FOREVERS MAID TO BE YOURS (English Version)

Chapter 10

Evan and I sat down together after our first dance. I could still feel Ezeckiel’s gaze on me. I glanced over at their table, and I was right—he was looking at me, and the look on his face was far from kind. I quickly looked away when Merylle invited me to drink.

“Try it, Celestine. This wine tastes really good,” she said, holding up her glass. I just stared at the drink in her hand. I think I’ve developed a phobia when it comes to alcohol because of what happened to me in the past. But I trust Merylle and Evan. Sometimes, it's the people who aren't related to you by blood who truly care.

“Oh, Celestine! Aren’t you enjoying yourself tonight? You look like your mind’s elsewhere,” Señora De Silva asked when she noticed my low energy. Evan and I glanced at each other before I turned back to Señora.

I forced a small smile. “Ahhm, I am enjoying it.”

But truthfully, it was hard for me to be happy—or even pretend to be. It felt like I was just proving to my husband that I was a careless woman, confirming his suspicion that I was seeing another man while I was abroad.

“Oh well, dear, I’ll leave you in Evan’s care for now. I’m going back to dance,” she said before walking away. I returned her smile—fake, of course.

Evan and I were left alone at our table. Merylle had excused herself to use the restroom. Evan gently took my hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“Do you want to go outside and get some fresh air?”

A smile crossed my lips. “Sure,” I replied softly. He escorted me just like he did earlier, all the way until we stepped outside the hotel.

I hugged myself as the cold air brushed against my skin, but the breeze felt refreshing and seemed to ease the heaviness in my chest.

“What are you feeling now?” Evan asked with a sigh.

I exhaled deeply. “To be honest, Evan… I’m trying my best to stay strong, but I can’t help but feel hurt,” I said with a heavy breath.

Evan let out another sigh. “Celestine, I know what you’re going through is incredibly hard. But you have to wake up. If you keep fighting for someone who doesn’t care about you anymore, you're just hurting yourself. Do you really think Ezeckiel loves you? If he did, he should’ve listened to you first.”

I closed my eyes. I felt embarrassed knowing that even Evan knew about what had happened to me.

“Do you believe me, Evan?” I asked absentmindedly.

“You don’t even have to ask. I know you’re a good person. I know you’d never do what they’re accusing you of. But please, Celestine… just do what’s best for you now. Continuing to fight for this will only break you more. Let him go, and show him that you’re still the better person. Honestly, your husband’s an i***t. I want to punch him in the face!” he said, clearly angry. “Should I do it? Want me to beat him up?”

I let out a small laugh. “You’re crazy. He might have you thrown in jail.”

“I’m not afraid of your husband. He should be afraid of me,” he said seriously.

We stopped walking when we reached the pool area. Our eyes were drawn to the soft blue glow of the water. Evan offered me a seat, but I chose to remain standing. I was already sore from sitting too long inside.

“Guess who’s here?” he said, looking toward the swings.

I followed his gaze and scowled. It was them. They were here too.

“Let’s go, Evan,” I said quickly.

“No, Celestine! They should be the ones to leave. Don’t show them you’re affected. You don’t deserve to be hurt. You know what? Your husband’s a jerk. A total jerk!” he spat out angrily.

I blew out a long breath. Evan was truly furious with Ezeckiel, and I didn’t want things to escalate. I was afraid that if the two of them ever came face to face, Evan might actually kill him out of rage.

“Ahm… Tine, wait for me here, okay? I just need to take this call,” he said.

“Okay. Just take your time,” I replied with a small smile.

I looked back toward the swings. They were gone. I let out a breath of relief. My mind felt at peace as I stared at the calm pool. But then, I heard laughter. It was getting closer. My eyes narrowed when I saw Eloisa walking toward me with a smug grin.

She stopped in front of me. I stood up and took a step closer to her.

“Wow, Celestine! Is it hot in here or are you just sad that Ezeckiel will never come back to you?” she sneered.

I let out a small laugh. “What do you think, Eloisa? Do you think I’m jealous of you? Please. Let me tell you—I will never be jealous of you. In fact, I’m impressed. You really did a great job ruining my image. But you and I both know I never did anything wrong to my husband. And one more thing, Eloisa—I’m still a virgin,” I smirked.

“No! You’re not! You’re just a filthy woman!” she yelled furiously.

“Ouch, Eloisa. Even if I just put my pinky finger down there, it still hurts. That’s how tight I am. But you? Even a dozen d*cks wouldn’t make a difference. I don’t even know why Ezeckiel prefers something loose over something tight,” I said mockingly.

“You b***h, Celestine!” she shouted and lunged at me, grabbing my hair.

I fought back, yanking her hair as well. I didn’t just use my hands—I started kicking her legs until we both lost balance and fell into the pool. We separated underwater. I couldn’t breathe—I didn’t know how to swim. I was running out of air when I heard my husband’s voice. My heart lifted. Someone jumped into the pool.

But why was it taking so long?

I was about to lose consciousness. I closed my eyes, ready to let go.

---

I woke up staring at the ceiling. Everything around me was white. I slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard. I touched my forehead and began massaging it, only to suddenly burst into tears as the events from last night came rushing back.

He didn’t save me. Even if I were dying, Ezeckiel wouldn’t have cared. Why? Why couldn’t he spare even an ounce of compassion for me?

I didn’t even notice the people entering the room. I just kept crying.

“Celestine, dear,” said a gentle voice. “I’m so sorry for what happened last night. I had no idea that man—Ezeckiel—was your husband. If I had known, I would’ve never let any of this happen,” Señora De Silva said as she hugged me, gently rubbing my back.

“Don’t cry anymore, Celestine. You don’t deserve to be hurt like this. Your parents should’ve been the ones to guide and protect you. Don’t waste your tears on people who don’t deserve them,” she added with fire in her voice. “Now get some rest, dear. We’ll take care of the rest,” she said, smiling softly as she pulled away from our hug and left the room.

I gave her a weak smile in return.

My sobs stopped when I saw Merylle sitting beside me, already there the whole time.

“Are you okay, friend? I’m sorry I wasn’t there last night. But honestly? Things got wild after Evan saw Ezeckiel giving you mouth-to-mouth,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What even happened between you and Eloisa at the pool? Why didn’t she drown instead?” she grumbled.

“Wait… did you say Ezeckiel saved me?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, he did! Evan and your husband nearly fought to death over you. Evan was so mad, he wouldn’t stop hitting Ezeckiel.”

I thought Evan was the one who saved me—but it wasn’t. It was Ezeckiel. My husband.

A flicker of warmth spread in my chest. So he still cared. A smile formed on my lips. I thought he no longer gave a damn about me, but maybe… just maybe, he still had a little compassion left. And I could feel it.