Whispers Of A Second Chance

"We should move in together after you graduate," Laxus mentioned as we gazed at the starry sky.

"That's your idea of a proposal?" I teased, causing him to turn his gaze towards me intently. I averted my eyes, attempting to conceal my thoughts.

"You could interpret it that way," he responded, prompting me to meet his gaze. "Just kidding!" he quickly added, playfully patting my head.

Having been together for four years, Laxus had already established himself at the company, while I was wrapping up my final year of undergraduate studies.

"Are you certain about that?" I inquired, masking any hint of apprehension.

"About what?" he probed, his glance lingering on me from the corner of his eye.

"About us living together," I replied, meeting his gaze.

"Yes! I'd love to share a home with you," he affirmed, to which I nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's do it!" I replied, eliciting a smile from him.

Drawing closer, he planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. After weeks of meticulous preparation, I finally attained my degree, with Laxus by my side alongside my family to commemorate this significant achievement.

During a celebratory feast, Laxus's phone rang, prompting him to gesture that he needed to take the call. Following a brief conversation, he returned to my side.

"Who was that?" I inquired once he settled beside me.

"My secretary. She needed my signature, so I sent her a copy," he explained before reaching for his wine glass.

"Is that even allowed?" I inquired, met with a mischievous smirk from Laxus.

"Yeah, I call the shots around here!" he chuckled, grabbing the wine bottle to top up his glass.

After the festivities, I decided to let Laxus stay in my room since he was a bit tipsy. With my parents' blessing, I assisted Laxus to my room, a bit of a struggle as he was on the verge of passing out. Thankfully, Tyler was on hand to lend a hand. Together, we settled Laxus onto my bed, and I expressed my gratitude to Tyler for his help.

"I'm not ready to be an uncle just yet, so be responsible," Tyler playfully teased, prompting an eye roll from me.

"Joker!" I retorted, closing the door behind him.

As I glanced at Laxus peacefully asleep in my bed, I took the initiative to remove his shoes before fetching a damp towel from the bathroom. Gently tending to his face, he stirred slightly as the cool water made contact.

"I'm sorry," I murmured softly, even though he couldn't hear me. Engrossed in cleaning his face, I was taken aback when he suddenly opened his eyes, fixing his gaze intensely on me.

"Um...do you need anything? Water?" I offered, but he maintained his focused stare.

"Are you okay-"

Before I could finish my sentence, he silenced me with a kiss. His passionate embrace sent a surge of electricity through me, his touch igniting a spark as he explored my body, eliciting a soft moan amidst our shared kisses.

"Darn!" he muttered, stripping off his shirt before me. Anticipation coursed through me as I recognized what was about to unfold, and I welcomed it eagerly. Resuming our embrace, he assisted me in shedding my clothes, his kisses trailing down to my neck, leaving behind gentle marks on my skin.

"Don't-" I barely managed to interject before his touch descended to my thighs. Oh, my! I felt a rush of desire building within me. As my garments vanished, Laxus ceased his kisses, regarding me as if I were a masterpiece in a gallery. Feeling a blush of embarrassment, I attempted to shield my face, yet he gently coaxed my hand away.

"Why the shyness? You're stunning, my dear," he murmured in a hushed tone. Oh, the allure of your seduction, Laxus.

"I must seek your consent, Tyra. Are you inclined to-"

"Yes!" I eagerly interrupted, prompting a chuckle from him.

"Is your desire that strong?" he teased, to which I nodded, met with a smirk from him.

"Our sentiments align," he affirmed, resuming our passionate exchange of kisses.

Our intimate moment deepened as he positioned himself over me, his gaze intense as if he desired to consume me. Sensations of discomfort arose as he entered me, catching me off guard with the unexpected pain. Startled by the sensation, I closed my eyes, feeling Laxus's tender kisses on my neck. The discomfort faded, giving way to a rush of excitement. As he began to move within me, my response was a chorus of soft moans, carried away by the intense sensations.

"I love you, Tyra!" He whispered to my ears while pumping me inside out.

"I love you-

"Tyra!" I snapped back to reality as Tyler flicked his fingers in front of me.

"Lost in thought? You're beaming while miles away," he remarked, handing me a brown envelope.

"What's this?" I inquired, examining the contents he had given me.

"Take a look for yourself!" he responded before walking off.

What a nuisance!

"Thanks, anyway!" I shouted after him, knowing he heard.

