PROLOGUE
Yvo could not explain how she felt that day. She knew the time would come when they would have to run away from the father of her only child. She thought she was ready for what was going to happen but she seemed to be groping in the dark at that time.
Vyvyan frowned as she watched her mother who was in a hurry as she packed their belongings that they could not carry at all. She was confused about what was happening. "Mom, why?" she suddenly asked.
Yvo was not able to look at her daughter who was sitting on their bed but she had a plan to answer her question. "We're going to Palawan. We'll stay there."
"But why?" Yvo was just shaken by the question that came from her daughter’s mouth. She found it difficult to explain to the child. She didn’t want to say the real reason because Vyvyan would surely ask more questions when the issue regarding his father was talked about. Children are often curious after all. Vyvyan did not know her father's real name because Yvo did not tell her. Her father was far away, that was what she knew.
Yvo knew that Constance would do anything to get his only child. Vyvyan was five years old. Constance had also been looking for her for five years.
She could no longer bear not to glance at her child. She forced a smile. "Your grandparents want us to come home," she lied.
"Yepee! I wanna see grandmama and grandpapa! I wanna see a carabao too!" Vyvyan even jumped on the mattress because she was really excited to see a carabao.
Yvo would often tell her about a farm in Coron, Palawan where her parents supposedly lived. But Yvo's parents were already gone. They got bumped by a ten-wheeler truck while crossing the road when they were very drunk and Yvo was still in America that time. Unfortunately, they died and she was left alone. He also had no friends because of her bad attitude back then. There would have been one but she also lost her life. Vyvyan was the only one she had. However, Constance was very rich so he had enough money to get the child.
"You'll see a carabao there, darling. Just ‘less English’ when we're in Palawan, huh." She went to Magdalen to carry her.
"Less English? What do you mean, mama?"
"So that you and your playmates will understand each other better, darling. Promise me, okay?"
"I promise," Vyvyan replied and pouted afterwards.
"One more thing, darling. Always remember your name. Magdalen Gomez. You're Magdalen Gomez."
Yvo was unable to admit to the child that "Vyvyan Artiles" was actually her real name. She had the surname of his father Constance Artiles, the CEO of CA Corporation. She had to convince her daughter that her name was "Magdalen Gomez" so that her father would not immediately track her down just in case.
"Yes, mom." Yvo gently put the child on the bed and kissed her on the forehead. She approached the suitcase again to continue arranging their clothes. Vyvyan, on the other hand, just jumped on the bed after her mother walked away a little.
"What's your name, darling?"
"Magdalen Gomez."
***
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Author's Note: Kindly follow my account for more updates and upcoming novels. Thank you!
***
CHAPTER 1
YVO'S POV
It was dark outside the ship and Magdalen was sound asleep while I was having a hard time sleeping on the flight because I was thinking a lot.

Where would Magdalen and I live? How could I explain to her that there were no grandmama and grandpapa waiting for us? What could I do so that we could eat three times a day?

I couldn’t help but worry for her future. I knew she wouldn’t have experienced the hardships of life if she was with her father. But I also knew he would take Magdalen away from me. He would never let me touch Magdalen again. Plus, his fiancée would surely erase me from the picture.

They only wanted her, not me. When they got Magdalen, their family would be completed.

I would not give up my only treasure. I would do everything just not make sure that I would not lose her. The only way I could think was to escape temporarily. I would not give up the only person who was giving light to my life.

Everyone already left me, she was the only one I had. Could I give her up then?

"Sorry, darling. I need to do this because I don't want to lose you. You're my most precious treasure," I whispered before kissing her forehead. She really looked like an angel.

Magdalen was five years old so it's been five years since I turned my back on that man ... The man who broke me.
[FLASHBACK]

"... You told me that my life would be better when I became a model in America. You just sent me first so that someone would pick you up when you arrived there. I never became a model there! Because I became a waitress at the bar and I almost become a prostitute! You even showed me your womanhood face to face in the bar where. "

I received a thumping slap from him after I spoke to him, but I did not mind it a lot. The pain I felt from that slap was nothing compared to the suffering I had with him. "Aren’t you done, huh?! Leave me if you want! I don't care!" he scolded me angrily.

"I'm really leaving you!" I bravely said before I immediately grabbed my bags. I would officially leave the toxicity.

