chapter 1

•SAPPHIRE•

"Mom, where are we going?" I asked mom while she was busy packing things.

"We're leaving here, Sapphire. We have to go to Manila, you can study there too." Mom said.

"What? Mom, but...I don't want it there. I like it better here."

"Oh, all right." He stopped packing. "What do you plan to do while we're here? Look around and wait for your father to get up from the pit, so he can give us something to eat?" He shouted at me so I was quiet. "Get ready, someone will pick us up in a few minutes." Mom joined and went out.

I didn't do anything, I did what mom wanted. There was only one room in the house we rented. One room that has everything. Kitchen, bathroom, bed, everything you can see when you enter inside.

"You're done?" Mom asked when she got back inside. I nodded to him and took the suitcase.

"Mom, are you sure about this?" I asked again. We're on the road. And we only waited for a car.

He nodded and looked at me sadly. "This is the only way we can breathe in the hardships. I would like to change my mind, but...we can't live here son." I saw mom's tears fall.

I went to him and hugged him.

"I understand you, ma'am. So even if it's against my heart, I'm willing. No matter what decision you make, I won't object. I love you, ma'am." I said.

"Thank you, son. You are all I have. You are my strength..."

"Ma..."

Soon a fancy car arrived. In my whole life, this is the only way I can get used to it. Ever since I thought about it, it was hard and I had almost nothing to eat.

"Son, is there a problem?" Mom asked in the middle of the flight.

I shook my head and leaned on his shoulder. "Nothing... I just thought about what our life would be like in Manila. What is the difference between here in the province and there in Manila." I feel sad.

"You will know that too, because we are going there right now." Mama said while combing my hair with her hand. "Sleep first, son, we're still far away." Mama's joint.

I just gave him a nod and closed my eyes.

Mom's decision was sudden. He just got like this. He told me all his problems, but this problem he has right now is something I don't know.

"Wake up, son."

"Hmm..."

"Wake up, we're here in our new house." Mom said making me wide-eyed.

New house? I can't think of how. We don't have a house in the province, but here?

"M-ma.. h-how? H-how did we get this house? Only a rich person can have it, and I'm sure it's not us!" I said when we got inside.

Everything found inside will be loved. It seems that even if I touch one of those, I will lose a millionness.

"Well, now, it's yours." I turned to the speaker. And I saw a man in shape. Obviously rich, you can see the complexion.

"S-son, he's your T-uncle Herman." Mom said.

I don't know what mom is talking about.

I laughed. "Uncle? So, we have relatives here?" I approached Tito 'ko rau' and said his blessing. "Hi Tito, nice to meet you. My name is sapphire Soriano." I smile tongue.

"Nice name, hija. Herman de Guzman." Tito said. I wondered. De Guzman? It's not familiar to me. If he's mom's brother, that's my middle name, but.. Sanchez. Mom's last name is Sanchez. I suddenly took a step back when something came to my mind.

"D-de Guzman?" Tito was surprised at my sudden change in reaction. "Mom!" I looked at mom. "What's Yan like to you? Why can't I familiarize him with his last name if he's related to us?" I asked mom.

"Let me explain, son." He looked at Kay Herman 'as if' for a moment, at the same time the two men arrived who were going to look at him.

"They will be your step-brother hija." Suddenly, Tito said to the back. The faces of the two men got worse.

I turned to mom.

"I-means...s-he's the one you replaced with papa?" I said at the same time as a drop of tears fell from my eyes. "M-ma...b-why do I only know now?"

"Son..sorry..but, This is it. You know, right? You already know the reason." Mom said.

"See?" Our attention immediately turned to the man who spoke. He is getting closer to where we are. "There really is a gold digger dad! Why are they still in everything? There are many good things---"

"Hanz! Shut up."

I went. Not out of shame, but out of anger. It's only the first time but they are like this. What if mom and I stay here? It looks like they are just stepping on us.