane started. He was as charismatic as before and Audrey was not surprised about it at all. “You must have gotten tired of checking the news online with me
“Kyaaaah!”Flora’s screams filled the room. Her face turned red as she watched how cool Shane was in the press conference. “Oh my god! I can’t believe he’s going to say that, Miss. What do you think?” The maid turned to Audrey who was speechless after hearing what her ex-husband said on TV.“Nothing, Flora. It’s better not to expect anything from him,” Audrey replied. “To me, he’s been long dead,” she whispered.Audrey didn’t expect Shane to tell the world about her or his feelings for her. She thought he’d save his career instead like he always did in the past. Audrey was touched by the gesture. Even so, she wasn’t very happy about his proclamation of wooing her again. Shaking her head, she returned Flora’s phone to her. “He’s indeed a good actor. People would easily believe it if he said it like that. Right?” She commented, believing that Shane was not sincere about his public confession. “It feels weird,” she mumbled under her breath. “Even if it was all a setup, it’s surprising.”
Shane was having the time of his life alone in his apartment drinking - to celebrate his freedom from the press. Even though knowing that he wouldn't easily escape the paparazzi, despite announcing he'd be on hiatus, he wanted to praise himself for a good job still.This joyous moment was suddenly interrupted by a loud ringing from his phone, it was his mother. "Shane, you have to get to the hospital right away. Audrey had an accident and she needs you there."Shane's body froze in fear and confusion upon hearing those words. He didn't want to believe them but deep down he knew what happened - it was the average everyday life he was trying to escape from."What happened?" He asked in a shaking voice."She fell off the stairs. Her head..." Mrs. Vargas paused as she tried to contain her sobs. "She needs us there, Shane. You know that she no longer has anyone besides us."He felt faint from his mother's words. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but feel love for his ex-wife sw
Another week passed and Audrey remained unconscious. Everybody was worried about her condition, but the doctor kept assuring the family that she was fine.It was then that Shane began to realize something. In the last few years, Audrey had been through so much pain and sorrow— all she wanted was for it to end. She wanted the nightmares and fear to be behind her. And in a way, she had found a way to achieve that – by slipping into an unconscious state.Deep down inside, he knew that maybe Audrey didn't want to wake up again. It seemed like her only escape from the reality of what life had become for her. She just wanted peace, away from all the pain and trauma of the past weeks.Shane couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by sadness and helplessness as he watched her lay still in her hospital bed, suspended between life and death. He wished he had been more present in her life. Maybe then things would have been different for Audrey and better for their family as a whole.He held on tight
“Audrey!”Tristan stormed inside Audrey’s private room with a bouquet of sunflowers. His face was painted with worry as he leaned in to embrace the patient who was clueless about who he was. “Thank goodness! You’re safe,” he muttered, holding back his tears as he tightened the hug.When Tristan heard the news about Audrey’s accident, he was out of the country doing business. However, as much as he wanted to go back to check on her, his work needed most of his attention. It was supposedly a month’s worth of work but Tristan managed to finish it in two weeks and as soon as he was done, he boarded on the plane and rushed to Audrey’s side.“Uh… I can’t breathe,” Audrey mumbled as she wiggled out of his grasp. “Please let me go for a moment,” she added.“Ah! I’m sorry,” Tristan said and let go. He tried to hide his embarrassed face behind the flowers he bought for her. “I was told that sunflowers will help you cheer up in this boring hospital room,” he stated and grinned, popping his head