Chapter 40: Chapter 40

We won, and all the people who have sinned against us are already behind bars. I don't know how Zachary was able to sue Tita Ayna, but I am grateful to him anyway. I can now face our children in peace.

Even if it's bad to be happy amid the sadness of others, I can't help it. In two years, I finally got justice for us. It's like I was saved from drowning—I breathed and found new hope to continue the life I once gave up.

"W-We did it," I stuttered and cried as I hugged Zachary.

His arms quickly wrapped around my waist, and he planted a kiss on my hair. "You are now free, baby," I heard him murmur.

I just cried. I can't stop the happiness that escapes from my chest, and I know that he is the same. It's over; our fight is over.

"Thank you. This wouldn't be possible without you," I said between sobs.

I felt him shake his head, and then I was carefully pulled away from him. He held my face and kissed my forehead. He smiled at me despite the tears forming in his eyes.

"I can't do this without you by my side, Atasha. You don't have to thank me because it's my responsibility to provide justice for you and our children," he said and hugged me again.

I just quietly felt his presence. We also spent almost two months dealing with the charges we filed against my family. Even though we were tired sometimes, that didn't stop us from continuing what we started. We supported each other.

"Let's go home. Let's rest," he invited.

I stayed on his chest for a few seconds before nodding. "I'm just going to talk to Daddy," I said after I pulled away from him.

I can see the worry in his eyes. Weighing me. I just smiled at him and held his hand.

"You're going to come with me, aren't you?"

He quickly nodded and put his arm around my waist. "I will always be here for you, Atasha."

Just like he promised me, he never left my side. Together, we faced Daddy, who will now be transferred to his prison. Both of his hands were handcuffed behind his back. He lost a lot of weight, and even though I feel sorry for him, I don't have any regrets in my heart.

"You never really owe me a favor," he snarled at me.

I was not hurt by what he said. I expected it; what father would be happy if his own daughter sent him to prison?

"I just came in front of you to say that this is the last time you will see me, Daddy," I said calmly.

His eyes immediately looked up at me. Even though there was anger, the sadness in his eyes did not escape me. His jaw tightened, and he looked away.

"To this day, I still can't believe that you did that to me. I wasn't a perfect child, but I know for myself that I tried to be good to you. You didn't receive any complaints from me while I was by your side. I got along with all of you as much as I could, so why? Why did you trick me?"

He took a deep breath but remained silent.

"I hoped that you would be my ally; I hoped that I would get support from you. You are my father, right? I hoped that like Eunice, you would also support me," I continued.

I felt my cheeks wet from the tears that fell from my eyes.

"I did that to protect you," he whispered weakly, and his eyes were clouding as he faced me. "I knew Eunice would hurt you if you continued your relationship with Zachary as well as your pregnancy, so I did it."

I laughed and wiped my wet cheek. "No, Dad. You did that to protect yourself and your image. Maybe there was a small percentage of you who cared about me, but that wasn't the reason you did that."

He didn't answer what I said. He just looked away again. I saw him swallow several times, as if that was how he was holding back tears.

"I know you loved Mommy. Just like you did to her, you abandoned me because your political dream was more important to you," I stated, and his tears fell this time. "Your love for us was not enough to stand by us. I know you are aware of Tita Ayna's infidelity, but you stayed and turned a blind eye because you needed her to be governor. You did not love us, Dad. Only yourself and the one you love are your dreams."

He remained silent even though his tears did not stop falling. I saw remorse in his eyes, but I knew it was too late. Things have happened. I just hope he does well in jail.

"It's funny, but I understand your dream, Daddy. That's one of your father's dreams for you, and that's why you did everything to reach it, even if you abandoned Mommy and me, who really loved you." I bit my bottom lip to stop my sobs. "But I'm sorry, Dad, if I can never understand what you did to my child. That's my flesh and blood, your grandchild. I can't accept that you also traded him for your dream."

Daddy bent down, his shoulders shaking from crying. No words came out of his mouth, but that was enough for me. At least somehow I saw him repent for what he did to my baby.

"Goodbye, Daddy. Take care of yourself in jail. I'm sorry if I cut the connection between us so I can start over properly. I don't know if I can forgive you for what you did to me, but I'm not closing my heart for that. I love you, but I can't carry that love anymore."

