The Rise of the Legendary Santhigar

Chapter 10: Ex-wife's Fury

After speaking with his sister, Zoriel decided it was time to head back home.

Zenaida tried to stop him, wanting to go with him after she finished something first.

But he still had a big problem—his jeep. He needed to figure out a way to get it back.

As soon as he got off the tricycle, he noticed several neighbors staring down the alley where his house was.

Zoriel ignored them and kept walking.

“Zoriel! Iho! Where have you been?”

Zoriel paused as one of their neighbors, Judith, came up to him.

She was the owner of the small convenience store at the corner.

“Why?” he asked.

The old woman clucked her tongue.

“Oh no! Jessa’s there, Zoriel! She's hauling your things out! And she brought the police with her!”

Zoriel’s mouth dropped open.

He rushed into the alley to see what was going on—and sure enough, just like Judith said, people were carrying out his belongings.

There were also policemen standing in front of the house, talking with some of the neighbors.

He hurried to one of the officers.

“Sir! What’s going on?” he asked, confused.

The officer looked at him, frowning as he recognized him.

“Are you Zoriel Del Cruz?”

Zoriel swallowed hard before nodding.

“Is something wrong? Where’s my wife?”

The officer glanced toward the house.

Zoriel looked too—just in time to see Jessa stepping out of it.

Her eyes flared when she saw him, and she pointed a finger at him.

“You! It’s about time you showed your face, Zoriel!” she yelled angrily.

She marched up to him and slapped him across the face.

“You animal! What did you do to us, huh?!”

Zoriel was even more confused.

“What? You’re the ones who tried to kill me, weren’t you?”

Jessa’s eyes widened.

“Hey! Watch what you’re saying, Zoriel! You assaulted us! You tried to rape me! You’re the reason the mayor’s in a coma right now!”

She turned to the officer.

“He’s the one, Sir! He was the last person we talked to before both Mayor Santiago and I passed out. He couldn’t accept that I left him, so I’m sure he planned all of this! Plus, he tried to rape me before that!”

Zoriel shook his head in disbelief.

“W-Wait, Sir! That’s not true! I didn’t do anything to them! Jessa, please, just tell the truth!”

Jessa smirked and crossed her arms.

“I already gave them the evidence, Zoriel. So I’m sure you’ll rot in jail this time.”

Before Zoriel could protest, two other officers grabbed his arms, pulling them behind his back and cuffing him.

“Wait, Sir! This isn’t right! I didn’t do anything wrong! Jessa! Tell the truth! You’re the ones who planned to kill me!”

He struggled, but the officer he had spoken to earlier began reading him his Miranda rights.

Zoriel felt like the world was crashing down on him.

Was it really that easy for them to arrest him?

Just because he was nothing more than a jeepney driver?

Most of all, he couldn’t believe how much pain his wife was putting him through.

Didn’t she even remember everything they’d been through together?

“Jessa! Please! Tell the truth!” Zoriel cried.

“I am telling the truth, Zoriel! And now you’ll pay for everything! This house? It’s mine now!”

Zoriel shook his head in disbelief.

“No! You can’t do that! That’s all I have left from my father!”

“You really think you can stop me once you’re in jail? I will have both of your houses!”

“N-No… Wait! Jessa! Okay! Fine! I agree! I already signed our divorce papers! I’ll give them to you—just stop this!”

Jessa narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to him.

“I know. And I already have the papers.”

“Then why are you still doing this?! Why keep making me suffer?! If you want to leave, fine! I just want my jeep back!”

Jessa just sneered.

“Because your family took something important from us. And I will only get that if you are gone!”