Chapter 30 Miracle from Heaven

Sean was facing the electronic door lock for quite a while now, struggling to figure out Thera's passcode unit. He had inputted Thera's birthday, her parents' birthday, their wedding day, but to no avail. On top of that, Thera was clinging to his neck, her face pressed against his shoulders. She was absolutely intoxicated.

“Hey…” he muttered as she slipped out of his arms. He watched her squat on the floor like a child, her back leaned against the wall. Her eyes still shut.

Sean knelt to scoop her up. Thera let out a groan of protest, leaning her head against his chest this time. He swore the hair all over his chest stood when her breath brushed through his neck.

He was about to press the digital lock when Thera spoke out of a sudden.

“Ten, fifteen, fifteen, idiot.”

As soon as they got in, Sean carefully laid her down. He tucked her in bed. He remained standing at the side of the bed, watching Thera's adorable face for a few moments.

He was about to turn around and leave when Thera held his hand. He stood motionless. His eyes flew towards her hand.

She was half-sitting, half-lying.

“That son-of-a-bitch husband of mine… He’s been dreaming of getting our marriage annulled. I hate him so much. I can’t let him… That fool…” she scoffed, her eyes squinted in annoyance. “His face and name never failed to remind me of all the bullshit he'd put me through”

After that, she let go of his hand. He sighed. Without a word, he slightly carried her upper torso and laid her down on the bed once more. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and gently stroked her reddish cheek. It took a little while before he finally removed his eyes off of her.

With a heavy heart, he sat at the bottom of the bed. He then loosened up his tie and placed it at the side with a series of sharp breaths.

He chose to leave six years ago thinking that Thera's feeling towards him wasn't anything that serious. In his eyes, she was just a part of a business deal despite finding her pretty attractive. He was dead wrong— he grew restless over time.

He could not find peace in himself for six years. Had he not left after their marriage six years ago, they would not have to relive the pain of their baby’s death every single moment of their lives. He wouldn’t have to hate and blame himself for that.

He wanted to grieve with her, share her pain and agony. Tell her he was sorry. That if only he could, he would trade places with her. But even a single sorry seemed so hard to utter. He committed so many awful things to her he couldn't find the courage to ask for her forgiveness. A single sorry wouldn't be enough.

It was too late now. He had no one to return to. He could feel the intensity of her hatred from miles apart. Thera battled her loss. He couldn’t even imagine how for so long she endured such pain alone. She was like a stone wall now. She was acting tough on purpose, to be as ruthless so no one could drag her down.

Sean, on the other hand, buried himself in work. Six years and until now, he was still carrying the fact that before they got married, he had already stabbed her in the back. She'll be reminded of all the pain he had caused her if he stayed and he didn't want that.

She deserved to be happy. And he truly believed that letting go was the best option— the mere reason why he filed the annulment in the first place. Only then she could attain the genuine happiness she deserved.

Sean looked over his shoulders when he heard the door clicked, indicating that someone must have gotten in. His speculation was confirmed when Yumi appeared. She had a file of paper in hand. The latter looked rather shocked seeing his presence. He himself had no idea how long he had been staying in that same position either.

Sean stood up from the bed, taking a glance at Thera who looked peaceful in her sleep.

“Sir…” Yumi muttered. He stared at her before turning his eyes to his watch. Quarter to five in the morning. It seemed that he hadn't fallen asleep even for a little bit.

“Don’t tell her,” he ordered before finally leaving the unit.

Thera hadn't gotten asleep for five minutes yet when she heard the door rang. Yumi had left not too long ago discerning the hot soup she made in the pantry.

She remembered calling her before she went up to the bar located on the top floor of The Palace Hotel. She told her to come to the condo earlier with the papers she needed to review. She had already expected the hangover, so she knew that she couldn't make it to the office.

She dragged herself towards the door and pulled it open. Her unexpected visitor's expression looked surprised seeing her appearance. Thera then sneered.

“Aren't I supposed to be more surprised? I’m still not used to seeing your new look, you know. Different faces, same ugly heart,” there was a hint of sarcasm in her words, disgust flashing in her eyes. “You underwent plastic surgery in hoping that your new face could erase the mistake you'd committed. How brilliant. If you could change the color of your conscience, then have it done, too. I can donate.”

“Thera, I didn't come here to fight with you,” Kisses spoke gently.

“Too bad, because every time I see you, I want to fight with you. Get out of my sight. Before I could do something you'll regret.”

“Thera…”

Thera slammed the door in her face before she could even speak, marching back in. Her chest was rocking back and forth in irritation. She should be grateful, she wasn't in the mood to hurt anybody. Thera heaved out a sharp breath. Why did she open the door for her anyway? Now, her day was ruined.

With her hands in the waist, Thera walked back to her room, mumbling. Just then, she noticed a black necktie on the bed. Her forehead creased as she picked it up.

She tried to recall what had happened last night. She remembered that she went to the bar alone when a guy approached her. They were talking. But she could not remember who the guy was nor she couldn't recall what they were talking about. How did she make it back home? She pressed her temple.

Anxiety swept into her. Her eyes broadened noticing that she was in her pyjamas.

Shit. Was she really that desperate to bring a stranger home? It can't be. Without having any second thought, she dialled Yumi's number.

Relief rushed back to her hearing her secretary's explanation. Yumi told her that she was sleeping alone when she arrived in her unit. She also added that the one who brought her home was Ringgo and her personal assistant, Laida. The one who helped her get dressed was Yumi and the necktie belongs to her boyfriend. It fell when she was helping her out early on.

