One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 23: Let it hurt

~~ Let it hurt, let it bleed, let it take you right down to your knees. Let it burn to the worst degree. May not be what you want' but it's what you need. Sometimes the only way around it is to let love do its work and let it hurt, yeah, let it hurt...~~~

-Rascal Flatts-

When our graduation came, I was in five months of pregnancy and my belly was already showing in my gown. But despite the different stares I received from the people who attended the ceremony, I still held my chin up, received my award and diploma and proudly gave my salutatorian speech.

Many of my classmates, especially my best friend Jack were sad that I didn't get the highest award. I have to admit that I couldn't focus on my studies in the last few months as stupidity came over me... and I got pregnant. But while receiving my award, I felt no regrets because I know there's a greater achievement that would come in the way and that is my baby.

Mom wanted to throw a party but I refused and I said that we can simply have lunch together, all of us including my in-laws and of course my best friend who also got an honor. She agreed so we ended up having lunch in an exclusive restaurant. We also had an extended celebration at home (my parents' home) where Luke and all the boys were in charge of cooking the barbecues while we girls stayed in the kitchen to prepare the side dishes.

Jack and I received our graduation gifts but I didn't expect to receive one from my husband. I asked Rory and Elaine to put them in the car as I decided to open them in 'our' home. (If you're wondering why our maids were there, well, it's because they were also part of our celebration).

After having dinner, we gathered in the living room and shared the wine that my father-in-law brought from Italy, but since I was pregnant, I have just sipped the grape juice that Rory has prepared for me.

"Why don't you open the gifts, girls?" My mom asked and Jack and I shared glances.

"Uhm, Untie we've already put them in the car. We decided to just open them at home." Jack was the first to answer.

"Tss!" Dale smirked, he stood up and went over to the side table. Seconds later, he has a small box in his hand and without any warning, he threw it into the air towards Jack's direction. "Catch it, weirdo."

"What the---" Jack didn't finish her sentence as she immediately got up to catch the small box.

"Hey, Dale Sebastian, that's rude! Why didn't you just hand it over to her?" My mom scolded my brother but he just smiled while scratching the back of his neck.

know it will never change." Jack rolled

laugh disappeared when Luke's father

you sitting on your wife's

left or right to give him space. I intensely gulped the remaining juice from the glass when his arm

picture." His dad added. I just

became the pictorial of me and Luke, and it's so awkward that they made us pose like a sweet and loving

Our driver Paul was the one who drove my car while I took a ride with Luke. On our way home, a thick silence wrapped around us since none of us uttered

when Luke didn't get out of the car. He immediately drove outside as soon as I

He didn't even tell me where the hell on earth he's planning to go!" I sighed, shaking my head but then I remembered what he said... 'you're not my mother'. "Oh, yeah,

seat. I decided

your husband heading back to the main road," Paul said and I just gave

accident at work and was badly injured, so Paul had no idea

to it, Paul." I

it just myself? Who said I'm used of him treating me like nothing? Yeah, we've been married for four months but I still couldn't use to what he does, especially when he has brought different women every other night. The only

there were times that I saw them going out of his room and I couldn't hold back my tears. Well, I have to take the

could go to their room.

of them were shocked by my question. They shared

going to sleep in

were two double decks in their room, so all in all,

bed are too small compared to your room, ma'am Samantha," Rory said, awkwardness was tied

tonight, you know..." I shrugged. I know they knew it even if I don't tell them exactly the reason why I

"Thank you, Elaine."

moans and groans. And I was right. I was woken at 1:00 in the morning when I heard a woman's voice giggling in the living room. I was about to go out and see the new face of