“MARIUS DE LA VEGA, JR."

I saw Lana's eyes clouding quickly as she gazed at my son's face. Eventually, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer. And I knew the reason behind those tears, and for whom they were shed. None other than for Marius. Even in our broken relationship.

“You look so much like your father,” Lana said as she reached out to take MJ.

I handed MJ to Lana, who is technically her nephew since she's married to my brother. She kissed MJ's cheek and then hugged him tightly. After a while, I heard a small voice calling my name. At that moment, I felt a warmth in the corners of my eyes. It was Andrea, and she's grown bigger since the last time I saw her.

"Where have you been? I missed you," she said tightly as I leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," was all I could manage, thinking it was a safe response.

"You know, Uncle Marius always asks me about you," Andrea said, looking at me with earnest eyes.

I felt a sharp object seemingly pierce my throat. Meanwhile, the impending tears seemed to wait and bide their time, ready to fall at the right moment.

I was literally speechless at what my niece said. It was because I didn't know how to answer her question. And I couldn't bring myself to lie to her. First of all, it wouldn't set a good example if I started lying to her, her own aunt. I was grateful when Andrew approached the child. My brother answered his daughter's question for me.

"Sweetheart, they will talk soon. It's for MJ's birthday," Andrew said.

I saw Andrea nod and smile afterward. "Okay," she replied.

"Shall we eat?" Calum suggested after a few moments.

At that moment, I noticed Lana turning to my best friend. Then her questioning gaze returned to me. She was still carrying MJ, whose eyes were starting to droop from sleepiness.

"He's my best friend, Lana. Calum," I explained, trying to figure out what my sister-in-law's looks might mean.

I couldn't deny the relief that seemed to emanate from Lana's aura after she heard what I said. I didn't want to hope or read too much into what I saw. But my heart refused to comply. Something I couldn't allow.

It wasn't right to let my emotions and feelings overpower me. That's what happened to me before. It didn't end well. But in the end, I know I have no regrets. If I hadn't been vulnerable with Marius back then, I might not have MJ now.

We talked about many things after enjoying the meal Calum and I prepared. In fact, I couldn't say whether it was right to call it an early dinner or a late lunch.

"You still have the magic touch in cooking, Sam. Your dishes are still delicious," Lana said as she offered to help me clean up after our meal. Honestly, I felt something during those moments. I knew my sister-in-law would ask me about it. And I was not mistaken.

"Marius called me earlier," she said to me as I washed the dishes, prompting me to look at her. "I passed by his office earlier. I left the invitation meant for him," I replied.

Lana's surprise quickly registered on her face upon hearing my confession. "But you didn't see each other?" she asked me.

I shook my head and finished what I was doing. Then, I grabbed a dry cloth to wipe my hands.

"I just left it at the entrance," I explained. "I know Marius is your best friend, but I have to admit to you that I still don't have the courage to face him right now," I told Lana truthfully as I gave her a restrained smile."

"True love has never been easy, Sam," those words carried a profound meaning that I understood.

"Do you think our love, which started with a lie, can be considered true love?" I didn't want to let sadness creep into my tone, but I failed. Somehow, facing Lana made me lose all the strength I had gathered over the past year.

I had prepared for this. Meeting Marius again. But I didn't expect this. I didn't expect that just being with Lana, his best friend, would make me feel defeated in a way that I felt affected all over again.

I was taken aback when Lana held my hand. Then she gently squeezed it. She spoke kindly once again.

"I think what's more important is that true love prevails in the end. That's what you should focus on. Do that, for your child and for a happy and complete family that can be formed if everything between you and Marius is resolved."

I couldn't say anything in response to what my sister-in-law said. Because it's true. That's what really matters. But how can I do that when I doubt if what Marius and I have is true love? Well, I admit to myself that I still love him. And it's true love that I have for him. Despite the inhuman pain, he put me through. Despite all the lies.

While him? Is he the same way with me?

That's a question that I think I won't waste time answering. Because I feel that if I do, it's like I'm taking a rock and hitting it against my own head.

For now, I want things to be okay between Marius and me, but maybe just as friends. I don't trust him anymore.

Sure, which mother would refuse what Lana is saying about having a complete and happy family? But how can I do that when I don't even trust the father of my child anymore?

How can I force something back that's already broken? Especially since what he did wasn't simple. I was deceived. Manipulated. And I feel like he made a fool out of me. Besides that, I gave Marius the trust I treasured the most as a woman.

"I-I'm not sure, Lana. It's hard for me to trust Marius again," I finally decided to tell her the truth.

Lana nodded a gesture that showed she understood me.

"Just know that if you need someone to talk to, your brother and I are here to listen, okay?" Lana reassured me.

"Thanks," I replied.

"I'm sure Marius won't appreciate Calum's presence in your life," Lana remarked, followed by a soft chuckle.

Her words made me pause and think. "Oh, I forgot to mention to you that he's gay," I explained.

"Okay," Lana shrugged. "But you don't have to admit that to that guy. Let's see how he handles his jealousy when he sees such a handsome man being introduced as the godfather of his child and your friend," my sister-in-law added with another giggle.

Making Marius jealous. That's what I know Lana is pointing out, even if she doesn't directly say it to me. And for me, there's no problem with that. Why not? I'll have a chance to show off to the “so-called” amazing man who made me cry and hurt me.

If it weren't for the things he kept from me, I wouldn't have experienced the difficulty of pregnancy alone. Good thing Calum was by my side during those moments. A true and loyal friend.