Thera shook her head. Her secretary’s boyfriend’s name sounds familiar. Top Montero. Where did she exactly hear that name?

THERA momentarily stopped from reviewing the deals and proposals and slammed the tablet down the table. She raised a face and her eyes flew to Laida who was bringing her a cup of coffee and a few cookies.

“What do you mean Mr. Hernandez was rushed to the hospital?”

“Correct, madam. He was rushed early in the morning. Heart attack.”

“He's still breathing, isn't he?” she asked nonchalantly, putting her attention back to the tablet, pretending to be busy.

“Thankfully, it was only mild, as per ma'am Kisses.”

Thera scoffed. So, she was really into it. She was really eager to get closed with the CEO. Incredible. She sure knew too well that if he dies soon, she'll get what she wanted.

That's it. Kisses will no longer be a secretary if her plan succeeded. She might be the one to replace Mr. Hernandez. Must she feel threatened? If Kisses thought that she can fool her, she was stupid enough then. Did she forget that she's Thera Baguio-De Marco? She could make the mountains cower by just glaring. Thera wanted to applaud for her fighting spirit, but there's no way in hell she'll retreat. Not ever.

After his confessions that day, Thera no longer spoke to him. She could only count on her fingers how many times they met: only during conference and board meetings. Though the old man tried his hardest to talk to her, Thera avoided him on purpose. Afraid she might commit a sin if she'll face him.

One thing, she had already heard what she ought to hear. Or did she even hear everything? What drove him to meddle in her life? It seemed like that was the only question she didn't intend to find answers to.

After giving herself enough time to think, Thera rang her driver. She needed to go to the hospital where Mr. Hernandez was confined. It didn't take that long before she arrived in the hospital. Thera found herself standing in front of the room where Mr. Hernandez was admitted to. He was lying in bed, unconscious. There was a tube injected into his hand.

She took a deep breath. She was about to twist the doorknob when she noticed Kisses approaching. Thera hid right away before Kisses caught her. She watched her pushing a woman confined to a wheelchair. On top of that, there were tears rolling down the woman's cheeks. The woman must be in her late thirties. She seemed familiar to her. It was almost two decades ago. How could she ever forget?

Thera stood motionless behind the wall as she watched the two entering Mr. Hernandez's hospital room. Thera couldn't help but wonder, what was she up to? Suspicion began to rise into her. Then, her hand curled into a tight fist.

====END OF FLASHBACK=====

November 17, 2019 (PRESENT TIME)

Sean kept giving glances at the door. He was standing in front of a psychologist's office where Thera was in. It had been half an hour. She refused to bring somebody in and she wanted some space alone. Sean couldn't feel any more nervous.

She was in real pain a few hours ago. She kept grasping her head, her face looked pale and she was sobbing ever since he took her out of that taxi. It pained him to see her like that. He was so worried he rushed her to the hospital immediately.

Thera had undergone a series of tests that lasted for an hour. He felt glad because somehow, Thera's memories are starting to flash into her. But he was scared at the same time. What if she'd finally remember everything? What if Thera loathed her again just like before?

Finally, the doctor opened the door and he immediately straightened up when Thera followed behind. Her nose looked red maybe because she was crying a lot. He could feel his heart beating so fast. Worry flashed on his face.

He drew closer but she looked down across the floor.

“Are you all right?” he asked her.

“I just want to get home,” was all she answered.

Sean gripped her elbow and led her out of the hospital. It was pretty subtle but he noticed how she took back her elbow from his hand.

Thera was silent the whole drive. Nor did she glance at him. She kept looking outside the window. He also noticed how she's urging herself not to cry in front of him. Meanwhile, Sean kept taking a series of deep breaths. Seeing her in pain right now is hurting him more. When they reached home, his wife was still keeping herself mute. She rushed into the room first.

“Thera…” he called her.

“I need some rest.”

“You remember…” It wasn’t a wild guess, he was rather confirming it.

Thera let out a heavy sigh. Then she looked up at the ceiling before spinning around to face him. Sean felt like he was stabbed right in the chest as soon as he saw the pain and misery lingered in her eyes. She stared at him for a moment before opening her mouth to speak.

“I’ve always believed in heaven’s luck. If I was a good person, then I'd be lucky. God will give what my heart desires. I met you. I asked you from Him. I felt the happiest in the world when you proposed marriage to me. But ten years ago after our wedding, you left me. When you left, I started to convince myself that even miracles from heaven will fail to bring you back. But my heart was too naive to believe that you'll come back to me. I convinced myself that you'll come back. I don't care if I looked stupid. I was your wife so I have to wait for you. Until I lost everything. I lost my baby without even getting the chance to caress it. . .” she smiled bitterly, staring at him.

Her eyes glistening in tears she wanted to release so much.

“You weren't surprised at all,” she said, her smile was brittle. “I suppose you knew but you chose not to say anything about it for damn long.”

Sean blinked his eyes which's beginning to water. He made countless mistakes in the past. It was all his fault.

He knew they lost their baby but he hid it from Thera. He pretended to be clueless for a long time because he thought it was the right thing to do. She wanted to keep it as a secret as well, he respected it. He even hid the fact to his family.

When Thera got into an accident, he wanted to keep her, to stay by her side even for a little while. So he didn't help her regain her memories. He was too scared to tell her himself how much pain he’d caused her for he knew Thera will drive her away.

But from the look on her face, it seemed like his gut was right. She would ask him to leave her alone. For good.

But he promised her he would stay. There were too many promises he failed to keep. This time, come what may, he would keep it.