“Mom, have dinner here this afternoon—I’ll be home early.” I smiled, comforted by my daughter’s cheerful voice, never imagining that this very day would turn my world upside down.

I am sixty-two, retired for three years. Since my daughter moved to Manila after getting married, I often visit to help clean and cook for her and my son-in-law, Rafael. I worry that Maricel might be too busy with work, and Rafael is often away on business trips.

Their apartment is on the 15th floor of a modern, bright building. Every time I come, I feel warm seeing my daughter’s comfortable life and the love between her and her husband.

That morning, I took the usual early bus from the province. Maricel had called:

“Mom, go ahead and rest. I’ll be home early for lunch.”

I smiled at her cheerful voice, feeling relieved. Who would have guessed that day would turn my world upside down?

I arrived around ten, cleaned, and cooked sinigang and fried fish for lunch. While mopping the living room, I froze when I heard the door open. Maricel was supposed to be at work.

It was Rafael. He wore a suit, but his shirt was undone, and there was something unusual in his expression. I was about to greet him when I heard him speaking on the phone. My body went cold. Acting on instinct, I backed into the bedroom closet and quietly closed the door, my heart pounding.

Less than five minutes later, high heels clicked in the hall. A young woman’s voice giggled:

“What are you afraid of? Where’s your husband?”

“I just don’t want my mother-in-law to suddenly appear. She’s here so often,” Rafael’s mistress replied.

I held my breath, cold sweat breaking out. Their laughter mixed with whispers, torturing me—but then one line from the woman stopped my heart:

“What about the land in your husband’s name? You promised to divorce him and transfer it to me.”