"Grandma!" Sandra and Lukas rushed to the hospital as soon as they heard that Maria had collapsed. Both of them felt guilty for leaving her alone at home. Especially Sandra, who blamed herself even more after learning that her cooking had triggered high cholesterol and hypertension.
"Grandma, I'm so sorry…" Sandra immediately hugged her upon arriving.
Emilio and Thalia were shocked by how close they had become. Just the day before, Maria still clearly hated her. Had they really gotten this close, this fast?
"This isn't your fault. I'm the one who insisted on eating all that! Even if it made me collapse, I was happy to finally eat whatever I wanted," Maria said while stroking Sandra's hair.
Emilio and Thalia were genuinely relieved to see Maria finally accept Sandra as her daughter-in-law. It must have been Sandra's sincerity and respectful behavior that softened her heart so quickly.
"Where did you two stay last night?" Maria's question made both Sandra and Lukas freeze in place.
"Yes, where were you? I tried calling you so many times," Thalia interrogated them with a suspicious smile.
"Sandra got drunk and went crazy. It wasn't safe to drive, so I took her to a hotel."
"Did you two go on a little honeymoon, then? When will I get to see my great-grandchild? I'd love to see them before this old body gives out," Maria teased with a cheeky smile.
"Grandma, what are you saying?" Lukas glanced at Sandra, who was now glaring daggers at him. She had almost forgotten this morning's argument—but now Grandma had to bring it up again!
"Yes! We also can't wait to have a grandchild! Emilio's heir for the future," Thalia chimed in cheerfully.
Emilio simply watched them with a smile. He didn't say anything, but it was obvious that something had happened. He hoped it was true. That they'd done it—and a baby would soon come. That way, their marriage would have a stronger foundation.
"Alright, alright. That's their private matter!" Emilio cut in, stopping his wife and mother from going overboard with baby questions. "Let them decide when to have one. Don't overwhelm the newlyweds."
"Newlyweds? They've been married for two years!"
"Yes, but last night was their first night," Emilio said casually.
"DAD!!!" Sandra and Lukas shouted in unison, their faces flushed red in embarrassment. Was it that obvious? Why were parents always so sharp?
"So it's true?" Thalia asked with a gleam in her eyes.
Lukas and Sandra immediately ran out of the room. Lukas bolted first, already knowing Sandra was about to chase him down to beat him again.
"Don't run, Lukas! This is your fault!" Sandra shouted, but he ignored her. "You damn pervert!"
Lukas kept running toward the parking lot. Sandra was truly unpredictable. Just this morning, she had been limping from the pain. Yet now, only a few hours later, she was sprinting like a deer. She had changed—completely!
Once they reached the parking lot, Lukas gave up and let her hit him. They had to go home together, after all. He couldn't exactly let his wife go home alone.
"My whole body's sore, Sandra! Can't you go back to being soft like when we first got married?"
"Oh? So you want to treat me like trash again, huh? No way I'm letting myself be stepped on anymore, you damned jerk!" she screamed, jumping into his arms and yanking at his hair so hard strands began to fall out.
*****
Meanwhile…
Kayla was applying ointment to the scratches Sandra had left on Lukas's face and neck. She was bewildered by Sandra's new boldness. Her transformation was drastic. Could this be a mental illness? Kayla was dying to know.
"And you just let her treat you like this?" Kayla pressed the ointment harder against his wounds.
"You don't understand. Things are complicated now."
"Just admit it. You're starting to fall for her." Kayla stepped away from Lukas, wiping her tears—not from sadness, but pure rage. Sandra had ruined everything again.
"Kayla… I'm sorry."
"How long is this going to continue?" she asked with clenched teeth. She couldn't believe she'd lowered herself so far—begging for the love of a married man—all for revenge.
"Kayla, just… I don't know if I'll divorce Sandra or not."
"So it's true. You're falling in love with her. You're dumping me like trash now?!"
"Kayla, I just don't want you to keep hoping for something uncertain. It might be difficult for me to leave her now. I don't want to hurt you."
Kayla clenched her fists. How dare Lukas dump her—for her of all people! A lowly woman?! No way. Her plan to take over Emilio's company had to succeed. Her parents' revenge needed to be fulfilled.
"Lukas, please. I love you so much. We've been together for so long, haven't we?"
"I don't want to keep hurting you. Maybe this is where we end, Kayla. I can't tear Sandra away from her child. This is getting too complicated."
"I won't accept this! I'll raise your child if there is one—I won't let us end like this!" Kayla cried and hugged him again. She couldn't lose Lukas. Not before she destroyed the company—or at least until she had it in her hands.
"I'm sorry." Lukas hugged her tightly.
"Please find another way. Don't leave me like this!" Kayla sobbed, cupping Lukas's face in her hands. "I don't want to break up."
"You'll just get hurt even more."
"Please… find a way!"
"Don't cry anymore." Lukas kissed her forehead, gently wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks. His emotions were a mess. He had no idea what to do anymore. He had completely lost direction.
After making sure Kayla was somewhat calmer, Lukas went home. He didn't dare stay out late—Sandra might tattle to his parents again.
He found her staring out the large window of their bedroom, lost in thought. Rain dripped gently outside, adding a somber tone to her expression. Her face looked sad and tired, occasionally streaked with tears.
What was she thinking? That question kept spinning in Lukas's head. Was it about last night?
"San…"
"Hmmm."
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Like you care," she snapped, still not turning around.
"You're not eating dinner?"
"Why would you care?" she said sharply again.
Lukas stood there in silence. It was true—he used to hurt her, both with words and actions. He couldn't blame her for being this bitter. The closeness they'd developed lately felt like a miracle.
"Listen… I'm sorry. Can we talk about what hap—"
"What's there to talk about? Nothing's going to change. We're still just a forced married couple. I'm stuck living with a man who still loves his ex. And worse, you took advantage of me while I was drunk!" she cut him off coldly.
"San…"
"I don't want to talk to you right now! Let's talk again when I'm in the mood!" she said, climbing into bed and pulling the blanket over her head.
"Don't put all the blame on me. You were aggressive too. It wasn't just me who was wrong last night," Lukas muttered, then slipped out of the room before Sandra could start yelling again. He locked himself in another room. He'd faint if she started scratching and hitting him again.