"No worries, kiddo!" came his distant reply.

I headed towards the kitchen, clutching the brown envelope Tyler had given me, in search of some water. My phone buzzed with an incoming call, but it disconnected before I could answer. Checking the number, I discovered it was from an unknown source. Why am I constantly bombarded with spam calls and messages?

Setting my glass down on the counter, I returned to the living room. As I did, the sound of footsteps descended from the stairs, revealing Joana standing at the bottom. She approached me, intrigued by the envelope in my hands.

"What's that?" she queried, to which I shrugged, equally clueless.

Unfolding the brown envelope, I scanned the document inside. My jaw fell open, and tears welled up in my eyes.

Goodness! I never anticipated facing this reality. Reading the contents, I discovered it was a divorce decree from Laxus. Wiping away my tears, I showed Joana the paper in my hands.

"I'm sorry," Joana whispered, enveloping me in a tight hug.

One week ago...

"I glanced at my reflection in the mirror while running my fingers over my face, noticing a significant weight loss. After washing my face, I left the bathroom and began tidying up my room.

As I gazed at the luggage I had brought from the Villafuertes' mansion, memories flooded back of the day I first moved in there. I was overjoyed to join their family. Why am I getting emotional all over again? As I was cleaning, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Tyler entering the room.

He asked about what I was doing, and I demonstrated that I was in the process of unpacking.

"What's up, Tyler?" I inquired as he made himself comfortable on my bed.

"It's nice to have you back!" He greeted me with a smile, clearly teasing me about my recent visit to the Villafuertes' mansion.

It seemed like my lifestyle didn't quite align with theirs. While unpacking my clothes, I heard a faint clatter. Tyler immediately got up and searched for the source, chuckling as he held up my wedding ring. Swiftly taking it from him, I discreetly stashed it away in my cabinet.

"Why not consider giving him a second chance, Tyra?" He suggested, prompting me to roll my eyes in response.

"Are you even listening to yourself? He cheated on me! And you're telling me to forgive him?" I raised my voice, observing Tyler's shock at my reaction.

"Relax! I'm just offering some advice," he reassured me, to which I smirked.

"Well, your advice is utterly absurd," I retorted, playfully nudging him out of my room.

Losing my appetite for dinner, I opted to stay in my room and watch a few movies. Despite choosing a romantic comedy, tears still welled up in my eyes. Ugh! I despise this emotional turmoil.

"Damy you, Laxus," I muttered, wiping away the tears.

I paused the movie and rose to get the wedding ring that Laxus had given me on our wedding day. Never did I envision that our marriage would crumble after a lengthy relationship together. While gazing at my wedding ring, memories flooded back, triggering a torrent of tears. I slipped my wedding ring back onto my finger and resumed watching the movie, yearning to recapture the feeling of being his wife once more. After finishing the movie, I decided to grab some snacks from the kitchen.

At midnight, when I was certain everyone was fast asleep, I ventured to the fridge and discovered a cake inside. My mother has a sweet tooth, so it wasn't surprising that we had a cake in the fridge.I helped myself to a slice and spotted a couple of beers on the other side of the fridge.

"You're coming with me now!" I declared triumphantly, grabbing the beers before heading back to my room. I cracked one open and settled in to watch a drama, tears streaming down my face as I sipped my drink.

Mid-sob, a knock on the door startled me. "What?" I called out, not wanting to be seen in such a vulnerable state.

"Did you just steal my beer?" Tyler's voice came through the door, causing me to chuckle.

"Oops! My bad! I'll replace it tomorrow," I replied, hearing him retreat.

After a few days cooped up at home, I decided to hang out with my friends. Joana and Trisha were waiting for me outside a club, rushing over when they spotted me.

"How are you holding up, Tyra?" Trisha inquired, concern evident in her voice.

"I feel like I've been chewed up by a dinosaur," I joked, welcoming their embrace.

"I can't believe he did that to you," Joana sympathized, attempting to lift our spirits.

"You know, we can never truly fathom what thoughts are running through their minds," Trisha responded, prompting me to inhale deeply.

"Let's not dwell on sadness; let's head inside," I suggested, and they concurred with my sentiment.

Inside the club, familiar faces from university greeted us. Joana took charge of the drinks, ensuring we had a wild night ahead.

"Who's the designated driver?" I questioned, to which Joana flashed a mischievous grin.

