Chapter 3

When the pilot announced that they were about to descend, Ainara felt a sudden ache. She was enjoying his company so much that she didn’t want it to end. Why hadn’t they ever had the chance to truly know each other? There was a time when neither of them was in a relationship.

Maybe it was never meant to be. Just like now—fate had decided to make them step‑siblings.

“I didn’t even get to kiss my date.”

She heard Andres say this while they waited for their checked baggage at the carousel. The plane had landed and they had already disembarked.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

He muttered something about how a date should end with a goodbye kiss.

“You’re the one who said whatever happened on the flight stays there. We’re in the Philippines now—you have to stop talking about it.”

“And if I don’t want to?” he challenged.

She rolled her eyes and stepped away, putting real distance between them—an arm’s length. Andres just chuckled. His luggage arrived first, and he left without a word.

She looked up and prayed for patience. After all, aside from Santino, Andres was about to become her brother. She would be the middle child, and he the eldest. She didn’t even want to think about it. It felt wrong.

Ten minutes later, her baggage appeared and she hurried out. She caught sight of Andres at the exit, standing as if waiting for someone. She gave him a friendly smile, but he didn’t smile back. He had returned to his usual aura—formal, aloof, and irritating. When his ride came, he left without even asking if she wanted to join, not even out of courtesy.

“Ma’am Ai,” greeted Mang Poldo when he saw her.

She hadn’t waited long. “Mang Poldo, hello. Thank you for picking me up.”

The old man smiled. “It’s nothing, Ma’am. Is this all you brought?”

“Yes. I won’t be staying long in the Philippines. Besides, I still have clothes at home, so I didn’t pack much.”

“Is that so? Alright then, get in. I’ll take care of this.”

A few minutes later, they were on their way to the Del Carmen residence. It was in an exclusive subdivision. The house was a modern two‑storey, mostly made of glass—a design by her father. But her favorite was their estate in Batangas, built in Spanish Colonial style.

“There you are,” Celia greeted her. Her mother looked stunning, though the weight loss was noticeable. “How was your flight?”

“It was fine.” Ainara cleared her throat. “Andres was on the same flight as mine.”

Celia swallowed. “Really? I can’t believe your boss took the same flight. What a coincidence.”

Celia guided her to the kitchen. Ainara sat on a bar stool. “You must be hungry. I baked lemon loaf. It’s your favorite, isn’t it?”

Ainara wasn’t very hungry, but since her mother had made the effort, she would taste it. Even though her mother was a beauty queen, she knew how to cook, and she and Santino had always had treats when they came home from school as children.

She watched her mother move gracefully in the kitchen, but guilt was written all over her.

“Is there something you’d like to say to me, Mama?”

Celia glanced at her briefly, then set down a plate of loaf in front of her. She left to get a glass of water, and when she returned, she looked at Ainara formally.

“I know you’re disappointed that I’m getting married again,” she began.

“You made a promise to me and Santino, Mama. But promises are made to be broken, so I can’t do anything about that.”

“Believe it or not, I’m doing this for both of you. You and Santino are my life.”

“Like I said, Mama. Promises are made to be broken. So care to tell me who’s the lucky guy?” Ainara took a bite of the loaf.

Celia hesitated, weighing how Ainara might react.

“Ma, you’re engaged to a man I don’t even know. At least tell me a name.”

Ainara already knew. Andres had spilled the secret before she even boarded her flight home. “It’s J‑Jaime.”

Confirmed. Even though she knew Andres wasn’t lying earlier, she had held onto a sliver of hope that he was wrong. But now that she knew her mother was truly marrying Jaime, she felt sick.

“Why him?” she asked after a moment.

She was nearly finished with the loaf, but it no longer tasted like anything.

Celia smiled. “He’s a good man. He won’t abandon us.”

“We don’t need protection, Mama. We have enough money to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Papa made sure of that. Do you really need to remarry?”

“Ai—”

“Mama, Papa knew Jaime. He would be rolling in his grave.”

“I beg to disagree. I think he would want me to be happy, and he would respect my decision.” Celia cleared her throat again. “So how is Andres treating you? Is he good to you? Have you learned a lot?”

“He’s arrogant, Mama.” Ainara told her about the proposal Andres had rejected. She went on and on until she noticed her mother suppressing laughter. “What’s funny, Mama?”

“You two are like children. Don’t tell me you’ll still be like this once Jaime and I are married?”

Ainara didn’t answer.

“He’s going to be your older brother—”

“Stepbrother, Mama,” she corrected, bitterness on her tongue. “He’s older just the same. Try not to piss him off, Ai. Anyway, you should get some rest. I’ll wake you up at dinner time.”

She rose from the chair and walked slowly toward the stairs. She just wanted to sleep, so that when she woke up, the engagement party would be over. She knew her mother planned to marry in Hong Kong and go straight to the honeymoon. That meant she and Santino wouldn’t be included.