But the end never came for me.
The werewolf with the red fur viciously attacked my oppressor.
Biting it by the left side of its neck, my defender slashed the other werewolf’s chest with its razor-sharp claws.
Blood oozed from the ugly open wound, staggering the werewolf with the black fur. It must’ve felt that it was no match against the red-furred one. It gave one final angry howl akin to angered frustration, and fled from the scene.
The werewolf with the red fur slowly turned, its eyes met mine. It was like staring at a calm sea.
Slowly, it transformed right before me.
Standing in all his majestic stance and chiseled physique, with an immaculately handsome face, was none other than Maximus Vine.
All the tension caught up to me, I felt dizzy, and lost consciousness.
When I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar place.
The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Maximus Vine holding my hand and was kindly gazing down at me. He asked me if I’m hurt. I shook my head.
“Where am I?” I asked him.
“You’re in my residence.” He answered.
I might have shown a worried look, because he assured me that no unsavory gossip would circle around. It was then that my butler and head maid came barging into the room.
“Madam! You gave us quite the fright! Who could have thought that a werewolf would dare trespass our estate?” my head maid, who used to be my nanny, wailed.
“Master Maximus immediately informed us of the situation and beckoned us to come over to keep you company.” My butler explained.
“Thank you, Mr. Vine.” I told him in all sincerity.
“Just call me Maximus.” He said with a smile.
Despite my protests, and my incessant assurance that I am feeling fine, Maximus called for a physician just to make sure that I am not harmed in any way.
As he fussed about me and the growing life inside me, I foolishly voiced out how I wish he was the father of my unborn child.
“I wouldn’t mind.” He said seriously.
“Hey! That was just wistful thinking. I don’t want to impose on you.” I told him.
“You can impose on me about anything. You can call on me anytime you need me.” He spoke sincerely.
“If only my husband would be this attentive… even a quarter of this kind of attention will make me feel happy.” I felt tears welling up as I spoke.
“Now, now, no tears. The baby would feel sad, too.” Maximus gently wiped the corner of my eyes with his thumb.
After the doctor gave me a clean bill of health, Maximus safely escorted me back home, with my loyal house staff closely trailing after us.
Still believing that he cared, I called Cain to let him know what happened. Unexpectedly, it was father that answered. Cain can’t take calls because he’s gravely injured and was rushed to the hospital.
“Where is he now???” I frantically asked.
“No need to fuss. Your husband is in good hands.” My father said.
“I am his wife. In dire situations, it is only expected that I am by his side.” I told him.
“But your husband isn’t expecting you to.” He bluntly said.
“What do you mean isn’t expecting me to?” I asked him.
“Shelly is personally taking care of him. You’ll be an unnecessary excess.” My father said, ignoring the fact that I am Cain’s wife.
I ended the call and felt tears welling from my eyes again.
My heart sank, even the right to take care of my husband was taken over by my sister. Divorce is imminent between Cain and me.
I remembered Maximus’ words, if I’m sad I’m making my baby feel sad, too.
Wiping my tears, I lovingly held my womb; all is not lost. With the birth of our son, Cain will realize that our marriage is worth keeping.
I held onto that false hope.
On my third trimester of pregnancy, Maximus frequented my home. Bringing baby things here and there. My staff are starting to joke around, not in a malicious manner, but in admiration of his earnestness.
“Master Maximus, need we remind you that the child isn’t yours?” my butler jokingly asked him.
“Oh, it isn’t?” He jabbed.
“It is not!” My head maid faked a stern reply, then added exaggeratedly “Unfortunately so.”
“It is not unfortunate” Maximus contradicted, then added fondly “the child is truly fortunate to have Serena as its mother. She showers him with love even when he’s still inside her womb.”
At the end of my seventh month of pregnancy, Maximus hired a nurse to stay at my residence, he said that it’ll be convenient.
He’s right! As soon as my water bag broke, the nurse was quick on the uptake and called an ambulance in record time. My first experience with childbirth went smoothly because of her.
As soon as I held him in my arms, I felt a surge of pride. I named him Frederick.
A son as a first born. Surely, Cain would appreciate it.
But Cain didn’t come even when I called and told him about our son, he never showed up.
Later, I would discover that he preferred to grace Shelly’s extravagant birthday celebration where he attended as her primary escort.
Should I gatecrash and confront them?
