I CAN SAY I am brave now. I was able to forget everything about him. The pain and suffering I left in the Philippines gave me new strength to continue what I started. I stopped typing on the keyboard when the laptop in front of me rang. Cindy is calling on Skype! I answered that immediately, and her image appeared on the monitor. “Bestie, how are you?!” she greeted me with a full smile on her face. “I’m fine, you?” “No worries, I’m fine.” “How about Mom and Dad?” “They are fine. I had dinner with them last night,” she delightedly said. “Thank you so much, bestie.” “No problem. Anyway, when are you going home to the Philippines?” She furrowed her brows and rested her back against the chair. She scratched her big belly. She’s also pregnant with her first child with Carrick. “You know I want to give birth here. And it will be difficult for me to travel in my current situation. And once I have given

I LAY CLARENCE to bed as he falls asleep. I stroked his hair, the grain of tears I had been trying to hold back had gradually formed in the corner of my eyes. I have tried to throw him out of my head. But he keeps coming every time I looked at Clarence. Allysa was right; he looks like Lawrence. I shook my head. Why can’t he be removed from my mind? What is wrong? I traveled far for the good of everyone, but why do I feel haunted by the past? Even those sweet good moments we had are now turned into a knife that kills my already broken heart. I smiled bitterly, trying to dig into which part it still hurts. I shook my head again. I’d still have to live with myself, with the wretched memories swirling around in my head. I will never let myself fall like this again. I need to stand up. And I have to do it for Clarence. Until a faint knock on my door distracts me from my thoughts. Cindy peeked slowly and walked over to the side of the bed. She fakes

“UH, DORIS, PLEASE take Clarence out first. We just need to talk about something.”“No, wait . . .” he stopped Doris from leaving. He stepped closer to the two, almost wondering who the baby was.My heart stops beating completely. I almost stiffened from the moment he started to step closer to Clarence. He stopped and looked at the child still sound asleep.“What is his name?” His voice became smooth and gentle. He unconditionally held the hand of the naive child.Doris glanced at me before answering. “Uh, his name is Clarence Xander,” she muttered lowly.He clenched his jaw tight and turned his scowl face at me. I almost lost my color because of his dark look.“Ah, Clarence and I will just go out. Sister’s bonding for a moment,” Doris said and bid goodbye. I couldn’t even nod because Lawrence quickly stepped closer to me.He grabbed me by the hand and looked at m

“YOU DON’T KNOW what you’re talking about. I can raise my son alone, even without his father.” I decided just to put the cellphone I was holding in the bag and folded my arms next to him.“Of course you do. But you can never deny the truth that I am his father. Like you, I can also secure his future with you. We could be a happy family together if you wanted to.”I just shook my head. I can also do that. I can be a father to him. I am not the only one in this fight. There are many single moms, and I know they can handle it. But I do not close my heart for him. I just wanted to protect my son from all of this shit.“I’m not stopping you from looking after him. But that’s all I can give you,” I finally said.“I want to secure my place for my son. I will not allow him to know any father other than me. I want you to take Clarence away from that man soon,” he said in a rough tone.I

THEN HIS HAND moved to my hair and slowly caressed it gently. “I’m sorry about last time. I was so drunk, I didn’t know what I was doing,” he muttered closely.I shook my head and tried to paint a smile. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have done that to you either.”“No, you were just true to yourself, Margaux,” he utters softly at me.I just nodded until silence suppressed us.Then Peter breaks his silence. “Hmm, if you’re free tonight, can I invite you to dinner?”I raised my head with a twinkle in my eyes. Lawrence also invited me on a date tonight . . . D*mn it!Perhaps he noticed my silence, so he spoke again. “If you have any important things to do tonight, you can—”“No! I mean, yes! I’m free for tonight,” I cut him off.His face immediately brightened. I think this is the possible way to make it up to him. After eve