I slowly turned away from him. Zachary immediately supported me by my side, and together we walked the road away from my father. I smiled faintly when I felt his kiss on the side of my face.

"I'm so proud of you, baby," he whispered.

Although I want to face Eunice and Tita Ayna as well, I know this is not the right time. It was enough for me to be able to talk and say goodbye to my father. Even though I don't want to completely cut off our connection, I know I need it to start over. I don't want to always remember their sins against me.

It was like a chain had been removed from my neck. I was breathing well and felt the air calm my entire system. I couldn't ask for anything more these days.

"CONGRATULATIONS!"

I was stunned, and my eyes widened, when I found Aireen, Caiden, Thelmo, and the lawyer who handled my family's case in the condo. They were all smiling, which brought a strange warmth to my heart. I was quickly greeted by Aireen's hug, and at the same time, a stroke on my back made my tears fall.

"Finally, Atasha, finally," she whispered.

I just laughed and wiped away my tears. "Thank you. Thank you because you never left me, even though I often left everything alone."

She gave me an eyeroll and promptly wiped her cheek. She was also crying, and I knew it was not because of pain but because of joy. She slapped me on the shoulder and snorted.

"You're being so dramatic! I just came here to taste the free liquor," she said, tossing her hair in the air.

We both laughed and shook our heads.

"Are there any finger foods?" I asked and walked towards the sofa.

Zachary immediately followed and briefly greeted the lawyer with us before sitting next to me. I was expecting him to hug my waist, so I wasn't even surprised, but Aireen took a histrionic gasp, especially when Zachary put his chin on my shoulder.

"We don't have yet, but Zachary seems to have something to eat already, eh? Traitors! Why didn't I know this?" Aireen snorted, which I just laughed at.

"Stop it. Order some food; how dare you visit me and bring only drinks?" I winced as I looked around at the canned beers scattered on the center table.

"No! You have to spill it out. What's your freaking status?" Aireen continued her curiosity.

I was slightly startled when Zachary planted a kiss on my shoulder. "I'm just going to start courting soon," he replied.

My cheeks warmed when almost all of them squealed with joy except for Aireen, who was still looking at me as if I really betrayed her.

"I don't know anything," I said with a shrug, and I looked away.

It's true that I don't know what state Zachary and I are in right now. In the weeks that passed, we just enjoyed each other's company. We let ourselves act without questioning or anything. We eat together, sleep next to each other, and have fun from time to time here in his condo.

I took the beer from the table and opened it to avoid my friend's question. My throat felt dry because of Aireen's staring. I was about to drink the beer when the smell hit my nose. I felt nauseous and quickly gave it to Zachary, who was suddenly startled.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked one after the other.

I calmed myself down first and swallowed the bitter feeling in my throat. "What kind of beer did you buy? It's expired."

I heard the gasps of our companions, and they checked the liquors they bought one by one.

"Are you stupid? The expiration date is 2024; now it's only 2023!" Aireen said. "You just want to escape the drinking, eh? So you two can be alone."

Zachary, on the other hand, was like ice that suddenly froze in his seat. I frowned at him; he blinked a few times while looking at me. After a while, he shakily dropped the beer I gave him at the center table.

"I need to buy something," he stammered after standing up.

We all looked at him in wonder.

"Would it be finger foods?" Aireen hissed.

Caiden and Thelmo laughed, while the lawyer who was with us just nodded.

I was shocked when Zachary confronted me seriously. He knelt down a little so that our eyes were level, and he gently touched my cheek. His lips twitched, and I noticed the accumulated tears in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked worriedly.

He swallowed hard. "Do not drink any alcohol. Wait for me," he said instead of answering me.

Curious, I just nodded at him. He planted a kiss on my forehead. He stood up again and looked at our companions.

"Don't make her drink anything; I'll put you all in jail if you don't obey me," he said, and then hurried out of the condo.

"What happened to him?" Aireen exclaimed.

I just shrugged my shoulders while we were equally confused.

"Did he just threaten a lawyer? Really? After I helped him save his license?" said Mr. Monteflor—the lawyer with us—and shook his head.

Yes, Zachary still has his doctor's license; he was only suspended for six months from working at the hospital. But his professorship has not been restored. It's understandable because it's really against the law to have a relationship with a student.

