Prologue

"Mommy, why do I look like other people's baby? I don't really look like you," my daughter said with such sadness and disappointment.

"Who says hindi tayo magkamukha? Huh, Tiara? Of course, you look like Mommy," I answered her kasi alam kong magtatampo 'yan kapag hindi sinagot, even if I know na she will get a clue na she might look like her father.

"Well, mommy, here's the thing. Uhm, who's my daddy? Maybe, he's my twinny," my daughter asked.

This time, hindi ako nakasagot. I, myself, doesn't want to see her father in the first place. He's a cheater, he betrayed me and my feelings. When I first noticed that I'm pregnant, I planned to abort my Tiara Daisy. Luckily, she turned out as my inspiration and here I am, a successful businesswoman. I'm happy that I'm giving my daughter a wealthy and happy life... Or maybe not?

Tiara is a smart kid. She knows when and what to do every time I'm off to work. She's alone at our second floor, but she always managed to clean her own room and eat the food I left before going to work. We have butlers and maids, but I don't know, my daughter doesn't want to bother them, so their duty is only to protect and watch my daughter.

"Baby, mom is off to work already. Be good, okay?" I said my goodbye and kissed her on her forehead.

I'm using my Lamborghini for today, because my Mercedes Benz is overused, and also I want people on the road see how successful I am.

As soon as I arrived in my own company, my secretary suddenly ran to my direction.

"Madam, good morning. S-sorry, I'm a mess po, pero dumating na po yung client from Luxembourg, Europe. He is in your private room, madam. Wala na po akong ibang alam na pwedeng pagstay-han niya e, sorry po." pag-eexplain ng secretary kong si Dalia.

"It's okay, take care of them first, I'm gonna change my clothes." I told her.

"Goddamn it! Bakit ngayon pa sila dumating? Like, sinasadya ba nila lahat 'to? They're not funny, arg-" I suddenly stopped when I saw someone in my peripheral vision.

"You still haven't changed, Therese. Same as old, high tempered, Therese."

That voice. The voice who ruined my life, the voice that I would never love to hear ever again. The voice that still hunts me, and is becoming my nightmare. The voice that my daughter is longing to hear.

Wait what? Did I really said that in my mind?

"Anong ginagawa mo rito, Schmidt?" I asked him.

"Simple, because I'm your client?" He answered back with a question.

"Really? Did your ego died na ba so you wanted flowers? Or maybe your wife died? Hmm?" I rudely asked.

"What are you up to lately, Therese? I wanted flowers because I'm seeing my fiancé, do you get it now?"

It felt like my word shattered, what if my daughter was hearing these words.

"Mommy! You left your phone, good thing, Tito Gelo was there," when I heard that little cute voice, I feel like I'm dying, I don't know what to react. Her father is right in front of her, and surely, she heard what Duke said.

"Oh, hello there, handsome guy! Are you courting my mother? If so, you need to answer my questions." she said with such confidence.

"I-i, I'm not, haha! You're cute, what's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Tiara Daisy Delfier, but my Tito Gelo often call me by different surname, hmm, it says smik, smid, smity. I don't know, sir, I'm sorry."

He looked at me, barely breathing and has a tear in his eye.

"Why did you do this to me, Therese?"