Namatay Dahil sa Tatay, Inautopsy ng Nanay ko

"Get your things. You're leaving today."

I looked up from the silver tray I was polishing.

For a moment, I thought I had heard him wrongly.

"My lord?"

Lord Adrian stood near the fireplace, looking through a stack of papers as though my presence in the room was nothing more than an inconvenience. He hadn't even looked at me.

"I said you're leaving. Must I repeat myself?"

I slowly put down the cloth in my hand.

"Have I done something wrong?"

He finally raised his eyes.

There was something different about his expression that morning. He looked impatient, almost bored. I searched his face for even the smallest sign that he was joking, but there was none.

"No. You've simply become unnecessary."

The words were so casual that I almost didn't understand them.

For three years, I had belonged to this household. Three years of waking before sunrise, serving his meals, preparing his clothes and making sure everything was exactly as he liked it. I knew how he took his tea, which books he preferred and how he hated being disturbed when he worked.

I had memorised the smallest things about him.

And he was telling me I was unnecessary.

"Please, my lord. If I've made a mistake, I promise I won't repeat it."

He sighed and returned his attention to the papers.

"Elena, don't make this difficult."

My stomach tightened.

"What do you mean?"

Before he could answer, the door opened.

A large man walked into the room, accompanied by two servants carrying a wooden chest. His clothes were expensive, although his appearance was far from pleasant. A thick gold chain hung around his neck, and his eyes moved over me in a way that made me uncomfortable.

"Ah, there she is," he said.

I took a small step backwards.

Adrian placed the papers on his desk.

"She's yours now. I trust we have an understanding?"

The man chuckled.

"Of course, Lord Adrian. A pleasure doing business with you."

Business?

I looked between them.

Then the man reached into his coat and brought out a small leather pouch. He placed it on Adrian's desk. The sound of gold coins hitting one another filled the room.

I stared at the pouch.

No.

It couldn't be.

"What's that?" I whispered.

Neither man answered me.

I turned towards Adrian, my heart beginning to pound.

"My lord?"

He opened the pouch, counted a few coins and nodded in satisfaction.

"You may take her."

My knees almost gave way.

"You're selling me?"

Adrian didn't respond.

I stepped closer to his desk.

"Please, tell me this isn't what I think it is."

He looked at me then, and I wished he hadn't.

There was no guilt in his eyes. No hesitation. Nothing.

"You heard the man. You're going with him."

"But why?"

"Because I have no further use for you."

I shook my head.

For three years, I had loved this man in silence. I knew it was foolish. I knew that to him I was only a servant, a possession whose life could be decided by a simple command.

Still, somewhere in my heart, I had believed things might change.

There had been nights when he called for me simply to sit beside him while he read. Sometimes he would ask whether I had eaten. Once, when I fell ill, he ordered the physician to attend to me.

I had taken those little moments and turned them into something they were never meant to be.

I had thought he cared.

Perhaps that was my greatest mistake.

"I have served you faithfully," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I have never stolen from you. I've never disobeyed you. What have I done to deserve this?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"You seem to have forgotten your place."

The merchant laughed behind me.

"Come now, girl. Don't embarrass yourself. Your master has been generous enough to find you a new home."

I turned towards him.

"Please, sir. I don't want to go with you."

He smiled.

"That isn't your decision."

I looked back at Adrian one last time.

"Did you ever care about me? Even a little?"

For a brief second, he said nothing.

Then he picked up his papers again.

"Take her away."

Something inside me broke.

I didn't scream. I didn't beg again. I simply stood there, watching the only person I had ever imagined a future with turn his back on me.

The two servants approached.

One grabbed my arm.

I pulled away instinctively, but his grip tightened.

"Don't make trouble," he warned.

I looked at Adrian.

He never looked up.

And just like that, three years of my life were worth a pouch of gold.

---

They gave me barely ten minutes to gather my belongings.

There wasn't much to take. A few dresses, an old pair of shoes and a small wooden necklace my mother had given me before she died.

I held the necklace tightly as I followed the merchant through the courtyard.

The servants watched from a distance. Some looked sorry for me, but none dared to speak.

I couldn't blame them. Everyone in that house knew better than to question Lord Adrian.

At the gate, I stopped.

"Please," I said to the merchant. "Can I speak to him one more time?"

He turned around with an annoyed expression.

"What for?"

"I just need a moment."

He laughed.

"Girl, you really don't understand, do you? He has already been paid. There is nothing left to discuss."

He pulled my arm, forcing me forward.

I looked back at the mansion.

The windows were open. The curtains moved gently in the afternoon breeze.

I wondered if Adrian was still in his study.

I wondered if he would notice that I was gone.

Then I hated myself for wondering.

The carriage waiting outside was large and decorated with dark red curtains. The merchant opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

I hesitated.

"Get in."

I climbed inside.

As the carriage began to move, I pressed my face against the small window.

The house slowly disappeared behind us.

I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand. I hadn't even realised I was crying.

I had no idea where the merchant was taking me. I didn't know what awaited me or whether I would ever see the outside world again.

But I knew one thing.

I would never again beg a man to love me.

Not even if that man was Lord Adrian.

I closed my fingers around my mother's necklace and leaned back against the seat.

For the first time in three years, I was leaving the only home I had known.

And I was leaving without anyone wishing me goodbye.

I just didn't know that before the night was over, I would be fighting for my life.