Chapter 1

“You’re a husband and a wife…”

With tears in my eyes, I faced the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

“I love you, wife,”

“I love you even more…”

And we were greeted with a round of applause from people close to us. Others may not agree with our marriage; there are many obstacles and many people involved, but we overcame them all.

I know his parents are opposed to the two of us; his family does not want me because I am an orphan, and no one is proud because I could chase Mateo for money, but that would be a mistake.

Because I didn’t marry Mateo for his money; I married Mateo because I love him and believe he is the man I deserve.

“What is going on?!? Are you insane, Mateo?”

I just bowed, unable to look at Mrs. Caridad Villalobos, the mother of the man I love.

“I know plenty of women who would be suitable partners for you! Just don’t be with that woman if she doesn’t have a family!” She yelled at Mateo, and I bowed even more.

She is right. I came from an orphanage, and I’m uncertain if I still have parents or if I don’t.

“No! I love her! We’re getting married!” Matthew yelled angrily at his mother while holding my hand.

“Mateo! Get her out of here!”

“No, Mom! Stop!”

“Chloe! She is the one for you!”

Chloe Cain? How did my friend become involved in this discussion? Is there’s something I should know?

Mrs. Caridad turned to me and smirked as I raised my head.

“Oh? Don’t you know—”

“Please, Mom, stop!”

“No, I’m going tell her!” Mrs. Caridad then turned to face me. “Chloe is my son’s ex-girlfriend,”

My eyes widened as she smirked at me.

H-how? Why didn’t he tell me about it? Is he fooling me?

“Please, allow me to explain?”

My love for Mateo won out over my doubts.

I’m sure he has a reason for not telling me before. So, because of their shared history, they are uncomfortable when they meet.

“We were in high school. Chloe was the most attractive girl in our class. I had a crush on her, and we fell in love. We’ve been together for 6 years,” as we hugged in bed, he said.

I squeezed him and couldn’t say anything for fear of them still feeling for each other. Because I’m certain he’s the man Chloe was referring to in her stories to me.

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with trusting the two of them; it’s just that it’s been a while, and I’m the one with Mateo now.

Despite many obstacles, we maintained our relationship. We don’t mind as long as we’re in love with each other. However, there will be times when you will need to go through a test first to determine the extent of your relationship.

“I don’t think you’re suitable for my son.”

I just bowed and clenched my fists.

“Here,”

I regret having met her without Mateo’s knowledge.

“5 million for you to leave my son,”

I took a deep breath and handed over the five million peso check. I noticed her bright smile, as if she’d won the lottery.

“Stay away and make a new start in your life. Chloe and my son are getting married, and my son has agreed to marry her for our family. You do not deserve of him. Hmm...” she smiled. “Don’t worry, Mateo will forget about you as well.” She sighed and stood up to leave, but…

Trembling, I crumpled the check.

“Are you really going to insist on us splitting up, Mrs. Caridad?”

I get the sense she’s taken aback.

“W-what? What exactly did you say?”

I gave her a bitter smile before looking up at her.

“Do you believe that money is the only reason I love Mateo?” I asked as she looked at me.

“What? Isn’t that true? You’re very close to him because he’s our heir!” she yelled at me.

I took up the check she had given me. Her eyes widened.

“What are you going to do?”

I smiled at her and slowly ripped the check she had given me in front of her.

“I don’t need your money! I love him; your money will never be enough to pay for my feelings for Mateo!” I screamed at her and ran away.

It’s sickening that she even became the mother of someone I care about. On purpose, I just kept running until I got tired. I didn’t think she’d use their money just to get me to leave Mateo.

I love him and will never leave him. Not only that, but I will fight the love we both have.

“Ana…”

As we were in the middle of the road, I cast a sad glance at Mateo in front of me.

“You met my mother.”

I smiled and shook my head. “You found out I met her,” I said with a smile.

“Yes, I also heard you insulted my mother.”

I bowed and shook my head. ‘Didn’t your mother tell you she gave me money, so I could leave you?’

“How come you did that?”

Because I love you, I did that thing.

“You may well ask why. Why don’t you ask her?” I asked, a bitter smile on my face.

He was touched around the waist. I recognize him when he’s just suppressing his rage.

“Ana, could you, please? Please respond to me!” he yelled angrily at me.

I averted my gaze from him and inhaled deeply. “I’m tired, babe,” I said.

“What did I say? I’ll find a way for them to accept you, right? You don’t have to insult Mom!” He shook me. I bit my lower lip so hard that tears streamed down my cheeks.

“Why?”

He was taken aback and fixed his gaze on me.

“Why can’t I do it? Please explain why! Because she's your mother?” I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears firmly. “Mateo, she insulted me! She gave me a large sum of money just to keep you away! To abandon you! I didn’t love you just for the money!” I yelled and slapped him, while he just stared at me.

I step back.

“I’m tired. Currently, I would rather not see your face.” I said as I turned my back. As I walked away from him, I just clutched my chest and sobbed.

I love him, but we should first rest. ‘I'll just rest, but I won’t abandon you, my love.’

Although he visited my apartment several times, it took me nearly a month to avoid him. I’ve also heard that he is always with Chloe. Even though I avoid him, I still have faith in him because I know he will never betray my trust.

I proved he loved me when he apologized to me, and because I loved him and couldn’t stand Mateo, we got married, although his family was still against us.

We fought for our love, and even though Mrs. Caridad insulted me a few times as if I were used to it, and Mateo didn’t let me down.

We have also been married for a few years. Every day we are happy together, and he makes me feel he loves me more, but it gets to where we can make a mistake.

The disaster that will ruin your relationship, and the altar promises are no longer there. Trust has been permanently damaged. Former love is now swallowed up in hatred.

***

“She’s awake! Call the President! The patient is awake!”

“Oh, my God! After 5 years, she woke up in a coma!”

“Thank you, Lord!”

***

“Mr. Monticello? What do you have to say about our project?”

“Don Martin?”

Martin blinked, and he looked at the man who he met. “Yes? I’m sorry, Mr. Villalobos. What did you say again?”

Don Martin looked down at his phone, which was vibrating.

Dr. Aragon has called…

He tapped on the table to check his phone for the doctor's name.

“Is it a done deal?” Mateo asked him.

Martin took a deep breath and stood up. “I’ll call you soon because I have something important to do,” He said.

Mateo smiled and waved goodbye to the young man.

“Sweetie.”

He would rather not look at Chloe, his new wife. He learned a few years later that her ex-wife had died in an accident. And he blames himself for what happened because his ex-wife might still be alive if it hadn’t been for a mistake.

“What?”

He wasn’t in a good mood because Don Martin had left him. He doesn’t love her because he still has feelings for his ex-wife.

“Did you complete the transaction with Don Martin?” Chloe asked softly about Mateo.

“No.” Mateo simply replied to Chloe and exited the restaurant, where he was supposed to deal with Don Martin.

‘I hope you’re still alive, my love, and that you'll forgive me for all of my sins.’

They are right in that repentance comes extremely late because a life that has been lost can never be revived.