Chapter 12: Truths

Marcelino nodded, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Angelic. I won't let you down."

As they continued to talk, Angelic felt a twisted satisfaction growing within her.
She imagined the look of despair on Marcelino's face when she would finally crush his heart, just as he had crushed hers.
She smiled inwardly, her thoughts dark and vengeful.

Meanwhile, Arthur had been keeping a close eye on the unfolding drama.
He knew Marcelino's interest in Angelic would lead to complications, and he couldn't stand by and watch his daughter get hurt again.
He decided it was time to step in and offer his support, hoping to prevent any further pain.

As Marcelino and Angelic discussed the future, the door to her office swung open, and Arthur walked in. His presence immediately created a tense atmosphere.
Marcelino turned to face him, surprise and wariness in his eyes.

"Fa, Mr. Arthur," Angelic said, her voice cold and distant. "What are you doing here?"

Arthur looked between his daughter and Marcelino, his expression serious.
"I came to talk to you, Angelic. I wanted to warn you about Marcelino's investigation and offer my support."

Marcelino's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, warn her? I'm trying to make things right, to understand what happened."

Arthur stepped closer, his gaze unwavering.
"Marcelino, you have no idea what you've put her through.
Your actions have caused her so much pain. You need to understand that she doesn't owe you anything."

Angelic watched the exchange with a mixture of satisfaction and tension.
Her father's defense was expected, but it also provided her with an opportunity to play the two men against each other, furthering her own plans for revenge.

"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Arthur," she said, her tone measured. "But I can handle this. Marcelino and I have come to an understanding."

Arthur’s eyes softened as he looked at her, a hint of pleading in his voice.
"Angelic, please be careful. You've built so much. Don't let the past destroy what you've created."

Angelic nodded, but inside, her resolve only grew stronger.
She would play her part, pretend to forgive, and then strike when Marcelino least expected it.
The thought of his devastation filled her with a twisted sense of justice.
After Arthur left, Marcelino and Angelic continued their conversation, but the atmosphere remained tense.
Angelic knew she had to tread carefully, to maintain the facade of reconciliation while plotting her revenge.

As the days turned into weeks, Angelic and Marcelino worked closely on several projects.
They spent long hours together, discussing plans and strategies, and gradually, Marcelino's sincerity seemed to wear down Angelic's defenses.
But inside, she remained cold, her heart hardened by the pain he had caused.

One evening, after a particularly long day at the office, Marcelino suggested they take a break and have dinner together.
Angelic hesitated but agreed, knowing it was another opportunity to further her plans.

They chose a quiet, upscale restaurant, and as they sat across from each other, the ambiance seemed to soften the edges of their past conflicts.
Marcelino spoke about his regrets, his hopes for the future, and his desire to make amends.

"I've missed you, Mariam," he said softly, using her old name for the first time since their confrontation.
"I miss the times we shared, the dreams we had. I want to build new memories with you, to start over."

Angelic felt a pang of something almost like sorrow, but she pushed it away.
She couldn't afford to let her emotions interfere with her plans. She smiled, a sweet yet calculated expression.

"I appreciate that, Marcelino. I'm willing to give us a chance, but it will take time."

Marcelino reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I'll wait as long as it takes."

Angelic's smile widened, but inside, she was already envisioning the moment she would break his heart.
She would make him fall deeply in love with her again, only to abandon him when he least expected it.
The thought of his despair filled her with a sense of grim satisfaction.

As the weeks went by, Marcelino and Angelic's relationship seemed to blossom.
They attended events together, worked late nights, and shared moments of laughter and connection.
Marcelino was falling in love all over again, and Angelic played her part perfectly.

Arthur watched from the sidelines, his concern growing.
He could see the changes in Marcelino, the genuine remorse and effort he was putting in.
But he also knew his daughter well enough to sense that something was amiss.
He decided to have a private conversation with Angelic, hoping to understand her true intentions.

One evening, after Marcelino had left, Arthur approached Angelic in her study.
She looked up, her expression guarded as always.

"Yes, what is it?" she asked, her tone neutral.

Arthur sat down across from her, his eyes searching her face.
"Angelic, I need to know what's going on. I see Marcelino trying to make amends, but I also see the way you look at him.
What are you planning?"

Angelic's expression hardened. "I don't know what you mean."

Arthur leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm.
"I know you're still hurt, and I understand if you can't forgive him.
But playing with his emotions, pretending to reconcile only to hurt him later—that's not who you are."

Angelic's eyes flashed with anger.
"You don't know what he did to me. You don't know the pain he caused."

Arthur sighed, his heart heavy.
"I do know, Angelic. I know it all too well. But vengeance won't heal your wounds. It will only create new ones."

Angelic looked away, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
She had convinced herself that revenge was the only way to find peace, but her father's words stirred doubts within her.

"Please, Angelic," Arthur continued, "don't let hatred consume you. You're stronger than this. You're better than this."

Angelic's shoulders slumped, and for a moment, the facade cracked.
She felt the weight of her father's words, the truth they held. But she couldn't let go of her plan—not yet.

"I'll think about it," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur nodded, standing up. "That's all I ask. Just think about it."

After he left, Angelic sat in her study, her mind a tempest of thoughts and emotions.
She had come so far, built so much, but the past still had its claws in her.
She wondered if she could ever truly escape it, if she could ever find real peace.

As she looked out the window, the city lights twinkling in the distance, she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She wiped it away, steeling herself once more.
She had a plan, and she would see it through.
But for the first time, doubt had crept into her heart,
and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between revenge and redemption.