with hope to catch a glimpse of a woman that he was hiding. She had already be

t stop until she knew the truth. In the following days, her

in surprise upon

Tsk. I didn't even noti

expenses. She'd been so busy taking care of the kids and han

rk, she immediately served hi

to Cyprus, brushing past Carina. He on

ina, who was being ignored of the man

just finished cookin

Alfred ordered. Cherry quickly go

. Cherry tried to bring up

or a money for the household budget. I ran out o

king me the budget after you bitterly talked to me in the hospital

o you, Alfred," Cher

He slammed his spoon down. "No matter how nice yo

ng to stay composed. Despite her husband

ad eaten, she washed them up and went with them to bed. When they were asleep, she quietly stepped out of the room and went

Marietta. She didn't explain where she was going or show any sign

ded, full of people hanging around drinking. Kids played in the streets.

blings and parents cam

der sister, Jessa. They hadn't

here?"** her broth

ou should be happy she'

ya,"** Da

something. That's why she sh

shed to greet her only sister. Her five

lived in the

and greeted

" she said, then looked to the last two who came out. "M

ving us because of that man?" her mother said cold

* her father asked,

eir siblings. "Can we just forget the past? That was a

r father, said again. "If you've fo

by their words. She thought they'd be kin

respect her choices," Jessa

she caused after she left. She forgot about us, and now

hy she had come. She bit her lip, cl

strength and trie

not true

for that man. Why don't you

t her-she's nothing like she has us

Nald!" Jes

"I came here to ask for a loan to

nd Jonald laughed mockingly while their parents frowne

aving us, now you showed up because you're i

She looked at her siblings. "I ju

elp, and you dare talk back?

re we drag you out of this house," th

o cover some bills. We're short this month," Cherry pl

better go. You've already ruined our day,"**

joined her. "It's wrong to cast her aside just because she left. It's

ing about, Jessa?"

elping us back when s

ll silent f

* Cherry motion

need to hear where

f they won't help

o much that after all the years she spent helping her family-giving nearly her whole sala

uld be her last option. She forced a

ress there. "Kriste

" the waitress replied with a s

t, than

waitress returned alone

l not see you from now. The

Cherry gave a ti

t on her friends, but they had left her behind too. After everything she did to help them bac

heir house lost electricity, which was why A

the door. She placed her children in a safe seat and p

ta, you came,

w dark Cherry's house was.

power, so we're ma

happen?" the wo

y tried to hide what she was really feeling.

Cherry froze for a moment at the nex

asn't come home," sh

t kind of husband he is? Lea

o deserves to b

care of her children. She wiped

rietta," she said in defense. "

concern for each other," The old woman said aga

s for?" she

bill. I can't bear to see

she least expected who showed her compassion and generosity. Unlike the ones sh

money. She really needed it to cover hou

d that I gave this to you,"

" Cherry nod

problem arose. She rushed Cyprus t

r husband, but the l

red was out drinkin

Kenneth said, checking the phone t

sk where I am," Alfred rep

pt calling. He took it and silenced it so it

t. Your wife still c

self another drink. "Let's just drink. Cheers." He continued with the

d a blood transfusion. Fortunately, they quickly found a

ay the hospital,"

assed and almost tried

Thank you, bu

eed to pay the hospital." The woman gently

take them," Aling

ings get better for us." C

our family is

Thank yo

eply at everything they had been through and wondered how

in their room-sleeping

man answered up

or

e asked. "If I went out to hang around,

ids needed you at that time," she said, referring to

ry. Should I priorit

arguing further. Nothing good would come of it, an

e was always annoyed with her and didn't even care. Second, he is no longer givinh money for household or child expenses

follow Alfred. But as time wen

ut the window. She saw the streets the car Alfred was in was

while, she didn't suppose to follow it too closely instead they ch

you,

e. She remained in a distance to observe him. She saw that he

brother some money

grand for y

was a gambler. He often went to the billiards to play. When he was still working at a company, h

Then he gave ₱3,000 to his parent

. All of Alfred's salary was go

but ask her for money. When she had nothing left to give,

follow him. She confronted Alfred's brother at the bill

ceived a harsh scold

y parents, and then you even had the guts to follow Anthony!" Alfred shouted, maki

even say somet

we please talk about this calm

d in frustration. "There'

wallet. "Here-five thousand pesos!" He threw the bi

t before leaving for good. Cherry let out a deep sigh as she began picking up the money one by one from

at a drugstore buying diapers, milk, medicine,

e store, she froze when

?" A familiar male v