Chapter 2: Disgrace

Ng maka uwi si Amariz ay bumungad sa kaniya ang tahimik na mansion, umaalingawngaw lang ang mahinang bulongan ng mga tagapagsilbi sa malawak na pasilyo.

Naglakad siya sa loob, bawat hakbang ay paalala kung gaano na siya naging estranghero sa sariling tahanan.

Noong kabataan niya ay ramdam niya ang init ng kanilang tahanan, her father’s laughter in the study room, her grandfather’s stories, her mother’s gentle hands brushing hers.

Pero ngayong gabi, mabigat ang hangin.

Tumunog ang kanyang takong sa marmol na sahig. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng midnight-blue gown, gusot at may mantsa mula sa gulo sa gala. Gusot ang buhok, at bakas ang pagod sa kanyang mga mata.

Her mother sat stiffly on the velvet couch, face pale but cold. Her younger brother stood in the corner, wringing his hands, unable to meet Amariz’s gaze. And at the center of the room, her father and grandfather loomed like executioners.

Ang katahimikan ay halos nakakasakal, hanggang sa nagsalita ang kaniyang ama.

“Explain yourself.”

Her stomach twisted. She had no words that could undo what the city had seen, what society had whispered. “Father… I—”

“You stand there in that gown,” her grandfather interrupted, eyes flashing, “after disgrace has been heaped upon us. You embarrass this family! You—”

“I didn’t—” she tried to speak

“You have disgraced us,” dumagundong ang tinig ng kaniyang ama, mas matalim. “In front of the entire city, Amariz! They are calling you a murderer.”

“I didn’t push her, I swear—” her voice shaking.

Tumama ang tungkod ng lolo niya sa sahig, na nagpatigil sa kaniya. Ang dating mga matang maamo sa alaala ng pagkabata, ngayo’y nag-aalab sa paghamak. “Enough lies. Do you think your tears can erase what people saw? Do you think your excuses will restore our name? No, Amariz. You have shamed this family beyond repair!”

Her mother flinched but said nothing, ang kaniyang katahimikan ay parang punyal na mas matalim pa sa anumang salita.

Nanikip ang dibdib ni Amariz. Lumapit siya sa ama, desperado.

“Please, listen to me. I was drugged, it's Magnus, he—”

“Magnus?” mapait na tawa ng ama. “You dare blame a man for standing on your own recklessness? Look at you!” Nabasag ang tinig ng ama sa galit. “You are nothing but a scandal now. A stain.”

Muling nag salita ang kaniyang lolo mas malamig ang tinig. “You will leave this house tonight. You will no longer carry our name with you into your disgrace. You will go into the world with nothing, no money, no help, no protection. Fix your life if you can. Or fall. It no longer matters to us.”

Nanghina ang mga tuhod ni Amariz. “You’re casting me out?” pinigilan niya ang sariling maluha.

Her grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “You are no granddaughter of mine.”

Silence crushed the room. Amariz’s throat burned, but no words came. Only Arman's quiet sobs broke the stillness as Amariz stood trembling, unti-unting nadudurog ang puso niya.

She was alone. Truly alone.

And for the first time, she realized that the fall she had suffered at the gala was only the beginning.

Para bang umalingawngaw pa rin ang mga salita ng kanyang ama at lolo sa silid, tinalikuran niya ang mga ito at nagsimulang umakyat sa grand staircase. Mainit ang kanyang mga mata, but she would not cry before them. Not anymore.

Napatigil siya sa pag lalakad ng may tumawag sakaniya

“Amariz.”

Her mother.

In the quiet shadow of the hallway, away from the sharp ears of her father and grandfather, her mother reached for her trembling hands. The cold mask she had worn in front of the men cracked.

“I cannot fight them,” her mother whispered, her voice breaking. “But I will not let you walk into the world with nothing.”

Mula sa tiklop ng kaniyang bestida, kinuha nito ang maliit na leather envelope, may tatak na gintong crest. Nagulat si Amariz.

“What is this?”

“A letter of recommendation,” mabilis na paliwanag ng kanyang ina, inilagay iyon sa palad niya. “For the Ravenhart Group. They’re based in the Philippines. You can make a fresh start there, away from these judging eyes. They owe me a favor, if you present this, they may grant you work, enough to stand on your own feet again. Enough to begin again.”

Amariz’s chest tightened. She shook her head, trembling. “Mother… if Father finds out—”

Hinaplos ng kaniyang ina ang kaniyang mukha, puno ng luha ang mga mata.

“Then he will never find out. You are my daughter, Amariz. And whatever they say… I will not watch you be destroyed.”

Hindi makapagsalita si Amariz. Niyakap niya ang sobre sa dibdib, nanginginig hindi sa kahinaan kundi sa munting pag-asa na dala nito.

“Thank you,” mahina niyang sambit.

Hinaplos muli ng kaniyang ina ang mukha niya.

“Go to your grandmother’s hacienda in Bicol. You need a place to stay, somewhere safe, before… before you face the world again. Stay there for a month. Just one month. Gather your strength, plan your next steps, and prepare yourself for what comes next.”

Nabigla naman si Amariz, “But… the company? The interview?”

“You’re young, Amariz,” mariing sagot ng kaniyang ina. “You cannot rush into Ravenhart Group unprepared. One month will give you focus, clarity, and the chance to be ready for whatever challenges await you. No one can help you succeed except yourself, but I can give you a place to start.”

Amariz’s throat tightened, and she nodded. “I… I understand. Thank you, Mother.”

Ngumiti ng bahagya ang kaniyang ina, inayos ang magulong hibla ng buhok niya. “And remember,” dagdag nito,“whatever happens at Ravenhart Group, don’t let them see the pain, the fear, or the past. Show them the woman you want to become.”

Amariz held her mother’s gaze, feeling a mix of gratitude, determination, and a flicker of fear. “I’ll do my best.”

“You will,” sagot ng kaniyang ina, “And this… will help. But the rest is all yours.”

Amariz felt a quiet resolve settle over her. One month. One month to prepare, to practice, to steel herself for the world outside.

Her mother kissed her forehead softly, lingering as if it were the last time.

Bumaba si Amariz sa hagdan, dala ang bigat ng pangalan na inalis sa kaniya, at ang hinaharap na walang kasiguraduhan. But in her hand, she held her mother’s silent defiance, a chance to survive.

Can't wait to see you.. Philippines, and I'll make sure the life that awaits me there will be interesting.

And she swore she would.