I wake up, okay? She is always sad whenever

ies my sanity together. She is like a luminescent lantern that illuminates me in this dark cage I cal

ks her in bed. They have, sur

ent I am teaching how to paint, and honestly, he is a better teacher than I am. His paintings are b

that they locked me and my child into. So I pleaded for them to let me at least practice my career, whose studies I did not even finish. I almost

him uncle because he is too you

h

s his throat, obviously not

herwise." Robby says it in his soft but deep voice. He does not even care to spare me a g

ing too comfortable

And just like that, Lyana, my sweet baby, does not even kiss me like she alway

Because no one should know that there is a bastard child in the honorable De'Mario family. The best plan my family could ever come up with some month

y child will remain uneducated. Her father denied her when she was just a seed. Same with them-these people I call family. She does

ve

ack then. I still blame myself for loving someone and entrusting my all to him so blindly, but I am so proud of the priceless gift that my mistake brought about. I could show her to the world if I could, and I will someday

you do not calm yourself."

l to the open window close to my painting area. This is the only place I get the liberty to sip the

ct that way?" Robby asks, taking his plac

t, Robby." I respond

tion. He gets me most of the things I need from the shops-my painting materials and all that I need for Lyana. It wasn't my intent

no doubt you are a strong gem, Ayana. But how long can you bear it? You understand that this is no longe

break free from this cage, but until then, I have to be strong for my child." I say,

family's events. He always jokes around my argument that I did not give him my number. And with the kind of influential and busy family we are, I cannot argue much. I can't reme

e fell in love on the phone. Hopefully, I am not making another mistake. His words give me hope, and he speaks nothing bu

s he hugs my shoulders, something that I did not expect beca

ng dominance. I have never seen him this way. I dou

f there is a message he is communicating. I shudder, but I still manage to hold myself. "What

s he, anyway? I guess around 25? Well, he isn't a kid,

break down. Please, let me help you. I have all the means to

browsing for any tinge of sincerity in his words. But what about si

nt, and my problems are not yours. Why bother?" I i

listen

gle ourselves. But we were too late because my sister saw it all-h

n here?" She squeals, loo

parents ever set foot in this cursed dungeon they threw me in. We only see face-to-face outside when I am

." I say to Robby, my mind and eyes banked o

" He says, strolling out while I walk to the table at the center of this cubic