Chapter 1

• I secretly bit my lower lip when a strong slap landed on my cheek. The sting radiated instantly, blooming heat across my skin as my ears rang from the impact. For a moment, I felt like a child again—small, powerless, and desperately trying to stay still so the pain wouldn’t worsen. “You really have no shame!” my mother shouted, or should I say stepmom. Her voice filled the entire room, bouncing against the high ceilings as if the house itself wanted to join in accusing me.
• I didn't even glance at her enraged eyes; I just bowed. She informed me of this right away as soon as I arrived in our home's spacious living room. It’s ironic to consider that this is one of those instances in which I'm unsure of what went wrong. In her world, my silence was always guilt, and my confusion was always a lie. Even the act of breathing in front of her felt like an offense I hadn’t prepared an excuse for. “You are no longer ashamed of your sister, nor of anyone else who will know! You are so desperate that you even seduced Mary France's boyfriend!”
• I couldn't stop to raise my head as my mouth parted. "W-what?" I said, confused. My voice cracked, betraying the panic creeping up my throat. The accusation felt so absurd that my mind struggled to even form a coherent defense. My legs trembled beneath me, knowing that confusion would only provoke them more.
• From her side, my sister smirked and gave me a disgusting look as she crossed her arms. "You're still acting innocent. You meant to flirt with Harry so he could break up with me, didn't you?" she alleged. Her tone was dripping with triumph, as if this scene had been rehearsed long before I even walked in. I could see she enjoyed moments like this—moments when she became the victim and I the villain. Harry? That one of the architects I work with?
• I immediately shook my head in denial. I will never do that! I didn't even know that they were in a relationship. A lump formed in my throat, heavy and tight, because no matter how honest my denial was, it would never carry weight here. Their judgments always arrived before my explanations, like a verdict already written.
• She swiftly crossed the space between us as I noticed a spark of rage in her eyes. She twisted my hair ferociously while holding it in a tight grip. My scalp burned instantly, sending a sharp pain down my neck. Her grip felt fueled not just by anger but by years of resentment she never failed to take out on me. "Liar!" she said while still clinging to my hair.
• I closed my eyes in pain and tearfully held her hand to stop. "Mary, let me go. I didn't do anything; I don't know anything." My voice was barely a whisper, strained under the pressure on my scalp. Part of me still hoped she would listen—though she never had before.
• Her hold on my hair became firmer. Because of that, I could feel the heat rising from my scalp. I felt as though she wanted to rip out every strand—every piece of me she believed didn’t belong here. She screamed horrifyingly, "Liar! You flirted with him on the site! I witnessed how the two of you spoke and laughed!"
• "We are working on a project. It's normal that we talk or occasionally joke around, Mary France. That has no other meaning." I clenched my eyes as her claws pushed into my chin. The pain was sharp, but the humiliation was sharper. I hated how easily they twisted ordinary moments into sins I never committed.
• "You really are a liar, Khrystal; you got your flirty mother's personality!" And there, I couldn't fight anymore. I just held back my tears and let her hurt me. The mention of my mother always silenced me; it was a wound they loved reopening, a wound I never had the chance to heal. It's always like this. Every time something bad happens, it will always lead to my biological mother. My mother whom I haven't known since childhood.
• "Oh God!" I recognized Manang Luisa's voice and sensed her assisting me in getting rid of my sister. "What is this commotion about? Why don't you discuss it properly?" she added when I was completely removed and away from Mary France. Relief washed over me for a moment, though it was quickly replaced by shame that someone had to witness this again.
• My half-sister just raised her eyebrow at Manang. Mommy Francheska did the same. They exchanged a look as if offended that anyone dared interrupt their performance. "Ask your so-called master, Manang," Mary made sure to highlight, as if to make sure she understood what her role at home was.
• Manang remained silent and only frantically fixed my hair. "Are you alright, hija?" Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the fear she always held when stepping between us. Even though I was a little perplexed, I just put a smile on my face. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me," I reassured her and then looked at my sister.
• "I'm sorry, Mary. I will not talk to Harry from now on," I apologized. The words tasted bitter, but apologies were the easiest currency to trade in this house. Mommy Francheska smirked. "According to what you mentioned, it seems like you're going to do my daughter a favor, Khrystal."
• I shook my head. "It's not like that. I just don't want any more trouble so I'm telling Mary what I plan to do," I made a concerted effort to clarify. My voice remained steady even though my chest felt tight, as if wrapped in an invisible band. "I don't care of what you will do, Khrystal. Harry is now yours if you want it, after all that's your job. Collecting men," Mary spatted then walked away.
• I wanted to laugh at these times. What are the slaps and tweaks I received for? They're upset with me because they believe I'm stealing a man, but they also object to whatever I have in mind for the man they've stuck to me. Their logic twisted itself so often that I stopped trying to untangle it. It was safer to accept the blame they threw and carry it quietly.
• "Finish the project you are working on right now as soon as possible," said Mommy that got my attention. I remained silent and simply waited for her to add anything. Her lips curled into something cruel. "After all, you are a good flirt. Make sure you get Mr. Revelar for our business, Khrystal. You will take care of him when he comes to Vista Querencia."
• My face showed a mix of shock and amazement. They're letting me handle a family company or transaction for the first time. The irony stung—they trusted me only in the things they believed aligned with the worst assumptions about me. I have spent my entire life away from them. I'm an architect for another company. Although it isn't as well-known as our family firm, it competes with enterprises of a similar class.
• "W-Why me?" I murmured unconsciously. Mommy Francheska crossed her arms. "Are you deaf? I told you, didn't I? Flirt Mr. Revelar for our company. Are you that dumb to understand?" she hissed. Her voice dropped to a chilling calm, the kind that always made my stomach twist.
• I simply swallowed without giving it any thought. Should I be pleased that I will work for our company or hurt that they believe I am capable of doing that? A part of me whispered that this was my chance—my one opening. Another part whispered that accepting it meant letting them define my worth.
• "I will let you leave." I paused and slowly fixed my gaze on her. She gave me a grave glance. "I'll let you live in America when you get and finished the project," she said clearly.
• I blinked a couple of times and my lips parted completely. They refused to let me separate and remain apart when I graduated. They are now voluntarily offering me the option to go. It felt unreal—like a door I’d never imagined would open suddenly creaked wide.
• I slowly balled my fist while inhaling deeply. "Show me the project details." My voice held a steadiness I didn’t expect, as if choosing this path gave me a fragile kind of courage.
• "ARE you sure about your decision, hija?" Manang Luisa asked. We are in my room right now. She was using a dry towel to wipe my hair as I sat in front of the vanity mirror. She used to do this each time I got out of the shower. It was one of the few routines in my life that made me feel cared for, even in the smallest way.
• I looked at her on the reflection and forced a smile. "This is my chance, Manang," I answered indirectly. My eyes lingered on my own reflection—tired, red-eyed, but determined. She exhaled deeply and set the towel she was carrying aside. "Are you sure you want to leave this place? "
• I nodded gradually. "Vista Querencia is a good place, Manang." Once more I put on a phony smile. "But the people were not," I continued. My voice cracked at the end, betraying me in the mirror.
• Pity flickered in Manang's eyes as she stared at me. "No matter how good nor successful I am, I'm still a bastard in their eyes. A bug in Daddy's good family. A good-for-nothing daughter of the Dagsinal clan." The words felt heavy and familiar, like chains I’d grown used to wearing.