Hate and anger are powerful forces.

They are like corrosive acids, capable of eroding even the most precious, most beautiful things in the world. These emotions can take root in a heart and spread like wildfire, consuming everything in their path. They twist and distort the soul.

I thought about my father, a man who had been consumed by greed and ambition. His actions had caused untold suffering, not just to his enemies but to his own family as well. The legacy of his choices had left scars that would take generations to heal. It was his hatred and anger that had set so many tragic events into motion, affecting lives in ways he could never have foreseen.

Then there was Zach, a victim of circumstances beyond his control. His life had been shaped by the fallout of my father's actions. I had seen firsthand how that anger had nearly destroyed him, robbing him of peace and happiness. It had created a barrier around his heart, preventing him from seeing the beauty that still existed in the world.

Even Hans had been touched by this dark force. The loss of his family had been a wound that could have festered into a deep-seated hatred. But instead, he had chosen a different path. He had chosen love, compassion, and forgiveness. It was his strength that had pulled me through my own struggles, reminding me that there was always a way to heal.

I glanced at Hans, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights. His presence was a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite everything he had endured, he had not allowed hate to take root in his heart. Instead, he had nurtured the seeds of hope and love, allowing them to grow and flourish.

Hindi pa hustong nakakahinto ang sasakyan ay natanawan ko na agad si Mommy na lumabas ng double door, kasunod nito si Dad na nakaalalay sa likuran.

Hans got out of the car first, quickly making his way around to open the door for me. Puno ng pang-unawa ang kaniyang mga mata habang inaalalayan ako pababa ng sasakyan. There was a silent warning for me to hold my temper for as much as I could.

"Thank you," I whispered, squeezing his hand and never letting it go. Lalo nang balingan kami ni Dad.

I remembered not being able to fight for our love against my father. I remembered not being able to withstand the storm and deal with the wreckage afterwards. Ayaw ko nang maulit iyon. Hindi iyon ang gusto kong kapalaran para sa amin ni Hans. Kaya imbes na bumitaw nang bumaba ang tingin ni Dad sa magkahawak naming mga kamay ay mas inayos ko pa ang kapit ko kay Hans.

I squared my shoulders, sabay kaming lumapit ni Hans sa kanila.

"Caice!" Mom immediately walked up to us, hugging me tightly. She kissed my cheeks and turned to Hans with a tender smile. Lalo pang lumapad ang ngiti nito nang mabalingan ang mga kamay namin na magkahawak. "Hansen..."

"Good evening, Ma'am," magalang na sabi ni Hans tapos ay umangat ang tingin niya kay Dad na nasa likod pa rin ni Mom. "Sir,"

Hindi sumagot si Daddy, ang mga mata ay nanatiling nasa akin.

Tumikhim ako at si Mom ang binalingan ng atensyon. "You look amazing, Mom. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling so much better, Caice," she said, her voice warm and full of life. "It's all thanks to your Dad. He's been taking such good care of me."

I turned my gaze to Dad. Despite the resentment I still harbored for his past actions, I couldn't deny that he had played a crucial role in Mom's recovery. He was the reason she was able to keep fighting.

"Dad," I greeted him with a nod, trying to keep my tone neutral. "It's good to see you."

"Caice," he replied, his eyes softening. Parang nagulat pa na pinansin ko siya ngayon sa mahinahon at kalmadong paraan. "It's good to see you too. How are you?"

"I'm okay, Dad. I'm happy." Diretso kong sagot, mas dumikit pa kay Hans.

Mom seemed to sense the tension brewing between us. Hindi agad sumagot si Daddy pero mataman niya kaming pinagmamasdan ni Hans. Kaya naman sa pinasiglang tinig ay pumagitna na si Mommy sa usapan.

"Dinner is ready! Excited ako nang sabihin mo na may ibabalita ka," nilingon muna nito si Hans bago nagpatuloy. "Kayo... Pero halina muna kayo sa loob nang makapaghapunan tayo."

