Prologue

“What did you say?” I automatically backed away from the shock of my father’s sudden scream. We took the opportunity to meet our parents and tell the truth at my graduation.

Standing next to Rod, I forced my courage. Not just for us but our future family.

“Jelo, calm down. Let’s move to another place. There are many people here,” Mommy said hesitantly, uncomfortable with the people there.

Daddy did not speak again, but he started walking as if ready to tear everything blocking his way. I knew he was irritated, and mommy’s gaze did not penetrate me as if she was telling me to take it all back.

I know it will have a significant impact on our family, but I also can’t let Rod and I have a family.

When I arrived at the parking lot, Kuya Kiel, our driver, immediately opened the door for me, but as soon as I was about to enter, Rod dragged me, and Daddy immediately shouted again.

“That man will not go with us! Send him home alone!”

Helpless, I turned to Rod again. The tears begin to well up. “Je, it’s okay. I’ll take care of it. Let’s just meet there, don’t cry anymore.”

With what he said, my chest tightened even more. I can do nothing, and I can do nothing for us.

When the car door finally closed at the same time as the car functioning, I could do nothing but block the palms of my mouth as if that was all I knew was the most amazing thing to do at that time.

I endured everything for two decades. Dad is strict, and mommy is a perfectionist. Everything. Even their constant pain - my eyes witnessed there.

After all, I have many ways to escape. I remember when I was only ten years old, the house was always messy. Different women are with dad every time he comes home, just as mommy went to Canada, so she was free to bring the woman home.

When Aunt Jessie found out about it, she just wanted to keep me away from dad. It is dangerous because especially when mommy finds out about my daddy’s nonsense. But even so, I did not accept his offer to leave. I stayed home at the same time as I forgot what had happened. I did not complain because even in elementary school, I knew what could happen. My parents can separate, and I don’t know where I can be picked up.

When I was a teenager, I was sixteen years old when daddy started hurting mommy. No one tried to report it, especially because they knew what daddy could do.

Grandma and Aunt Jessie were able to take me home, but they also did nothing when daddy rushed them.

I respect my parents. I understand if they were able to restrict me then because I was studying and still young, but I thought it would stop immediately, especially when I graduated.

I could barely control the tears, so my vision was blurred. I pushed up my glasses before following the descent of mommy, who had previously been quiet beside me.

I don’t know if he is angry or what he thinks of me. But I pray no. He is the one I want to be an ally in this matter.

When I got out of the car, it was just as masculine as my eyes when Rod was lying outside while holding his cheek. Dad’s posture in front of it was elegant.

I was about to approach my boyfriend when mommy also blocked me. . he just looked straight, but I felt the trembling of his hand.

“Stand up. We’ll talk inside,” Daddy said coldly before going straight inside. He was greeted by some of his bodyguards as well as our curious housemates.

I was only able to approach Rod when mommy removed her grip and followed my father. “Rod, come on. Tell me you’re -”

“I’m fine, Jewel. Come on, and your Daddy is waiting for us,” he said, smiling. I can’t even imagine how he really feels.

He was earlier! The man was very calm even though I knew he was also worried about us.

“‘Don’t get too close to your daddy. I don’t want him to hurt you again, Je.”

I looked at him again, and then I nodded. Though nervous, I knew in my heart that it was unclear to us to back off. We will stand by what was done especially, and it did not go wrong in our eyes.

We held hands when we arrived in the living room. Dad was sitting in front of it and smiling sarcastically. I already know this. I know what is in his brain is not good.

“Rod Antonio,” she began as she looked at your boyfriend from head to toe.

“Which business do you belong to?”

The place was filled with silence. I know, dad, I know what that question means.

I turned my gaze firmly to Rod, who was sitting far away from me. He hung his head low. Maybe he already got what my father probably meant by his question.

“Sir, I am your employee at J. L. Automotives. I am one of the maintenance staff–”

He was stopped by my father’s insulting laughter. There I quickly clenched my fist. I know he has the right to be angry, but other people are not right. It is not right to insult other people because of what it probably does.

“Look, oh. What are you going to feed my child and be your child?! Nails? Hammer? “

That’s it! Dad insulted my boyfriend too much.

