Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 75

ZAICA’S POVAng buhay dito sa baryo ay hindi lang basta tahimik—ito ay naging takbuhan ko mula sa ingay at sakit na iniwan ng nakaraan, at sa bawat araw na lumilipas, mas lalo kong nararamdaman na ito ang tamang lugar para sa amin ni Zio. Even though we live simply and do not have all the luxuries that were so common back in the city, we have something far more valuable: genuine peace of mind and the freedom to live without fear or suspicion. Dito, ang bawat galaw ay walang halong pagkukunwari, ang bawat ngiti ay galing sa puso, at ang bawat sandali ay inilalaan sa mga bagay na tunay na mahalaga.Ilang linggo na ang nakalipas mula noong tanungin ako ni Zio tungkol sa kaniyang ama, at napansin kong hindi na niya ito muling binanggit nang madalas, pero nakikita ko pa rin sa kaniyang mga mata na may mga pagkakataong tumatakbo pa rin iyon sa kaniyang isipan. He is growing up to be a very observant and thoughtful child, and even at his young age, he already understands that there are thing

ZAICA’S POVSa loob ng mahabang panahon, nasanay na ang lahat sa paligid namin na makita kaming namumuhay nang simple at payapa, at iyon ang eksaktong imaheng gusto naming ipakita sa mundo. To the neighbors, the teachers, the traders at the market, and even the local officials, we are just a quiet, humble family who chose to settle down in the province to enjoy a slower life away from the busy city. They never suspect that behind this ordinary appearance lies a family with vast wealth, extensive properties, and connections that reach far beyond this small town. We keep everything hidden not out of shame, but because we know that the less attention we draw, the safer we will be from anyone who might try to find us.Ang mga negosyo at ari-arian ng pamilya ay patuloy pa ring umuunlad at lumalago, kahit na wala kaming direktang pakikialam dito sa ngayon. Xander and Elaine have a whole team of trusted lawyers, accountants, and managers who handle everything for us, making sure that our ass

ZAICA’S POVSa loob ng mahigit tatlong taon, ang buhay dito sa baryo ay naging mas matatag at mas payapa kaysa sa inaakala ko noong una. Every morning, I wake up to the sound of nature, and for a moment, I can almost forget that there is a whole different world out there filled with noise, lies, and painful memories. Dito, ang oras ay tila gumagalaw nang dahan-dahan, sapat para mahalin ang bawat sandali kasama ang aking pamilya at ang aking anak, nang walang pangamba na may darating na aabala o sisira sa aming kapayapaan.Ang mga plano at pagtatakip sa aming tunay na pagkatao ay nananatiling matibay at walang puwang na natuklasan. Xander and Elaine continue to play their roles perfectly—every report, every conversation, and every financial record they show to the outside world only reinforces the story that they are drowning in problems and debts in the United States. People in business circles even feel sorry for them, saying that their once-great empire is slowly crumbling down, not