Cherry walked away hurriedly with her children. She wasn't going to stay longer and let Jared continue talking to them, especially with so many people around witnessing the scene. She quickly took Cyprus and Carina away from her ex-boyfriend.
"We're leaving. I still have a lot to do at home," she said plainly. "Please stay away from my children, Jared. I'm asking you."
"Why? Are you forbidding me from even being friends with them?" Jared answered back.
"Mama, I want chocolates," Cyprus said innocently, chewing on something.
"Cyprus!" Cherry snapped at her son. "Didn't I tell you not to accept food from strangers?"
"Don't scold the kids. They didn't do anything wrong," Jared stepped in, defending the children.
"I told him not to entertain strangers," Carina added firmly.
"We better go," Cherry said, casting a cold glance at Jared as she pulled her children away.
"Oh come on, Cherry. I just want to be close to your kids," Jared pleaded.
"I said, let's go!" she shouted, especially at Cyprus who kept looking back at Jared.
Jared let out a deep sigh. No matter how much effort he put in, Cherry still couldn't forgive him. And deep down, he understood why.
A few moments later, he got into his car with a heavy heart. His eyes landed on some toys he had bought for the kids. He would have given them the gifts if Cherry had taken longer to arrive. Now, he thought he might just send them over to her house another day.
Days passed, and Jared busied himself managing his jewelry store, which he had established seven years ago. He partnered with other people in the business. Though he once offered his siblings a chance to join him, they all refused. He still gave them opportunities, but they preferred to ask for help and rely on him instead.
On the bright side, sales were doing well—especially since weddings were popular during the month of June. Because of the rush, he often had to close the store late. Just as he was locking up one evening, a voice speaking behind him.
"So you really do own a business. No wonder my wife keeps hanging around you."
It immediately turned him around upon to face the Cherry's husband.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jared said, feigning ignorance.
"Stop pretending. I know you've been meeting with my wife, so knock it off."
"We're not seeing each other," Jared lied. "Where did you even get that idea?"
"That's not important. What matters is you stay away from her, or I'll have you locked up." The irritation on Alfred's face was obvious—he was talking to his rival.
Jared smirked. "Let's see who ends up guilty. Don't forget—I still have evidence of how you abused your wife."
Alfred froze and took a step back. "All I'm saying is stay away from her." He turned on left by not wanting to argue anymore with his wife's ex-boyfriend.
When Jared arrived home, he met his parents and siblings—none of them look pleasant. He stared at them in confusion and waiting for someone to speak.
"Is it what we heard true—that you and Kelly are now break up?" his father asked. "When did this happen, Jared? Can you tell us?"
Jared nodded silently. He didn't say a word. His face remained unreadable.
"When?" his father asking repeatedly.
"It's been a while," Jared finally said, his tone sounds tiring. He had just spent the whole day dealing with a rush of customers.
His mother let out a sharp sigh before shouting, "What comes to your mind of breaking up with her like that?" She pointed at him accusingly while his father seems frowning and his siblings only observing theme in silence. His older brother, Julian, showed no support and interest to him at all.
"We had all knew you loved her, right? You were even engaged," Lucio chimed in.
"Feelings will change, Ma, Pa," Jared replied calmly. "It's better if I was honest with her early on. It would've been worse if I pursue after we were married."
Mrs. Glenda pointed at him again, clearly not accepting his reasoning. "And you're proud of that?"
"What's going on with you, Jared? Why are you thinking like this now?" Lucio added.
"There's nothing wrong with my decision. There's nothing wrong of accepting that no longer feelings for her," Jared defended himself. His parents have always interfering in his choices, but he was an adult now. He knew what would be the best for him. He was getting fed up with their constant control.
"Well, aren't you clever enough of responsing us with disrespect?," his mother stated with irritating voice. "You're doing better in life but you shouldn't talk to us like that. We didn't raise you to be a disrespectful person."
The annoyance to Jared's face grew. It felt like everything was being thrown back at him, just because he wasn't following their plans anymore. But he was a grown man now—he couldn't let them keep controlling his life. He wasn't the obedient child they knew.