Almost five minutes later, Zachary was back again. Our jaws dropped almost simultaneously when he placed the five pregnancy kits on the center table. He knelt down in front of me again, but my attention remained there.

"Z-Zach..." I stammered, crying.

He held my hand firmly. "I know it's... impossible, but there's nothing wrong if we check it, right?" he carefully behaved.

I looked at him; both of us were in tears when I realized what was happening.

"I-I don't want to disappoint you, Zach," I said.

He immediately hugged me and kissed me on the forehead. "Baby, whatever the result is, I'll accept it. You don't have to think about that."

"Atasha, we're just here. Zachary is right; it's better if we check early if... you're pregnant," said Aireen.

I took a few seconds to cool myself before distancing myself from Zachary. I shakily took his purchases before slowly standing up. I looked at them all, and I could clearly see the support in their eyes.

"I'm just going to the cr," I said goodbye, then turned them away.

I felt Zachary follow me carefully, but I stopped him.

"Leave me alone, Zach. Don't worry. I'll call you right away when . . . when I can't handle the result."

He nodded and returned to the sofa. I, on the other hand, continued walking to the bathroom. I shakily opened the kits and then laid them on the lavatory. I first took a disposable cup and peed there. I sweatily filled out the pregnancy tests one by one.

A few minutes passed, and I still couldn't look at it. I'm afraid, I have to admit that I still felt nauseous a few days after I got out of the hospital, but I didn't get my hopes up. I don't want to fail because it's clear that I really lost my child.

I let out a deep breath and opened the bathroom door. I was surprised when I met them all outside. They are all looking at me worriedly.

"C-Can you guys just look at it?" I murmured.

Zachary quickly hugged me, making me feel that he would never leave my side. Aireen went inside; she picked up the pregnancy tests I used and stared at them. Her jaw dropped as her tears flowed. The nervousness in my chest swelled when she started to wail while looking at them from side to side.

"A-Atasha . . . you're pregnant."

I felt like I had stopped breathing. Zachary also stiffened after hearing what Aireen said, while the rest of our companions shouted with joy. Aireen looked at me and presented the test kits I used.

"It's all positive, Atasha. You're pregnant!" she cried.

I looked at Zachary. We stared at each other for a few seconds before I jumped him. I hugged him tightly while sobbing, and he kissed my hair in return.

"Oh, God, thank you," I heard him whisper.

"I'm pregnant, Zach. I'm pregnant," I repeated, in disbelief.

Zachary and I wasted no time. We immediately went straight to the hospital so that I could be properly examined. We held hands tightly as I lay on the hospital bed to undergo an ultrasound. I felt like we weren't breathing when the OB started applying the instrument she was using to my belly.

"Oh, God..." I said and teared up when I heard what seemed to be pulsing breaths on the monitor used by the doctor.

"Congratulations! You're pregnant, Mrs. Villarreal!" OB confirmed to me.

I'm pregnant. I'm really pregnant.

I don't know how it happened, but miraculously, one of the twins survived. Yes, I was carrying twins back then. Even though it hurts me to lose one of them, I'm still thankful that I didn't lose them all.

I have to admit that I feel fear in my chest. I can't help but think that I might lose the baby too, but every time I see Zachary, my heart calms down. I trust that after the blows we have experienced, this is the time for us to be happy. To be whole.

Lord, thank you very much for everything. I'm sorry that sometimes I doubted your plans for me. Forgive me if my emotions blinded me for a moment and I forgot to call You. Thank you very much, Lord, for all the graces.

I slowly opened my eyes when I felt Zachary kiss my forehead. Like mine, his tears of joy flowed unceasingly. He gently caressed my cheek, then kissed me on the lips for a while. He pressed our foreheads together.

"Thank you for bringing so much joy into my life, Atasha," he said sincerely. "I beg you, please give me a chance to prove myself again. Take me back into your life, baby. I promise, I will always take care of you and our baby. I love you, Atasha, more than anything else in this world."

I looked at him with a smile. His eyes were full of emotion. There is love, care, and thankfulness. I smiled at him and touched his cheek.

"You don't need to beg, baby. I'm willing to let you into my life again, into my heart. I love you too, Zachary. Let's give our child the whole family that he deserves."