"I've already arranged for your brother to pick us up," she revealed, earning an eye-roll from me.

"Is my brother treating you well?" I probed, to which she nodded.

"And you, Trisha? How's Jared?" I redirected the conversation, drawing laughter from Trisha.

They never miss a chance to tease me, do they? We laughed, drank, and grooved to the music. As the night progressed, I pulled them onto the dance floor, reveling in the moment until exhaustion set in, prompting our return to the table.

I whispered to Joana as I spotted my brother making his way towards our table.

"Having a good time, ladies?" Tyler greeted us, planting a kiss on Joana's cheek.

"You came here too early!" Joana remarked, to which Tyler flashed a playful grin.

"Of course, I couldn't risk you dancing with someone else," he quipped, prompting me to playfully toss a beer can in his direction.

"Party pooper!" I teased, but he simply shrugged it off.

Engaged in conversation with Trisha, I was taken aback when Jared suddenly appeared and seated himself next to her. What on earth was going on?

"Girls, I specifically said no boyfriends allowed tonight," I scolded them, only to be met with laughter.

"I could call Laxus-"

"Stop it!" I cut off my brother before he could finish.

As they chatted amongst themselves, I found myself isolated. Just great! I had nearly polished off a bucket of beers when a stranger approached me.

"They seem occupied with each other," he remarked, trying to strike up a conversation, but I wasn't in the mood.

"I don't need company right now," I curtly replied, focusing on my drink.

"You seem like the broken one," he commented, which struck a nerve.

"Could you please leave?" I requested, to which he simply smiled.

"That's probably why you're feeling broken," he retorted before walking away.

"What did you just say? Hey!" I exclaimed, unable to tolerate his words being spoken to my face.

Attempting to follow him, I was swiftly intercepted by Tyler.

"Stop! You've had enough. Let's head home," he insisted, leading me out of the club.

In the back of Tyler's sedan, their banter felt like nails on a chalkboard. I covered my ears, desperate for some peace to catch some sleep. I stirred as a gentle touch roused me from my slumber. It was my mom, her face etched with concern. I glanced around and realized I was still in Tyler's car. What on earth! They had simply abandoned me here.

"Where's Tyler, Mom?" I inquired, to which she simply gave my shoulder a comforting pat. Assisting me to stand, she closed the car door.

"Can you walk?" she asked, helping me up and guiding me inside.

I just couldn't believe that my brother abandoned me in his car. What a great brother! Thankfully, my mom took care of me, tucking me into bed where I drifted off instantly.

Morning arrived with a pounding headache and a topsy-turvy stomach, sending me rushing to the bathroom. Regret flooded in as I emptied my stomach, realizing I should've known my limits the night before.

After brushing my teeth and freshening up in the bathroom, I returned to bed, intending to catch a few more winks when the door creaked open. Footsteps approached, and Joana's voice broke the silence.

"Hey!" she greeted, prompting me to open my eyes.

"You're still here!" I remarked, shutting my eyes again.

"Yeah, but I'm heading out now. Just wanted to check on you," she explained, causing me to smirk with my eyes shut.

"You and Tyler abandoned me in the car last night," I half-jokingly chided, sitting up to chat with her.

"I know, I'm really sorry! I was pretty wasted too," she apologized, attempting to mend our rift.

"Fine! I get it. You're just looking out for me because I'm flying solo-"

"Hey, don't say that! We're here for you," she interjected, prompting an eye-roll from me.

Joana left, and I decided to doze off once more. The day flew by, and it suddenly dawned on me that it was Laxus' birthday. Despite our breakup, his mother kept urging me to attend the celebration.

My phone rang, displaying Laxus' mother's name. Taking a deep breath, I answered.

"Hi there!" I greeted warmly, mustering a smile even though she couldn't see it.

"Are you getting ready?" she inquired, to which I shook my head in disbelief.

"I don't think it's appropriate for me to be at his birthday party," I responded, still nursing the hurt from our past.

"I know my son! He wants his wife by his side," she explained, tugging at my heartstrings. They were aware of what had transpired and were eager to reconcile.

"I'll consider it. Thank you," I replied before ending the call.

Stepping out of my room, I found Tyler lounging in the living room.

"Why aren't you at work?" I questioned, to which he simply smirked.

"I've already been. Just taking it easy now," he replied, cracking open a can of soda. Whatever!

