Veracity

Miggy's POV

It's been a few days since our unexpected encounter with Teresa—and since we learned the truth about her. She was Gabie's mother.

After that day, Gab said she was heading back to Bulacan. I didn't let her. I told her it would be better to stay in the city while we waited for the results of the DNA test. Coincidentally, she got a call from one of the companies she had applied to. She started working almost immediately.

Since then, she's changed. She's grown quieter, more distant. She stopped dropping by my unit like she used to. Even with Meynard and me, something feels different—strained. And I get it. After everything, how could things stay the same?

The nights used to be loud and full of laughter. Gab would joke around while we cooked, and dinner was always a mess of stories, teasing, and chaos. But now, the silence lingers. Even when Gab manages a laugh, it doesn't quite reach her eyes. I've never felt this isolated in my own home.

According to Jhay, she's been visiting Gabie in the hospital when she can. I haven't. I don't know why. Maybe I'm avoiding something—or someone.

I've also taken a leave from work, and I'm seriously thinking about resigning altogether. I need to breathe. To rest. After everything that's happened these past few months—after the funeral, the revelations, the fights—I feel like I'm slowly unraveling.

Right now, all I can do is wait—for Gabie to wake up, for the DNA results, for the truth to finally settle in. It hurts, but I'm trying to prepare myself for whatever's coming.

They say Gabie's condition has stabilized. No more complications. She just needs time now. Time to heal. Time to come back.

Today, the DNA test results are supposed to be released. I know I'm not the only one anxious. Gab probably left early—she didn't even pass by my unit like we agreed. I waited for her, hoping we could have breakfast together. But she didn't come.

We were supposed to meet at that small coffee shop we'd last been to, to talk everything out. But before that, I decided to visit Gabie at the hospital. I haven't seen her since the surgery. I've only heard updates through Meynard and Jhay.

When I arrived outside the ICU, I saw Teresa inside. She was crying, talking to Gabie like she could hear her. I stayed back. The ICU only allows one visitor at a time, and it wasn't my turn yet. I sat on one of the cold metal chairs lined up outside, waiting. Watching.

Eventually, Teresa stepped out.

"You're here," she said softly, surprised but not unkind. She looked exhausted—dark circles under her eyes, her face pale from grief and guilt.

"I just wanted to see Gabie. This is the only chance I've had since that night," I murmured, standing.

She gave a small, almost broken nod. "Thank you. For helping my daughter. I don't know what would've happened to her if it weren't for you. I know I caused all of this. If I hadn't lied to her all these years…"

Her voice broke.

"I wanted to protect her. That's all. I didn't want her to feel abandoned; to carry the weight of a mistake she had no part in. So, I hid the truth. I thought it was for the best."

I didn't say anything. What was there to say?

She looked away, wiping at her eyes. "I never planned to ruin your family. That night… that night with your father… it wasn't something I ever wanted. It was a stupid, drunken mistake. But even so, I can't undo what happened. I know Gabie hates me right now. Maybe she always will. But I'm willing to bear that. I have to."

Her voice trembled, but she kept going. "And I'm sorry for what I said to you that night—for the shouting, for the accusations. I was overwhelmed. I didn't realize you were the same man she cared about. And I have no right to interfere in her life. If you make her happy, then… who am I to stop it?"

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "But I know this situation is too complicated now. Maybe it's better if you walk away. Maybe you're already planning to."

She didn't wait for a response. She just whispered, "Thank you," and walked past me, her tears falling freely.

I watched her go before finally stepping inside. The nurse at the station gave me a small nod and directed me to Gabie's room.

She looked so small in the hospital bed, surrounded by monitors and wires. Peaceful, almost like she was just asleep.

I took the chair beside her and sat down quietly.

"Hi," I whispered, my voice catching. "How are you? I'm sorry it took me this long to visit. I didn't know how to face you… not after everything."

Her chest rose and fell slowly. The machines beeped steadily beside her.

"I don't even know if you'd want to see me. But I'm here. Everyone's waiting for you to wake up, Gabie. Especially me. I miss your smile."

I swallowed hard, staring at her hand resting on the blanket.

"Gabie… I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't know what the truth was, and now that we're about to find out, I don't know how to feel. The DNA results come out today. It'll tell us who's really… who really belongs where."

A painful pause.

"It hurts. For all of us. But no matter what those results say, I'm glad you're alive. That's what matters. If it turns out that you're my sister… I'll step away. I'll let you go. I'll take time away from all of this. I need it. You probably do too."

I reached out and gently held her hand.

"Please don't hate me. I wish I had understood everything sooner. I wish none of this had happened the way it did. But I know you're strong. You've always been strong. You have so much ahead of you."

I smiled faintly, blinking back tears.

"You're graduating next week, remember? You've been waiting for that moment. Don't let this stop you from claiming it. You've earned it."

I stood up, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"I'll come back, okay? Just not today."

When I arrived at the coffee shop, I saw them all already there. They were just waiting for me.

"Sorry I'm late," I said as I approached. Uncle Rick and Meynard sat beside each other, while Teresa sat across from them. Gabriella was next to Teresa. Her expression was tight with anxiety, and Teresa's cheeks were streaked with tears.

"So... shall we?" Uncle Rick asked, raising a white envelope with the logo of the testing center. Inside were the results from the samples the three of us had submitted.

