Julius pushed Miranda to cover Grace’s case, seeing its depth and importance. But Miranda resisted, saying it wasn’t the kind of story she wanted tied to her program.
The episode begins with Anna buying food for Grace when Chito saw them. He started calling out Grace’s name, and before he could move towards them, a car almost knocked him down. He scolded the driver, and when he went to where he had spotted Grace, no one was there.
At the fish port, Sarah, who was waiting for news about her daughter after learning that a girl might have fallen into the sea due to the storm, received some items from the police, who asked her whether those belonged to her daughter. She took them and, without saying anything, hugged them tightly while crying.
The next day, Anna and Grace took the bus, ready to leave for Quezon. Sarah was still hoping she could get some news about her daughter, and Chito asked her if she was sure the girl they say had seen fall into the sea was her daughter. She asked why he said that, but when he saw the police approaching, he told her to ask them.
The man said they’d update her about her daughter later, then started asking her questions regarding the last time she saw Grace and how she was (her condition). Sarah and Chito got upset with his questions, thinking he was insinuating something. She told him it wasn’t what he thought because they were okay before the girl left, and the man questioned her about what Grace was doing at the fish port then.
Sarah told him Grace always sneaks out but eventually comes back, as that’s what she always does. Chito told her to stop covering up for her daughter and told the man that Grace is a stubborn kid who never listens to them. She just runs off and does whatever she wants. He further added that if the man thought they neglected Grace, then he was mistaken because they were Grace’s parents and loved her very much.
While still inside the bus, Anna and Grace saw the news on TV reporting about a child who had fallen into the sea. A policeman entered the bus searching for someone, and Anna quickly covered Grace so she wouldn’t be noticed. Sarah told Chito they shouldn’t have lied to the police, and Chito told her they didn’t lie.
It was true that they loved Grace since they fed her, clothed her, sent her to school, and took care of her. But Sarah had to remind him that they also hurt Grace. Chito quickly grabbed her chin to make her shut up. He told her to keep her tone down, as someone might hear, and explained that they only did what they did because they were trying to discipline her.
He asked her if she wanted the cops to find out everything and how she hit Grace before she went missing. He said if she wanted to go to jail, then she should suit herself. She said she wasn’t going to jail as she didn’t k!ll Grace, but Chito reminded her of the things she did before the girl went missing.
He told her if she didn’t want to go to jail, then she should get a hold of herself. He explained to her that he was doing all this for her own good as he knew what it felt like to be in jail. He didn’t want her to go through that because he loved her.
Miranda’s team was congratulating her for yet another successful show and told her she had won the Best Public Affairs Program Host Award.
A lady named Ashley was introduced to Miranda as a new host and was told she would also be hosting Miranda’s show. Miranda asked if that was a joke, and the man explained to her that it was just one segment. While Miranda was the nation’s mother, Ashley would be the nation’s big sister. She would be the voice of the youth and provide a different perspective.
Plus, she had good followers on social media.
Miranda’s manager reminded him about the award Miranda had just won, and Miranda added, “For the 10 consecutive years.” Another man said the ratings had been low and there were days she lost to her rival show. That’s why he suggested copying their format, but she opposed the idea as she didn’t want any fights. Another man also added that her format was outdated.
Miranda told them that there was a reason her show had been going on for so long and that ever since then, they never had to resort to cheap gimmicks and tricks to keep the show on top.
“It’s a public service, not a circus,” she added before leaving.
Sarah asked the fishermen to help her look for her daughter, but a man replied that the weather was still bad and they didn’t want to get involved in something that might harm them since they also had families to look after. She lost it after the man said her daughter might be dead.
Chito had to drag her aside, trying to calm her. He told her what if her daughter was still wandering around and the person who said they had seen her fall into the sea was mistaken. He reminded her about the earlier incident where he saw Grace.
She got mad at him for not being able to do anything, and he told her he had gotten her phone call about the girl falling into the sea and what if he was mistaken.
She started accusing him of not saying anything earlier. He warned her not to say anything to the cops. She asked why, and he said if the cops found Grace, how would she explain the wounds on Grace, which she had caused by beating her?
Anna got robbed by a man after getting off the bus to get water for Grace and help her pee. She chased him, but before she could do anything, she saw Grace being surrounded by his men. She told him to take the money but not hurt Grace. She quickly went to Grace, hugging her and ensuring she was fine.
Julius showed Miranda a story he thought she might want to take—about Grace missing and Sarah, who was distraught looking for her daughter. Miranda found the case depressing and didn’t seem interested, but Julius explained that they could use it to explore other kids from similar backgrounds.
Miranda was defending the mother, while Julius thought there was more to the story. Miranda didn’t think that was a show she’d want to take, and Julius said maybe that was why the show’s ratings were plummeting. He reminded her that the world was cruel. She responded by asking if he thought she didn’t know. That was precisely why they were there and why they do what they do.
Julius told her to give the story a chance as he was sure that was the story they were looking for.
“Well then give me more about the story, Julius. Because as it is? My answer is no!” Miranda told him. A police officer was helping Anna find the thief who took her money.
Since she was keeping it low until she made sure Grace was with her dad’s aunt, she didn’t want to risk being caught as the news of Grace missing was all over the headlines. She told Grace they needed to play a game, and Grace shouldn’t call her “teacher” but could address her as “mother” if she wanted since it was a game they were going to play.
Grace preferred to call her “auntie,” and Anna was fine with it.Julius came to Sarah’s place to make some inquiries about Grace. He asked the neighbors about Grace, and they explained to him what happened and were certain Grace was dead. One woman stated it was good that she was dead since that would end the child’s suffering, making Julius more curious.
She started telling him how the girl was neglected and how Chito always hurt her. Chito heard what she was telling Julius and confronted her. The woman yelled back, asking him if she was wrong and reminded him about a social worker who came to his house. He got mad at the woman and was about to hit her when Julius intervened.
Both men started fighting and had to be separated by the neighbors. Julius explained to the police what happened before Chito got into a fight with him. He told the police he was only interested in Grace’s case as he was a TV producer, but the police wasn’t ’t happy about his involvement and called it meddling.
Chito told the police Julius was only trying to cause trouble, and Julius countered back, saying maybe he was afraid the truth would come out—about him hurting Grace. Seeing the matter escalating, the police interrupted them and then asked Julius if he wanted to press charges. His attorney arrived and confirmed they would. Chito didn’t think it was a big deal, but Jessica insisted they would.
Chito called Sarah to help him with bail, but she told him she didn’t have the money. Miranda came there to interview her regarding her missing daughter. While waiting for the bus, Anna bought some food for her and Grace, and Grace suddenly got traumatized after seeing the chicken on her food.
The food accidentally fell while she tried handing it back to Anna, telling her she didn’t want it. Anna got mad, thinking Grace had intentionally thrown the food. The girl flinched when Anna tried picking up the food, thinking Anna was going to hurt her.
Anna was surprised at the girl’s behavior, and Grace, in tears, explained to Anna that she remembered Pipo, who got eaten by Chito. Anna apologized to the little girl.
