HEARTFILIA'S POV
When I woke up, I still felt the heaviness in my chest, like pressing down upon my deep ache that just wouldn't go away. But even so, I knew I had to get up. I had to act like I was okay again.
Even though I was still broken inside.
Even though it felt like just yesterday I nearly lost my breath from the weight of my crying.
Although I do not know how long I can put up with everything, even up until now.
I dressed quickly, put on some light makeup and concealer under my eyes, a little tint on my lips. I was human again, at least partially so. In case Jharied saw me, I didn't want him to think I'd spent the afternoon sobbing. I didn't want to appear weak.
Downstairs, he was waiting for me, leaning against the door, holding a cup of coffee, looking at me as if judging whether I was stable or about to collapse all over again.
"Morning," he greeted me quietly.
"Good morning," I replied, simple, emotionless. Controlled.
"Are you okay now?" he asked softly.
I just nodded. "Of course. Let's go, we're late."
He didn't look convinced, but he didn't press me either. We left the house silently, got in the car, and headed straight to school.
And that's where the problem began.
IN THE SCHOOL HALLWAY
The moment we walked in, I could feel all their eyes on us; you know, those kinds of stares including whispering, wondering, and eyes scattered all over us.
I didn't want the attention anymore. I didn't want the gossip. But damn it-of course Samantha was here.
She was leaning against the locker, her arms crossed, staring at us as if she were waiting for something from the heavens: perhaps a breakup, perhaps a cat fight, perhaps drama.
And as Jharied and I moved closer, her eyes narrowed.
I just ignored her. I did not have time for her insecurities. All I wanted was to get through this day without any trouble.
But obviously, that wasn't going to happen.
"Well, wow," she said, loud enough for the whole hallway to hear. "You look so fresh today, Filia."
I didn't turn around, but I heard Lara bite her lip; I heard someone murmur, "Hey Samantha, stop it," but of course she wouldn't.
"You're not crying anymore?" she said with a smirk. "Can you go back to pretending now?"
THAT did it.
I stopped.
Jharied blinked, clearly misunderstanding what was said.
"Filia…?"
But I didn't listen to him. I slowly turned around to face Samantha.
I smiled-the famous fake smile of mine that always starts an internal mortal kombat in the hallway.
"What did you just say?" I asked calmly, though with an edge of sharpness in my voice.
She walked closer. "I said, you're very good at pretending. Especially since… you had some drama last night, didn't you?" she said with a smirk, teasing.
Bullseye.
Who told her?
I didn't know.
But I wasn't going to lose this fight.
I moved closer, just one step away from her face.
"At least I," I said quietly but sharply, "don't have to chase after a man who doesn't want me."
Her eyes widended.
The other students around oohed audibly, but I didn't care.
"Excuse me?" she shouted.
"You don't need to argue," I added. "We all know that no matter how beautiful you are, no matter how much you try—" I moved even closer, right next to her ear.
"You can't compete with that person he chooses every day.
She couldn't say anything for a while. Her jaw stiffened, clearly hit hard.
"Filia," Jharied intervened, grasping my arm but not pulling me away. "Stop." But I couldn't.
I went through so much yesterday.
Now, she happens to cross my path?
Absolutely not.
Samantha glared at me: "You don't know what you're getting into, Filia."
"I do," I said, "You're the one who doesn't."
"I know you're the only one pretending here!" she shouted.
"A fake wife. Thinking you're important. Thinking you have a place in Jharied's life!" My nose flared in annoyance.
But I didn't shout. I didn't lose control.
I took a deep breath, and smiled.
"If I'm just the one 'pretending,' why are you so threatened?"
Boom.
Samantha froze.
Her eyes were wide; her cheeks were flushed. It was as if I had slapped her without even touching her.
She wanted to reply, but the muttering and whispering of the whole hallway drowned her out. And I saw her clench her hands as if she wanted to charge at me.
But Jharied stepped in front of me.
"Samantha," he said coldly, "enough."
She stopped.
Why?
Because, in her entire life, Jharied had never spoken to her like that.
And then, she completely turned her stare back at me with this look like she wanted to devour me alive.
She whispered, "You'll regret this," before quickly walking away, angry, her shoulders trembling.
Jharied looked at me, a mixture of surprise and concern in his eyes.
"Filia… why did you let it get this far?"
I did not know how to answer him, so I just turned my back to him.
"Let's go," I said. "I'm late."
I didn't check his reaction.
I didn't pay much attention to the whispers of students either.
I just kept walking, straight ahead, no breaks, no looking back.
But as I walked.
I felt the world was weighing me down.
And the fear. And the weakening of my resolve.
But I kept walking.
Because that's what I do.
I act normal.
Even when I'm not anymore. I act strong. Even though I was completely broken last night.
I act like I don't care. Even though it is too much. And for the first time… as I walked away from Jharied.
I heard him-softly, yet clearly. "Filia… you're hiding something." And my chest ached again.
Because he was right. And I was wrong. And I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending.