Run Away

Gabie's POV

I awoke from a deep, dreamless sleep to a voice I knew by heart. But I kept my eyes shut. I didn't want him to stop talking—not yet. Because the moment he realized I was awake, I knew he'd never finish what he truly wanted to say.

"Hi," he said gently. "How are you?"

He gave a soft chuckle, but it didn't reach his voice.

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

He paused, then added, ""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."

He held my hand, and even though I didn't look, I could feel him beside me. Still there. Still waiting.

"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." His voice broke slightly. He sniffled, trying to keep himself together.

"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."

He fell silent again, but his grip on my hand remained firm, like an anchor.

"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."

Another pause. When he spoke again, it was barely a whisper.

"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."

He let out a shaky breath.

"This is all my fault. If only I had understood the signs. I wish we hadn't met this way. I wish we hadn't fallen into something we didn't understand. I'm married, and that clouded everything. I didn't get the message. I didn't realize you might be… the person my dad had been searching for before he vanished."

His voice cracked, heavy with guilt. Then, softly, as if he was leaving a final note:

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

I felt him lean in. His lips pressed gently against my forehead.

And then… he left.

It was hard, but I kept myself from crying. I didn't want him to know I had heard every word.

***

I kept thinking about how I was going to face Mama. Our last conversation didn't end well—and then everything else happened. Guilt gnawed at me, but so did the need to escape, to breathe.

I was staring at the ceiling, lost in thought, when I heard the door creak open. Instinctively, I shut my eyes.

"I think she's asleep again. Let her rest—her body's still recovering. That'll help her chest wound heal faster," Nurse Lean said. I recognized her voice instantly.

"Thank you," Mama replied.

"Thank God she's in a regular room now. The ICU gave me anxiety. Every time I thought about her lying there, it felt like something terrible could happen," Jhay said softly.

"You're right. I reacted the same way when I saw her ICU bed empty earlier," Mama answered.

"I tried to push the bad thoughts away, Aunt… but—never mind. I just don't want to talk about that," Jhay mumbled. "Wait, what happened earlier? I got back late because I had to accompany one of my models, Janine, to a shoot."

Mama sighed. "As expected, I proved to them I wasn't lying. But I still feel sorry for Gab. I couldn't help but feel sad. I know it won't be easy for her to accept everything. But the truth is the truth—we can't change it."

"So… it's confirmed? Gabie really is Sir Miggy's sister?" Jhay asked.

"Yes. And Miggy said that what his father left for Gabie will remain hers. Nothing will change. He didn't even know about it until after the funeral, when the lawyer told him. Not even his mother knew."

"Oh my god. And Gabie—when she woke up, we had to tell her. She deserved to know. But where is Sir Miggy now?"

"He said he was leaving… but he didn't say where or when he'd be back. As for Gabie… I want to tell her everything myself. I just don't know if she'll forgive me. I know I kept secrets. I deserve her anger."

They didn't know I was awake. I stayed still, listening to their conversation, every word weighing heavy on my chest. Eventually, their voices became distant. I must've drifted off, because when I woke up again, I was alone.

I wasn't ready to talk. Not to Mama. Not to Miggy. Nothing about my plan had changed—I still needed to get away. I had to clear my head and figure things out.

I sat up slowly, checking the room. No one. I reached for the IV in my hand. Removing it made me wince—it bled a little—but I pressed on. At the cabinet, I found my bag and clothes. I changed quickly, biting my lip when pain shot through my chest as I pulled my shirt over my head. I waited for the ache to subside, then finished dressing.

I peeked into the hallway. Quiet.

This was it. My chance.

I walked as steadily and quickly as I could, heart pounding. When I reached the elevator, I changed my mind—too risky. Instead, I took the stairs, even though each step sent fresh pain through my body.

By the time I made it to the parking area, I was dizzy. I looked around. A man stood nearby, his back to me, talking on his phone. His car lights were already on. I didn't think twice—I slipped into the back seat, ducking low, heart thudding in my ears.

A few minutes passed. Then I heard the driver's side door open, the engine humming to life. The car started moving. Soft music played. The rain outside helped hide everything else.

I didn't know how long we were on the road. Eventually, the car slowed to a stop. He parked. I knew this was my moment.

I slowly sat up. "Hi," I said awkwardly, giving a small wave.

"Shit! What the hell?" he yelled, eyes wide in the rearview mirror.

"I—I'm sorry I rode without asking," I stammered.

"Who are you?! How did you even get in here?" he snapped, switching to English as he twisted in his seat, glaring at me.

"I'm sorry. I swear I'm not dangerous. I didn't plan this to hurt anyone. I just… needed to get away from the hospital. From everything. I snuck into your car while you weren't looking. This is on me, not you."

"What the fuck…" he muttered. Then he flung open his door, stormed to the back, and yanked my door open. "Get out! Get the hell out of my car!"

His voice was so loud it froze me. But I got out quickly, my legs trembling. His face was red with rage, his jaw clenched.

"Who the hell are you?" he shouted again.

"I'll explain—just don't yell at me like I'm deaf!" My fear gave way to irritation.

"You're seriously talking back right now?"

"I'm not trying to be rude. I know I messed up. I'll explain everything. Just please, stop shouting."

"You didn't think I could've been some kind of criminal?"

"I didn't care," I replied. "All I wanted was to escape the mess I left behind. I wasn't thinking straight. And now that I've seen you… you don't seem like a bad person."

"I don't give a damn about your issues!" he snapped. "You think they'll just believe this story? That you climbed into a stranger's car and I didn't kidnap you? If they find out, I'm screwed!"

"Nothing like that will happen," I said quickly. "No one forced me. You didn't even know. I got in on my own while you were on your phone."

"You're making me sound like a lunatic!" he said, pulling his hands through his hair. "You're unbelievable!"

I was about to respond, but a sharp pain pierced my chest. I clutched it instinctively, trying to steady myself.

He noticed.

"Shit—you're bleeding!"

"I'm fine," I mumbled, trying to catch my breath. "Just… don't yell anymore. Please."

He stared at me, conflicted. The anger on his face shifted—something like concern starting to creep in.