together since the beginning. 5 years after I became rich and successful. then my husband insisted on a divorce. . one day I suddenly saw my ex-husband picking up scrap metal on the side of the road. the truth after that I became bitter
“I thought that when I became rich, happiness would be strong. I never thought that just a piece of paper could ruin everything.”
Liza and I got married without the two of us. That year, I – Miguel Santos – had just graduated from school, my salary was small. Liza worked as a garment worker in a small factory in Quezon City, working overtime every day until I was exhausted.
We rented a cramped room in Tondo, Manila: it rained in the summer, and during the rainy season it leaked everywhere. There were days when all we ate was rice with stewed vegetables in a bagoong, but we were still happy because we had each other.
Liza was a hardworking woman. When I decided to borrow money to start a small construction materials company in Makati, he didn’t stop me. He even sold his only pair of earrings – a memento from his mother – and gave me the capital.
I promised myself: “If I succeed, I will definitely repay my wife.”
Five years later, the company had grown tremendously, I went from a poor person to a Director. A townhouse in BGC Taguig, a luxury Lexus, dozens of employees. Everyone congratulated me. I thought my happiness was complete.
But at that moment, Liza filed for divorce.
I was stunned. Questions flowed through my mind: “Is he with someone else? Or is he blaming me for changing and not caring?” But Liza remained silent, sighing:
– “Miguel… it’s better when we’re done.”
I felt betrayed, my pride rose. I thought: “When I was poor, I held on to him, but now I’m rich, I’m leaving him. Okay, let’s see how you can live without me.” So, I signed the divorce papers, coldly turning my back.
After that, I threw myself into work, partying, and meeting new women. But in the big house in Taguig, the emptiness still enveloped me.
One rainy afternoon on Makati Avenue, while sitting in the car waiting for a red light, I suddenly saw a familiar figure on the side of the road. The woman was bent over, thin, rummaging through the trash to pick up plastic bottles. Her raincoat was torn, her hair was wet, her hands were shaking.
I looked closely – it was Liza.
My heart sank. The person who was by my side during the hard days, now makes a living by collecting bottles?
I quickly opened the car door and got out:
– “Liza!”
He was surprised, about to turn away. I held his cold, thin hand.
– “Why are you like this? If you were short of money, why didn’t you tell me?”
Liza shook her head:
– “We’re done. I have no right to ask you anymore.
The words were like knives piercing my heart.
I took her to a roadside snack shop, ordered a bowl of hot porridge. She ate in silence, her eyes red. Finally, Liza said:
After the divorce, she left with nothing. Not wanting to be branded as “freeloading off her ex-husband”, she rented a room and applied to be a maid. But one day… her mother became seriously ill, so she quit her job to take care of her. The money ran out, her mother died, and debts piled up. She had no choice but to collect scrap metal to survive.
When I heard that, my throat got stuck. It wasn’t that she had betrayed me. I, in my arrogance, had pushed her into this situation.
My voice trembled:
– “I wish you had told me.
Liza smiled weakly:
– “You are rich now, have a new life. I am no longer part of your world.
Last Regret
After that, I tried to help her: rented a small house in Caloocan under someone else’s name, got a light job in a garment factory. At first Liza objected, but then accepted.
A year passed, I still secretly visited her, sending rice, medicine, and money for medical expenses. She knew, but she didn’t blame me.
The moment we met, she looked at me, tears in her eyes:
– “Why are you still so good to me?
I choked up:
– “Because I owe you my whole life
Last Lesson
I never begged Liza to come back. I said
He smiled. A smile of comfort, but full of distance.
I understand, there are cracks that can’t be mended. There are mistakes that money or power can’t fix.
Today, I’m still the Director of a company in Makati, with everything others dream of. But the most important thing – a simple home with Liza – can’t be returned.
And that’s the biggest regret of my life.