Chapter 2

“What’s on your mind, and you managed to run away just to party? My God, Bettina and Zariyah!”

Yup. They found out. Bettina and I didn’t realize someone saw us sneaking out earlier. I was still dizzy from the alcohol, and to be honest, I couldn't get the guy I kissed out of my head. I didn’t even get his name.

I didn’t want to make Mom’s headache worse. I knew she had enough on her plate. But even if we had asked permission, we both knew they would never let us go.

“How many times have you done this, huh? I don’t know what to do with you two! Especially you, Bettina. You’re the eldest!” Dad’s voice was even louder.

Bettina had her head down, staring at the tiles. I knew how much she hated disappointing them. But I also knew how much she just wanted to live her life.

“I didn’t even know you girls learned how to fool your parents like that,” Dad continued. “Do you really want that? To lie and sneak around behind our backs just so you can party?”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. This again.

“As long as you live under my roof, you have no right to lie to me.”

That’s when I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. Bettina turned to me, shocked.

“Z,” she said under her breath, warning me.

I thought I’d already made Dad mad enough, but then he dropped the bomb.

“And because of that, you’re both grounded.”

“Dad!” Bettina cried.

“What now, Bettina? Another excuse?” he snapped.

I looked at Bettina. Her eyes teary and lips her trembling. I couldn’t take it. She didn’t deserve this.

“It was me,” I said, standing up. “I’m the one who asked her to come. If you’re going to punish someone, let it be me.”

“Sit down and shut your mouth, Zariyah!”

“No,” I answered, meeting his glare. “What are you going to do, Dad? Keep shouting? Only you get to talk? Only you get to be right?”

Mom reached out to stop me, but I stepped away from her hand.

“Stop pretending you don’t know what’s going on. You know he’s been lying. You’ve just been choosing to believe it.”

“Zariyah!”

Her voice cracked like thunder, but I didn’t flinch.

“How dare you accuse me like that?” Dad asked, voice low and deadly calm.

I knew that tone. It was the one he used when he wanted to scare people into silence.

“I’m not afraid anymore. I saw you. I saw everything.”

He didn’t respond right away, and Mom just kept calming me down like nothing happened. As if I hadn’t just exposed a truth we were all trying to ignore.

“I don’t care if you punish me. I didn’t believe the rumors before, but now I do. Because I saw it myself. You’re a cheater.”

Dad shut his eyes tight like he was about to explode. I didn’t care. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t. The alcohol gave me courage, or maybe it just revealed the one I’d kept hidden for too long.

“Z! That’s enough!” Mom warned.

He took a long breath, opened his eyes, then pointed straight at me.

“From now on, you’ll continue your studies in the province. Start packing. That’s your punishment.”

I froze.

What?

I slumped down on the sofa in disbelief.

“What did you do, Z?” Bettina hissed, pulling me aside. “I told you not to answer back!”

“What did you expect me to do? Just sit there and stay quiet? I saw him! With that cheap woman!”

She shook her head at me, helpless.

“You know Dad’s serious about that punishment. You think you can handle studying in the province?”

That finally hit me. The weight of what he just said. A quiet province, away from everything and everyone I knew? No friends, no freedom, no escape?

“Do you think Mom can change his mind? No, Z. You pushed him too far.”

I rubbed my face with both palms and walked away. I didn’t want to argue anymore. My head was already pounding.

The next morning, knocking on my door woke me up. My headache was worse than last night.

“Z, open the door,” Bettina said from outside.

I forced myself up and opened it—only to be greeted by Mom, Dad, and Bettina.

“Z, you should apologize to your father,” Mom said softly.

“Whether she apologizes or not, the punishment stays,” Dad answered coldly.

The memory of what he said the night before hit me again like a slap. He was serious. He was really sending me to the province.

“Zandro, don’t do this. Not to your daughter,” Mom pleaded.

“She needs to learn. And you, Bettina—you’ll stop with that cheer dancing. Focus on your business classes instead.”

“Dad, no!” Bettina nearly cried.

“You can’t do this!” I finally burst out. “I’m sorry, okay?”

“My answer is final. You’ll face the consequences. You, Zariyah—pack your things. You’re leaving tomorrow.”

He turned and left without another word.

I dropped onto the edge of my bed, stunned.

“Mom, please. I can’t go,” I said through my tears. “I don’t want to live there.”

Mom sat beside me and held my hand. “Just go for now. I’ll talk to your dad every day. I promise, I’ll convince him to bring you back.”

“I don’t want to go,” I whispered.

“I’ve already arranged everything. Sister Gina will take care of you there.”

And just like that, the next day, our SUV was waiting to take me away. My sisters tried to cheer me up before I left.

“Call us every day, okay?” Bettina said. “Maybe in a week, Dad will let you come home.”

I just nodded, too drained to speak. I didn’t even see Dad that morning. If it weren’t for Mom insisting on sending the car, I probably would’ve collapsed from stress.

I kept thinking maybe this was freedom—but the kind that hurts. I hated the idea of being far from everyone, but maybe I deserved it.

All my gadgets were with me. I knew Dad probably already arranged for me to continue my studies out there. He’s not the type to make empty threats.

I stared out the window for most of the ride. The longer the drive, the more I realized how far I was going—not just in distance, but from the life I used to have.

When we arrived, my bodyguard handed me the keys. “Here’s your car key, Ma’am Zari.”

“Thanks,” I said, looking up at the wooden house.

It was beautiful in its own way, but quiet. Almost too quiet. No neighbors. Just trees and air.

“Your room’s ready, and I made you a snack,” said Manang Gina, who greeted me warmly.

“I’ll rest first. Let the bodyguards eat. They’ll be leaving soon anyway,” I told her.

She nodded and led me inside. The house was huge, all wood from floor to ceiling. I didn’t even know we owned a place like this.

And now... this would be home.

The province might be peaceful, but I could already feel my anxiety creeping in. I wasn’t used to this kind of silence. But I’d have to learn.

Because this was my consequence—for being a daughter of del Real.