Instead continued arguing, Jared has decided to walk away. "I think I should rest now. I've been on my busy life the whole day at the store."
"We're still talking to you!" his father shouting.
"You're just going to leave us like this?"
Jared ran his hands over his face in frustration. He was feeling exhausted from work afterwards he had to deal with such unnecessary argument.
"I just want to rest. This won't lead anywhere if we keep talking about me and Kelly." he said. His calm tone was now beginning to crack. "Can we stop this now? Can we stop talking about nonsense?" he added, eyes closing in frustration.
Without warning, his mother struck him.
It made Jared touching his cheek.
"You've really lost all respect for us," she said. "Is that woman the reason why you're doing this to us?"
"Don't drag Cherry into this damn nonsense.
She has no idea on with this," Jared said, his tone become much colder as an ice. His older brother Julian turned to stare at him.
"Don't drag her into this conversation."
His father raised a hand to slap him too, but one of his siblings quickly intervened.
"You ungrateful brat!"
It only turned Jared to smirk and went hurriedly to his room, not wanting things anymore to escalate a point where he'd lose all respect for his parents. He had tried to stay calm and respectful, but what they were too much. They were the main reason him and Cherry have broke up several years ago. He could see how much she was struggling. He chose his family and dreams over his own happiness—and that was something he feel regret deeply..
The next day, Jared packed his things. He was planning to leave home, finding peace and spaces to think for himself. It was better to keep his distance for now. Understanding his controlling parents more is exhausted.
He only took the needs with him. After eating some bread and drinking coffee, he checked his room first one making sure there's anything he could forget.
A few minutes later, he left. His decision was final—no one could stop him. When he stepping out to his room, Julian suddenly went inside.
There was shock and confusion written all over his face.
"If I were you, Jared, I'd think twice before doing this," Julian said, attempting to hold him back.
"I've already thought it through. I need to get away from this house," Jared explained to his eldest brother.
Without another word, he grabbed his backpack and suitcase. Julian was left with no choice but to watch as Jared marched past him, catching the attention of everyone else inside the house. Even their mother and father noticed the commotion.
"Please, Kuya, don't leave," begged his younger sister Juanita, her plea echoed by another sister, Jelyka.
"I'm sorry, but I have to," Jared replied, his voice firm and final.
"What now, Jared?" his father interrupted, seeing the luggage in his son's hands.
"Where do you think you're going this time?" his mother chimed in, pointing a finger at him.
"The audacity to pack up and leave after everything we've done for you."
Jared halted briefly, turning around, and speaking with a sharpness that went in silence the room.
"You really think you raised me right? When? Most of my life you've controlled every decision I will make—and now you claimed you raising me right?" he said with sarcastic tone. "That's why I should go that can finally live my life without dictating me whatever I do."
Afterwards, he walked away. He could still hear his siblings calling for him, Julian yelling his name, and both his parent shouting behind his back. He didn't even bother to look back. He keeps walking towards to reach the car he had booked the night before. It has arrived in time, no need waiting for longer.
Jared rented a modest room for himself. He paid the landlord upfront for the entire month. He figured peace and solitude—even in a cramped space was far better than staying in a house where all he got was too much sermons and criticism. Their house making him feels deaf and insane at the same time.
In the following days, Jared decided to sell the jewelry store. He didn't want to shut it down—he didn't want his employees to lose their jobs. It took a few days before, with the help of his friend Marlo, he found a buyer. He sold the store to avoid going back from there that his siblings would just show up to ask him for money. The payment from the sold store would serve as a fresh start. Marlo doesn't know where he went to stay. His new place was enough that no one from his family could trace him. He had also planned to look for work again just like before.
One night, Cherry was falling asleep when Alfred disturbing her, planting kisses along her neck. She frowned in a bit, clearly annoyed.
"I'm sleepy. I need to rest," she murmured, but he didn't listen. He continued what he is doing.
"I'm tired, Alfred. I just got home from work," she added.
Alfred suddenly touch her to face him. Her eyes widened. She smelled alcohol on his breath again.
"You're drunk," she muttered. "Let's not do this."
She tried to push him away, but he grabbed her arm tightly, freezing her in place. Realizing her resistance was useless, she let him do what he wanted.