Hans gently held my hand as we followed Mom and Dad into the dining area. The table was beautifully set, with Mom's special china and a spread of delicious dishes that brought back fond memories of family gatherings. We took our seats, Hans and I sitting side by side, while Mom and Dad sat across from us.

Si Mommy ang mismong nag-serve ng mga pagkain. "I made all your favorites, Caice. I hope you like it."

I smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, Mom. Everything looks wonderful."

We began eating, the clinking of silverware and the occasional murmur of appreciation for the food filling the room. I was a bit surprised that Dad hadn't made any unnecessary comments about Hans and me yet. Maybe he'd been warned by Mom to keep things civil. Mabuti kung ganoon.

Kami lang ni Mommy ang nagkukuwentuhan sa hapag. Sina Daddy at Hans ay tahimik lamang sa kani-kanilang mga upuan. Mom told me all about the improvements in her health. Ako naman ay patuloy rin na nagtatanong ng kung anu-ano pa.

Ang sabi niya ay nag-indefinite leave si Dad sa hotel para matutukan siya. Wala namang kaso dahil sina Icen at Oxyen naman ang humalili rito. It was comforting to know that he was willing to give up everything just to be there for mom. Ganoon niya ito kamahal.

As we finished our main course and moved on to dessert, the mood around the table was warm and relaxed. The tension from earlier had subsided, and I felt ready to share our big news. Nasisigurado kong hindi magwawala si Daddy at kung magagalit man siya ay haharapin ko iyon ng buong tapang.

"May sasabihin po sana kami ni Hans," sabi ko matapos tawagin ang atensyon ng mga ito.

They both looked at us, si Mommy ay may ngiti sa mga labi samantalang si Daddy naman ay pormal lang ang anyo. Inabot ko ang kamay ni Hans at mahigpit iyong hinawakan sa ilalim ng lamesa na parang doon ko pilit na kinukuha ang lakas ng loob na kailangan ko.

"We're already married," I announced, my heart pounding in my chest.

Hinintay ko ang magiging reaksyon ng mga ito, pareho silang natigilan. Si Mommy ay bakas na bakas ang pagkagulat, si Dad naman ay nanatiling tuwid ang tingin sa amin.

Mom was the first to react, a slow smile spreading across her face. "You're married? Oh, Caice, Hans! Congratulations!" She stood up and came around the table to hug us both. "I'm so happy for you two."

"Pasensya na, Mom. Hindi na namin kayo naimbitahan, biglaan. We... We needed to get married as soon as possible." Sinulyapan ko si Daddy, hindi ko mabasa ang ibinabadya ng mga mata nito.

He then opened his mouth, presumably to object, but I cut him off before he could speak.

"Dad, if you're planning to meddle and create another chaos, let me stop you right there," I said firmly, meeting his gaze head-on. "Hans and I have been through enough. We love each other, and we're willing to fight for what we deserve. This is our life, and we've made our decision."

"Caice," marahang saway sa akin ni Mommy bago muling bumalik sa tabi ni Dad. They were communicating through their eyes, tapos ay nagsalitang muli si Mom. "Vince, they should know the truth. Wala na si Dad, wala ng rason para hindi malaman ng anak mo ang katotohanan."

"What truth?" Bigla akong kinabahan, kunot-noo kong binalingan si Mommy ganoon rin si Dad.

Dad was silent for a moment, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. Finally, he sighed deeply and looked at us. "I suppose there's nothing I can say to change the situation. If this is what you truly want, then I'll respect your decision. Congratulations."

I blinked in confusion. I had braced myself for his anger, for him to lash out and try to tear us apart again. But instead, he was... accepting? Something didn't add up.

"What changed?" I asked, my voice tinged with suspicion. "And what was that about the truth?"

Dad exchanged a quick, tense glance with Mom. She looked down at her hands, fidgeting nervously. Akmang may sasabihin nang muling magsalita si Dad.

"Let it go, dear," Dad said firmly, his tone a warning.

I shook my head, refusing to be brushed off. "No, I want to know. What truth? What aren't you telling me?"

"Karapatang malaman ni Caice, Vince. Karapatan mo rin na makawala roon."

What?

