Chapter 3

Rigella’s POV

I was left with no choice but to groan and climb into the front seat when Ivan suddenly jumped into his car in the parking lot. I was a little taken aback when I walked in because he hadn’t yelled at me or hit me, so I simply concentrated on the window. Maybe he’ll slap me right away when I run into him later. I don’t want to because I’m sick of his abuse of me.

He whispered in a frigid voice, “Rigella,” and I was instantly afraid.

I approached him gently and observed that he was simply leaning back in the seat, his eyes closed, and his arm resting on the steering wheel.

I almost murmured the query, “A... What’s a?”

He raised his head and asked me sternly, “Why didn’t you pick up Ice earlier?” while frowning.

I gulped and kneeled before responding. “Ah, what? We arrived at Roxanne’s mall late earlier.” I bowed more as he let out a loud groan and slapped the brakes.

“What if something happened to your son? Would you truly put shopping over him? Thank goodness I arrived home early.”

I sighed, and my cheeks began to tear up. He was right; I ought to have left for home before I started crying. When anything awful happens to my child, I also find it difficult to forgive myself.

“Sorry, it won’t happen again,” the speaker said.

My sentence was interrupted by him. He was clearly upset since he was breathing heavily.

“It really won’t happen again! From now on, you’re just at home! Take care of Ice and do your job there!”

I still haven’t responded to him. I was able to only cry. My error was thinking more highly of myself than my son. What if he passed away? Imagine if he vanished. I merely believe that my heart was rash with pain. I could only make out her cries and her slow breaths throughout our continued silence.

For some reason, he continued to refuse to operate the vehicle.

“Your parents’ anniversary was tomorrow; they have now relocated to the Philippines.” I stopped screaming and wailing after hearing him say that they had expected us to attend their celebration. Because of what he said, I felt happy all of a sudden.

“Really?”

He looked at me, and I could tell he was bored. “Tsk. Yes! Just say, ‘Eh, I can.’ Tomorrow will also include my parents. So you should correct your behavior tomorrow.”

They only know that we were content together. Yes, he was correct that our parents were aware of our happiness and the strength of our marriage, but they were seriously mistaken. I was astounded by what he said. He simply disregarded me and started the car, which he then drove off in after I simply nodded. I only paid attention to the window for the entire drive.

My parents have returned, which makes me happy, but it also makes me sad because I know they will only stay for a short holiday before flying back to the United States.

He exited the vehicle first when we arrived at our house. He made no effort to even open the door for me. I was simply blown into the air before exiting the vehicle.

It was nine o’clock in the evening when I glanced at my wrist watch before entering the house. Except for the lamp shades, all of the lights were off when I walked inside the house.

I first went to my son’s room after climbing the stairs. I was relieved to see him sleeping soundly on his bed as I walked into his room. I walked over to him and grinned pitifully before sitting down on the edge of the bed. I gave her a forehead kiss after stroking her hair.

“Good night, son. Have a good night.” Before I left the room, I spoke in a whisper to him.

Ivan and I’s room was the other room I visited. I discovered that the door was locked when I turned the knob. I merely sighed. It appears that I will once again spend the night in the guest room. I entered the guest room and promptly fell asleep. Today was a long and demanding day. I need to rest.

Ivan was in his suit and neck tie, and I smiled as I dressed and styled my son. Ivan had already given me a white off-the-shoulder dress. I’m going to dress like this right now. I also put on my makeup early so we could leave right away. I also used concealer on my arm because the bruising was still visible there. It’s a little challenging for me to fix my youngster because his attention was diverted by the toy robot.

Ivan finished as well and was prepared to depart once I had done dressing and grooming him. We were traveling to my parents’ mansion, my childhood home, and my old residence. Prior to our departure, I grabbed his arm before we left the house, causing him to slash my forehead. In order to speak, I coughed. So, I just wanted to say thank you for the dress. I smiled.

He reprimanded me, saying, “It’s not really from me. It’s from Lara.”

“Thank you, and my girlfriend was kind, and she even gave you a dress.” He then took my hand off his arm and grinned as he lifted Ice. My eyes started to tear up, but I restrained myself from crying.

This outfit was made by Lara. I haven’t actually met him, but I haven’t spoken to him either. He was a well-known actor, as far as I knew.

We entered the vehicle. Since kids were not permitted in the front seat, Ice and I sat in the back. It would be dark when we got to the mansion. Ivan made Ice, who was transfixed by the home. Before we entered the mansion, we were greeted by colorful LED lights.

My eyes instantly scanned the room for my parents, but all I could see was Mom talking to her friends. When we got close to Mom, her eyes grew wide.

He said enthusiastically, “Rigella, my daughter!” and kissed me on the face before hugging me.

Despite the fact that Ivan merely grinned slightly at Mom, he did the same to my father and me, who were now grinning. Dad and Ivan’s parents were eating pleasantly at the same table with other people when Mom and I arrived.

“Ricardo, your daughter and family were here!” Mom replied, causing Dad and the others at the table to turn to face us.

I am now crying since I miss my parents so much. Dad quickly stood up and gave me a smiley hug. Even Ice and Ivan’s parents, Mommy Jen and Tito Iverson, hugged me after he hugged me. If someone had stopped me, I would have simply sat down. I became startled when I recognized my brother, Ryan.

He embraced me and uttered the solemn words, “Ella.”

To my utter amazement, I chose not to give him another hug. We weren’t like that. He was apparently upset with me; he came that close.

I embraced him and murmured, “B-brother Ryan.”

I could see Mom’s smile when we sat down. Brother and I just had our first ever embrace, so perhaps that’s why he’s grinning. We couldn’t stop talking while we were eating.

I was astounded by the cuisine as Mommy Jen inquired with a smile, “How are you and Ivan, sister?”

Ivan didn’t appear to hear anything when I turned to look at him. He continued to tease Ice while eating seriously. When I noticed him wearing his ring, my eyes grew somewhat wider. He only ever wears his ring at family gatherings, where he always does. I still find it a little strange when I see Perhaps it’s because I’m used to him not wearing that. I grinned and let out a sneeze before speaking.

“It’s okay,” I mumbled in response.

I turned to face Brother Ryan when I noticed his sour smirk. He circled me while looking directly at me. He appeared to be dissatisfied with my response. I only sat down to eat. Ivan said farewell and left to use the restroom while I looked after Ice. Ivan had been around for a while, so I said goodbye as well and headed to the room first.

I was anxious as I approached the counseling room; I’m not sure why, but my heart is thumping. I sighed as I approached the conference room because of what I saw. I could see it because the door was open. Lara and Ivan had been They had been Kissing. To stop myself from crying, I ran behind the wall and covered my lips. I’m crying once more. don’t tears have a limited supply? I was usually in tears. When someone came up to me and gave me a hug, I was shocked.

A man’s voice said, “Shh... stay, Miss. He doesn’t deserve your tears.” I asked,

“Si, who were you?” before turning to face him and walking away. He grinned at me and used his thumb to dab away my tears.

He was kidding: “You’re mean to me, Ella.”

“Don’t you know me?”

When I recognized who he was, I sighed and continued to stare at him, saying, “Seymour.”