Chapter Forty-Six

"Son, what really happened five years ago?" Manong Kiko's question pierced the air. A weight suddenly settled on my chest. The memories from the past surged forward, a tide of emotions that I had tried to suppress. The pain I once endured was almost unbearable, but over time, I managed to cope. No matter how excruciating the decision I made back then was, I never regretted it. I was fully aware of the repercussions, fully aware of this very moment that I'm facing now.

I fixed my gaze on the glass of wine in my hand before setting it down on my thigh. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes momentarily, preparing myself for what I was about to share. The weight of those five years ago resurfaced, flooding my mind with memories, both beautiful and heart-wrenching. It felt as though time stood still, carrying me back to a past that had forever shaped the present.