"Take it easy, Aldo." I moved away and squeezed my body against the window.I heard his violent sigh, but I ignored him. I ate my fried chicken intestine quietly."Why is it so hard to have a conversation with you these days, Mayu?""Huh?" I looked at him and only saw the seriousness in the different colors of his eyes."Maybe because we are not married, Aldo? What do you think?" I asked sarcastically.He was quiet and didn't move, so I laughed softly. What else can you expect from a person who is afraid of commitment? Nothing."See? You're not moving anymore. Let's just say that I am not free until you are married to me, Mr. CEO," I mocked as I ate the last stick of the food.I threw the plastic cup in the trash bin before facing him. I caught his gaze and smirked."I'm not going to take your wealth, Aldo. I just want your last name.""You know my stand, Mayu. Marriage is not my thing, not unless you are Addison-""But Ate Addison is inlove with Alaric. You can't force someone who do
I closed my eyes tightly, and I just wanted to destroy everything, but Alice tried to hug me tightly."Lice, I d-on't know w-hat to do if I lose Mother Rosario. Y-ou know she's the only one who's never abandoned me—""Shh, Mayu. Keep trusting. Mom can handle it. Hm. She'll wake up."I don't know if it was for me or for herself. All I know is that we are both hurting. We couldn't sleep and just stared at Mom, who has apparatus on her body.I still don't know if I can live if I lose her. She's been my mother for so long. She kept me, sheltered me, and nurtured me when everyone else left me. And now, seeing her in this state breaks my heart into a million pieces.Even in the chair, I forced myself to sleep for a few hours. I just woke up feeling bad and almost ran to the bathroom to vomit. I have a headache, and my stomach is churning.When I finished throwing up, I was too weak to approach Alice. I searched for my bag and would have been ready to leave if she hadn't stopped my hand."Yo
"I am not in the mood, Aldo."I took back my pillow and folded my arms. I also glanced at the fancy restaurant. There were only a few people in it.I heard him sigh and saw him purse his lips."This might be the last time, Mayu. After this, you'll be free."I frowned at what he said and was about to ask a question, but he just grabbed my wrist again and pulled me inside.Whether I admit it or not, my stomach grumbles when they put the food on the table. I don't even know the dishes' names; all I know is that I'm very hungry and drooling over the food."Eat slowly, Mayu," he reminded me calmly after I bit into the chicken thigh.I looked up at him. He doesn't eat; he was just staring at me.I quietly put down the chicken and wiped my mouth with a tissue before sitting straight."Tell me right away if there's a problem, Aldo. You might already be thinking of killing me without my knowledge." I grinned sarcastically and took a sip of water.His lips pursed, and his gaze sharpened. His gr
The doctor's words repeated several times in my mind. I couldn't even speak as my chest continued to tighten. It's like I'm being killed inside, thinking that maybe Mother Rosario will die tomorrow."Mayu, calm down. The doctor can't tell when a person will die. Mayu, God has mercy." Alice tried to calm me down, but I couldn't stop crying.My tears flowed continuously, and it seemed as if a dagger had stabbed my heart."Alice, I c-an't lose Mother Rosario y-et. I c-an't.""Shh, not yet. M-other Rosario will fight. S-he will protect you, Mayu. She will not leave us."I don't know if it was for me or for herself. Her tears are also falling uncontrollably.I hugged her, and we both cried in each other's arms.What if Mother Rorasio died? We will both live, but I know we won't be happy."Trust me, Mayu. Mom can handle it. She can handle hand-washing hard pants; she can do it," she uttered, but her eyes welling up with tears.I looked at Mom in the ICU mirror several times. Even I had a ha
My head seemed to split in pain when I woke up. My vision was still blurry, but I could see a glimpse of the nurse at the side, so I planned to get up."Ma'am, take it slowly. Don't force yourself."She quickly held my shoulder to help me sit down. I could hardly breathe, but I had a strong desire to get out of the room."Ma'am, you're not allowed to go home yet. Let's wait for the doctor. Please, take a rest first."I could do nothing but lean on the bed when the door opened. I forced myself to take a deep breath to somehow make things clear around me."Good afternoon, Miss Selvestre. I'm Doctor Sylvaine. I'm glad you're awake. How are you feeling?" her voice was soothing.I look at the doctor with hazelnut hair. She is sexy; she is soft-spoken, but her face shouts boldness."My head hurts," I replied softly.I massaged my temples then closed my eyes tightly."That's pretty normal, and you should expect more morning sickness—""What, doctor?" I gasped at what she was saying and wonde
"Alice, t-ell me, M-om's g-oing to be fine, right?" I repeated."M-ayu," she murmured with difficulty, "I t-old you not to leave. Why did you l-eave?" I can sense the pain in her voice.My heart seems to be torn apart by a million pieces because of that. She sobbed louder as I could no longer speak out of the pain."M-om is already d-ead, Mayu. M-om has l-eft us. Mayu, it h-urts! It hurts so damn much!"I felt deaf to what I heard and felt coldness all over my body. My heart continues to be torn into smaller pieces. Quiet but painful tears fell on my cheeks. I felt like I was smitten and just didn't want to live.I silently wept and felt her loss. I absentmindedly held my stomach after remembering that I was pregnant but that my Mother Rosario would never know about it. I will never see her again. I would never come home and see her smile as she waited for me.Pain and remorse again attacked my heart. Another batch of rich tears flowed down my cheeks.Alice fell quiet, but I could fee
