Chapter 6: Oppression

Irene walked feebly along the long corridor, her heart trembling as she made her way to the ICU where her mother, Aling Lourdes, lay confined.

From the very beginning, her only dream had been to give her mother a prosperous life. She worked hard to finish her studies and even graduated with honors. But fate had been cruel. All her plans for a better future for the two of them crumbled the moment she fell in love with Dave—the man who brought nothing but misfortune. Now, regret consumed her. If only she had chosen their well-being over the reckless pull of her emotions, perhaps her mother would not be lying in a hospital bed, clinging to life.

A wave of sorrow washed over Irene as she looked at her mother’s frail condition once more. Just as earlier, Aling Lourdes was still unconscious, dependent only on the life support that kept her breathing.

Hot tears streamed down Irene’s cheeks. During the three long years she spent in prison, she never once received news that her mother had fallen gravely ill. No wonder, during the past year, her mother had stopped visiting her. Even her cousin Leni had kept the truth from her during her last visit. Perhaps it was out of pity—or maybe her mother herself had asked not to let Irene know.

Irene had always known about her mother’s recurring stomach pains, but she never imagined it would turn out to be colon cancer. If only she had been there by her side, maybe they could have caught the illness early, maybe it wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

Now, there was nothing she could do. The doctors said the complications had already spread throughout her mother’s body. All she could hold onto was Sandra’s promise—that she would continue funding the treatment.

But what would happen now, after her failed transaction with Rigor Buenaflor? Would that mean Sandra would abandon her mother’s treatment too?

Her grip tightened around the cellphone in her hand—the one Kristoff had given her earlier before she left the hotel. The memory of their last conversation flashed vividly in her mind.

FLASHBACK

“What if I make you my fiancée instead?”

Irene’s eyes widened at Kristoff’s unexpected words.

“W-What?”

“What’s the matter? Suddenly gone deaf?” Kristoff smirked, teasing her. “Let’s just say—I need someone to marry.”

“No! I won’t marry a man I barely even know.” Irene quickly averted her gaze. She couldn’t bear to look at the strikingly handsome man before her. “Besides, I don’t love you…”

Kristoff let out a quiet chuckle. “Does it matter? I never said you had to love me.”

Puzzled, Irene glanced back at him.

“Even so. I still won’t do it.”

Kristoff’s smile faded. His gaze deepened, and his voice turned serious.

“Fine. I won’t force you now. But remember this—there will come a time when you’ll realize you need someone like me.” He pulled out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “Take this. Call me when you need help.”

END OF FLASHBACK

“No… I don’t want this. Once my mother gets better, we’ll disappear. I’ll never allow myself to have any ties with the Montecillos again,” Irene whispered to herself, slipping the phone back into her bag.

Slowly, she approached her unconscious mother, tenderly caressing her hollowed cheek before gently running her fingers through her hair.

“I believe you’ll get better, Mom. I’ll find a way to move you to a better hospital.”

She was still leaning close to her mother when a sharp hiss echoed behind her. Turning, she saw Sandra’s dark, furious face.

“What happened? Why did your deal with Rigor fall through?!” Sandra’s voice thundered the moment Irene stepped out of the ICU.

“I… I—”

Before she could explain, Sandra’s palm landed harshly across her cheek. Irene staggered from the sting of the slap.

“Do you have any idea how much money we lost because of your incompetence?! And because of that, do you think I’ll still spend a single cent on your mother’s treatment? Forget it, Irene!”

Irene broke down, sobbing. “Please, Sandra… Have mercy on my mother…”

“Mercy? And if I pity her, will that bring back the enormous sum we lost because of you?!”

“P-Please, Sandra… Tell me what I have to do to make it right.” Irene was nearly on her knees before her, grasping Sandra’s hands in desperation. But Sandra yanked them away.

“Fine. I’ll give you one last chance. Until tomorrow—if you fail to find Rigor and close the arms deal with them, then watch your mother breathe her last right before your very eyes!”

“S-Sandra… how? I don’t even know where Rigor Buenaflor is now…”

“Then find him! That’s your problem, not mine. Just remember—if you fail me tomorrow, you’ll only have yourself to blame!”