Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 39

Cry over your sleep

I never thought that this would happen to me. I've heard about scenarios like this before, especially among the wealthy, but I never imagined it could happen to me.

Arik hid five years ago to escape from Yumi and her parents. She even wanted to become pregnant with his child, so that he couldn't escape her and their only issue would be the marriage. How could she do that?

Kilala niya ako. She knew that I'm Arik's current girlfriend when we met at Oliver's office, but she didn't say anything. She was so professional. And a bitch.

A spoiled bitch.

"I want to transfer my mom's case to another lawyer, Ols. Is that possible?"

Narinig ko ang buntong-hininga niya sa kabilang linya.

"Bakit biglaan? I thought everything was fine."

I truly believed he already knew about this, but it seems he didn't. Well, Arik did tell me that only a few people knew about this because he disappeared even before their engagement became public.

"I don't want that woman to handle my mom's case anymore. I don't trust her."

"She's my colleague, Celeste. I wouldn't hire someone I can't trust. What's wrong?" Oliver genuinely seemed unaware of the situation.

I bit my lower lip. I glanced at Arik who was currently eating with Ariah, enjoying their favorite mac 'n cheese. Benj and Sarah had arrived at the resort earlier.

"Yumi is Arik's-"

"Ex-girlfriend?"

"No! Makinig ka muna sakin, okay? Remove her from the case. I don't want her handling any case for our family, and make sure to inform Mom and Dad about this. She's not trustworthy. She used to work for Liam's father before, and I don't know if she still does. Maybe she does," I explained to him.

He was briefly silent on the other end before I heard him curse softly.

"Are you serious? Where did you find out about that?"

"Arik told me. It's a long story. Just remove her from everything, Ols."

I ended the call.

Inayos ko muna ang sarili ko bago nilapitan ang mag-ama ko na tila may seryosong pinag-uusapan.

"What happened to your forehead, Daddy?" Ariah asked her dad while munching on her food. "Did you get into an accident?"

"Uh, yes, baby. Daddy accidentally bumped his forehead, but don't worry, Mommy already treated it," he answered, touching his forehead where there was a bandage.

Ariah scrunched up her nose and took a sip of her juice. "Did you and Mommy make up? Are you not mad at each other anymore?"

My lips parted. I saw how Arik quickly glanced at me. I just shrugged and grabbed some food before sitting next to Ariah, naghihintay ng sagot niya sa kanyang anak.

"Uh..." Arik cleared his throat and gave me an intense look.

He raised an eyebrow as if asking for help. I almost burst into laughter at that. He still wasn't used to how observant our daughter could be.

"Ariah dear, Daddy and I talked already. We're both fine. Mommy's not upset anymore," I reassured her, giving Arik a pointed look.

Our daughter nodded and finished her food.

"That's good so you don't have to cry anymore before you sleep, Mommy," she whispered to me, a comment I was sure her daddy heard.

I could feel my whole face warming up. Arik excused himself to go to the living room, and I let him. I couldn't say anything, still caught off guard by what Ariah had said. Hindi ko alam na pati iyon ay napansin din niya.