Chapter 2: Tragedy Strikes

I was packing my things in the servant’s quarters of my wicked aunt’s mansion—my last day in this place that had brought nothing but misery. I was almost done when the door suddenly opened and Matilda stepped in.

“Oh wow, so you’re really leaving,” she said with a mocking smirk.

“You know, I’m actually going to miss you,” she added sarcastically, plopping herself down on my bed.

I ignored her completely and continued folding my clothes, stuffing them inside the worn-out bag I had used for years.

“Especially when I remember how miserable you always looked,” she laughed, taunting me again.

“Hey, are you even listening to me?” she snapped, clearly irritated that I wasn’t giving her the attention she craved.

“Do you really think I care about anything that comes out of your mouth?” I answered sharply. Now that I was finally leaving, I didn’t see the need to show her any respect. Not anymore.

“Why, you little—” she was about to insult me again, but her words were cut off when my phone rang.

The screen showed an unknown number. Still, something told me to answer it.

“Hello? Who is this?” I asked cautiously as I stepped away from the bed to avoid being overheard.

“Hello, is this Sienna?” the male voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, speaking. Who is this? Why are you calling?” I asked anxiously.

“There’s been an accident involving your mother and brother, Steve. The bus they were riding was hijacked. The hijacker took everything from the passengers. Then he shot the bus driver, which caused the bus to lose control and fall off the road... It eventually plunged down a ravine,” he explained with a heavy voice.

My heart stopped.

“What?! Where are they? Which hospital!?” I demanded in a panic.

“They’re at Soriano Memorial Hospital. They survived, but they’re both in critical condition,” he replied.

“I’m on my way,” I said quickly and ended the call without another word. My hands were shaking. I rushed out of the room without even bringing my bags.

“Hey! Where do you think you're going?!” Matilda shouted behind me, but I didn’t bother answering her. I had no time for her now. My family needed me.

★ Soriano Memorial Hospital ★

I rushed to the hospital, my mind spinning with fear and worry. As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the ward where Mama and Kuya were being treated.

“Mama! Kuya!” I cried as I reached their beds. My knees weakened at the sight. Their bodies were covered in bandages, bruises visible even under the medical equipment. I couldn’t stop my tears. I never imagined seeing them like this.

“You must be Sienna,” a man in a police uniform said, approaching me.

“W-who are you? Were you the one who called me?” I asked, wiping my tears away.

“I’m Samuel, your cousin. I’m the son of your mom’s cousin. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. I was panicking too much when I made the call,” he explained gently.

“It’s alright... Thank you for calling me. But how did you get my number? And—how are Mama and Kuya doing now?” I asked in a hurry.

“I found your number on your brother’s phone—it wasn’t locked. I was one of the people who helped during the rescue. The bus didn’t fall to the deepest part of the ravine, so we managed to pull them out,” he explained.

“As for their condition, the doctors said your mom has internal bleeding in her brain. She’ll need surgery soon, and she has to stay here along with your brother and the other injured passengers for proper care.”

“What about the thief? The one who hijacked the bus?” I asked, clenching my fists.

“He wasn’t found among the victims. We believe he jumped off before the bus crashed. He took a lot of valuables—including your family’s money.”

“Wait—money? What money? Mama and Kuya only had enough for travel expenses,” I said, confused.

“They were carrying around half a million pesos,” Samuel revealed.

“What?! Half a million?” I gasped. Where on earth did they get that kind of money? Was this what Kuya was trying to tell me before they left?

“You didn’t know about the money?” Samuel asked, surprised.

I shook my head. I had no idea about any of it.

“By the way, do you know how much the surgery will cost? And the hospital bills? I know this is a private hospital… it must be expensive,” I asked, dreading the answer.

“The surgery could cost anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 pesos. The hospitalization costs are already around 150,000,” he explained.

My legs gave out, and I slowly collapsed onto the floor. My tears flowed freely.

“W-where am I supposed to get that kind of money?” I whispered, feeling more hopeless than ever.

“Don’t worry, Sienna. I’ll help however I can,” Samuel said kindly, helping me back to my feet.

I knew I had to find work again, especially now that I had resigned from Thompson Corporation. I needed money, and I needed it fast.

I stepped out of the hospital and started making phone calls to anyone I could think of. I had no pride left—only desperation.

I called Nikha, one of my closest friends. Thankfully, she lent me ₱10,000.

Next, I contacted Kuya’s friends. Together, they managed to gather ₱15,000.

Then I reached out to people we knew in Bulacan. This place… it still had good people. Many said they would help, though some admitted they didn’t have anything to spare. I understood.

My father’s stepsister and stepfather were rich, but asking them was pointless. His mother, on the other hand, was a woman who worked in a nightclub. As for my aunt Regina… there was no way she’d help me, not after everything she’d put us through.

I was running out of options.

I thought about calling Papa. For a moment, I really considered it. But then I remembered how he left us—traded us for a rich, old woman. I realized where I got my bitterness from.

No. I wouldn’t beg from him. I’d rather suffer than ask for help from someone who abandoned us.

I let out a shaky sigh. “It’s hard… being poor,” I muttered to myself, staring at the sky.

But I had no choice. I would find a job. Tomorrow, I would start over.

With a heavy heart, I returned to the hospital.

Standing beside Mama and Kuya’s bed, I looked at them, tears welling up once again.

“Mama, Kuya… I’ll do everything I can for you. I’ll fight. I’ll work. I’ll make sure we’re together again.”

“I won’t lose you. I already lost Kuya Simon… I can’t bear to lose you too.”