I hopped into my car and drove to the salon for my usual hair appointment.

"Nice to see you again!" Lars greeted me warmly, flashing a big smile as he ushered me to the VIP seat.

"Likewise!" I returned the smile, settling in for some pampering.

I described the look I wanted, and she suggested some enhancements to make it even more beautiful. After three hours at the salon, I returned home to get dressed.

"I suppose you're off to his birthday bash," Mom emerged from the kitchen, to which I nodded.

"His mother insists on my presence," I replied, earning a nod of understanding from Mom.

"Just be cautious," she advised before I headed out.

Driving to the venue specified by Laxus' mother, I began to doubt my decision. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

"Tyra!" I jumped as Laxus' mom tapped on my car window. Stepping out, I embraced her warmly.

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see you again," she expressed, melting my heart.

Mrs. Laura Villafuerte was genuinely kind, showing no hostility unlike Mika. Inside the venue, all eyes were on me. Spotting Mr. Michael Villafuerte, I greeted him too.

As the lights dimmed, signaling Laxus' arrival, the atmosphere tensed. He made his entrance, exchanging pleasantries with guests. His smile faltered upon meeting my gaze. I wasn't prepared for this. Mrs. Villafuerte and Mr. Villafuerte welcomed him warmly.

When Laxus acknowledged me with a nod, I mustered the courage to offer him a small gift. "My present for you," I stated as he accepted it with a simple "Thanks" before moving on. Mrs. Villafuerte comforted me, suggesting I grab some food.

Feeling out of place, I decided to make my exit. As I headed for the door, Laxus' friends beckoned me over.

"We didn't expect to see you tonight," Mona remarked, to which I smiled.

"Likewise," I responded, sensing her unspoken feelings for Laxus.

"Leaving already?" George inquired, and I confirmed, mentioning plans for a night out, although my true intention was to leave promptly.

"Oh, sorry-"

"It's okay! I should get going. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the evening," I interjected, walking away.

Leaving the venue, I made my way to the parking area, searching for my car. Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me, and before I could react, warm arms enveloped me from behind. His familiar scent filled my senses-it was Laxus.

My heart raced. I missed his embrace, his scent... I missed him dearly. But he had betrayed me.

"Thank you for being here today," he whispered, sending shivers down my spine.

"I couldn't refuse your mom," I replied as he chuckled.

"Just come back to me-"

"No!" I cut him off firmly, pulling away.

I looked into his eyes, seeing the hurt in them. Shaking my head, I walked away. I couldn't be with someone who had betrayed my trust.

"Ugh!" I groaned, massaging my temples. Why do I always wake up with a splitting headache? I sat on my bed, replaying the events of last week. I had run into Laxus at his birthday party, and he had expressed a desire to get back together. While I still harbored feelings for him, I couldn't get past the betrayal of his infidelity.

I had given him my all. I loved him to the best of my abilities, the way I believed he deserved. But what did I receive in return? Treachery?

Thoughts of Laxus intensified my headache, so I attempted to calm myself. As I rose from my bed, a wave of nausea washed over me. I rushed to the bathroom and emptied my stomach, groaning at the unpleasant experience.

After brushing my teeth and splashing water on my face, I returned to my bed, only to be interrupted by the opening of the door. Tyler walked in.

"Are you alright?" he inquired, prompting me to roll my eyes.

"Do I look alright to you?" I retorted, to which he simply smirked.

"You look terrible!" he remarked, earning a smile from me.

"Yes, I know! So, please leave my room," I requested, but he remained in the doorway.

"Mom told me you need to get ready for dinner with the Villafuertes later," he informed me, and I nodded.

This dinner would mark my final encounter with the Villafuertes, and I hoped it would be the last.

"Yeah, don't worry about me," I assured him.

Tyler lingered in my room, his gaze puzzling me, prompting me to playfully roll my eyes at him.

"Why are you still here? Are you relishing watching me in discomfort?" I teased, but his demeanor swiftly turned serious.

"I'm still older than you, Tyra," he stated, momentarily silencing me.

His assertion that he was older than me hinted at an underlying issue.

"Then what's on your mind?" I probed further, to which he cleared his throat.

"I simply hope you'll find solace in your decision," he responded before exiting the room.

As soon as he left my room, I scanned my closet, searching for a comfortable dress for the evening. My gaze landed on a black backless long dress.

