Simula:
⚠️ CONTENT DISCLAIMER ⚠️
This novel contains mature and sensitive themes that may not be suitable for all readers.
The story includes depictions and discussions of marital ab*se, emotional and physical ab*se, ass@ult, manipulation, infidelity/cheating, trauma, toxic relationships, coercion, obsession, and morally gray characters.
The female lead is a traumatized survivor, while the male lead is intentionally written as morally gray and may make choices that are questionable, possessive, or difficult to justify.
Some scenes may be uncomfortable, disturbing, or emotionally triggering.
This is a work of fiction. The events, characters, and relationships portrayed in this story are created for storytelling purposes and should not be taken as an idealization or endorsement of abuse, assault, or unhealthy relationships.
If you are a gentle or sensitive reader who may be deeply affected by these themes, please feel free to skip this novel or stop reading whenever you feel uncomfortable.
Your comfort comes first. Read at your own discretion.
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Zevren Darius Evandrel
"Boss, gising na po siya."
May kung anong biglang nabuhay sa kaloob-looban ko nang marinig ko iyon. Maybe because she's been sleeping for a week and now she's finally awake.
"Cancel all my meetings today. Sabihin mo sa kanila na sa susunod na araw na lamang pag-uusapan ang tungkol sa paparating na operasyon," utos ko at agad na humakbang palabas ng opisina.
Dire-diretso ang lakad ko. Mabigat ang bawat hakbang at ramdam ang mabilis na pagtibok ng aking dibdib, hahang papalapit ako nang papalapit sa silid kung saan siya naroroon.
"Mr Evandrel," a doctor suddenly came out from her roon.
Malamig ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa kanya bago bumaling sa nakaawang na pintuan. At nang makita ko si Lira ay hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko.
"She's stable now. Pero kahit ganoon ay kailangan pa rin siyang bantayan dahil sa pinsalang natamo ng kanyang katawan," sabi ng doctor. Pero halos hindi ko iyon maintindihan dahil hindi ko magawang alisin ang tingin ko kay Lira.
She looks so terrified. Hindi siya umiiyak, pero nanginginig ang mga braso niyang nakayakap sa kanyang sarili.
I let out a deep breath and glance at the doctor standing in front of me.
"Send all the details to my men. Including the surgeries that you have to perform on her. Her treatments and everything that is important for her. Kailangan ko iyon. Isa-isa at ayaw kong may makaligtaan kang kahit na isang detalye man lang." Sambit ko.
Tumango siya at akmang aalis na ngunit napahinto siya nang mahawakan ko ang kanyang balikat.
"What you saw here today...must stay here. At sa oras na marinig ko sa ibang tao ang tungkol rito sa mansyon ay ikaw ang una kong pupuntahan. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr Evandrel. Of c-course," he was shaking the moment he looked into my eyes.
Bahagyang umangat ang sulok ng aking labi bago siya tuluyang tinalikuran. Pumasok ako sa loob ng kwarto, and the moment Lira lifted her gaze towards me...tears started to flow on hee cheeks as she stood up and ran towards me.
"Z-Zevren...." umiiyak niyang sambit.
My jaw clenched. "It's okay now, Princess. I'm here and no one can hurt you again."
Niyakap ko siya pabalik, ngunit hindi sobrang higpit dahil ayaw kong masaktan siya.
She's wounded, in pain and still suffering. At hanggang ngayon ay hindi ako makapaniwala na ipinakasal siya ng mga hayop niyang magulang sa lalaking iyon. I could not forgive them. I will definitely come back for them and crushed them!
"N-Natatakot ako. Baka...b-baka mahanap niya ulit ako at ibalik sa bahay. Baka malaman ng mga magulang ko na nandito ako and they will take me to him," she was sobbing so hard and k could feel my heart being crushed.
My precious princess.
I couldn't accept any of this.
"He will hurt me again. Sasaktan niya ulit ako! A-ayoko nang bumalik doon. I w-want to stay here with you. Gusto ko dito, Zevren. Huwag mona akong ibalik doon---"
"Shhhhh... calm down, okay?" i cupped her cheeks gently. "Hindi kita ibabalik sa kanila. I've been trying to win you and take you from them. I'm not st*pid enough to let them take you back after what they did to you."
Muling bumuhos ang panibagong luha mula sa kanyang mga mata. I leaned closer to her and pressed my lips on each of her eyes.
"Hindi na kita ibibigay sa kanila. At kahit na gustohin mo pang bumalik at umalis sa tabi ko ay hindi kita papayagan. Akin kana ngayon. You will stay beside me until the day you d*e, Lira. And i swore to protect you with all i have."
Inabot ko ang magkabila niyang kamay at unti unti iyong iginiya papalapit sa akin labi upang halikan. At ginawa ko iyon nang hindi inaalis ang aking tingin sa kanya.
"Ipaghihiganti kita. Those who hurt you will pay for what they did," i kissed the back of her hand, "I will never hurt you. But I will make sure the people who did will never get the chance to do it again."