I was angry with him because he was overreacting. His life had no direction. He’s often drunk, on drugs, angry, and lazy. There were no changes in the path we took. He just wanted happiness for his own. He was an irresponsible partner.
[END OF FLASHBACK]

I remembered the day I left him because it wasn’t easy for me to get away from the man I loved who just rejected me because he only thought of himself. But I was really thankful the moment I found my new inspiration to continue my battle and that was when Magdalen came into my life. I worked even harder to give her the good life she deserved. I diverted all my attention and love to Magdalen. I didn’t know what would happen to me if I lost her. I loved her so much.

I trained myself not to call her “Vyvyan” because I must not mention her real name. She might be curious if I mentioned another name. I would tell her the truth in the right time. Not right away. Everything was still complicated.

The ship we were on had a small bed, so I decided to lay down next to Magdalen after I kissed her on the forehead. I slowly closed my eyes to fall asleep because my battle as a mother would continue the next day. It's already eleven o'clock in the evening, I felt sleepy.

I slept soundly until I woke up when I felt someone squeezing my nose. I slowly opened my eyes to see the only person I was always looking for when I woke up. "Good morning, darling."

"Good morning, mom. I love you!" She laid down next to me again before hugging me.

"I love you too, darling."

We safely left the harbor after the ship docked at the fort. I had no idea where we were really going. I thought of going to Palawan because it was quite far from Manila. I felt like he wouldn’t be able to find us right away.

Magdalen and I rode a tricycle to go to a church first. I just told the tricycle driver to take us to a nearby church. The church where he brought us was called "Saint Augustine Parish Coron Church."
We left our suitcases and bags at the church door.

I told Magdalen to whisper her prayer to Him. I did the same. I asked Him to guide us and to give me strength to face the challenges ahead. I wished not to lose Magdalen.

A few minutes passed until I decided to leave. We were about to leave the church when ...

"Miss!" a woman said.

I was shocked when I saw what she was holding. We almost forgot. "Darling, why did you leave your doll?" I gently asked.

A beautiful woman approached, she’s with a boy who was probably about Magdalen's age. The child was her son because they really looked alike.

"I assume this is your doll, sweetie." She spoke softly and even smiled at my daughter. But Magdalen suddenly felt shy and she did not get any words from her.

"I'm sorry. Magdalen is shy."

"Here is your doll, sweetie." Magdalen immediately accepted her favorite Barbie Doll.

"Thank you very much." I smiled when I heard Magdalen speak. I thought she wouldn't speak.

"Welcome, sweetie. By the way, this is my son." He put her arm around the boy, who smiled at Magdalen and me. "He is Cor."

"Hi," I greeted the child with a smile. "This is Magdalen, my daughter."

Cor didn't say anything but it was okay. Children are often really shy to talk to someone they don't know. "My baby boy is a shy too. But he has a friend who is a girl. He often plays with Bluelia, the daughter of my friends. Magdalen and Cor could be friends too. What do you think, Cor?"

Cor just nodded in response to what his mom said. "Oh, I forgot to say my name. I'm Sajie. What's yours?"

"I'm Yvo." I had no intention to hide my real name, but I intended not to say my full name. I had to be careful even if she looked kind. I felt that she wanted the kids to be friends.

"Nice to meet you, Yvo and Magdalen. You both are good-looking. Magdalen is so adorable. She is like a billionaire's daughter. Look at her eyelashes, they are really curvy. For me, her face is so perfect. So, where's the lucky father? "

I did not expect those questions. It was as if my chest suddenly tightened.

"He's far away," I answered. "I believe my Magdalen is more than just a pretty face. She has a pretty heart, pretty mind, and a pretty soul," I said proudly.

"Oh, I agree." It's a good thing she didn't talk about my daughter’s father anymore. She probably understood that there was something wrong that shouldn't be discussed.

"We need to go, Sajie. Nice to meet you too."

"Okay, take care. See you around."

"See you around," I said with a smile before we turned around and started walking away from them.

"Mommy, are we going to grandmama and grandpapa's house?" Magdalen suddenly asked as we stopped at the side of the road to wait for a tricycle.

"We'll find a place, darling."

I was so grateful that she never asked again. A tricycle approached us. "Where are you, ma'am?" the tricycle driver asked.

"We're looking for a house to stay in. I prefer it to be near a farm."

"I know a house where you can stay. Let’s go," he replied. He’s probably about my age. What I suddenly noticed about him were his tattoos on his arm.

I didn't hesitate to ride on his tricycle because I never thought he would do something bad. He carried our things. I wanted to help but he said that he could handle it.

I didn’t know where he would take us, I just trusted that the one above would not leave us.