Allie watched the two in annoyance and grumbled to herself at how shameless they were for having the guts to appear in her house together. All she wanted was a little respect, but how come these two were so insensitive to her own feelings? She could forgive them both if they happened to meet at a significant event or any gatherings, but for them to come together in her own household was too mind-blowing.
Chloe was hugging Jane's neck, and it struck envy in her heart. For so long, she became the mother image of her daughter, and the thought made her recall all the bitterness she felt inside while she was in Turkey. Lost in her thoughts, she was jolted back to her senses when Jane's voice floated into her ear.
"How are you feeling now, Lyz? We are supposed to bring food, but I am afraid that the aroma will keep you more nauseated."
She sneered inwardly at the thought that their unwelcomed presence was stinkier than that food, which caused her bowels to go upside down.
"I'm still far from okay, and I feel so awful." She hoped they'd both get her silent message that their presence was the reason why she felt that way.
To her surprise, she gave out a generous smile, which made her wonder if she was in her right mind. No matter how many times this woman would be engaged to Adrian, it wouldn't change the fact that once in her life, she was a significant part of him. This slapping truth was more than enough to keep her reserved for all the dignity she needed to uphold.
"The baby will soon outgrow your discomfort, and all that would remain is the sheer joy of having a little heart beating inside you."
"I hope so," Allie answered, forcing herself to give a smile as a response.
"Of course," she smiled and paused before she continued, " may the baby will have the features of Adrian."
She felt horrified as some truth dawned on her. It looked like Jane already knew that the child was Adrian's, but how could she afford to smile? Was she a masochist to allow herself to be hurt like this? Of course, this pregnancy revealed some humiliating truth about him that while Jane was rejoicing at the anticipation of their marriage, Adrian was with her in bed, instead, making love to her.
Ajie must have understood her reaction that he chuckled as he watched her turn to red. "You worry so much. Jane knows everything."
In her shame, she glared at him, and to shorten her ordeal, she shifted to another topic. "Do you guys need anything from me?"
To her horror, Jane's eyes lit up with excitement, and she babbled rather foolishly in her ears. "Lyz, I know it's too early yet, but I just want to take a look at the baby's room so that I could plan on the interior design. That's if you will allow me."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Was she really a mortal being to get thrilled by the coming of a baby whose existence would be a perpetual reminder of her fiance's betrayal on her?
"Jane, it's not fun anymore. Can we have a real talk? Are you still a human after all that happened? Do you still have some sense of dignity left inside you?" she ranted in a mixed emotion of annoyance and pity for her sake.
When she saw that Jane did not respond and even annoyed her more by the calm facade she consistently showed, she went ahead. "Jane, you're brilliant and beautiful. Why do you allow yourself to get trampled on?"
"Lyz, you don't understand..."
"Who doesn't understand?" she insisted, now seething in anger.
Before anyone of them could reply, a buzz on the door diverted their attention. Mary came out of the kitchen to open it. To everyone's surprise, most especially Allie, the wide grins of Mr. Lopez and his wife, greeted them. Needless to ask, she could tell that this beautiful and elegant woman was Mrs. Lopez. Jane had her built and attractive features.
"Mom, dad..." Ajie and Jane exclaimed almost simultaneously as they stood up to greet and kiss the elderlies.
Allie stood up also, but her feet remain planted to the floor. A pinching pain gripped her heart as she watched how Ajie treated them as his own parents and not just as in-laws. Furthermore, he already addressed them as "mom and dad", an indication that he was not backing out from his engagement to Jane. This only proved how great a liar he was. He was trying to win her back, only to find out that everything was just a lie. All of a sudden, she felt like crying as her heart seemed to burst in hatred.
Why are they all here? Are they trying to show her how wrong she is for not accepting Ajie back? For taking Hayri's proposal instead? These were the questions popping in her head as she watched how warm and intimate their parents greeted them.
"Allie, dear. I'm sorry for not being able to meet you earlier. I got tangled up with some things," she said as she pulled her in a tight hug.
"It's okay, " she thought, I'm no longer your daughter-in-law, anyway," she mumbled to herself as, out of respect, she also hugged her back.
"How's my little grandson inside?" Mrs. Lopez asked, and this question sent shivers down Allie's spine as Mrs.Lopez also bent down to kiss her lower abdomen.
Allie felt like melting in shame. She glared at Ajie as she tried to hold back her urge to cry. They didn't have reason to celebrate, Hayri would be the one to get the recognition as the father.
"Adrian, you're so talkative!" she hissed in anger, ashamed that their joy would be futile because she would soon be marrying another man.
To her further frustration, Ajie laughed instead. "How could I keep the good news, dear, when we are talking about my son?"
Allie was no longer able to keep her emotions. Blame it to her hormonal changes or whatever, what she knew at the moment was to cry her heart out. She was too ashamed!
To her further dismay, Ajie rushed up to hug her, and the more she got guilty. Jane was there, watching them. How would she feel? Would she still jump for joy that in her very own eyes, her coming husband is hugging his ex-wife?
She punched his chest and pushed him away, "You really have the guts, haven't you? How could you hurt your fiancee in broad daylight!"
Ajie held her shoulder's at arm's length and looked into her eyes. "My love, why in the earth haven't you known yet? It's all over the news portal. Jane is my little sister."
Everyone around who watched them laughed, and she felt like silly, wondering at the same time how did it happen. All she knew was her ex-husband Adrian James, whom she fondly called as Ajie, lived in the highlands of Molave...