Claimed By My Ex-Husband

"Let's Divorce." Cold. Ruthless. There was no emotion in his eyes when he said those painful words to me.

The tears that were forming in my eyes fell helplessly. I was silent. I was weak. My heart was fragile and breakable, yet he still had the guts to tear my worth apart.

My lips trembled when he slid the papers on the table towards me. When I saw his signature clearly, my heart cracked in an instant. I felt like it was bleeding inside my chest.

His shadow towered me when he stood up. "I already called your dad about this, so you don't need to worry about his reaction." His voice was deep and cold.

I watched how he looked at his watch without even glancing at me.

"After signing the papers, you can put it inside my drawer. You can ask Sebastian to drive you back to the Daño's mansion if you want to." His eyes were unbothered. "I'll be going now."

I waited for the door to close before my broken voice escaped from my pale lips. It hurts. It fucking hurts! My sight becomes blurry as my tears rapidly fell.

For three years of agony, this was the very moment where my limit couldn't hold on anymore. I love him. I always love him no matter how cold he was to me. I didn't care if his grey eyes wouldn't land on mine, or his treatment was a bit unpleasant. I was contented with his four words everyday.

The words 'I'll be going now' was so felicitous for my ears before, but now it shattered me.

I picked up the pen and slowly signed it while whimpering. I didn't know if my signature was in the right place because I couldn't see the papers anymore due to my tears. I could even feel the papers becoming wet.

How? How did our happy marriage becomes broken? How did our love turned to coldness? It wasn't like this! This was not what I wanted.

After crying for an hour, I rushed to my car and drove to where my mind would take me. I was driving for thirty minutes when I reached the place full of memories. After parking, I went out to feel the cold breeze.

The sun was setting beautifully but not like the old times, I witnessed it alone. Without him. Without his warmth. I was all alone, broken, in pain.

There was no other woman. He didn't cheat. He explained what was his reason but it made me feel more helpless.

"I'm sorry, I fell out of love." Funny right?

He said that he woke up one day, realizing that he doesn't love me anymore. He made me feel like it was just a simple case. He didn't even care about how I feel. He simply wanted to cut our ties apart.

"Princess..."

I turned around to see who owned the familiar voice. Watching my dad, with pity in her eyes made me want to end my life so bad.

He hugged me gently and caressed my back while I was crying so hard. "It's ok my princess. Everything's going to be alright." His voice was soothing.

"W-why dad? What did I do to d-deserve this? Y-you know that I was a g-good wife. He knew that I l-love him so m-much." I was stammering while saying those words.

"Hush now princess. Daddy's here, you'll be fine." He then guided me to stand up because my dress was full of sand. "I know how much you love him. I also know that he did love you. Maybe fate has a better plan for the both of you."

"Let's go to the Villa first, your mom and brothers are waiting for you." He tenderly said before I nodded.

I took a glimpse of the sun yet it was already too late. It was already eaten by the water and clouds. The light vanished and the darkness emerged, like how our love story had ended.

I followed my dad to our Villa near the beach and was welcomed by my handsome brothers. Somehow, it lifted the sorrowful atmosphere.

"Princess!" The triplets attacked me with a tight hug which warmed my broken heart. "We're back!" They exclaimed.

I smiled back. "So all of you decided to come home after knowing that I'm broken hearted? Should I be touched about it?" I tried my best to lighten up my mood.

Andrew, our oldest smiled back and patted my head like a pet. "Of course you should be. Casper didn't even join his important meetings in Los Angeles when dad called us."

Casper laughed then crossed his arms. He sat on the sofa while looking at us. "Compared to what Dean did? Cancelling an international meeting wasn't even an issue." He playfully said.

We all stared at Dean, my big brother who was innocently looking at us with his charismatic face.

He shrugged his shoulders before saying, "My baby told me to comfort my dear sister though. Damn it! She just fucking postponed our honeymoon?!"

"Your mouth Dean Mathew Daño!" The living room was filled with laughter's when mom angrily shouted. She do hate curses.

Mom slapped my brothers arms before she finally stared at me gently. Slowly, my body felt weak again. My mother's eyes, I know what's inside those. I know that she was also hurt.

"Our princess, I'm sorry that mom was late." Because of what mother said, I broke down in tears once again. I knew it! They pity me.

"I know that Black loved you, but I think that it was our fault for arranging your marriage too early. I hope you can forgive mommy and daddy." My mom's voice was so gentle that I wanted to listen to it over and over again.

I nodded many times before they all hugged me. A family hug.

