Chapter 2: New Life :New Wife
1293 Words
"Primo... did I hear you correctly?"
"Yes, Sister-in-law," Primo answered confidently, as though what he had just revealed was nothing out of the ordinary.
"What?!" Don Menandro Villareal exclaimed. "You got married without our consent?"
His face immediately darkened as he glared at his younger brother, looking like a lion ready to pounce at any moment.
"Brother," Primo replied sarcastically, "I think you've forgotten that I'm already thirty-five years old. I'm more than old enough to make decisions for myself."
Completely unfazed by his brother's anger, Primo calmly sliced another piece of beef steak. He poured himself a glass of wine, took a leisurely sip, then shifted his gaze toward his nephew Vince and Vince's new wife, Monica.
Primitivo Jose Villareal—better known as Primo—was the youngest son of the Villareal family.
He was notorious throughout the province as a certified womanizer, having dated countless women both inside and outside their town.
No one had ever controlled Primo.
Not his late parents.
And certainly not his older brother.
Although a lavish dinner was spread across the table, the atmosphere felt more like a battlefield.
"Primo, you can't blame Papa," Vince said, concern evident in his voice. "You didn't even introduce your wife to the family. We don't even know her full name, and now you're telling us you're bringing her home tomorrow."
Primo slowly looked at Vince, his brows knitting together.
"Wait..." he said. "Did I hear that right?"
"You... actually care about me?"
"And do you think my concern isn't genuine... Uncle Primo?" Vince replied. "What if the woman you married isn't a good person?"
The moment those words left Vince's mouth, Primo completely lost his composure.
His fist slammed hard against the dining table.
Everyone fell silent.
Even the household staff turned to look at him.
"Enough!"
Primo's voice echoed through the mansion.
"Remember this, Vince."
"You have no right to speak badly about Jade."
"I'm not like you..."
"I'm not someone who lets other people decide whom I should marry!"
He stood from his chair and faced his older brother and sister-in-law.
"Brother... I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions."
"If you refuse to accept my wife..."
"Then we'll leave this house."
"And don't expect me to continue helping you manage this hacienda."
"Jade?" Vince whispered unconsciously.
His forehead creased.
"Yeah," Primo replied. "My wife's name is Jade. Is there a problem?"
Before Vince could answer, Primo's cellphone suddenly rang.
He casually turned away and answered the call.
"Hello, Love?"
"You're already here?"
"Really? I thought I'd pick you up in Manila tomorrow."
"Okay... I can't wait to see you."
Don Menandro released a heavy sigh.
Beside him, Doña Rebecca rubbed her temples in frustration.
Neither of them could hide their displeasure.
Like Vince before him, Primo had once been arranged to marry the daughter of another influential family.
But now...
That marriage would never happen.
Just as always, no one could force Primo to do anything he didn't want.
Vince and Primo were complete opposites.
Vince was obedient.
Primo was rebellious.
Although they were uncle and nephew, they were only a year apart in age, making comparisons between them inevitable.
Primo glanced around the dining table.
No one seemed interested in eating anymore.
Confusion clouded Vince's face.
Monica, on the other hand, had noticeably gone pale.
Perhaps she hadn't appreciated what Primo had implied about arranged marriages.
He didn't care.
If his family hadn't insisted on forcing people into fixed marriages...
He would never have said any of it.
"My wife will be here soon," Primo announced, unable to hide the excitement shining in his eyes.
"She just stopped by a friend's house."
Vince hesitated.
"Wait..."
"Did you say..."
"Your wife's name is Jade?"
"Exactly."
"Jade Avery Rivas."
Vince's blood ran cold.
"No..."
"This can't be."
"Rivas?" Don Menandro asked, frowning.
"Is she from our town?"
"Does she come from a prominent family?" Doña Rebecca added confidently.
"Is she related to the late Mayor Alejandro Rivas?"
Primo sighed.
"Sister-in-law... I already said enough."
"They simply share the same surname."
"I love my wife."
"I don't care if she comes from a humble family."
"Primo," Monica interrupted gracefully, "Mama is only concerned about the intentions of the woman you married."
"Who knows?"
"Maybe she's only after your wealth."
Still wearing her elegant cream halter dress, Monica looked every bit the sophisticated socialite she had always been.
Primo gave her a cold stare before turning to Vince.
"I'm sorry to disappoint all of you."
"But the woman I married isn't like any of you."
"Remember this."
"Jade loves me."
"My wife truly loves me."
His voice was calm.
Yet every word carried unmistakable conviction.
Without waiting for anyone to respond, Primo turned around and headed upstairs toward his bedroom.
Vince remained frozen in his seat.
Why did you have to come back, Jade?
Did you really marry Primo out of love?
Vince's POV
It was already past one in the morning.
Yet sleep refused to come.
He couldn't stop thinking about what Primo had said.
In a town as small as theirs...
How many women could possibly have the name...
Jade Avery Rivas?
How could he ever forget the woman he had abandoned...
The woman he had left behind to marry Monica Encarnacion?
He tossed and turned repeatedly.
But every time he closed his eyes...
Jade's face appeared before him.
Primo... I hope I'm wrong.
Unable to bear the restlessness any longer, Vince quietly got out of bed.
He glanced at Monica, who was sleeping peacefully beside him.
He made sure not to make any noise.
He didn't want her asking why he seemed so troubled.
Primo's bedroom was only a few steps away from theirs.
As Vince walked down the hallway, he noticed that Primo's door was slightly open.
His heart skipped a beat.
The thought that his uncle's wife might share the exact same name as the woman he once loved was becoming harder to dismiss.
Primo had always been the family's biggest headache.
He never cared whether he inherited only a fraction of the Villareal fortune.
As long as he wasn't forced into marrying the woman their family had chosen for him.
But Vince was different.
Family reputation mattered to him.
Their business mattered to him.
And perhaps...
Love had always ranked last among the things he valued most.
To Vince...
Love only made people weak.
He knew that because he had once experienced it himself...
With Jade.
Ironically...
His uncle's wife bore the same name as the woman who had once owned his heart.
A woman none of them even knew existed.
Eventually, Vince shook the thought away.
There was no way Primo would fall for someone like his Jade.
She had always been simple.
Gentle.
Innocent.
He was about to walk away when soft voices drifted out from the partially open bedroom door.
He wasn't the type to eavesdrop.
But for some reason...
His feet refused to move.
"Love... I love you so much."
"Please... tell me you love me."
"Oh, God..."
"Love..."
"Mmm..."
"Primo..."
"Please..."
"What the hell..."
Vince cursed inwardly.
He couldn't believe Primo had been careless enough to leave his bedroom door unlocked.
It was painfully obvious what was happening inside.
His uncle and his wife were completely lost in each other's passionate embrace.
Vince shook his head in disbelief.
Couldn't he at least lock the door?
What if one of the maids had walked in?
Didn't they have any shame?
Oddly enough...
He felt relieved.
Now he was certain.
The woman inside that room wasn't the Jade he once loved.
His Jade would never be so bold.
Never so uninhibited.
She wasn't that kind of woman.
She was...
The woman he had once truly loved.
- Writer
