Chapter 3: Stained BODY
Marie walked slowly toward the small house surrounded by green trees and vines that hung gently from the roof. The place looked peaceful, yet her heart carried a storm. She lowered her head as she knocked on the door, her knuckles trembling with every tap.
A moment later, the door opened, and her mother stood there. Mrs. Lisa's warm face, usually full of calm, shifted into concern the instant she saw her daughter's expression. There was no sparkle in Marie's eyes, no smile on her lips.
"Why do you look so down, dear? Didn't you tell me you were going to see Vano last night? Where is he? Is he getting things ready for tonight?" her mother asked, her words spilling out in quick succession.
Marie stayed silent. She stepped inside the house but still could not lift her gaze.
Lisa reached for her daughter's arm, her voice softening. "What is wrong, sweetheart? Why won't you talk to me?"
Marie finally whispered, "Mama, should I really marry Vano?"
The question startled her mother. Lisa blinked in confusion, searching Marie's face. "What kind of question is that? You and Vano have been together for years. You've always loved him, and he loves you. Marriage is the step you both wanted. Why would you ask this now?"
Marie hesitated, her lips pressing together before she spoke again. "I'm afraid, Mama. I'm afraid I won't be able to make Vano happy once we're married. What if I disappoint him? And I can't stand the thought of leaving you here all alone."
Lisa sighed sharply and touched her daughter's cheek. "Silly girl. Of course you must go with him. That's what marriage is, standing beside your husband. And what is this about disappointment? Did you do something to make him upset?"
Marie stared at her mother's eyes, filled with love and worry. Guilt crushed her heart. She wanted to confess the truth of what had happened, the terrible night that had left her feeling stained and unworthy. But her lips refused to speak. The secret stayed buried, locked inside her sadness.
"Forget it, Mam. Maybe I'm just awkward because I haven't seen him for a long time. Either I look uglier or what in his eyes right now. That's what makes me feel unworthy to be with him," replied Marie sadly in a lie.
"Never mind, it's just your feelings! After meeting him tonight, your restlessness will disappear when you see him," said the mother who was trying to reassure Marie that everything would be fine.
Mrs. Lisa left Marie to return to her previous activities.
While Marie was still silent even after the figure of her mother was no longer visible. She just looked down as he clenched his fists tightly until they looked white.
'Mama doesn't know that I've made an unforgivable stupid mistake. Mama doesn't know, I've been dirty because of my own mistakes,' Marie said to herself.
There was no sound when Marie cried because she closed her mouth as hard as she could with her hands so that her mother wouldn't hear the slightest sob.
Marie walked quickly into her room. And after that, she cried loudly with her face covered with a pillow.
Feelings of inferiority and guilt ruled her heart and mind. Where would she bring her filthy body away from all she had in mind?
Who knows? What she knows is that right now she just wants to cry as hard as he can with the hope that the tightness in her chest will lessen so that she can lift her head a little when she meets Vano later.
***
'No matter how much I regret, I won't be able to turn back time. Vano, I'm sorry. The only thing that I consider precious from this pathetic life I have accidentally given to someone else. There's nothing left, there's nothing good in me that can make you happy,'
From the car that had just stopped, Marie looked at the man she had loved for five years. Such a happy face greeted her arrival at this time.
Vano jogged with a smile that bloomed like a spring flower. And that made Marie even more regretful and guilty.
'In fact, I'm ashamed to show my face to you,' she quietly cried in her mind.
However, Marie immediately changed her face to smile as Vano approached and opened the car door for her.
Just as Marie got out of the car, her body was already floating because Vano was hugging her while turning.
Vano was so happy when he saw Marie, the lover he had missed for a long time in front of him. As if he didn't want to let go of Marie's comfortable body. Vano didn't care where they were.
"Honey, I miss you so much. This happiness is so explosive that I don't want to let go of this hug," said Vano in Marie's ear.
Tears flowed down Marie's beautiful face who kept her face buried in Vano's chest.
"Yes, I miss you too, Vano. I miss you so much, that it feels like hugging you like this is a gift that I don't deserve," Marie replied, crying.
"Hey, why are you crying? I'm here and we won't be apart again after this. Tonight I will announce our marriage. Be happy, honey. We will soon become one," said Vano soothingly.
"Yes, I'm so happy. I love you, Vano," replied Marie who hugged Vano tighter as if after this she would no longer feel Vano's warmth.
Being a wife who is loved by a man is the most beautiful thing in a woman's life. Moreover, being the wife of Ramon Arlo DeLuca. An independent young entrepreneur who will soon be announced as the sole heir to the DeLuca family.
Of course, many young women are vying for Vano's attention to be chosen as his companion.
But unfortunately, Vano's love only belongs to Marie since they were still in school. And that love is so heavy for Marie right now. The sin she accidentally committed disdained everything. Marie no longer has the courage and any hope that one day she will accept Vano's hatred.
***
It was a grand party that the DeLuca family held tonight to welcome Vano's return after completing his education abroad.
Many of the capital's well-known businessmen gathered in groups so that they could explain their status.
"Thank you for the presence of the guests whose names I cannot mention one by one. I, as the head of the DeLuca family, will announce the handover of the business that the DeLuca family has managed so far to our only son, Ramon Arlo DeLuca!"
After Mr. DeLuca's words, everyone cheered and congratulated Vano and also the DeLuca family for having a new company leader.
The excitement was not over when Mr. DeLuca spoke again and announced another piece of news.
"And again, today is a happy day for our son. Because Ramon will propose with the daughter of the Lawson family, namely Marie Maren Lawson!"
Again, the audience congratulated and applauded Vano and Marie who began to appear in front of the meeting hall.
Admiration filled the room as eyes turned toward the couple. Vano stood tall and striking, his features almost flawless, while Marie glowed with elegance, her quiet beauty drawing attention wherever she moved. Together, they looked perfect.
Yet beneath the words of praise, Marie could still catch the sharp sting of hushed voices. The whispers were not about her dress or her smile but about her past, a wound that never seemed to heal.
Everyone knew the story. Marie had been born without a father. Her mother, Mrs. Lisa, had raised her alone, and though Lisa gave her nothing but love, the world refused to forget. Some people muttered that if the DeLuca family had not once been rescued by the Lawson family's generosity, Ramon would never have chosen Marie. To them, her presence beside him was nothing more than charity repaid.
But Vano was untouched by such thoughts. His love for Marie was real and unwavering. He never cared about the questions of her birth, nor the bitterness of gossip. To him, only Marie mattered. Her happiness was the center of his life, and everything else faded away.
When the whispers grew too heavy for her heart, Vano drew her close. His arms wrapped firmly around her waist, pressing away her sadness with the warmth of his embrace.
Marie lifted her eyes and found him smiling down at her, the gentleness in his gaze reminding her that she was not alone.
"Forget their words," Vano whispered softly against her ear. "It is not them I chose. It is you. And I will love you for the rest of my life."
Her lips curved into a smile, her sorrow melting as she leaned into his strength. In that moment, the world around them disappeared, and only their love remained.
"Ladies and gentlemen! In front of everyone who is here, I'm Ramon Arlo DeLuca, who will tie my love to Marie Maren Lawson, the woman I have always loved. The woman who will become the mother of my children in the future. She will accompany me until we grow old. later!" said Vano loudly in front of everyone.
In front of Marie, Vano was half squatting with one knee supported while holding his lover's hand.
"Marie, are you willing to be the wife who always accompanies me in sadness and happiness forever?" Vano asked seriously while kissing Marie's knuckles gently.
'I don't deserve it, Vano! I'm dirty! How could you possibly accept this lowly me?' Marie thought while crying.