Tungkulin Sa Pamilya Novels & Stories

If looks could kill. “Growing up.” I continued. “My parents instilled in me a sense of responsibility. To the pack, to myself, and to family. But what is family? It's not defined by DNA or genes.” I stopped and shot a cold glare at Veronica. “It's stronger than that. It’s a sense of love and loyalty. Of acceptance, of compassion.” I pause as many wolves nodded in agreement.

“I didn’t know.” “I told you he wouldn’t have kept the lad from us, Lena,” Da cooed, and I watched, confused, as Ma’s shoulders sagged like that was the best news she’d heard all year. “You thought I’d kept a kid from you?” I muttered, mostly bewildered, but a little pissed off too. After all, who the fuck did they think I was? Family was everything. Jesus. That was the first rule, wasn’t it? The first of a million, granted, but that was at the top of the agenda.

I'm not surprised considering he is from one of the most influential and wealthy families in the country. "But he hates me now….' He cut me off before I could finish up my statement. "Forget those childish notions little one, your judgments shouldn't and cannot be influenced by stupid emotions, it is time to make your responsibility to the family, that is the only way we can protect you." Marriage is a responsibility the family is putting on me, what happens if I don't want to? "What if I decline?" Grandpa looks up at me with a smile like he was expecting the question.

Alina was a little impulsive, and even these memory lapses. Here's how to explain to her, how to talk about duty to the family, about obligations. He could not choose a spouse, relying only on feelings. He needs a suitable partner who will give Maji's family healthy children. No matter how cynical it may sound, but these rules are the key to the survival and strengthening of the family. And if there was no love between spouses, then both spouses could have lovers. The main thing is to observe decency and not dishonor the clan with scandals.

"My family is more important than anything, even more important than you, remember that!" ***

He smirked that cold, knowing smirk he used every time he wanted to make me feel small. “I mean you’re distracted,” he said. “You’ve been distracted for weeks.” I stiffened, blood running cold. “And I don’t tolerate distractions,” he added. “It’s personal” I began. “There is no ‘personal’ in this family,” he snapped. “There is legacy. There is responsibility. There is the name you carry. Everything else is irrelevant.” My fists tightened. My entire life he’d drilled this into us me and Darius both. Blood. Duty.

“I am 'responsible'. Something you never learned how to be.” I stepped back, standing tall, straightening my shoulders until I felt like I was towering over him. “You say I am your daughter. You say you are my true family. Then let me tell you what family is. Family isn’t just shared blood. Family is people who stand by you even when you make mistakes. People who protect you even when you want to do dangerous things. People who love you enough to let you make your own choices, even if they don’t agree with them.”

"Son, you don’t have to be like me. Just be yourself, and that’s enough for Mommy and me to be proud of you." That night, their home was once again filled with love. Though they still had challenges ahead, they knew their family was stronger than ever. In Zack’s mind, one thing was clear: "True family isn’t measured by blood, but by love, trust, and sacrifice."

"He's... he's family." Family, in the truest sense that transcended blood relationships and found its foundation in choice rather than obligation. Connection that had been forged through shared experience rather than inherited duty. Belonging that had emerged from mutual affection rather than social convention. Love that had proven strong enough to risk life protecting, regardless of probable outcomes. But family could be lost. Family could be destroyed by forces that recognized no obligation to preserve what mattered to others. Family could be eliminated by enemies who understood exactly what such elimination would cost their opponents.

he says, and I look at him in disbelief stopping him. “Little girl? I am not a little girl”, I say, and he nods his head a little, “I was always kept away from business, I was always kept away, period”, I say. “I understand that, lass, but at the end of the day, this is your family, and we all have to fulfil our duty to our families”, he says, and I shake my head. I don’t want to fulfil any duty. “It’s not fair”, I whisper, looking down at my hands.