the lower part of the small cabinet beside the bed. She pulled something out-a makeup kit. She opened it and applied a bit of foundation to her face

mile at her reflection. Her eyes drifte

uation. She once believed that leaving her parents and siblings behind would all

, she decided to cook dinner with her children. As they

ork. He paused in the doorway, taken

been?" he asked,

t been here at hom

her. "Nowhere? Look at

here," she answered calmly, thou

ted. "Don't tell me you we

ng. But even if I did-what

and our kids properly, and now

me to her. He never cared how she felt. Maybe he had t

e to pretty yourself

her, ready to explode. She was already upset about

ly unable to hold back. "Do I no longer have the right to work, so

e talking bac

oice trembled with anger, her finger pointing at him in defiance. Their children noticed, but she no longer cared. Wh

d, about to strike he

"Hit me, so our children can see

t of the dining area, leaving the

oom. She stared at him in silence until tears rolled down her cheeks once more. She couldn't understand why she h

break, and she planned to work for the next two months. Aside from her part-time job at Aling Mari

hem for now, Daryl,"

Cherry," he repl

dded, watching the children who were engrossed in their games. "And don'

argue, but she imme

irmly. With that, Cherry said goodby

ghborhood, and Daryl watching over the kids at home. She knew Alfred had forbidden anyone, even relatives, from staying

felt weak and dizzy. When she arrived, her co-

ked one of the cooks. "You

n," she replied, trying to appear strong. She nee

different about you,"

re today," the waitr

. Every hour count

nt as more custome

But just as she was about to carry a tray for a customer, she su

ers cried out as they

rry fainted!" one of

owner exclaimed as she

staurant in her son Jake's care and took Cherr

r examined her. A few moments la

to her, Docto

u a rel

her f

needs plenty of rest to stabilize

hypert

he replied, jotting something down on a piece of paper. "Have her ta

ote and read the prescription

ome. I'll ta

was now fast asleep. Her face was pale, a

he tried calling Alfre

," she muttered

he doorbell. After a few seconds, the gate opened, and there stood Cherry's you

rprise. His brows furrowed

t are you doing here? I'm sorry, but I don't want to s

lish with a novel tone, appropriate gramm

r?" Jared asked, his voice shi

s already married to someone else. Yo

the desire building inside him to see his former lover again. Deep down, he knew it was wrong, but his heart longed for that one

's in the hospital,"

o her burdens," Daryl added quietly, then quickl

of the past pressing heavily on his chest. He had left her-walked away from their love-for his family and his dream of workin

s would be different. Maybe they'd have a family now. Maybe she would be s

He found out which room she was in. As he approached the

sand pesos from his wallet and discreetly handing it to h

, I think it's better if you ask someone else." She lo

firm tone. "I'm not a criminal, okay? I'm not her

ht in the eyes. "Do

ked, startled

ared clarified. "I'm just ask

esitantly, still unsure wha

ain. "If you love someone, you

ly love someone, you'd do whatever it take

love I really want

oked confused, but

to be Cherry Mae Llaguno's nurse. Just c

bit more at ease. "Alright, I'll go.

softly. "I'm th

had more to ask, b

just chec

walked toward the designated room. Jared sat down, waitin

"She just needs lots of rest. The woman watching over

re, for your trouble," Jared

and thanked him before hurrying off, sayi

ght to the billing section and quietl

this, Ma'am," he told the cas

lp with her hospital

ured him. "Your voluntary payment

you s

back home. As he walked in, he crossed

have yo

ted, unsure

ur ex-girlfrien

artled. "How did you kn

tay away from that woman. But you still seeing her. You

if she's okay," Jared s

For heaven's sake, Jared, it's been years-why are you s

ice shaking. "But I can't help it- when I see her suffering

mother cut in sharply. "Did I hear

holding back the tea

," his mother said. "Kelly is the woman you're su

ept Cherry. You never liked h

, Jared?" Julian ask

er because she came from a poor family. You wanted

st like you all wanted. Don't worry-there's no hope left between me and Cherry. She has her own

ar, and drove off-leaving behind a house full of