"Don't worry princess, your handsome brothers are here. Well, aside from dad whose ugly."

"What did you say?!" Dad's loud voice echoed when 'kuya' Andrew teased him.

Mom sighed and pinched dad's ears that gained our smiles. They're truly made for each other. I wished we were too, but the world was cruel.

I felt my mom's soft palm on my hands before 'kuya' Casper spoke. "What do our princess want? Brother Casper will give it to her."

"Your handsome brother Dean will also comfort you dear princess, or else, my baby will make me sleep on the floor."

I giggled when I heard what 'kuya' Dean said. Truly dramatic. Somehow, it made me realize that it's not the end of the world yet.

I felt my tears fell for the last time. All I did was loving him, giving everything for him yet it was still not enough. I swear that this will be my last tears, my last hope, and my last thoughts of him.

Once I come back, I'll be stronger and braver. I'll make him realize that letting me go was his loss and not mine. That I can live without him. That I can love another man aside from him. And this, I'll mark my words.

"Are you still sad?" Mia, my brother Dean's wife and also my best friend asked. She hurriedly visited me earlier right after she came back from Spain.

I forced a smile that didn't even reach my eyes. "I'll be lying if I said I'm not Mia. You know how much did I sacrifice for him."

"Since our elementary days, till we graduated from college, you witnessed it all." I added, trying to ignore the thorn that was inside my throat.

It's been five months since I left, or more like he did. I wasn't able to see him anymore, nor was I willing to face him. True to my words, it was also months since I last cried. When I forced myself not to shed any more tears, it wasn't easy. I wasn't completely healed. Well, it was the hardest.

I was thankful that my family and friends were there. They lifted me up to forget and enjoy my freedom. I stayed at our Villa near the beach where we first met.

I know that many people would rather be far away from the places that used to be their paradise before they got broken, but I prefer to face my fears. I wanted to measure how many months or years would it take me to fully heal myself. That one day, this place wouldn't give me painful memories anymore. I wanted to experience how this place completed me, broke me, and how would it mend my little pieces once again.

"I once felt what you are feeling right now Bella. Condolences. I just found out what happened to you and your baby." She stated with sadness in her voice.

"I'll visit you next time, your brother is already paranoid. He keeps on calling me and telling me to go home." Her blonde hair scattered when she bended to hug me. "Take Care!" Then she went out.

I simply nodded and pinched my wrist to avoid shedding tears. Yes! The saddest part was that, I had a miscarriage three months after we parted. I didn't know not until I collapsed one day.

The doctor told me how dangerous my pregnancy was, but it was also one of the most happiest day of my life. However, not soon enough, I lost my baby. The doctor told us that it's because I was exposed from too much stress.

Black, my ex-husband didn't know what had happened to me for the past five months. I didn't know what happened to him either. Was he still living at our house? Was he working hard or slacking off? Or did he found another woman whom he would spend the rest of his life with? I didn't know.

Back then, he would often hugged me from behind, squeezing my palm slightly as he would put some small kisses on my shoulders. His grey eyes would devour my soul and his black hair would hide more than half of his forehead. It was a scene so beautiful that I couldn't forget, yet I know that I was slowly recovering from my fall. Not until we married each other that everything changed.

I stood up, faced the huge mirror and stared at myself. I have this almond-like eyes with an enticing brown pupils. My hair was black and long while the shape of my face was complementing my features. My eyelashes were long and bended, so does my eyebrows were a great fit too. A long pointed nose with a thin pinkish lips.

I turned slightly to see my curves and side view. Everything was extravagant to witness, from head to toe. But I know that looks wouldn't remain forever, and my beauty inside and out wasn't enough to let him stay.

"Princess!" I snapped myself back when I heard someone screaming.

"Princess you have to hear this!"

"We have some good news Princess!"

I saw my two brothers rushing towards me, panting so hard.

"What is it kuya?" I asked, addressing them as 'kuya' which means older brother in Filipino. We have Filipino blood that's why we knew a little bit of Filipino words.

Kuya Andrew went to the living room and stood right next to me with a smile on his face. "You mentioned before that you wanted to pursue modeling right?"

I shrugged my shoulders, slamming my whole weight on the sofa. "I did, but I think that was years ago. Well, that was when I didn't marry him yet though. Why?"

Kuya Casper chuckled and sat next to me. "Well, it's not too late to do it. "

"What do you mean?" I asked. Confused of what were they trying to say.

They both looked at each other before they stared at me. Casper moved next to Andrew and they nodded, as if they were communicating each other through their eyes.

