Chapter Thirty-One: Confrontations
1328 Words
Third Person's POV:
The day came to an end, and everyone happily returned to their respective rooms.
The entire hotel was elegant, from its interior design to the expensive furnishings inside.
Lyndsay was certain that their bill here would not be cheap. Based on her observations, many of the people around them were well-known and prominent individuals.
Anyway, considering her husband's family's status in life, this was practically pocket change.
But if she compared it to the simple life she and Clarisse used to live as secretaries sharing a small apartment, the cost of staying here would probably equal several months of their expenses.
Lyndsay felt intoxicated by all the luxury she now had.
Her friend had not been wrong when she advised her to give Tristan a chance. More than anything, Lyndsay knew in her heart that she had truly fallen for him.
She loved her stranger husband.
She did not like hiding everything from Marcus either, but if possible, she wished the past would never be brought up again because she did not want tension to arise between all of them.
From what she had seen, Vanessa looked like someone who would only bring trouble into her life—especially if she discovered that the name tattooed on Marcus's chest was not merely a coincidence.
So Lyndsay hoped that in this beautiful place, Marcus would finally realize that he should leave her alone.
After all, it was Vanessa whom he had chosen from the very beginning. On top of that, they already had a child together—Gabby.
And besides, Lyndsay was genuinely happy now. That was the truth.
Although the pain still lingered in her heart, perhaps with time she would eventually forgive the two people who had caused her so much suffering in the past.
She remained thankful to God. Perhaps He had seen that she also deserved happiness in Tristan's arms, here in this beautiful place.
The resort was not far from Manila, yet it was distant enough to escape the stress and noise of the busy city.
It was perfect for people who wanted to rest and temporarily leave their problems behind.
The two maids shared one room. Loisa had her own room. Tristan and Lyndsay shared another, while Vanessa and Marcus occupied one as well.
Marcus had not wanted to share a room with Vanessa, but in the end, he had no choice but to follow his mother's request.
It was already eleven o'clock at night when Loisa finally finished chatting with them. Everyone then returned to their rooms, exhausted from an entire day of swimming.
But Marcus and Vanessa remained by the beach.
Marcus stayed behind in one of the cottages, and Vanessa did not leave his side.
Like a leech, she constantly clung to him.
Always watching.
Meanwhile, Lyndsay was already sleeping soundly on the bed.
She was hugging a pillow.
Tristan felt happy every time he looked at his wife's face. She must have been exhausted from the day's activities.
Lyndsay was not particularly experienced when it came to intimacy, but that was exactly what Tristan loved about her.
She was innocent.
She still had reservations and boundaries, proof that no other man had ever truly possessed her except him.
Perhaps that was one reason he had searched for Lyndsay from the very beginning. Somehow, he knew he was the first man in her life.
Well, he might not have been her first kiss. He had heard from Clarisse that Lyndsay had previous boyfriends. But Tristan knew she had always been conservative when it came to relationships.
What he could never understand was why, on the night they met at the bar, she had chosen to give herself to him.
According to Clarisse, Lyndsay had stopped believing in true love after her first heartbreak. That was why she had decided she would rather have a child someday than a partner.
And then he came.
It was as if destiny itself had decided they were meant for each other.
That bastard...
How had he managed to deceive someone like Lyndsay?
Feeling the warm night air, Tristan decided to leave the room for a walk.
He kissed his wife's forehead before heading down to the hotel's first floor and making his way back to the beach.
He wanted to take advantage of the quiet moment to think.
Lately, he had been considering moving out.
He was not comfortable living in the same house as his brother, especially with Vanessa around.
He was only waiting for the right opportunity to bring it up with his grandfather.
Truthfully, he did not know if he would ever be able to forgive the two of them—or if forgiveness was even possible.
Then, from a distance, he noticed the figure of a familiar man.
There was no mistake.
Marcus.
Who else could it be?
What was his brother doing here by the beach?
Glancing at his wristwatch, Tristan saw that it was already past midnight.
Marcus was holding a bottle of liquor in his right hand.
Could Vanessa be with him?
No.
Marcus was alone.
Tristan thought it would be better to return to his room and sleep beside Lyndsay.
His desire for fresh air had disappeared.
He was about to turn away when Marcus sensed his presence.
"Hey, Kuya, it's you!" Marcus said, hiccupping.
The area was dimly lit despite the lamps scattered around the resort.
Marcus was drunk.
Tristan was certain that his brother had consumed far too much alcohol.
His speech and flushed face were obvious signs.
Tristan ignored him and started walking away.
But Marcus chased after him and blocked his path.
Tristan clenched his jaw.
Instead of avoiding trouble, Marcus seemed determined to provoke him.
"Get out of my way!" Tristan growled.
"Are you still angry at me? Go ahead! Let it all out!" Marcus said as he shoved Tristan's shoulder.
"You're drunk! What the hell is your problem? Are you challenging me?" Tristan snapped, shoving him back.
"If you're angry because of Vanessa, you can have her now! She's all yours! I made a mistake getting involved with her! Living with that woman is like hell!"
Marcus staggered.
Having drunk too much, he lost his balance and collapsed onto the sand.
The area was secluded, and no one was likely to witness what was happening.
"Tell me, Kuya Tristan... are you happy now? Happy seeing me miserable?
I know you enjoy seeing me like this!"
Marcus stood up, finished the remaining liquor in the bottle, and threw it away.
"What are you talking about? Do you really think I still care about you and Vanessa? You're making me laugh, Marcus," Tristan replied sarcastically.
"And what do you mean miserable? Why would you be miserable? You should be happy!"
"I made a mistake, Kuya. I shouldn't have gotten involved with Vanessa. I shouldn't have left Antonette. I should have been the happy one—not you!" Marcus shouted.
Was his brother still acting like a child?
Did he really think that if he was unhappy, everyone else had to be miserable too?
Well, sorry, Marcus.
If you're not happy with Vanessa now, then maybe you deserve it.
Maybe fate never allowed Vanessa and me to end up together because I would have suffered the same fate at the hands of a selfish woman like her.
Tristan kept those thoughts to himself.
Finally losing his patience, he grabbed Marcus by the collar with both hands and pulled him close.
"Sh*t, Marcus. That's all I can say to you! I don't care what happens between you and Vanessa! But don't you dare involve Lyndsay. If you think I haven't noticed the way you look at my wife, you're mistaken."
"Remember this—stay away from my wife. I love her, Marcus. And if you ever make a fool out of me again, I might forget that we share the same mother."
With that, Tristan shoved Marcus away and released him.
- Writer