Rod’s treating me like a queen. I also will not let my own father treat her differently!

I forced myself to stand up, but before I could do that, I saw Rod slowly standing in front of my father.

“Sir, I know I can not be proud of my work, but I promise I will work harder for my own family. I will not let them suffer in my powder—”

“Daddy!”

Even though my vision was blurred, it was as if I could clearly see what had happened. Daddy quickly got up from his seat and slapped the standing Rod hard.

Even though Rod didn’t move when he stood up, I knew he still got a strong slap from my father. He just forced himself to put up with it.

“Dad, please...” I pleaded.

I can’t see what I see, but I also can’t stand it, and I also don’t want to participate in pain because I don’t want to feel life in the womb. I can’t stand it, but I also need to be as stable as Rod does for us.

“Sir, I am here to properly ask for your son’s hand. To say goodbye to him properly. But I will not stop Jewel from being held accountable. I love your son, and I love our future child. You can hurt me, no matter how many times you like it, but you can’t stop me.”

Daddy was about to slap Rod again, but mommy suddenly growled and shouted.

I cried even more. I thought it did not agree either. I thought I had no ally in this family. I thought mommy had lost me for a long time, but she didn’t. She’s always there. I know he’s just afraid to contradict daddy because it could hurt him again.

His trembling hands were behind him as he tried to stand up and head in front of daddy as well.

“Get rid of them, Jelo. After all, your child is pregnant. He will only affect the company! What will our partners say ?! You have a disgraced child! Let them leave. Your son has always been worthless. “

I wanted to be offended by what mommy said, but something stopped me - those trembling hands hidden behind her. Is he scared? Is he still afraid of daddy?

His hands were shaking in his back, but daddy could only see the scary faces.

My father seems to easily agree with him. It smiles again before speaking.

“Did you hear what my queen said? Leave,” He still had sharp eyes on my boyfriend. “But remember, I will not help you when you need me. You will get nothing from me, Jewel.”

Terrible. But I’m just more confident. I know this is not the only thing we will fight against. This is just the beginning.

“Go away! You son of a bitch!”

That was the last thing my father said before getting up from the seat. The bodyguards who accompanied him upstairs probably supported him.

My tears flowed immediately. We were saved by my mom!

I know that if she had not joined, my father would not have calmed down.

I quickly hugged her, so his tears flowed quickly.

“You are free, Jewel. You will always remember how y-you are. . . Mommy loves you,” she said with trembling lips.

As for me, I was no longer able to speak because only pure sobs came out of my mouth.

“I can’t promise I can help you get out of here, but I’m happy for you, Jewel. I-I know how you endured. Please, take care of yourself.” She also faced Rod, who was standing firmly in front of us.

“Take care of my daughter, p-please. . .”

Rod nodded quickly. Like me, we don’t have a word coming out of his mouth now. We did not expect it to happen.

“All right, you leave.”

I closed my eyes tightly, forcing my mouth to speak.

“Mom, come with us. Y-You don’t have to stay with daddy—”

“No. I’m staying here. When I come with you, your daddy will not stop chasing us. You wouldn’t be free. . . m-my grandchild wouldn’t be free. He will be affected, and he will be affected! So please, leave. I don’t want your daddy to change his mind,” he said directly. His trembling still did not stop, and as time went on, I became more and more worried.

I nodded even as if my head was getting heavier. “But promise, Ma, you’ll take care of yourself too. Promise me you’ll be okay here because. . . because I’ll come back to you, Mommy. I’ll make a way, just. . . wait for me. Be strong, please. Be strong for your grandson and me,” I sobbed. I was still catching my own breath.

“P-Promise. . .”

I still don’t want to leave. I didn’t want to leave my mother, but when we heard the crash, we immediately left the house.

Speaking of which, I will be leaving the house forever without anything. . holding nothing but the hands of the person I love.

“I love you so much, Jewel.”

I immediately looked at the man as he spoke. Even though she was shedding tears, I chose to smile at her.

“I love you too.”

“Let’s fight?”

He held my hands even tighter, so I didn’t give up either. I tightened it up, so we laughed at the same time.

“We will fight,” I said. Then we also raised our fists.