"Should I wear this?" I pondered, holding up the garment. I grabbed my phone and called my friends, seeking their approval on the dress's appropriateness for the dinner.

"You have that dress? I love it!" Joana exclaimed joyfully over the video call. As I awaited Trisha's opinion, we discussed our thoughts on FaceTime.

"How about you, Trish?" I inquired, and she beamed back at me.

"You'll look stunning in that dress," Trisha complimented, bringing a smile to my face.

"Thank you, girls!" I expressed my gratitude before ending the call.

Selecting the perfect pair of stiletto heels, I laid them out on my bed, nodding in approval as I envisioned my evening look. Leaving my room at lunchtime, I spotted Tyler in the living room engrossed in a phone conversation. Perhaps chatting with Joana-a pair of lovebirds! As I made my way towards the front door, Tyler glanced in my direction.

"Where are you off to?" he inquired, eliciting an eye-roll from me.

"Mom was curious about your plans," he added, prompting me to take a deep breath.

"I'm just heading to the mall for a bit," I replied, exiting the house.

Driving to the nearest mall, I sought out a token of appreciation for Mrs. Villafuerte to acknowledge her kindness. While browsing, something caught my eye, leading me to make a purchase. Returning home, I began preparing for the evening. While cleaning out my bag, I suddenly felt nauseous, rushing to the bathroom. Amidst retching, I heard Tyler's voice from the other room, expressing concern.

"What are you doing in there, Tyra?" he called out. I continued until my stomach was empty.

After rinsing my face and brushing my teeth, I exited the bathroom, encountering Tyler outside.

"Why do you always find me here?" I quipped, to which he suggested seeing a doctor due to my vomiting.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," I reassured him, ushering him away from my room.

Returning to the bathroom, I took a refreshing bath. Despite feeling unwell, I needed to compose myself for the dinner with the Villafuertes. I got dressed and completed my preparations. After applying my makeup, I emerged from my room to find my family waiting in the living room.

"You look stunning, Tyra!" Dad complimented me, eliciting a smile from me.

"Thank you, Dad! You look great too," I responded as he enveloped me in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this," he whispered, but I didn't want to ruin my makeup.

"But you look pale, Tyra! Are you feeling okay?" Mom inquired, prompting me to check my reflection. I did appear a bit pale, but reassured them I was fine.

"Don't worry about me, Mom. I'm perfectly fine!" I reassured them with a smile.

"She was sick earlier!" Tyler chimed in, causing me to nearly choke on my own saliva.

"Really? Should we see a doctor?" Mom asked, concerned, and I shook my head.

"I'm honestly fine, Mom," I insisted, relieved when they believed me despite feeling a bit drowsy.

Eager to lighten the mood, I suggested we head out. We left using the family car, with Dad behind the wheel, driving us to the restaurant where we were meeting the Villafuertes. As we arrived, a familiar man approached us with a warm smile.

"I'll show you to your table," he offered, to which Mom expressed her gratitude for his assistance.

Inside the restaurant, we followed the man to the exclusive area where the Villafuertes awaited us. Mrs. Villafuerte stood up upon our approach.

"It's wonderful to see you all!" She greeted us warmly, embracing me tightly.

"You look stunning, my dear," she whispered, to which I smiled in return.

"Thank you, Mrs-"

"I'm still your Mom, Tyra!" she interjected with a gentle smile, to which I nodded.

"My apologies," I acknowledged, and she patted my shoulder.

Mom and Dad promptly settled into the available seats near Laxus' parents, while Tyler took a seat opposite Laxus. Only the spot next to Laxus remained open, and I hesitated. Should I sit beside him?

"Go ahead, Tyra! Take a seat," Mrs. Villafuerte encouraged, prompting me to move to Laxus' side. Pausing before sitting, I glanced at the empty chair.

"Aren't you going to sit?" Laxus whispered, but I simply held his gaze.

Our focus shifted to the woman approaching our table.

"I apologize for being tardy!" Mika announced upon her arrival, exchanging greetings with my family. She flashed me a smile before embracing me, to which I reciprocated, though her demeanor felt insincere.

Seated next to Laxus, the waiter poured me a glass of wine. I acknowledged him with gratitude and took a sip, only to feel the weight of Laxus' gaze upon me. His intense stare lingered, causing a stir within me.

"Waiter!" Mrs. Villafuerte called for the waiter's attention.