He kissed her deeply.
"Hmm..." she murmured faintly, surrendering.
The next morning, both of them overslept, causing Carina and Cyprus to be late for school, and also Alfred.
Cherry went to work and still the exhaustion visible on her face. Some colleagues noticed her frequent yawning.
"Hey, you okay?" someone asked.
She nodded.
"You've been yawning many times."
"I'm probably tired and sleepy. Don't worry about me," she replied.
One day, Cherry went to the market—the fridge was almost empty, and their pantry was running low on essentials. She carried multiple grocery bags and rushed through the street, worried she wouldn't have dinner ready by 5 PM.
Suddenly, someone reached out to help with her bags.
"I saw you needed some help," said a familiar voice.
She looked up—and froze. It was Jared again.
She immediately pulled away.
"I don't need your help. I can manage," she said firmly.
"Still choosing pride over accepting help?" Jared asked.
Cherry glanced at him again, noticing the changes. His once clean-shaven face now bore a growing beard. The dark circles under his eyes were more pronounced, and his once-short hair now reached past his collar.
"I'm doing it fine so stop chasing me," she responded. "Please, leave us alone."
"I can't pretend I don't love you anymore, Cherry. So please... stop hurting me like this," Jared pleaded, his voice still gentle.
"I'm not doing this to waste your time. I'm doing it because you still make me happy."
She close her eyes in a moment.
"Don't ever hope, Jared. We're over. I love my husband," she declared. "I still love Alfred, and I won't leave him for you."
Without another word, she walked away leaving Jared standing in the middle of the street. She didn't want the conversation stay too long—not when someone could see them there. She had enough problems. She didn't need more.
The next morning, Cherry woke early as preparing breakfast. She had barely slept the night before that having ironed her husband's work uniforms and the kids' school clothes. The house was still quiet as everyone else remained asleep.
Twenty minutes later, she heard slippers dragging across the floor. Right on cue, Alfred entered the kitchen—his face unreadable as he approached.
"Did you meet with your man again?" he asked bitterly.
"What are you talking about? I don't have another man," Cherry replied.
Alfred's glare sharpened, and he sneered.
"Liar," he snapped. "You've always been a liar."
Confusion washed over Cherry's face.
"I'm not lying. I don't have anyone else. You're just imagining things," she insisted.
She wasn't about to let him stomp all over her dignity again—not even if she still loved him.
"Fine. Then explain these." Alfred dragged her to the living room and pointed to several photos scattered across the table.
She froze. Her children were already crying, disturbed by his yelling.
She stepped forward, but Alfred grabbed her arm roughly.
"You're hurting me," she whimpered.
"Go ahead, tell the kids about your affair. Admit your shamelessness," he said.
She stared at him in disbelief, appalled that he would involve their children.
"Those photos aren't what they seem. None of them is true," she said, turning to the kids.
"Believe me, it's not what you think."
She tried to hold back tears, biting her lip, her fists clenched. A storm of emotions boiled within—anger at Jared for not giving up, the annoyance to Alfred for forcing her to confess something she never did.
Then, without warning, Alfred yanked her hair in front of Carina and Cyprus.
"Ah! Alfred, stop! You're hurting me!"
"Don't test me, Cherry. If I were you, I'd start confessing."
The children wailed louder, their cries echoing through the house.
"I have nothing to confess! You're accusing me of something I didn't do!" she shouted.
But Alfred only tightened his grip on her hair and arm. Cherry winced in pain, unable to bear it any longer—especially in front of the kids.
She began to think of a way out… but then Alfred clutched her jaw tightly—
"You thought you could get away from me?" he growled.
"Now, confess."
Cherry remained silent, her mind racing once again with ways to break free from Alfred's tight grip on her.
"Remember this—you're mine. I'll never let you end up with another man, especially someone like your ex," he said, placing a harsh emphasis on the last word.
"I will never admit to something I could never do. You better remember that, Alfred!" she responded as her voice sharp with defiance.
His hand was about to land on her cheek—when suddenly, a voice came out.
"Please let go of my sister!" Daryl shouted.