A huge amount of money was suddenly thrown in front of Ella.
Halos hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga nangyayari. Sadness was painted across her face as she lowered her eyes, trying to hide what she truly felt.
She had been married for almost four years now. Never in her wildest dreams did Ella expect that this loveless marriage would finally come to an end.
Her husband was now offering her a large sum of money—just to get her to sign the divorce papers. In the four years they had spent as a couple, they had never had a conversation as serious and heavy as this one.
Ella had been faithful—devoted to loving a man who had never even bothered to look at her.
"Don't want to sign it?" he frowned. "Or maybe… you want more than just money?" he added, rolling his eyes to the side. "Tell me, do you want property? A house? Cars? Ownerships?"
Ella felt frozen—glued in place by a storm of mixed emotions. After years of giving everything and receiving nothing, she finally found herself. She finally understood what she deserved.
"I need a pen," she said, her voice steady and confident.
Deep inside, she knew she wasn't fully prepared for the emotional wreckage this would bring. But she was ready to stand up for herself.
The man fell silent, as if her reaction caught him off guard.
Did I underestimate her? he wondered. Maybe she's just putting on an act to get my attention.
He called over one of his men to hand her a pen.
"You don't have to worry. I'll give you more money after this," he said coldly, watching her as she signed the paper.
"You know what, Erick?" Ella said, looking up at him. "It's a good thing we finally settled this. But I don't really need anything from you. Forget the money, the property—I can handle myself. Don't worry. I'll pack my things after work. I'll be gone before morning."
Erick stood there, stunned, unable to process what had just happened.
"Aren't you going to ask me why I'm doing this?" he blurted out, as if grasping for something—anything.
"Hindi na siguro, Erick," she said quietly. "Asawa mo lang naman ako sa papel, 'di ba?" She stood up and picked up her bag. "You've been throwing those words at me every day. And now that it's finally here—well, I'm here. I'm ready to accept it. I am just your wife."
Ella walked toward the door. The man opened it for her.
"But actually… you know what?" she said, turning back one last time. "I was never your wife."
And then she walked out.
Erick stood there, speechless. A heavy emptiness began to gnaw at him the moment she stepped away.
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It was just a plan—to marry her for my image. And now that I finally have the woman I've been waiting for… what is this feeling?
Just… what is happening to me?