"Please serve our meals now," she instructed, prompting the waiter to depart and prepare our dishes.

As we awaited our food, my parents engaged in conversation with Laxus' parents, seemingly oblivious to the tension between Laxus and me. A message notification on my phone drew my attention, prompting me to retrieve it from my bag. Opening Joana's message, I immersed myself in its contents.

"How's dinner with your husband?" Joana's message read, eliciting a smirk from me. She certainly knew how to push my buttons! In response, I composed a message vowing to set up my brother to get back at her.

After sending my reply, I powered off my phone, just as our food was being served. Seafood was the main course, a favorite of mine. Were they attempting to win me over? I savored the salmon, finding it delicious, but hesitated with the lobster as I wasn't sure how to tackle it. Observing Laxus effortlessly crack open a lobster, I was caught staring. Embarrassed, I quickly averted my gaze.

"You just have to ask," Laxus whispered, placing a prepared lobster on my plate. What a surprise!

"Give it a try," he urged, indicating the lobster.

Reluctantly, I sampled the lobster, masking my delight at its exquisite taste. I had anticipated it would be delicious. After finishing our main course, dessert was served.

"Let's discuss our plans for the evening," Mrs. Villafuerte initiated, signaling the impending conversation.

"Are you resolute in your decisions, Tyra?" she inquired, prompting me to take a sip of wine before responding.

"What he did is beyond forgiveness," I calmly stated, noting Laxus' smirk in response to my words.

"Let her do what she wants, Mom," Laxus interjected, prompting me to turn my attention to him.

So, he could be with that other woman. Wonderful!

"I didn't want to stand in the way of his happiness with someone else," I added, feeling the tension in the room thicken.

"Oh, thank you for being so thoughtful," Laxus responded, leaving me unsure whether he was teasing me or not.

"I understand you're angry with Laxus, but why don't you hear what he has to say?" Mr. Villafuerte suggested, leaving me speechless.

"I have nothing to say to her," Laxus declared.

Was he being serious?

"We can't force them to be together if they don't want it," Mika chimed in, catching my attention. Of course! That's what she wanted. She didn't like me for her brother.

"She's right," I agreed, prompting Laxus' parents to exchange glances with my own.

"I suppose this will be our last meal together," Mrs. Villafuerte remarked, offering a smile to my mother.

"We're still business partners, though," Mom replied, looking at me.

"I'm certain Tyra will find a man worthy of her," Mika remarked, flashing a smile in my direction. Her smile seemed suspicious, leaving me wary as I observed her closely.

"I'm offended, Mika," Laxus interjected, taking a sip of wine from his glass.

"And you'll find yours too. You just need to open your eyes to see her. Perhaps she's just waiting for your attention," Mika responded, prompting all of us to focus on her.

Did she have someone in mind for her brother? Was she planning to set Laxus up with someone? The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine, compelling me to shake my head vigorously to dispel the notion.

As I took another sip of wine, nausea returned. I forced myself to calm down and looked at them, wondering why it was happening now.

"Excuse me," I announced, rising from my seat. I rushed to the restroom, searching for an empty stall. Finding one, I immediately emptied my stomach, feeling disgusted by the experience. After flushing the toilet, I washed my face at the sink.

I used mouthwash and reapplied my makeup. What was happening to me? Was I sick? Returning to our table, I was met with concerned looks.

"Did you-?"

"No, Mom," I interrupted, meeting her gaze with seriousness. Mom nodded, and after a short while, we decided to leave.

"I'll just send you the papers," Laxus stated before entering his car. All I had to do was sign them.

"Hold on!" I called out, halting him from getting into his car. Retrieving a small box from my purse, I passed it to him.

"What's this?" he inquired, examining the box closely.

"My final gift as your wife," I replied before turning and walking away.

A few days later, I decided to inform my parents of my intention to leave the country. They granted my request, and Tyler volunteered to join me. Joana also expressed interest in coming along, unwilling to be left behind.

I made the decision to visit the mall to purchase items for my future home. While browsing, I came across a store specializing in newborn essentials. Despite feeling unsure of why I was there, I found myself drawn to a blue t-shirt that brought a smile to my face.

Contemplating the idea of how things might be different if we had a child, I quickly dismissed the thought and returned the t-shirt to its place. Just as I was about to leave, I noticed a familiar figure staring at me.

"Are you pregnant?" Laxus inquired, his gaze fixed intensely on me.