"Are we clear, Mayu? Abort the baby and go somewhere far away from here," My biological mother repeated.I swallowed and nodded softly as my tears fell to my cheeks."That's better, Mayu. No one will take care of you. Rosario is gone," she said before finally leaving the room.I fisted my hands and couldn't help but grit my teeth in anger. I looked down at the door and poured out the anger I felt for the person who gave birth to me but also threw me away.I violently wiped my tears. I closed my eyes tightly before picking up the envelope full of cash. I held it tightly. Though I don't want it, I might still need it.My gaze dropped to my stomach. I gently caressed it but stopped after remembering what Mommy said.I moved my palm away because I knew I could never love a child who would never be born into the world."I'm sorry, Baby," I whispered as I felt my heart tighten with the pain.My tears flowed more as I weakly sat on the bed again. I seemed to lose my strength at the thought t
I chose for Mom's burial to be held only for three days. I do not want it to last any longer; it only hurts me every time I see her cold corpse. How many times have I tried to wake her up? But still, she was in her deep slumber.When it was her last night, I didn't want to leave her side. Even though I was dizzy from a lot of smells, I kept looking at her. I tried to remember our happy memories. I just got back into reality when I felt Alice tapped my shoulder."You have visitors, Mayu," she whispered before pointing her lips at the back.My forehead creased as I followed where her lips pointed. My eyes became sharper. Anger just burst into my heart again."What are they doing here?" I meekly asked Alice.She shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes."They are here to give fake condolences, Mayu. What else? Of course your father and your siblings will be happy to see you suffer," she whispered back.I pursed my lips and looked at my father again, who was with Stella and Addison, bot
Aldo Hendrix CastellanosI still clearly remember Mayu, whom I saw in the party's garden. Honestly, the first time I saw her, I was sure she was definitely not my type. Glancing at her gown, I knew she would be one of the candidates. That's why I myself went looking for Addison to give me the box that I secretly took from Grandpa.I don't like this plan either, and I have no intention of getting married. And who would be happy in an arranged marriage? No one. And so, as much as I could, I tried my best to give the box to the person I somehow liked.I didn't know, and I was unaware that fate played me so very well. I didn't have a plan for the first night either, other than to scare her, but it seems that fate has a better plan for the two of us and will let something happen and make me crazy about her.I scolded myself every hour for that. And I almost cursed myself for not being satisfied for a night when it was on my mind almost every night and trying to mess up my system.And I th
My nervousness never stops for fear that he might have another bad plan. I didn't even realize I had dialed Addison's number. It was too late, and I couldn't end the call after hearing her artistic voice. I lost focus on Stella and switched to my cellphone."Now, you called me. What, Cheap Bitch?" I think she is still working on the other line.I also started crying, "I just pressed the call button. As if I were going to call you. Bye—""Wait! Don't hang up yet!" She held back, so I couldn't press the end button."What, Bitch?" I tried to mimic her.I heard her whisper, but I also cleared her throat."I'm sorry."My forehead knotted, and I seemed deaf. Did I hear her right?"What?""I said, I'm sorry!" Her loud scream made me wince and hurt my ears, "I'm sorry, but if you don't want it, then don't!"I shook my head. How can I accept a sorry like this?"Not forgiven—""Who cares? I'm just saying sorry because I don't want Mommy to leave us again. Tss," she said, raising her voice, whic
"Aldo, that's enough!" I protested after he didn't stop.But he didn't listen and just continued making me laugh."That's enough! I can't breathe anymore; I'm going to eat." I snorted and grabbed both of his hands, but he just laughed softly from behind."You're bad! It will be your fault if the baby gets dislocated," I threatened.He was stunned for a moment and moved in front of me, asking, "What? Is there a thing called dislocation in pregnancy?"He frowned and seemed confused. I voluntarily groaned and shrugged my shoulders."There is now—""You're bluffing," he said, coming closer and aiming at my side."Aldo!" I glared at him, but he only smiled back at me."I'm hungry. If you had fed me last night, we wouldn't be in the kitchen today, even at dawn.""You could have stopped me from making love to you earlier in the night. You shouldn't have scolded me now. I am just being a professional lover, Sweetie," he boasted.He came and effortlessly lifted me to the kitchen counter and re
