FIVE YEARS LATER | Dumaguete, Philippines
I woke up alone in bed, and the sun is already up. Jacob forgot to close the blinds last night, and it's just way too bright in the room. I can't even go back to sleep even if I wanted to. I reached for my robe near the footboard and didn't bother tying my hair. Instead, I walked to the bathroom with my eyes half shut. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then head for the door.
"Good morning, Mama!" It was Ayie, my oldest. When she was little, she was having a hard time pronouncing her name, Aitana. She was my mini-version except. . . she took after her father's power of persuasion. She could be snotty at times too.
"Good morning, Sweetie." I gave her a kiss on the cheek and noticed her breakfast. She was eating fried rice, scrambled eggs a
