Contract And Marriage

Sarina

Two full weeks passed, and Ralph returned to L. A. yesterday. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to or see him, so I didn’t accompany Maximus when he went to visit him in prison. I suspect I was just too scared, and I wanted to give him a chance not to silence me because of the words he might utter, just in case.

I remembered my husband’s appearance when he came home from talking to him. He seemed really angry, more than I could understand. He didn’t tell me about their conversation, and I didn’t ask either. What’s the point of not going with him if I’m just going to ask him anyway?

“Is everything over, Maximus?” I asked hesitantly. I didn’t want to burden my husband, but I couldn’t stop worrying excessively. I was holding onto him while lying on our bed after our passionate lovemaking.

I felt his gentle kiss on my head before he spoke. “For now, I can say yes. Mariano has assigned some people to watch that bastard and ensure he can’t escape or even leave the prison.”

I tightened my embrace when he said that, then took a deep breath. All I wanted now was to live quietly and peacefully with my family. “I’m so grateful to Mariano. If it weren’t for his help, we might still be searching for Ralph.”

“That’s right, my love. If only he could stay here in the Philippines, he’d be close to us. But I know he wouldn’t agree to that.”

“Doesn’t he want to change his way of life?” I asked, tilting my head to see him. He slightly raised his chin and met my gaze. “I’m not here to judge his actions, so please don’t take it wrong. After everything he’s done for me and our family, I don’t care about any of that anymore, and I’m proud that Chase has an uncle like him. I just want him to be happy too, like us.”

“To make that happen, my love, he first needs to find a Sarina in his life just as I found you,” Maximus said with a smile. “I want him to be happy and live without doubt or fear for the person he loves. With the way he lives, I know he hesitates to love because he knows it would only put her in danger.” I agreed with him and prayed that everything would be fine with Mariano.

The Next Day…

“Let’s go to the police station.” Maximus and I exchanged glances after Mariano said that.

“What for? Did something happen to Ralph?”

“No. The police found the one supporting him.”

“What?” we both asked simultaneously. “Are you sure about that?” Maximus was the one who questioned.

“Do I look like I’m not?” Mariano raised an eyebrow in response.

“I’m just asking,” my husband replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“Who is he?” I asked curiously.

“If you want, you can come.”

“Do I know him?” I asked again.

“She’s a she, not a he. And to answer your question, sort of.”

I was curious about his response, and so was Maximus. I didn’t want to leave Chase, and I also didn’t want to take him to the police station. But out of curiosity and because Mariano said it was okay to leave the child with Lisa and his family, I agreed.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in surprise as the police let Midori into the visiting area where we were waiting for Ralph’s accomplice. But the woman didn’t pay attention to me and went straight to Maximus.

“Babe, please, don’t believe them. I don’t know who that man is. I have nothing to do with everything they’re accusing me of.” My eyes widened at what I heard. Was she the one Mariano was referring to as Ralph’s accomplice?

Maximus looked at Mariano as if seeking confirmation, and his brother nodded before saying, “The men who attacked Marga’s family the night I went to their house identified her as the one who hired them.”

“No! That’s not true! I don’t know them!” Midori insisted. I couldn’t keep quiet because I still couldn’t believe it. I mean, how did they even know Ralph? “You!” the woman shouted at me, pointing aggressively. Maximus quickly blocked me. “It’s her fault! Why do I have to suffer like this because of that bitch! She already stole you from me and is now doing this!”

“Be careful with your words, Midori. My wife has nothing to do with you being here. You connived with that evil man and chose this for yourself.”

“No, Maximus. You have to believe me. I never harmed anyone. You know how good and kind I was.” This stubborn woman was really pushing it. Instead of feeling sorry for her, I felt annoyed even though I still couldn’t believe she did what she did. She even involved Aunt Marga and her family.

“No, Midori. You tell me. Why did you do that?” Maximus asked her. The woman got frustrated, unable to believe what my husband said.

“You’re really not going to believe me?” Midori glared at my husband with questioning eyes. “That bitch has brainwashed you. She’s not your wife! She’s someone else’s wife, for Pete’s sake!”

“You just confirmed you knew that bastard,” Mariano interjected. I just watched them.

“He approached me and asked me for help. He said he wanted to take back his wife and son, whom Maximus claimed to be his. I never hired anyone to harm anyone. I only want to get my man back!”

“I was never yours, Midori. And you know that. Instead of clinging to me, you should have focused on something or someone else. I only love my wife and my family. Besides them, nothing else matters.”

“They are not your family! She’s fooling you!” Luckily, Maximus quickly grabbed Midori’s hand because she tried to hurt me after she said that.

“I’ll make sure you rot in jail, Midori. I will never forgive anyone who tries to harm my family.” After my husband said that, he looked at Mariano and invited us to leave. At the same time, the police restrained Midori, who was struggling to escape and chasing after Maximus.

I suddenly started to think. Is this what excessive love for someone looks like? Can’t they just be happy for the person they love even if that person feels the same way for someone else?

We left the police station feeling light and peaceful because finally, the fear in my heart was gone, and I knew that no one would try to harm me or my child. I still didn’t know how the two of them met, but it was enough for me to know that they were in the place they belonged. Now, I’m looking forward to a bright future for my family-for Maximus and me.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.