"Hindi na mahalaga iyon, Nicole. Nakalipas na—"

"Nakalipas? Vince, hanggang ngayon ay galit sa'yo ang anak mo! Galit sa'yo ang mga kapatid mo! They all hated you for something you did not do!" Mariing sabi ni Mommy na lalo lamang nagpaigting ng kuryosidad ko. Binalingan niya kami ni Hans, ang mga mata ay nagbabadya ng matinding pagluha. "I kept quiet, Vince. Kahit nasasaktan ako tuwing may mga magagalit sa'yo. Kahit gusto ko na silang awayin lahat. Kahit gustong-gusto ko nang magalit kay Dad when he was still alive, nanahimik pa rin ako. Pinaniwalaan ko at pinanghawakan ko ang gusto mong mangyari. For Dad's sake, hindi ba? Pero Vince, wala na si Dad. Paano ka naman? Hindi puwedeng habang panahon na lang galit sa'yo ang anak mo. Ang mga kapatid mo. You did not do anything!"

"Nicole," mahinahon pa rin si Daddy habang sinusubukan niyang awatin si Mommy. "Hindi maganda para sa'yo ang nagkakaganyan. Ayos na ang lahat, wala ng magiging problema."

I felt Hans's hand squeezed mine from under the table.

"Dad, what's going on?" Muli kong tanong.

"It was your grandfather who ordered the demolition of Matahom." Matigas na sabi ni Mommy bago kami muling harapin, si Dad naman ay tumayo na para kalmahin siya kaya lang ay mas lalong hindi siya nagpapigil. "Inutos niya iyon sa daddy mo, but Vince refused kasi hindi siya masamang tao. Hindi kaya ng konsensya niya ang gustong mangyari ng lolo mo. For all his life, wala siyang ibang ginawa kundi sumunod sa lahat ng gusto nila. He lived through everyone's expectation. Tapat na tao ang daddy mo, Caice. He would do everything for CHR to thrive, hindi para sa sarili niya kundi para sa lahat ng nakadepende dito."

"Nicole, tama na—"

"No!" Umiling si Mommy, tears flooded her eyes. "Ayaw kong mawala nang hindi nila alam kung paano ka pahalagahan. Your dad is not a bad person, Caice. Hindi totoo ang lahat lahat ng ibinibintang niyo sa kaniya. When your dad didn't do what he was asked... Your grandfather took it against him. Dad used his name to order the demolition. Dad did not give him the CHR kahit pa ang daddy mo, higit sa kaninuman, sa kaniya nararapat mapunta ang hotel. Nasaktan ang daddy mo, but he didn't do anything. Hindi totoo na siya ang nasa likod ng mga nangyari sa pamilya ni Moana at Exodus. Hindi totoo na may kinalaman siya sa pagkakakulong ni Oxygen. He's been framed up. Hindi itinama ng daddy mo ang lahat ng hinuha niyo dahil para ano pa? Lahat kayo ay tinanggap na sa mga puso niyo na kaya niyang gawin ang lahat ng inaakusa niyo sa kaniya."

I sat there, unable to react, my mind reeling from the weight of the revelation. All these years I had harbored hatred towards my dad, convinced of his guilt. My chest clenched, my breath catching in my throat. It was as if the ground beneath me had shifted, leaving me unsteady and disoriented.

Hans's hand tightened around mine, grounding me as the tumult of emotions surged within me. I looked at my dad, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a man worn down by the weight of accusations and misunderstandings. A man who had silently borne the blame without defending himself.

"Hinadlangan niya kayo noon ni Hans dahil sinabihan siya ng Tiyo Ramon mo, Hans. He warned your dad about how he was going to use you to get even with all the De Salvos." Mom looked at me with pleading eyes, hindi matigil sa pag-iyak. "Lahat gagawin ng daddy mo para maprotektahan ka. Mahal na mahal ka ng daddy mo, Caice. Kung paanong mahal na mahal niya rin ang lolo mo. He didn't want anyone in the family to hate your grandfather kaya siya ang sumalo ng lahat. Your dad isn't a bad person, Caice... Hindi siya masamang tao."