Episode 1 First Heart break

Wenalin's Heartbreak

(Wenalin's POV)

As I descended the stairs, I saw the front door open, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw my Dad walking in. My face lit up with joy; I'd missed him so much. But then, I noticed two women behind him. One of them looked about my age. I didn't pay her much attention because I was just so happy to see my Dad.

"Daddy!!!" I exclaimed, running towards him and engulfing him in a hug.

"Did you really miss me that much?" He asked, a warm smile on his face.

"Heheh yeah! You've been gone so much since we moved here," I said.

Actually, ever since Mommy passed away, Dad has been constantly busy. He's never home like he used to be.

"Well, this house is bigger than the old one, sweetie," he replied.

"Our old house was big too! And why did we move so quickly? I didn't even get to bring all of Mommy's things here."

He hugged me tight. "Well, you're growing up, sweetheart, and some things need to be changed. Plus, I've been really busy with the company."

"I understand, Dad, but you've been working too much. You never have any time for me."

"Don't worry. I'll make it up to you once I’ve sorted things out at the company. Okay?" He said with a reassuring smile.

I couldn't help but smile back.

"Really? Promise?"

"Of course."

My eyes then landed on the two women standing behind Dad.

"Oh, Daddy, you brought guests! Why didn't you tell me? I could have asked Manang to prepare some food."

Dad's expression suddenly shifted. I wasn't sure why. Did I say something wrong?

"They're not guests," he said.

"They're not guests? Then who…don’t tell me…they’re new maids! That's great, it will help Manang out in the house," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"They’re not maids,” he replied.

I was confused. If they weren’t guests or maids, then why were they there? Why were they with Dad? My eyes were fixed on him, filled with questions.

"Wenalin," he said, his voice gentle.

"Yes, Dad?" I stood up straight, facing him. He took my hand.

"They’ll be your new family. Meet my girlfriend, Corazon, and your sister, Ivory."

I froze. My words caught in my throat, and my grip on Dad's hand loosened. New family? His girlfriend? My sister? My mind raced. I didn’t understand.

“Your new girlfriend?….My sister?….Daddy, are you pranking me?” I managed a weak smile, attempting to play it cool. “D-Daddy, this is a terrible prank!” I tried to laugh.

Corazon stepped forward, a forced smile on her face. “I know this is a lot to take in, Wenalin. From now on, I’ll be your new Mom.”

Ivory approached me, her face beaming. “Hi, you’re Wenalin. You know, I always wanted a sister. Now, here you are.” She reached out to grab my hand, but I quickly pulled away.

“What sister?” I looked her up and down, then turned to my Dad again. “What is all this, Dad? How can she be my sister? We’re the same age! And your girlfriend? But…Mom only passed away a few months ago. You said you wouldn’t love anyone else. You loved Mom so much, didn’t you? And how can Ivory be my sister when she’s practically the same age as me…?”

Dad attempted to calm me down. “Sweetheart, I know it's hard. I lost your Mom, I loved her so much. But I can't live the rest of my life lonely and sad. And Ivory is my daughter, Corazon’s daughter."

“Your daughter? You mean…you had a child with her? Does this mean you’ve been cheating on Mom this whole time? You’ve been lying to us all along?” The pain was immense. My chest felt tight.

Dad looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. “Not like that I made a mistake…”

“A mistake? You cheated on your wife, my mom, the woman you swore you’d love until death do you part!…But Dad…you found someone new so quickly! And even worse, you had a child with her?!” I fought back tears, though they were threatening to spill.

“Please listen to me, baby. I can explain,” Dad pleaded.

“Explain what? So you can make up more excuses, more lies to protect yourself for what you did? You said you loved Mom so much that you couldn’t even touch another woman. You said you were happy with her…so what’s this?!”

Dad stood silently, looking down, unable to meet my eyes.

"You said it was just Mom, just us..."

"I-I was…I was," he mumbled.

Corazon stepped forward, her voice laced with a fake sympathy. “Wenalin, your Dad wasn't to blame. We were both drunk when it happened.”

“Not his fault? Not his fault?” I shouted, my anger spiraling. “You’re telling me it’s not his fault? It’s not his fault he ruined our family? It’s not his fault he cheated on my mom? Of course you would say that! You’re just as responsible for what happened. You seduced my Dad!”

