Chapter 1:

Athena merely gazes at the large portrait of her father in front of her. She doesn't know how many hours she's been staring at it because, for her, time seems to have stood still since he left her. Until now, she still can't fully believe, and she repeatedly prays to God that all of this is just a bad dream.

Athena's mother passed away early due to a serious illness. After ten years, her father found a new love with someone named Rowena. He married Rowena, and Athena warmly accepted both the woman and her daughter, Tierney. She loved her stepmother and stepsister, treating Rowena like a real mother and Tierney like a true sibling. However, over the course of six years, she felt that she wasn't completely accepted by the two. It seemed as if her father was the only one they truly loved, not her.

"Athena, why don't you eat first? You haven't had anything since yesterday. You might get sick with what you're doing," Morgan said beside her as she approached. Morgan carried a tray with food and water.

"I'm not hungry," she replied lifelessly to her friend while keeping her eyes on the picture of her late father.

"Athena, please. Don't punish yourself. Eat and drink. You'll weaken and get sick from what you're doing," her friend scolded her.

"Morgan, I have no appetite. I really don't feel hungry—"

"Athena, please!" Morgan interrupted her, causing her to just stare at her. "Your dad won't be pleased with what you're doing."

Her lips quivered as a single tear quickly rolled down from her eye. "But he left me, Morgan. My dad left me."

"Athena..."

"He's the only one I have remaining. But he left me too."

"Athena, nobody wanted this to happen. I'm sure your dad didn't want to leave you. I'm sure he tried to fight for you because he loves you," Morgan said gently, tears also welling up in her eyes.

"But, Morgan... he's gone now. What am I supposed to do now? How do I go on alone?" she spoke with teary eyes.

"Athena, you're not alone. I'm still here—"

"Yeah, Athena. We're still here." Both Athena and Morgan turned to the owner of that voice.

Athena's lips trembled when she saw her stepmother, accompanied by some people close to her father, offering condolences for his loss. Rowena approached, sat beside her, and gently reached out to hold Athena's hand. "Even though your dad is gone, I will never abandon you because you're my child. And I love you," she tearfully reassured her.

In her memory, this was the first time Rowena expressed love for her, greatly warming Athena's heart. "M-Mommy," she uttered, tears streaming down again. Rowena gently wiped them away and embraced her. "From now on, I'll take care of you. I won't let you down, my child," she continued, observed by everyone extending condolences.

Two nights had passed since Athena's father passed away. If it were up to her, she wished her father's remains could stay with them for a few more nights. However, her stepmother had decided to bring her father's body to its final resting place soon. Rowena explained that there were numerous tasks and responsibilities left by her father that needed immediate attention. Reluctantly, Athena couldn't oppose her decision, especially since people listened more to her as her father's wife.

That night, many more visitors arrived at their home, including friends, acquaintances, and business partners of her father. Some of the family's business associates also came to pay their respects.

Athena's father was the founder of a renowned gallery in the country, the Picture Perfect Gallery, established for them by her late mother. Her mother, a well-known painter, passed on to Athena the passion and skill for painting. However, when her stepmother and her child entered their lives, Athena no longer focused on her artistic pursuits. This was because her stepmother took over the management of the gallery, while Athena busied herself with other matters and tried working elsewhere. Eventually, she met Egon, the first man she loved and trusted, who ultimately betrayed and deceived her.

Athena's eyes welled up with emotion as she couldn't help but recall the deception inflicted upon her by Egon and Tierney. Still reeling from the pain they caused, she was now faced with the sorrow of losing her father.

"Ma'am Athena, here's your food. Ma'am Morgan said you should eat first," Manang Lucia said as she approached the veranda. Athena looked at the food brought by Manang Lucia and the woman smiled at her. "Ma'am Morgan is still busy assisting and taking care of other guests," she added.

Just as Athena was about to respond, the two people she never wished to see again suddenly appeared.

"That's right, Athena. Eat so you can gather the strength to face our guests," Tierney said to her as if nothing had happened between them the night before.

