Clash Of Crowns I: Shadows Of Love And Sacrifices.

XLVII || No matter the Cost

Please note: This story may contain errors and grammatical mistakes. Your understanding and patience are appreciated as this is a work in progress.

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MAXINE'S POV

The punishment area was stark and cold, the atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken words.

My heart raced as I stood before the council, the air heavy with disappointment and anger.

Alam kong galit sakin si dad at nasasaktan siya dahil sa ginawa ko...pero kasi hindi niya maiintindihan kung bakit ko to ginagawa, no one will...

As I looked around, I could see the members of the council shifting uncomfortably, their eyes fixed on me.

They were judging me, assessing the situation, but their gazes were nothing compared to the searing look in my father’s eyes.

I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the tremor in my hands. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

“Begin,” my father commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.

The first lash struck my back, sharp and biting, a jolt of pain that radiated through me.

F*ck....

“One,” I whispered to myself, barely audible. Isa pa lang yon pero parang mawawalan na ko ng malay...

“Two.” My muscles tightened as the next lash fell, a cruel reminder of the choices I had made. Each strike felt like a punishment not just for my actions but for my very existence. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, centering myself.

“Three.”

“Four.” My heart pounded in my chest, each lash a reminder of the stakes at play. Kaya mo to max....

“Five.” sunod sunod ang pag tama sa likod ko ng latigo, pang limang beses pa lang ata pero namamanhind na yung likod ko.

Hindi ko sila masisisi kasi I had deleted those files to protect Aiesha, to shield her from the chaos that threatened to engulf us both, pero kahit kailan hindi ko yon pinag sisisihan.....Kung pwede lang na habang buhay akong humingi ng kapatawaran sa nangyari kay mom gagawin ko pero hinding hindi ko pag sisihan na prinotektahan ko ang babaeng pinaka mamahal ko...

“Six.” I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. Never akong iiyak sa harap nila....never.

“Seven.”

“Eight.”

“Nine.”

“Ten.”

“Twenty.”

“Thirty.”

“Forty.” The lashes were relentless, each one pushing me closer to my limits. But I wouldn’t give in. I was fighting not just for myself but for Aiesha. I had to protect her.... alam kong hindi titigil si dad hanggat hindi siya nakaka bawi.

At alam kong idadamay niya lahat sa galit niya, and I will not let him hurt aiesha even if it cost my whole f*cking life....

“Fifty.”

“Sixty.” My breath quickened, the heat from the lashes building inside me. I could see the concern in my father’s eyes, but he didn’t understand. He never would.

“Seventy.”

“Eighty.” f*ck hindi ko na maramdaman yung likod ko...

“Ninety.”

“One hundred.”

“Two hundred.” The punishment continued, and I had lost track of how many lashes had fallen, but I felt the exhaustion setting in. My body screamed in protest.

“Three hundred.” Tuluyan nakong walang naramdaman kahit ata yung ibang parte ng katawan ko ay hindi ko na maramdaman.

“Four hundred.” The lashes continued at kitang kita ko ang mga dugo sa paanan ko... halos mabingin narin ako at wala nakong naririnig hindi ko nga alam kung paano ko naka abot sa 400 lashes nang hindi nahihimatay....

“Five hundred.” The final lash struck, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I had made it through. I was battered and bruised, but I was still standing.

Agad nila kong kinalagan sa pag kaka tali gusto ko na lang humiga sa sahig at hayan yung katawan ko na bumagsak....pero hindi kaya ko to...ako pa ba.

I could see my brother Enzo and sister Parcia watching from a distance, Kita ko kung pa ano tumulo ang mga luha ni ate habang galit naman ang nakikita ko kay kuya, galit para sa ginawa sakin.

They had witnessed my punishment, and I knew they were processing it all trying to understand how our family had come to this point.

“Maxine,” Kuya enzo called, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and sadness. “I'm sorry princess, walang nagawa si kuya...."

I looked at him, at umiling lang dito hindi niya kasalan at wala siyang kasalanan "It's okay kuya, nasa rules nang organization to and we all know dad.."

The pain throbbed in my back, a constant reminder of the choices I had made. I turned to Ate Parcia, searching her eyes for understanding. She knew, deep down, why I had done this. But she remained silent, her gaze heavy with unspoken words.

“Come on,” Kuya enzo urged, stepping closer. “Let’s get you out of here.” agad nila kong inalalayan ni ate.

As we walked away from the punishment area, I felt the weight of my choices heavy on my shoulders.

I had faced my demons and emerged bruised but unbroken. I had fought for love, for loyalty, and I would continue to fight, no matter the cost.

I could see the concern in their eyes as we made our way down the dimly lit hallway. They had witnessed my pain, my suffering, but they didn’t know the truth behind my actions.

They didn’t understand the lengths I was willing to go to protect Aiesha.

“Maxine,” Ate Parcia finally spoke, her voice low and hesitant. “You didn’t have to do this.” pero bago pa ko maka sagot ay nag salita si kuya na ikina bigla ko dahil alam na rin pala niya...

"Is it true max? That you did this to protect the heirs of alvarez?" diretsong tanong sakin ni kuya enzo, agad kong nilingon si ate parcia dahil siya lang ang naka ka alam, pero nag iwas lang ito ng tingin...

“I did,” I replied, my voice steady. “You don’t understand.” wala nang saysay kung itatanggi ko pa kay kuya malalaman at malalaman rin naman niya.

“No,” ate parcia countered, stepping closer. “You don’t understand. You could have talked to us. We would have helped.”

I shook my head, my heart heavy. “I couldn’t put you in danger. I couldn’t let Aiesha suffer because of our families rivalry....”

“But at what cost?” kuya enzo interjected, his voice rising. “You’re hurting yourself for someone who may not even understand what you’ve done.”

“I’m doing this for her!” I snapped, my emotions boiling over. “I love her kuya! Siya ang buhay ko..., and I won’t let anything happen to her. Not ever.”

Silence fell between us, and I could see the realization dawn on their faces. They didn’t understand the depths of my love, the lengths I was willing to go to protect Aiesha. But I wouldn’t change my decision, not now, not ever.

As we reached the exit, I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air wash over me. I had endured my punishment, and now I would face whatever came next. I would protect Aiesha, no matter the cost.

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