Manang Janeth, please call your Sir Denmark, and tell him we'll all be having dinner together with Amiver," Daddy Carlos instructed, giving her a brief glance.
She was momentarily taken aback; she didn't expect Denmark to be here at the mansion. She hadn't seen him earlier, so she slightly lowered her head to avoid being noticed by his ex in-laws, who might sense her tension.
As Denmark approached, she avoided eye contact with him, but he took a seat beside her, making her feel uncomfortable.
Ami, I heard you have a son," Mommy Joy said, breaking the silence, her question directed at her without looking, as she continued to slice the steak.
She paused in her eating and looked over, expecting these questions from them. She had somewhat prepared what to say and answer, and she could sense Denmark and his dad watching to her, waiting for what she would say.
"Yes, I have a child, a boy who's now 6 years old. His father and I met in Cebu the we assigned together in the US," she replied.
I'm happy for you, Ami, and that you've found happiness in life," said Mami Joy with a smile as she looked at her, beaming.
She nodded at what he said. To be honest, she wasn't used to lying or making up stories, so she wasn't sure if her words were consistent with her story.
After their dinner, she quickly informed them that she needed to aheaded home. Denmark volunteered to accompany her to the gate.
"Amiver, let's talk," he said, his voice gentle and his eyes gleaming with what seemed like a pleading look.
Amiver nodded, and they both sat on the garden bench of the mansion where they used to play as kids.
"Do you recall our childhood?" he inquired. "You were just 6 years old at the time when you slipped away from my sight and ended up in the pool. I was so frightened." Denmark recalled with a nostalgic smile.
Amiver maintained her silence. During their marriage, Denmark rarely engaged in such conversations with her. He often ignored her and didn't communicate, so she wasn't sure how to respond to this unexpected situation.
"I don't wish to dwell on the past and resurrect old memories, Denmark. The past is behind us, and we should concentrate on the future," Amiver stated in a solemn voice.
Denmark let out a deep sigh and addressed her with a sense of longing. "Amiver, don't you want to know how my life was after you left?"
Amiver responded coldly, "I'm not interested in that. I'm here to ask if you'd cooperate with the divorce I filed."
Denmark's demeanor shifted as she mentioned the divorce. He realized they should have settled it long ago, considering they had exceeded the two-year agreement.
You didn't show up for 7 years, Ami. I didn't expect you to come back like this," he said.
"Isn't this what you wanted all along, even from the beginning?" she said.
Denmark nodded, his gaze softening. "Okay, expect my cooperation, I want us both to find our own happiness, Amiver. We deserve that much."
She knew that their conversation was a turning point, a step towards healing and embracing the future.
They both needed closure, for the sake of their peace of mind. She knew what he had done had hurt her deeply in the past, but even so, she no longer held any resentment towards him.
After we complete the project at your mall, we'll be returning to America. Once we're there, we can finally start the divorce process, granting us both the freedom and peace of mind we need," she explained.
Denmark nodded and offered a warm smile, reaching out for a handshake.
"I hope you find happiness, Amiver."
"Likewise, Denmark."
On her way home, a genuine smile adorned her face. At last, her heart felt unburdened.
As she headed home, a smile graced her lips. Finally, her heart was free from worries.
It's good that he's no longer insisting that Marcus is his son. They really do look so much alike," Messie asked as she got home and recounted the conversation she had with Denmark.
"Not anymore, maybe he just didn't recognize his face from when he was a child," she said with a chuckle.
Messie smiled, but deep inside, she couldn't help but wonder. It was impossible for her not to be curious—Denmark and Marcus looked incredibly alike. She decided to keep her thoughts to herself.