My daughter married a Korean man when she was 21. She hasn’t been home in twelve years, but every year she sends 8 million pesos

Bakit

She smiled slightly, but didn’t
look at me.

I took
his hand. Where’s your wife? Why isn’t she using it here? Why is there so much money upstairs?

She was silent for a long time before
speaking: Mom, I’m not married

It feels like my world has stopped
. What are you saying?

I never had a wife

Every word
feels like a punch. Twelve years ago I lied to you.

He
nodded: The money I send each year doesn’t come from my husband. It cost me a lot.

How do you make so much money?

He smiled bitterly
in exchange for time and a part of my life

She went to school slowly. Twelve years ago, because of poverty, my accident, and debts, she went to Korea to work as an interpreter and was personally involved with a rich man named Kang Jun. Honestly, sometimes I had to be the perfect woman for him.

I’m not his wife, but I’m not a simple person either. I need to smile when I need to, and be quiet when I need to.

I feel like my heart is being squeezed. Do you know how much it hurts?

He nodded, I know. But if I didn’t go, where will we get the money for your treatment? How will we pay off the debt? I have no other choice.

I cried, but not like this.