Chapter 2

Serrano Family

Once, I treasured them the most, knowing they were my family despite their toxic behavior towards me. The Serrano name, once a source of pride and belonging, now carried a heavy burden of memories and pain.

I looked at them, and it was impossible not to be flooded with memories. I glanced at the grand staircase where I used to sit and watch the lavish parties my half-siblings would attend. I remembered how I longed to be a part of their world, to be acknowledged and accepted.

But the Serranos had never truly accepted me, believing that I was the product of a scandalous affair, an embarrassment to their prestigious name. They had hidden me away, forced me into a life of servitude, and treated me as if I were invisible. I had grown up amidst opulence, yet I was denied the most basic of human rights—love and acceptance.

As I stood there, memories of the past washed over me like a torrential rainstorm. I remembered the countless times I had witnessed their grand celebrations from the shadows, longing to be a part of their world. But their disdain for me had always been evident, as if I were a stain on their perfect image.

Now, I was back, no longer the timid and obedient girl they had known. I had transformed into someone they could never have imagined, and I was determined to confront the demons of my past.

But, I had no plan to reveal and boast about who I am now because, from the beginning—what do they care about my life? Who are they to know what I am right now? Just a waste of time. I am here because there is one person I want to see, and I don't know what his plan is.

The Serrano family, still in a state of shock, exchanged glances and hushed whispers. It was clear that they were not prepared for my return, especially not in my current form.

"Margaret, is that you?" one of my half-siblings finally managed to utter, disbelief etched across their face.

I couldn't help but hide a smirk at their reaction.

"Yes, it's me," I replied with a hint of satisfaction in my voice. "Or should I say, it's Katharina Esmeralda Grimaldi now?"

But of course, I didn't say the last part. As far as I know, I am also famous here in the Philippines. Some businessmen want to negotiate with me, and I have no plan to meet one of those greedy people. It ruins the day.

Minutes of silence passed until my excellent half-sister broke it. She is a year younger than me. She laughed as if she had seen a clown, followed by her excellent mother, who sat like a queen on a single sofa wearing an elegant black dress. She also wore accessories on her neck, wrists, ears, and rings on her fingers.

"Oh my! Dad, she's too early. Maybe she's excited to see us after she escaped from us," she said mockingly to her father, her gaze sharp as it landed on me.

I ignored her and secretly searched for the one person who had been my ally in this mansion. I couldn't find him, so I looked at my father, who stood straight and stared at me with his piercing gaze. I didn't look away and met his eyes.

He needs something from me, so he needs to be obedient also. It would be embarrassing for them if I were the one without a voice here.

"You didn't acknowledge your arrival. Is that what you learned as an OFW in Spain? What kind of agency do you have? Well, since you are here, follow me to the office. You have something to do for us," he said seriously.

I furrowed my brows but was not surprised by what I heard.

Do something for them? That's their greeting for me. No "How are you?" or "Do you want drinks?"

This family!

"Who is she, Eleanor?"

I turned to a lady who was staring at me with a frown. Her face was familiar to me, but I didn't know where I had seen her. Well, she seemed like a family friend. If she doesn't know me, it means my identity is still hidden.

I met the gaze of the elegant woman and decided to maintain my silence, allowing the Serrano patriarch to respond. It was essential for me to keep my new identity hidden for now, especially from those who were not directly involved in the matter at hand.

But, they avoided the topic. I'm not surprised.

I ignored them and focused my attention on my impatient father. My biological father, Antonio Serrano, gestured for me to follow him. I walked slowly toward the staircase. Even though they were noisy, I could still hear the sound of my heels. I passed by them and ignored their stares as I ascended the stairs.

I followed my father up the grand staircase, my heels echoing through the opulent mansion. Memories of this place flooded back, both good and bad, as I ascended the steps. It was surreal to be back in the Serrano mansion after all these years, and the tension in the air was palpable. As we reached the top of the staircase, my father led me down a long corridor adorned with expensive artworks and antique furniture. The silence between us was heavy, but I had no intention of breaking it. I was here for a purpose, and I needed to know what he wanted from me.

We finally arrived at a set of double doors, and my father pushed them open to reveal a luxurious office. It was a room I remembered well, as it was where I had often seen him conduct his business affairs when I was growing up. He gestured for me to take a seat in front of his imposing mahogany desk, and I obliged, sitting down gracefully. He remained standing, his expression unreadable as he looked at me.

"Margaret," he began, using the name I had long discarded. "I'm sure you're wondering why I called you back to the Philippines."

I crossed my legs and leaned back in the plush chair, maintaining a composed demeanor. "Indeed, Father. I am curious as to your reasons."

He studied my movements before continuing.

"It was your grandmother's last will."

I adjusted my posture. Last will? Did Grandma have a last will? Why? What happened to her? I became anxious, and my hands turned cold. My mind figured it out, but I couldn't accept it. How?

"What do you mean?" I asked calmly.

