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
My hands almost trembled as my knees became almost weak. I also don't want to look at the man in front of me. Earlier, I dragged him outside of the house, so no one will be curious about him. Now that I was leaning against his car and in front of him, I could not begin to speak."Condolence—""I don't need your condolence," I coldy uttered.I could feel his sharp gaze. I even saw how he angrily placed his hand at the side of his waist."Fine. I didn't go here for that," he coldy said as well."Then what, Aldo? What? You'll welcome me back to your company just because I lost someone I loved? I'm sorry, but no," my voice was firm.My mind has changed. Even if he claims me now as his fiancée, I will never accept it. For what? so that my biological parents can hurt me again? No thanks. I had enough."No, Sweetie. I don't want you in my company. You're inexperienced."My lips quivered as I felt a needle piercing my heart."I know, because you only want me in bed."The bitterness seemed to