With her was her former boyfriend whom Tierney had taken from her – Egon.

"Y-You?" she spoke with difficulty due to strong emotions or surprise, allowing her anger to slowly surface.

Tierney approached her and attempted to kiss her on her cheeks. Her jaws clenched as she restrained herself from expressing the anger welling up inside her. It was audacious for the two of them to show up on this night, especially at her father's wake.

After the kiss, Tierney faced her. "I know our family is going through a tough time with daddy's sudden passing. But you need to be strong, Athena. We need to be strong. And we need each other during this difficult time," she said, further fueling Athena's intense anger.

"Shut up, Tierney. Spare me, please?" she retorted, seething. "And did you two really have to come here tonight? Do you have no shame left, even a bit?"

Tierney looked at her teasingly. "Don't be too hostile, Athena. Maybe you're forgetting that there are a lot of people here right now, so try not to create a scene," Tierney said with a veiled threat.

"Leave. Get out of here," she firmly told them, causing the attention of others to be drawn towards them.

Egon cleared his throat and quickly approached her. "Babe—"

"Stay away from me!" she quickly cut off the man, simultaneously avoiding him. Because of that, they completely captured the attention of the people around them.

"What's happening here?" Rowena approached them, and the onlookers shifted their gaze toward them.

"Mommy!" Tierney approached her mother. "I brought Egon with me. Athena and Egon are not okay right now, and her emotions are still unstable because of what happened to daddy, so it turned out like this."

Athena gasped at what Tierney said to her mother.

"Is that so?" Rowena turned her gaze towards her. "Athena, my child. It might be better if you and your boyfriend talk first. Go ahead," she said to Athena and then returned her gaze to Tierney. "As for you, come and let me introduce you to some of your dad's friends." The mother and daughter were about to leave when Athena suddenly spoke up.

"Don't you think you should ask first what the reason is for our argument with Egon?" she asked Rowena, causing them to pause and turn to face her.

"Huh? But wouldn't it be better if you discuss your issues in private?" Rowena replied.

"It's the problem of the three of us, Mommy," she corrected her stepmother's statement.

"What?"

Egon quickly approached her again, this time holding her by the arm. "We just need to talk. I'm sorry!" Egon quickly said, pulling her away before she could protest, leading her out of that place.

"Let me go!" Athena shouted and pushed Egon away. "How dare you show your face to me after what you've done?"

"Athena, please stop, okay? Can't you let your father's wake have a peaceful moment?" Egon pleaded.

She slapped Egon hard, tears streaming down her face. "You have no right to dictate what I should do," she angrily told him. "And please, Egon! Show some respect for my father's wake. Leave because you're not needed here."

"I'm sorry, Athena. I know I hurt you, but I did it because you never gave me what I needed."

She gasped at what she heard from him. "What? Do you hear yourself?"

"Athena, I'm a man, and I have needs that you never fulfilled."

"So, you sought that satisfaction from someone else? Huh? Because what, my stepsister freely gives it to you? Is it that easy for you to forget our anniversary date? Because my stepsister’s pleasure is more enticing and satisfying for you? Huh?" she angrily asked, tears streaming down her face.

"Athena..." Egon uttered her name as he approached her, but she quickly dodged him.

"You're so disgusting, Egon. I loved you so much, but you just betrayed me."

"Athena, if you really love me, you'll understand me and you will give what I need—"

"No, Egon! It's not like that! I love you. You know that. Every day, I make you feel how much I love you. And the lack you're talking about? Egon, it's just sex! I can easily give that to you because I love you! But you? If you really love me, you'll respect me. You'll wait for me. And you'll never hurt me."

"Athena, it's not too late for us, right?" he suddenly pleaded. "Forgive me. Let me be there for you and accompany you from now on." Egon approached her, holding her hand, but she pulled away, trying to break free.

"Let go of me, Egon!" she shouted until her back bumped into someone behind her.

She looked up and was surprised to see a familiar man. Even Egon was taken aback by his arrival.

"M-Mr. Cervantes?" Egon exclaimed in surprise, addressing the man in front of them.