Goodbye tiara

chapter 4

The fallout was swift and brutal. Her parents arrived in Donsol the following day, their faces etched with fury. They found her at the guesthouse, sipping coconut juice and watching the waves.

"What do you think you're doing?" her father roared, his face red with anger. "Running away like some spoiled child?"

"I'm living my life, Papa," Tiara replied, her voice calm despite the tremor in her hands.

"Living your life? You're dying! You should be in a hospital, getting treatment!"

"I don't want treatment. I want to experience things, to see the world, to be happy, even if it's just for a little while."

Her mother stepped forward, her voice softer but no less cutting. "Think about what you're doing to us, Tiara. To the family. This is embarrassing. What will people say?"

"I don't care what people say," Tiara retorted, her anger finally surfacing. "I've spent my whole life trying to please you, trying to be the perfect daughter, and it's never been enough. Well, I'm done. I'm not going to waste my last days worrying about your reputation."

The argument escalated, the air thick with accusations and recriminations. Her brothers arrived later, adding their voices to the cacophony. They called her selfish, irresponsible, and ungrateful. They accused her of trying to ruin their lives.

Tiara stood her ground, refusing to be swayed by their anger or their guilt trips. She had made her decision, and she wasn't going to back down.

Finally, her father issued an ultimatum. "Come home, Tiara. Get the treatment you need. If you do, we'll support you. We'll do everything we can to make you comfortable."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you're on your own. We won't give you a single peso. We won't even visit you."

Tiara looked at them, her heart aching. They were her family, the people who were supposed to love her unconditionally. But they were also strangers, trapped in their own world of expectations and obligations.

"Then I guess I'm on my own," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Her family turned and walked away, their backs stiff with disapproval. Tiara watched them go, tears streaming down her face.

She was alone. Truly alone.

But as the sun began to set, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, she felt a strange sense of peace settle over her. She had chosen her own path, and she was finally free to walk it, no matter where it led.

She still had a list to complete. And she wasn't going to let anyone stop her.