About this ebook
For years, Roberto and Elena Santos worked overseas, believing that every sacrifice, every missed birthday, and every lonely holiday would be worth it if it meant providing a better life for their children.
Back home, their sons were raised by Lola Rosa, the grandmother who became both mother and father in their absence.
Chris, the eldest, grows into adulthood carrying the silent weight of abandonment, eventually losing himself in a world of parties, alcohol, and bad choices. Loyd, his younger brother with special needs, becomes the family's source of unconditional love and quiet strength.
Meanwhile, oceans apart, Roberto and Elena slowly drift away from one another. What begins as loneliness leads to secrets that threaten to shatter everything they have built.
As hidden truths emerge, the Santos family is forced to face painful realities about love, responsibility, betrayal, and forgiveness.
While We Were Away is an emotional and unforgettable family drama that explores the true cost of sacrifice, the challenges faced by families separated by distance, and the healing power of grace and second chances.
Perfect for readers who enjoy heartfelt stories about family, resilience, redemption, and the enduring bonds that survive even life's greatest trials.
Because sometimes the longest journey is not crossing an ocean—it's finding your way back home.
Discover more
Ratings and reviews
- Flag inappropriate
About the author
Darwin Manalo is a novelist whose stories explore the timeless themes of family, sacrifice, forgiveness, faith, resilience, and unconditional love.
Inspired by real-life experiences and the extraordinary strength found in ordinary people, he writes emotionally rich novels that capture the joys, heartbreaks, struggles, and triumphs that shape the human journey. His stories celebrate the power of hope, the importance of second chances, and the enduring bonds that connect us to the people we love.
Through The Heartstrings Collection, Darwin seeks to create meaningful stories that touch the soul, inspire reflection, encourage healing, and remind readers of what truly matters in life. Whether writing about first love, family devotion, personal redemption, or overcoming life's greatest challenges, his goal is always the same—to leave readers with hope long after the final page.