"It feels good when it's like this," Daddy uttered absentmindedly while eating the ice cream he was holding.I stared at the avocado ice cream in my hand. Where was it?"Hopefully, I've been a father since then," he added.He bowed, and I could feel the weight of his feelings. I looked away and sighed."It's still possible, just not now," I murmured softly."I will wait, Mayu. I will wait until you accept me as your father. I have many shortcomings, but I am ready to make up for them," he said, his voice almost shaking.I swallowed. I know they have the same motives as Mommy. They both like me now because Aldo is my husband, but even so, I want to think that Daddy is real.If parenting is just a basis, Daddy is always there and updated in my life, even though I don't get to be with him on important occasions in my life. I appreciated the times he rented clothes for me so I could go to the parties they would attend. I will not deny that he cared more about my studies then. He always mo
"What do you mean, Mommy? How is it just Addison?"I'm confused, and even though I have a conclusion in my mind, I want to hear it right from her mouth.She closed her eyes tightly. When she opened her eyes, they were full of regret."Sad to say, I took care of someone else's child while I neglected my own child," she said with regret.My lips parted, and I felt pain in my chest. I blinked several times to keep my tears from falling, but I was not victorious. They fell silent.Instead of being happy that I am her only child, I am more hurt that she was able to choose someone else's child over me.She immediately reached for my hand after seeing my tears fall."I'm really, really sorry, Mayu. Sorry if Mommy neglected you. I didn't want all of this to happen to you, even if I was the one who caused your other ailments in life. I just don't want to blame you for my betrayal of Frank," she continued to explain as her tears slowly fell."If you weren't ready for the consequences, and if yo
I don't know if Aldo is really determined for us to go abroad, but I'm more determined to talk to Mommy again. I waited a long time for her reply. I thought it would be rejected, but, um, yes.Aldo warned me several times not to leave the house in case my desire to explain to my mother prevailed. My only problem is where to leave Arkan. I don't want to bring him with me; there might be danger around later."Mommy, why are you leaving me with Aunt Alice?" Arkan asked with a doubtful tone.I raised my eyebrows and held his hand."I'm just going to buy something, Baby. I'll be right back.""Without me, Mom? Does Daddy know about this?" His tone is investigative.I coughed before laughing hesitantly."Of course, Baby. Your Daddy is always updated," I lied."Really, Mommy? Then why are you leaving me here? Or maybe we should call Daddy and ask him to get me here."My eyes rolled slightly. After that, I winced and slightly knelt in front of him."Your Daddy told me to leave you here for now
"Leave the country? But I don't want to leave, Aldo." That's what I immediately opened when we entered the house.I really don't want to leave. This is not the case now. I want to talk to Mommy in depth. Suddenly, I want to discover and find out what she said about Daddy being her first love."I doubt if we can really have a peaceful life here after everything. I don't want to risk your pregnancy—what's that?"He stopped and looked at the corner of my lips. My eyes widened slightly, and I immediately covered them. I was about to step back, but he immediately grabbed my elbow. When I turned to him, his gaze turned cold, and he gently removed my hand from covering my lips."Did she do that to you?" His cold voice sent nervousness through my body.I was out of breath and afraid to speak. I'm afraid to say that Mommy slapped me fearlessly earlier. I don't want him to get angry at Mommy, not right now."Tell me or I'll find it myself," he threatened.I closed my eyes and looked away, "N-no
I wiped the side of my lips with restraint. I don't want to be angry on this day, but if this is how I am greeted, my patience is over."What a worthless son of yours! I wish you hadn't lived—""I hope you didn't flirt with others so that I didn't develop!" I answered with annoyance, which stopped her."I wish I didn't live anymore if my parents just left me like a cat," I uttered coldly.Even though it hurt to say that, I tried to steady my gaze. I don't see the point of her venting her anger when I have a lot to blame her for.She narrowed her eyes at me, "How dare you?" she uttered in disbelief."Is that what money did to you? You now talk back to your parents? Why? Did Rosario raise you like that too?"I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth."You're wrong. This is how you raised me," I said with emphasis, "One more thing, don't involve Mother Rosario here. For all I know, she's the best mother in the world. No one can compare to her. Not even you, Mrs. Smith."Apart from the par
I don't think this day will end; the skin will mix with the body. Even though I tried to calm myself down, I shuddered every time I caught a glimpse of Addison.I smiled and untied Aldo's arm from wrapping around my waist."Let's go, Arkan. Let's go swimming. Your Daddy is going to fix something," I said coldly before standing up and trying to reach for Arkan's hand, who stood up and held my hand.But before I could even step away from the table, Aldo grabbed my wrist. I was stunned and let go of Arkan's hand."Alaric, get my son, please," he ordered his brother coldly.Alaric followed quietly, picking up Arkan. My son didn't even complain.I turned to Aldo with wide eyes."I'm leaving too, Aldo." I tried to pull my hand away from him, but his grip tightened slightly."Stay here. We'll leave here together," he promised, so I calmed down a little.Just then, Addison slammed the table down, causing my attention to go to her. I simply glanced at Aldo, but he was only looking at me."Aldo