"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
No matter how much I am doubtful about my decision, I knew I had to do it."We will move out, Mayu?" Alice asked again.I fell silent and was unable to answer. It would be nice to stay away and do what Mommy wanted me to do, but I wanted to stay home."Mayu! What are you still doing here?! The funeral is over. Leave!"Alice and I both turned our heads toward my real mother's voice. She was in a hurry and was almost stuck on the ground because of her high heels. My forehead creased, especially after seeing my real father tailing her."Am I not allowed to grieve first?" my voice became sarcastic."Come on, I'll find someone who will abort the baby—""What is this, Mayu?" Alice groaned after hearing Mommy. She even looked at us, confused."Mayu! I'll change your surname. Just let Stella get closer to Aldo," Daddy offered."Don't listen to him, Mayu. I've given you money, all you have to do is get that baby out of your womb and stay away," Mommy uttered.I seemed to be dizzy and confused
"Why, Mayu? Why would you want to abort your baby?" she asked."Huh? What, Alice?" I looked at her, confused because of what she asked."Didn't your mom order that you needed to abort the baby? Then stay away from here?"My lips parted and stopped. Of course, that is the plan. I swallowed and took a deep breath."It's needed, Alice. I have to do it," I murmured lowly.I stared at the thick envelope from Mommy. I held my stomach as my heart was pounding with a strange pain."But that's your baby, Mayu. Your family. Just in case your baby is the only one you have. The one who will stay with you—""That's not important right now, Alice. What's important now is to get out of here."I continued to put clothes in the backpack and some important documents before I quickly closed it. I'm done, and yet Alice was still looking at me with disbelief."Mayu, listen, please. Don't do that to your baby. I'll help you raise the child—"But we were both shocked after hearing a car park outside. We loo
"Two months in advance, one month's deposit. Six thousand all." Landlady Glenda even showed her palms for the money.Alice and I looked at each other and at the hut in front."We'll pay two thousand dollars in rent for that? For that wood?" Alice couldn't believe it.I can't believe the value either. If a strong breeze of air comes, the hut will be knocked down in front. However, we had no choice; it was already late, and this was nearby."If you don't want it, then look for another one!"My eyes widened, and I immediately held the lady's arm, even before she had finished speaking. I laughed in awe and widened my eyes towards Alice. She laughed awkwardly and held the landlady's arm as well."Glenda, that's just a joke. This is a nice cube of your mansion! My goodness, it's passable. It's worth the price, really!" She even signaled a money sign that the lady liked."This just looks fragile, but it's tough. A lot of the storms go by, but it's still standing.""Yes. It looks like one mor
My lips parted, and my shoulders fell as I turned my back. I even met Alice, who was looking sharply at the old woman, so I gently tapped her arm."The old woman might see you and think you want a fight—" "I do really want a fight, Mayu. I will put war to them since she didn't treat you well," she uttered before pouting her lips.I laughed softly and shook my head. I clung to her arm and forced her back to the fruit market."Apples and oranges, as well as mangoes," I told the shopkeeper.Alice was still throwing tantrums beside me, but I ignored her."There's nothing I can do if they are not hiring, Alice. I'll just look for another one tomorrow," I calmed her down at the same time I paid the shopkeeper."Even so! She should have said it in a good way! Not in a harsh way,""Well, the old woman speaks good English," I butted in.I dragged her to the side after the two girls approached the store. I could hear their giggles as they watched their cellphone screens. I forgot about Alice a