Gabie exhaled sharply. Teresa pulled her close in a half-embrace, whispering something that made Gabie nod in silence. I sat at the far end of the table, a little away from them. Closer to Meynard.

No one responded, but Uncle Rick slowly tore open the envelope, peeling back the edge with steady hands to retrieve the paper inside.

epidoxossanalyse.de

Paternity Test Certificate

Case No. XYZ1234

Individuals Examined:

Alejandro Miguel Sansebastian — Alleged Brother — 11/11/1995

Gabriella Therese Alonzo — Sister — 03/28/1997

In all analyzed PCR systems, Alejandro Miguel Sansebastian shows the genetic markers required to be the biological brother of Gabriella Therese Alonzo.

The probability of Mr. Sansebastian being the biological brother is > 24.9999%.

Conclusion:

It is proven that Alejandro Miguel Sansebastian is the biological brother of Gabriella Therese Alonzo.

We all expected it, but somehow the words still stunned us. Even with the truth looming for days, seeing it written so plainly, so officially, hit differently.

Except for Teresa. She didn't flinch. She had always known.

Gabriella broke. The tears she had been trying to hold in spilled over as she sobbed silently. Teresa wrapped her arms around her again.

I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I let it out, slow and heavy.

I already knew the truth—I heard it straight from Teresa on Gabie's birthday. But hearing it is different from reading it in black and white. There was always a sliver of doubt in me, a desperate hope that maybe Teresa had lied. That maybe she just didn't want me to be close to Gabie.

But the truth, no matter how long you try to ignore it, always catches up.

I stood up quietly and approached Gab. She didn't look at me, but I gently pulled her into a hug. I didn't say anything. No words could ease what she was feeling. What we were feeling.

I thought she wouldn't hug me back—but slowly, she did. Her arms wrapped tightly around me; her sobs muffled against my chest. And maybe it was selfish, but it hurt even more to see her in pain. To realize that the person I had grown so close to—someone I thought I could possibly fall in love with—was actually my sister.

In the few months we'd spent together, Gabie had become part of my daily life. She brought warmth and softness into my space. Even when we were in different units, she often stayed in mine, saying it was easier to clean and manage my things when she was there. But more than that, she just was there—for me.

And now, everything had changed.

"Shhh... Stay with me. Didn't I say nothing would change?" I whispered, still hugging Gab and gently rubbing her back.

She sobbed even harder at my words.

"Big bro... I don't deserve the condo you gave me. It's not really for me. That's why I'm looking for a place to move."

"No," I said firmly. "I meant what I said. Nothing changes. It's already in your name. I gave it to you at graduation. It's yours. I'll give Gabie something too, so please—don't think about that, okay?"

"It's not your responsibility... I'm not your sister. I'm used to being alone anyway..."

"You're not alone. Your aunt is your mom's sister. Gabie is your cousin. And Meynard and I—we're still here. You'll never be alone again. I hope... we all get through this together."

She looked down. "It's humiliating…"

I slowly pulled her away to look into her eyes.

"Don't even think that. I chose to give it to you. You deserve it. It's yours, and that won't change. We don't need to talk about it again. I'll take care of everything. I'll fix things before I leave."

Her eyes widened. "You're leaving?"

"Yes," I said softly. "We'll talk more about it soon. I promise I'll explain everything. But for now, let's just finish what needs to be done."

I helped her sit down again, then returned to my seat. I noticed my uncle now gently comforting Teresa, while Meynard watched quietly, a steady presence.

I cleared my throat. "Uhm... I'll settle everything with our lawyer before I go. Whatever Daddy left for Gabie—it'll be transferred to her name. I know... it's too late for him to make things right, but please accept it anyway. He meant it for her. The lawyer told me after he passed away. Mommy doesn't even know about it."

I took a breath.

"Daddy also left a trust fund in Gabie's name. It means... he'd been planning to find you both for a while. But I guess things got complicated before he could. As for Gab, don't worry. I won't take anything back. What I gave was from me—not from Dad. The lawyer hasn't even processed the transfer yet because of personal issues. But I'll talk to him. Maybe this time, he can move it forward."

I looked at Meynard. "Meynard will keep you updated."

No one said a word. No one questioned anything. They just listened.

"That's all I have to say. I'll head out now. Meynard, take care of everything. I'll call you when I can."

I stood up and left them there.

As soon as I got to my car, I drove straight home to the condo. The weight in my chest was too heavy to bear. I wanted to scream, to disappear—but I couldn't. I had to stay calm. I had to get home safely. I wouldn't let myself spiral like before.

In the elevator, my tears started to fall. I tried to stop them, but it only made my chest tighten more. I was grateful I was alone. If anyone had seen me—sobbing like a child—they would've thought I'd lost my mind.

The moment I got into my unit, I locked the door and let it all out.

I thought I was okay when I found out the truth.

I'm not.

It hurts more now that everything's final. That nothing can be undone. It's not about what anyone said—it's the DNA test. It's the facts. And even if people wanted to twist things, they can't. No one even knows where Teresa and I went to get the test done. There's no way anyone tampered with the results. No one else knew.

Still, I don't understand why it's hitting me like this.

I can't describe what I'm feeling.

All I know is that it's heavy. It burns in my chest. And no matter how much I try to stop myself from crying... I just can't.