Ch6 - “Sorry”

Mariane woke up early as she heard someone whispering as if they were talking about something and they didn’t want to let her hear their conversation. Mariane leaned her ears on the wall that parted their room from the dining.

“How could you do that to our daughter? I thought you accepted her and think as your own? What happened to you, Diego? Is money really important to you?” Anastacia asked.

“I have no choice, okay? Lucas wanted to kill me. Fortunately, Master David was there to save me. He paid my debts in exchange for Mariane. I don’t have a choice because if I will sign the agreement, he will kill us both. Besides, he will marry her. What’s the big deal with that? Isn’t she glad someone like David Cruz wanted to marry your daughter? We might be rich in an instant. I heard he had plenty of business, not only in this city but all over the country.” Diego informed Anastacia.

Anastacia sighed exasperatingly. “What happened to you, Diego?” She shook her head in disappointment. “I don’t know you anymore. You always think of your vices and your money. The Diego that I loved before was long gone.”

“I was just thinking about Mariane’s future!” Diego exclaimed.

“Hush! Mariane might awake.” Anastacia hissed.

Inside the room, Mariane heard all of their conversations. ‘So, Dad did this to save him and mom from death? I should be thankful to him, right? Even if he despised me, at least, he thinks of mom.’ Mariane smiled weakly.

‘At least dad still cares for my mom.’

Mariane has decided to go out of their room and show herself to the couple.

“Mom, Dad.” Diego and Mariane were both stunned as their eyes turned to Mariane. “You don’t have to argue about this matter. I’ve decided already. And my decision is to marry him.” Marianne informed them.

“But, Honey… You don’t love that guy? I want you to be with someone who you really love and not just because we’re indebted to him.” Anastacia said.

Mariane felt moved by her mother’s words. She never thought her mom would think of her happiness.

“You are more important than everything, mom. If dad was telling the truth… Then we’ll all have no choice. I need to marry him in an exchange for your lives. Mom…” Anastacia shook her head in disagreement as tears started to flow down her cheeks.

“This is just a marriage, mom. I’ll be okay.” Mariane smiled at her mom to reassure Anastacia that she was alright.

“You know me, right? I will not let that guy bully me.” Mariane said it with confidence.

Diego, on the other side, clears his throat as he was listening quietly to the dramas of the two ladies. He was about to walk out as he didn’t want to hear them when Mariane called him.

“D-dad,” Mariane’s voice broke, but she cleared her throat to stop from crying.

It was the first time she will talk one on one.

“Can we talk?” She asked her dad. Mariane looked at her mom, asking her for a private talk with her dad, so Anastacia went inside their room to give them space.

Diego sat back in his seat and say nothing. “What is it that you want to talk about?” Diego asked.

“I just want to say… Thank you. Thank you for accepting me as your daughter. Thank you for accepting mom even if you know about her tragic past. Thank you, because even if you aren’t my dad… you still took the responsibility.” Tears immediately fell from her cheeks.

“And t-thank you for thinking of mom. I-I’m sorry for thinking of you as a jerk. I’m sorry if I hated you in the past. Sorry, if I disappointed you. I didn’t know what happened before.” Mariane wiped away her tears.

“I will be forever grateful to you. This time, I will take responsibility and marry that guy. Just promise me one thing. Please don’t hurt mom anymore. As I will find a way to give you and mom an allowance every month. So, don’t ask her to give you money.”

“As long as you give me allowance too, then I won’t,” Diego said without looking back at her, which made Mariane nod.

“I will, dad. I promise.”

Diego stood up and was about to get out. He was planning to go to the gambling den, but Mariane stopped him.

“Can you please stay with us? Just for this night. Tomorrow, I might not be able to see you, as Mr. Cruz will come to pick me up tomorrow. And this might be the last time I will see you and mom.” Diego turned to look at her.

He sighed in defeat. “You should spend your time with your mom, and not me. I need to go,” he said coldly before he left.

Somehow, Diego feels guilty about what he did to her. If it weren’t for him, Mariane wouldn’t be in her state now. For the past twenty-one years, he thought he would forget what happened to Anastacia. David thought he totally accepts her after the tragic incident. But after Anastacia gave birth to Mariane, he felt hatred. Diego couldn’t stand looking at the baby, so he drowned himself in drinking alcohol and gambling. He never thought he’d become addicted to it. And because of these, Diego forgot Anastacia, whom he loved and cherished the most. He forgot his promises to her that he would take full responsibility of her and Mariane. And Diego forgot his promise that he will accept Mariane and be her father. From the day Mariane got born until now. He never acted like a father to her.  And now, he even dragged her to a miserable state.

‘I don’t deserve to be called as your father. Mariane, I am sorry. I’m sorry for disappointing you, my daughter.’ Diego wanted to say it out loud, but he never got the courage to do so.