He took a deep breath and sat down in his chair, clasping his hands on the table. He stared at me intently before looking away.

"She died last month, and we discovered that she had a last will. I thought I could immediately inherit her assets, but I couldn't. Instead, your name is in her last will," he said sharply, glaring at me.

I continued to listen to my father's words, the news of my grandmother's passing weighing heavily on me. Grandma had been a source of comfort during my difficult years in this mansion, the only one who had shown me any form of kindness. Her presence had been a small solace in an otherwise painful existence.

Why didn't they tell me about this? Why didn't they inform me? And now that they need me because they found out they couldn't get Grandma's inheritance, they called me. But having my name in her last will was something I hadn't expected.

"What did Grandma specify in her will?" I asked, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me.

My father hesitated for a moment before answering, "She bequeathed to you the sugarcane land in Negros, including her charitable foundation, the Lacson-Serrano Foundation."

His face contorted with frustration as he spoke of Grandma's bequest. I ignored him and thought about the sugarcane farm in Negros. Grandma's farm was one of the largest sugarcane areas in the Negros Island Region, and inheriting it came with immense responsibilities and challenges. The Lacson-Serrano Foundation, too, was a well-established charitable organization that played a crucial role in the community.

"Why me?" I finally spoke, my voice tinged with both surprise and uncertainty. "Why did Grandma choose me for this?"

My father's expression hardened. "Ask yourself. What did you do that even Mom's land was given to you? I can accept the Foundation but the Lacson GoldenCane Farm? No! However, you can't have the farm without being married to an Azcárraga."

"Wait, what?" I asked in shock at his last statement.

He glared at me.

"I want you to marry an Azcárraga because he is also a good catch for your brother Atlas, who is running for Governor of Negros. And if you want to marry him, I'll take Mom's land by any means necessary. You don't deserve this, Margaret."

My world seemed to stop at what I heard. I ignored his last statement because I was tired of hearing it here in the Philippines. But, why? This was certainly not what I had expected when I returned to the Philippines. It seemed that Grandma's bequest came with a heavy price, one that involved my future and my family's political ambitions.

Since when did they have an interest in politics? Arranged marriage with an Azcárraga? The name was familiar, but I didn't know them. What was Grandma's connection to the Azcárraga family? And why did she choose that family? What got into her to meddle with my love life? I can take over the Foundation and the Lacson GoldenCane Farm without an arranged marriage. I can even handle it on my own, but why?

The question is, did the Azcárraga family agree?

"And who is this Azcárraga that I'm supposed to marry?" I asked calmly but firmly.

My father's stern expression remained unyielding.

"You don't need to know until now, and Azcárraga is a prominent name not only in Negros politics but in the whole country. You never knew them because you are not part of an elite society, and you have lived in Spain for ten years. There are many things you don't know about this country, so follow one of your grandmother's wishes. Marrying into that family will solidify our connections and ensure your brother's success in the upcoming elections."

I looked down and stared at the table to hide my reaction from him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. If I had known this was what awaited me in the Philippines, I wouldn't have come back. I even came back early to surprise them, but I ended up being the one surprised.

I couldn't ignore this, especially since it involved my grandmother's farm and foundation. I didn't know my father's plans for the land in Negros, but I suspected he would use it for his purposes. Whatever they were, I wouldn't allow it.

"And what if I refuse?" I challenged, unwilling to accept this fate without a fight.

My father leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Simple, I will burn that Foundation, especially since it's wasting Serrano's money, and I can't have the donations. I have no interest in that useless charity. They're hopeless and wasted. Why would I support that Foundation when your mother has her own? No one supports your grandmother's foundation anymore, so it's no surprise if many children are starving."

I wanted to sl*p him. I wanted to p*nch him. Why did I have him as a father? Huh! That w*cked w*tch? Really? No wonder she couldn't wait for Grandma to die, acting like the lady of the Serrano household while Grandma was still alive.

"Why? Did the Azcárragas agree to Grandma's wish?" I challenged him.

I saw him smile—that smile that indicated a plan was in place or had already been executed. No doubt, he's a devil in disguise. Disgusting!

"Of course! They should be. I'll notify you of the meeting with the Azcárraga clan because they have conditions for marrying you."

I stared at him intently. Conditions. Then, I'll make mine too.

"I'll marry an Azcárraga, and I want you to not touch the foundation and the farm. But this doesn't mean I'll follow your plans; it will be on my terms, not yours."

We stared at each other, a silent war passing between us. He thought he could manipulate me, but he was wrong. But I needed to lie low, especially since his mind worked differently.

"Then, let's see each other then, Father," I said before standing up and adjusting my black coat, still bowing slightly to him.

"You've grown strong, Margaret. But, you are still the weak, fragile, and manipulable Margaret in my eyes," he said, a hint of a smirk on his face.

I looked at him with determination. "We'll see about that," I replied firmly before turning and walking out of the office.