XXXVIII. Completely shattered

What I saw froze me in place.

I didn't know how to feel, what exactly to feel, or even what to say. My hands trembled as I slowly turned to look at the man gently sleeping on the bed, my tears streaming down uncontrollably. My chest tightened painfully, and my breath hitched as I took in his frail form.

I didn't know what to do.

In front of me now lay the father I had longed to see, hug, and be with. Yet, now that he was here—right in front of me—it felt like my heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

A mix of pain and anger swirled violently inside me, leaving me unable to comprehend why all these things were happening to me. I took slow, shaky steps backward, my vision blurred by tears, until I finally turned and fled the room.

Covering my mouth to muffle my sobs, I ran blindly through the hallways until I reached the garden at the back of the house. The moment my feet hit the soft earth, the weakness in my knees overtook me, and I collapsed onto the ground.

A strangled scream tore from my throat as the agony I had been holding inside erupted. I pounded my chest with my fists, desperate to release the unbearable weight pressing down on me. I felt like I was losing my mind, drowning in an ocean of sorrow and fury.

It wasn't fair.

None of it was fair.

My father—my own father—had been suffering under the same roof as me, and I hadn't even known.

Suddenly, a gentle yet firm hand grasped mine, stopping me from hurting myself further.

"Stop that, child," Marisol's voice broke as she knelt beside me, her own eyes brimming with unshed tears. "It hurts me too every time I see you like this."

I could see the pain in her eyes, the way she fought to remain strong for my sake. But I knew—she wanted to cry just as much as I did.

"I don't know what to do now, Aunt Marisol," I whispered hoarsely, my voice weak and raw from sobbing. "I don't know anymore. I… I'm giving up."

"I'm here, my child," she murmured, pulling me into a tight embrace. "I will always be here."

"But I'm so tired…"

"I know," she said softly, stroking my back in soothing circles. "I know…"

We stayed like that for a long time, letting the silence settle around us as we clung to each other. When I finally regained my composure, we returned to the house to discuss our next steps.

"Who was that man who visited my room?" I asked, still puzzled by the encounter. "I don't know him, and his voice doesn't sound familiar."

Marisol shook her head. "Even I don't know all the people Amy brings in and out of the house."

I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Oh right, how are we going to get Dad out of here?" I asked, my voice laced with urgency. "His body is so weak. How can we move him?"

Marisol reached out and gently stroked my hair. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to bask in the warmth of a love I had never truly received from my parents before.

"First, you need to focus on getting out of here," she said. "Find help outside. You know we can't fight Amy on our own."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Tears welled in my eyes again, but I forced them back.

This wasn't the time to be weak.

This wasn't the time to be selfish.

I would leave this place, but I wouldn't leave alone.

"I know a way for you to escape," Marisol continued. "While you're gone, I will take care of your father. I won't let Amy completely kill him with the poison she's injecting him with."

My breath hitched at her words.

Poison?

Amy was poisoning him?

A fresh wave of rage surged through me.

I took a deep breath and gripped Marisol's hands tightly. "I will return, Aunt Marisol. I will take back my father. Amy already took Grandpa from me—I will not let her take my father too."

"You won't be fighting alone," she assured me. "I'm with you."

I nodded, my resolve hardening.

Marisol and I quickly put our plan into action. She prepared snacks and lured Amy's staff away for a break, giving me the perfect window to make my escape. I knew every hidden path and secret exit in this house—I had grown up here, after all.

I sprinted toward the garden, pushing aside the thick bushes to reveal a hidden passage. Grandpa and I had built this escape route long ago in case something bad ever happened.

Thank God for Grandpa's vigilance.

I missed him so much.

With one last glance at the house I once called home, I slipped through the exit and ran. I didn't dare look back.

I reached the main road and flagged down a taxi, practically collapsing into the backseat. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror, his face creased with concern.

"Are you okay, hija? Is someone chasing you? Do you need to report something to the police?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

I forced a small, reassuring smile. "No, I'm fine. I just need to get home early. I have a lot to do."

The driver hesitated but eventually nodded and started the car.

Halfway through the ride, I realized I had no money, no phone—nothing to pay him with.

"Uh… Kuya, do you accept jewelry as payment?" I asked hesitantly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I forgot to bring cash with me."

The driver chuckled and waved off my concern. "Don't worry about it, hija. This is my usual route home anyway. Consider it a free ride."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Just be careful, okay?"

"If that's the case, please let me consider this a debt of gratitude. If we ever meet again, I'll repay you—with interest."

He laughed. "I'll hold you to that. Take care, hija."

I stepped out of the car and waved as he drove away.

Before I could take another step, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Where have you been?!"

I barely had time to react before Alex appeared beside me, his face pale and his eyes red and swollen.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "I've been going crazy thinking about you! Do you even know if you're still alive or buried six feet under?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, Alex pulled me into a tight embrace.

Then, to my shock, he started crying.

"Do you know that I haven't slept properly since Lara's birthday?" he sobbed. "I haven't heard from you. I couldn't find peace. Even Lara reached out to people who could help track you down—oh, right, I need to tell Lar—"

He abruptly stopped, realization dawning on his face.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean to mention his name. I know you're still angry with him, but believe me, he's really worried about you."

I gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry."

Alex swallowed hard. "Where have you been, Kaesu?"

Doubt filled my mind. Should I tell him? Or would I just be dragging him into the mess that was my life?

"Kaesu, answer me!"

I hesitated. "How is Lara?"

Alex blinked in surprise. "Do you want me to call him?"

I shook my head.

I wasn't ready for that.

Not yet.