Doreen arrived home late, having stopped by the museum and art gallery on a whim. The businesses her father had given her, once fronts for the syndicate, now thrived as legitimate ventures under her careful guidance. But between her business endeavors, Doreen was expected to fulfill the roles of devoted wife and mother. Her husband, Donald "Junior" Diez, was the son of Father Don Diez, Anton's former right-hand man turned influential Catholic priest. Originally, Caitlin, Doreen's youngest twin sister, had been promised to Junior, but due to her fragile health, Doreen was offered in her place, binding her to a marriage defined by duty and obligation.

Junior, who'd dozed off on the sofa in their bedroom, was clearly waiting for her to get home. He woke up when the click of the door jolted him awake. “You didn't have to wait up,” she said, setting her keys down.

“I like to know you made it home safely. How was work?” “It was work,” she replied with a shrug. “How were the kids today?”

“Good; we all missed you.”

Doreen and Junior had three kids: Daria, Donny, and Diego. Though she never saw herself as the maternal type, Doreen's love for her children grew beyond her expectations. Her feelings for Junior, however, remained dutiful rather than passionate. She played the role of wife, motivated by her affection for him as a person and concern for their family's reputation.

Doreen's guilt over not feeling romantic love for Junior prompted her to keep her extramarital relationships discreet, careful to protect her family's image and ensure Junior's paternity of their children. "Doreen," Junior said, catching her attention as she headed towards the bathroom. "Why don't you take it easy for a bit? You've been through a lot lately, and the miscarriage... you need time to heal, you know? Not just your body.”

"I'm fine," she said firmly. "Besides, if I take time off, Dad will know something's up." "Would that be so bad? He loves you; he'd want you to prioritize your health." Doreen knew better. To her father, family legacy and power came first, and as a woman, her role was to produce heirs. She was exhausted from the constant pregnancies and miscarriages, but kept trying for the sake of the family's legacy.

Every time she lost a child, Junior would urge her to step back from the family business, and every time Doreen rejected the idea. “Right now, the warehouses are the priority. I don’t have time to sit around feeling sorry for myself.” “I’m not asking you to, but would it kill you to acknowledge the loss? You’re not made of stone, Doreen. The syndicate isn't who you are - it doesn’t define you.”

“Neither does a dead child!” When she saw the hurt on Junior’s face, she immediately calmed down. “Look, I’m sorry. I'll try to take it easy, okay?" she said, knowing it was the most she could promise.

Junior simply nodded and let the matter rest.