"Well, we decided to send you to New York for modelling."

Kuya Casper sighed. "I know that you love modelling but couldn't achieve it because of him, so we wanted to let you know that you can do what you want now princess. No one will control you and your dreams anymore."

Kuya Andrew nodded rapidly. "Indeed. Mom and dad already booked your flight back to New York city."

"Is this for real?" I was almost dumbfounded. I couldn't comprehend their words fast so my reactions were a little bit late.

When they nodded while smiling, I knew that my life was about to change drastically. I suddenly hugged my brothers tightly and we screamed with glee. I was thankful that I have my brothers at my back who are willing to push me up in times of my weakest moments.

We talked for hours before mom and dad returned home. My dad was handling his business matters while my mom? Well, mom was with dad everyday since he loves mommy so much that he couldn't work properly without her by his side. They are the sweetest.

"I already packed up your stuffs Princess..." Mom said before chewing her food. We're currently eating our dinner without Kuya Dean since he's already a paranoid married man who often got jealous of small things.

I glanced at her and smiled. "Thank you mom."

"Would you like me to go with you princess?"

I shook my head. "It's ok kuya Andrew."

"Are you sure Princess? I can cancel my mee-----" I cut off what he was trying to say. "I'm already twenty-four kuya , so you don't need to worry anymore." I stated.

They're always like this, overprotective parents and brothers. My family often call me 'princess' because coming from them, I am their princess while mom is our queen. My friends call me Bella, but my real name is Princess Bella Daño-De Villa. Well, soon Princess Bella Daño once again.

Mommy giggled and looked at me tenderly. "You may be a woman but you are still our princess who peed her bed when she was five years old------"

"Mom!" I stopped her. "At least I didn't cry when you went to the Philippines just to visit your friends." I teased and saw my dad's warning gaze.

He stopped eating and stared at mom who was amusingly laughing too. "Well darling, I thought that you wouldn't come back. I thought that you were leaving me-us!"

The dining room was filled with laughter's when my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I slid my hands inside and pressed it.

It was such an overwhelming feeling when I saw who just messaged me. After five months, he finally sent me a text. I bit my lips when I realized that I didn't edit his name on my phone. My lips trembled slightly and my breath hitched.

MY LOVE (BLACK):

Let's meet tomorrow. You choose the time and place. Good evening.

"Are you ok Princess?"

I blinked several times before his message hit me. I turned to face them and smiled like nothing happened. I didn't realize that I dozed up for a moment.

"I'm fine mom." I answered. "I'll be heading to my room now, I'm so excited that I wanted to pack more things." They all chuckled before I stood up and walked upstairs.

I didn't know why I was excited. Was it because I'll be going to New York for modelling? Or because of something else? Gosh! What was I even thinking? Of course it's because of the modeling stuff!

I closed the door and typed on my phone. My heart was thumping so loud that I'm afraid if ever my family could hear it from below.

'1 PM, at my favorite restaurant' – SENT

I blew some air from inside my chest because it felt like it was drowning me. Why now? Why after five months? Did he realize that he still love me? Was he regretting what he did? Maybe because my mind and body was exhausted that I fell asleep so fast.

I woke up at eight before I did my morning routines. I didn't know what's wrong with me. I was like a dumb woman who couldn't even sweep away the smile on my face.

"I---I still love him." I mumbled as I was caressing the ring on my finger. I didn't know why I couldn't take it off. I thought that I was ready. I thought that I can live without him, without his warmth, but it was so fucking hard.

"Princess?"

I instantly turned around to look at my brother Dean. Among all of my brothers, he was the only guy who wasn't afraid to commit. He married my beast friend without a single doubt. Love hit him so hard. So hard that he said he could die without her.

"Kuya?" (Older brother in Filipino. A sign of respect.)

His brown eyes was happy. "I'm glad that you decided to pursue modelling." His voice was calm. He was wearing his business suit which complimented his well-built body.

I smiled. "Well, it's always been my dream."

"Mom told me to tell you that your flight will be next week. Are you ok with that? Or do you want me to adjust the------"

I cut him off. "No need kuya, it's totally fine." I chuckled to assure him that it's ok.

He shrugged his shoulders and patted my head. "That's great. I'll be going now Princess, I have some meetings to attend to. Eat your breakfast."

I nodded. "I will kuya. Take care, love you!"

"Love you more Princess." He looked at me for the last time then left my room.

I took a deep breath, thanking God for giving me this loving family. I am still a lucky one even though my first marriage failed. Even if my baby did not get the chance to see the world, I was still lucky to have them.

