Annulled to Restart (English Version)

CHAPTER ONE: BROKEN

“Are you okay, Allyna?” Jessa asked, watching her best friend closely.

For a while now, Allyna had been staring off into the distance. Jessa had also noticed how much weight she had lost, even though it had only been a week since she came back to the province.

“I… I’m fine,” Allyna replied, avoiding her gaze.

But the truth was, her heart still felt heavy. She couldn’t bring herself to feel happy, even while being with her family. It had been so long since she last came home… and now, she only returned because she had problems.

Good thing her parents were kind—she hadn’t heard a single word of blame from them.

“You’ve been quiet for a while now. I’ve been talking, but it feels like your mind is somewhere far away,” Jessa said.

Allyna had come to Batangas to clear her mind.

As they rested and enjoyed the breeze, they sat on the small balcony of her family’s modest home.

Allyna let out a deep sigh.

From now on, she needed to stand on her own.

She had left so many things behind for love.

They had been married for six years… and for six years, she didn’t work because that was what Ram wanted.

All she did during those years was taking care of her husband.

Even though they had house helpers, she still personally attended to everything he needed.

“Allyna… hey… I’m asking if you’re really okay?” Jessa repeated.

“I thought separating was the right thing? Why do your eyes look so sad?”

“Don’t mind me… I guess it’s normal to feel this way, right? I’ll get over it, Jessa,” Allyna said, though the sadness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden—even if she forced a smile.

Then, from behind them, Allyna’s mother, Aling Rebeca, spoke.

“When you decided to marry Ram, your father and I didn’t say anything. Even though you haven’t finished college yet, we accepted your decision because we didn’t want to stand in the way of your happiness, Allyna. But then one day, you suddenly came home and told us you'd separated…”

She paused, her voice firm.

“So this is what I’ll say… I hope you know what you’re doing. And that you’re truly ready to continue your life without that man. Maybe you’re only saying these things because you’re still waiting for him to come after you. You’ve been here for a while now, and he hasn’t come. Maybe it’s time you give up. I don’t want to see you hurting anymore. If he’s tired of you as his wife, your father and I will still accept you—because you are our daughter.”

Allyna swallowed hard.

It felt like tiny needles were piercing her heart with every word her mother said.

Guilt suddenly washed over her because she knew her mother was right.

Instead of helping her family rise from poverty, she chose her own happiness.

She had fallen short as a daughter.

Ram was the son of a wealthy billionaire and head of a company, so she thought it was okay to settle down, especially when he promised to help support her younger brother Angelo’s education.

But that never happened.

Her father firmly refused any help from Ram.

According to him, he didn’t want a time to come when Ram’s family could use it against them.

All this time, her parents had been right.

In their current situation, she knew Ram—or even his family—could easily throw it back in their faces.

At least now, she could face them with dignity.

Her brother finished his studies without owing anything to Ram.

She didn’t have to feel ashamed.

But still…

What had she done?

What kind of daughter was she?

She and Ram had been impulsive.

She couldn’t fight her feelings back then. When something happened between them, and he offered marriage, she didn’t hesitate to accept.

Ram had been very possessive even when they were still dating.

No other man could get close to her because he would confront anyone who tried to court her.

In short… he had kept her within his grasp.

And because she loved him, she always understood him and even soothed him whenever he got jealous.

She convinced herself that was just how Ram was—because he loved her so much.

And truthfully… they had been happy.

Ram was sweet and thoughtful.

Everything only changed when he became pressured with business… and when Shane entered the picture.

From the moment that woman returned, everything between them started to fall apart.

Ram began to forget important occasions—their anniversary, even her birthday.

In short… her husband changed.

They became strangers to each other… until simple misunderstandings turned into serious arguments.

“Think carefully, Allyna. Is this the life you want for yourself? Decide… will you stay in that marriage? Or will you leave? If you truly choose to separate from your husband, be sure about it. Maybe you’re only saying this now because you’re hurt and angry. But once you leave him… promise yourself you will never go back. Because if you do… your situation will only get worse,” Aling Rebeca said.

She shook her head before turning away and going back inside the house, leaving the two of them behind.

The tears Allyna had been holding back finally fell.

She was still hurt by Ram.

And the truth was—no matter how much she tried to deny it—she was still hoping he would come after her… that he would stop her from leaving.

She still hoped that Ram had only spoken out of anger.

She told herself that maybe he just needed time to cool down—just like her.

That maybe in a day or two, he would come back, apologize, and everything would go back to the way it used to be.

But she was wrong.

Not even a single call… not even a simple text message came from him.

And with every passing day, it became clearer—

Their marriage was truly over.

From what Allyna could see… Ram had already given up.

It was over.

He didn’t love her anymore.