No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 44- Priceless

I wasn’t alone anymore.

Mikha glanced at me and caught me staring. She grinned, flour smudged on her cheek. “Uy, love, stop staring. Halika rito, tulungan mo kami.”

I shook my head, smiling. “Baka mas lalo kayong magulo kapag sumali ako.”

Aurora beamed at me, reaching out her tiny, flour-covered hands. “Mumma, come!”

My heart swelled at the word. She had been calling me that for weeks now, and each time, it made me want to cry.

I walked over and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head before turning to Mikha. “Fine. But if these cookies turn out weird, kasalanan mo ‘to.”

Mikha smirked, leaning in to whisper, “If they turn out bad, you’ll just have to kiss me as payment.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing. “Ang kulit mo.”

And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy.

Aurora suddenly turned to Mikha with her big, innocent eyes, her small arms reaching out. Mikha barely had time to react before Aurora wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Thank you for making my Mumma happy," Aurora whispered, her tiny voice filled with sincerity.

Mikha froze for a second, clearly caught off guard. Then, she melted, wrapping Aurora in a warm embrace. I could see her throat bob as she swallowed back her emotions, her hand gently stroking Aurora’s back.

"Baby…" Mikha’s voice cracked slightly as she spoke. "Of course. I’ll always be here for both of you."

Aurora pulled back slightly, her little hands cupping Mikha’s cheeks. "Promise?"

Mikha smiled, pressing a soft kiss on Aurora’s forehead. "Promise."

Watching them, my chest tightened—not with sadness, but with overwhelming love. This was real. This was our family.

Mikha glanced at me, her eyes soft yet filled with unspoken emotions. “Looks like I have two girls to take care of now.”

I chuckled, stepping closer and wrapping my arms around both of them. "And we have you, love."

In that moment, with the scent of freshly baked cookies in the air and the warmth of their embrace surrounding me, I knew—this was exactly where I was meant to be.

The moment Jho called to confirm that the divorce had been finalized, I felt like I could finally breathe.

Adrian was no longer tied to me. Legally, emotionally—he had no claim over me anymore. I was free.

And this time, I belonged to the only person I had ever truly loved.

Mikha was sitting on the couch, flipping through a book while Aurora doodled beside her. She looked so at peace, so effortlessly beautiful, that my heart swelled with love.

I took a deep breath and walked toward them. "Love?"

Mikha glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. "It’s official," I whispered. "I’m completely free."

For a moment, she just stared at me, as if processing my words. Then, she exhaled, a slow, relieved smile stretching across her lips. "So... no more Adrian?"

I shook my head. "No more Adrian. No more pretending. No more being trapped in something I never wanted." I squeezed her hand. "Just you. Just us."

Mikha's lips quirked up. "Good." Then, with a teasing smirk, she leaned in, her voice playful. "I mean, about time, Ms. Navarro."