I spent my time looking at the magazines. I was the only person who was left in the house since all of them has their businesses to handle. Well, aside from our maids that might be cleaning the house.

When the clock strikes to twelve, I went downstairs to eat my lunch. It's almost time, I hope he still remembered my favorite restaurant. It was where we had our first date.

It was twelve-thirty when I decided to get ready. I brushed my teeth, wore an off-shoulder nude shirt paired with my skinny jeans and brown skin heels. After putting some light make-up and letting my black long hair fall, I got into my car and drove to where the restaurant was located.

I glanced at my phone when it beeped, a messaged popped up on the screen that made my heart raced. It was his text message that says he already arrived. Since I was still driving, I didn't reply.

After thirty minutes, I arrived at the PBD restaurant. A Filipino restaurant that's popular in many places. This place was the witness of how our loved bloomed like flowers, and how it slowly died.

I parked my car and went out. Holding my pursed tightly, I walked calmly as if my heart wasn't beating so hard while I'm going nearer and nearer to the glass door.

I opened it and my eyes was welcomed with a slightly feisty aura. There were a lot of people in the place.

"Are you ma'am Bella?"

I looked at the woman who approached me and nodded my head slightly. I think she's one of the new staffs here.

Her eyes glistened as she smiled. "Please follow me ma'am." She turned around and walked towards the second floor where only VIP's could enter.

As I was following her, all the past memories popped up in my head. We had our first date here, our first kiss, and a lot of memories to cherish.

His grey eyes that would stare at me softly. His gentle voice that would comfort me as well as his tender laughter's that filled my heart with glee. I remembered it all like it just happened yesterday. It was so clear to see.

"Ma'am Bella is here sir..." I heard the staff said.

I lifted my head to see him and my last hope instantly fell. Witnessing him, with a pregnant woman on his side crumpled my heart into ashes.

He told me he didn't cheat. He told me that there was no other woman. How could this ruthless man break my innocent heart so hard?

His grey eyes remained cold. "Sit down." He said with his deep voice.

I silently sat down in front of them with a calm expression. Hiding the scar that was left. "Why did you want us to meet?"

He took a deep sighed as his forehead creased, staring at my shoulders that were exposed before looking away to stare at my brown eyes.

"She's Maine," he glanced at the woman beside him. "My cousin. I brought her here because her husband has business to settle and I was the only person who can take care of her at the moment."

"I didn't ask." I almost scream in my mind when I didn't stutter. Somehow, what he said made me feel relieved a little.

The woman awkwardly smiled without a single word. As I stared at her big stomach, I felt a little squeezed in my heart for what happened to my baby. Anger instantly towered me.

"Why did you texted me to meet?"

He was wearing a blue sleeves and I guessed he just went to his office. His hair was slightly messy. "I just want you to know that I already started to process our divorce papers."

I grinned. "Why now? Why not handle it five months earlier?" I leaned on the chair and sarcastically chuckled. "You may do whatever you like. I don't care about that anymore."

"Bella!" He warned.

I shrugged my shoulders and stood up. "Is that all? You should've just text me instead of meeting me. This might be just a waste of your precious time Mr. De Villa."

I walked away without waiting for his reply. I didn't know why I blurted those words. All I know was that, I'm jealous. Jealous of the woman beside him.

If it wasn't because of him, my baby might still be alive. If it wasn't for the pain that he caused, I might've been able to experience being a mother. The love that I felt for him became hatred. The hope that I've been holding on had destroyed itself.

Before I could even touch the car door, I was taken aback when I felt a tight grip around my wrist. Slowly, I met his grey fascinating eyes. Somehow, it looks so fragile and vulnerable.

"What?!" I shouted, not minding of how hot he looks right now. He stared at me intently before gently griping not just my wrist but also my waist.

I dozed up for a moment because of what he did. His manly scent crawled inside my nostrils as I felt his hard muscles under his sleeves.

"W-what are you doing? Let me go?!" I pushed him with all of my strength but it was not enough for his grip to loosen.

I bravely interlocked our sight and saw how his eyes flashed a hidden emotion that I couldn't name. Such manipulative man who lies so much!

"You! Let me go."

"Why?" He answered with a question.

"You're asking why? For Christ sake Black, we're divorced!"

His lips moved seductively. "Not yet."

I blinked several times. He's unbelievable! "You fucking shi-------"

My eyes literally went big and the world stopped. I couldn't see the surroundings. All I could hear was the beat of my heart, going crazy because of what he suddenly did.

It was warm, his lips was soft and warm.