Ivory, her face contorted into a pout, jumped into the conversation. “Wenalin, I understand you’re upset, but don't talk to Mom and Dad like that.”

“I’m upset? Don't talk to me, you homewrecker, you snake! How can I not talk to them like that when my Dad is a CHEATER? And your mom is a homewrecker?!”

Suddenly, I felt a stinging sensation across my cheek. I couldn’t believe it. It was Dad who had slapped me. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I flinched.

Dad rushed towards me. “I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn't mean to slap you,” he said, his voice filled with regret.

I backed away from him, my heart still pounding. Turning my back on him, I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door behind me.

“I’m sorry baby, please don’t go, please listen,” he said. He tried to follow me, but Ivory stopped him.

"Daddy, let her be. We're tired. We just want to rest,” she said.

I collapsed on my bedroom floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

“How could this happen? I never thought this would happen to me."

"Why me? I thought we were happy. I thought he loved Mom.”

I stared at the picture of Mom and me, a tear rolling down my cheek.

I got up, still crying, and walked towards the picture. I picked it up and sat back down, clutching it tightly. My sobs intensified.

“I wish you were here, Mom. I can't accept this…I can’t accept that Dad has a mistress and a daughter. I don't know what to think. And now he even slapped me. How could he do that to me? He never ever slapped me before. He never even raised his voice at me.”

I curled into a ball on the floor, clutching the picture. My heart was shattered. I felt confused, scared, but most of all, heartbroken.

“I never thought this would happen. I thought he truly and really loved Mom and me. But I was wrong."

I awoke the next morning, my eyes swollen and puffy. My cheeks were red and sore from all the crying. I sat on the edge of my bed, unable to believe what had happened. I let out a heavy sigh, then got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face.

After my shower and getting dressed, I walked downstairs. Ivory and Dad were already at the breakfast table with Corazon, and Manang Bebang was there, too.

“Good morning, Ma’am Wenalin. Your breakfast is ready,” Manang Bebang said warmly.

Dad looked at me, his face etched with regret. “G-Good morning, baby.”

I ignored him and walked past him.

“I’m not hungry, Manang. Thank you.”

I didn’t turn back to face them and walked toward the front door.

As I opened the door to leave, I heard Dad’s voice behind me.

“W-wait,"

I flinched at the sound of his voice, but I kept walking. I didn’t look back and just walked out of the house towards the driveway where the luxury car was parked. I was about to open the car door when I saw someone familiar. Elijah Luvrio, Dad’s longtime secretary, was standing there, a smile on his face.

“Secretary Eli!” I exclaimed joyfully.

I ran towards him and threw my arms around him. Seeing him brought me a sense of comfort. I always felt safe around him.

“Lin, how are you?” he said, returning my hug.

“I’m okay. still cute,” I answered, giving him a playful smile. Then I stepped back. “What brings you here, Secretary Eli?”

“Oh, I have some papers for your Dad. Urgent stuff, you know,” he explained. “Are you going to your new school today?" He asked, a kind smile on his face.

I nodded.

“Great. Would you like a ride?”

“Nah, Manong Cardo is here to take me,” I said.

“Ah, right,” he said. Then he looked at my face, his expression changing from warm to concerned. “What is this on your face? Did someone do this to you? Are you alright?”

“Oh, this? It’s nothing.”

“Nothing? Your cheek is all swollen! Who did this to you?"

“Dad…but I’m okay, really.”

Eli’s eyes widened in surprise and concern. “Your Dad?”

Ivory was get inside of the car her voice laced with a hint of annoyance. “Oh my god, Manong, are you deaf? I’ll be late! Gosh!”

I was distracted by her voice, but I knew that she was talking to Manong Cardo, our driver. I looked past Eli, at Ivory, That meant I’d be stuck in this car with her? And what was with her attitude? She’d been so nice last night, but this morning she’s acting like she’s possessed by some spirit, or maybe she is evil.

“Manong, can you hear me? You are deaf or something!” She pressed, her voice getting more shrill.

Manong Cardo quickly cleared his throat. “Sorry Ma’am, I was waiting for Ma’am Wenalin.” He nervously shifted his weight.

I turned back to Eli and gave him a reassuring smile. “Okay, Secretary Eli, I’m going now, or I'll be late for my new school.”

“Okay, Lin. Be careful,” he said.

I walked over to the car, gave Eli a final wave, and climbed into the car. Manong Cardo immediately started the engine.

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