MasukI felt an overwhelming wave of pity as I looked at my older brother one last time before turning away. His condition made my chest ache, as if something inside me was slowly breaking apart.“Take care, my child,” my father, Romeo, told me gently. “Don’t forget the USB. Update me as soon as you can… and I’m sorry.”I forced a small smile, even though my heart felt unbearably heavy. “Yes, Dad. Please take your medicine on time. And keep me updated about Kuya, okay?”He simply nodded, unable to say more. That was enough for me to know he was trying to stay strong—for me.I stepped out of the room, my shoulders slumped as if the weight of everything was finally crushing me. I wasn’t just tired. I felt shattered.As I walked through the hallway, I suddenly stopped when I noticed Fabien sitting on a stainless steel bench nearby.“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked, slightly startled. “Isn’t it dangerous? You’re alone.”“I have a gun,” he replied casually.“That doesn’t make it better,”
Saying goodbye to the household staff who had treated me kindly was harder than I expected. There was a quiet sadness in the way they looked at me, as if they knew I was leaving not just the house, but a chapter of my life I could never return to. I didn’t let myself linger. If I did, I might not have the strength to walk away. I went straight to the hospital after that. I told myself it was so my father could finally get some rest, but maybe I just needed a place where I could sit still and pretend everything hadn’t fallen apart. The day passed slowly. I stayed inside my brother’s room, watching television just to keep my mind occupied. Old dramas played one after another, and for some reason, I found myself drawn into them more than usual. Every heartbreak, every betrayal—it all felt too familiar. There was one old show in particular. The male lead wasn’t even that handsome, not someone I would normally notice, but somehow, I kept seeing Fabien in him. It didn’t make sense. The
I woke up in the morning still clutching my phone, and I jolted upright. I must have fallen asleep while waiting for my father to call or reply. I had also been waiting for Fabien, but I never felt him come back. Maybe he really didn’t return. He even said he would tear my underwear—did he? No. Probably not. Maybe they just had sex in the car. That must have satisfied him last night, so he didn’t bother me anymore. That’s fine with me anyway, because I wasn’t in the mood. I have too many problems to deal with.I quickly checked my phone and saw a message.“We’re here at Prime Hospital because there are no available rooms at the government hospital, child. Can you visit?”I couldn’t reply right away. I still had to ask permission from Fabien.“What’s bothering you?” he asked.I immediately turned around. He was behind me, and it looked like he had just come from the balcony.“How long have you been there?”“Since last night,” he said, making me frown. “You were asleep when I climbed up
The entire house is quiet when we return. Too quiet. I glance around instinctively as we step inside. The lights are dim, the air still, and there’s a strange emptiness that settles over everything. “It’s already ten,” I murmur, more to myself than to him. Then I look at Fabien. “Do you think your father isn’t here?” “I guess so,” he replies casually. “They usually do business at night.” I nod slowly. “That makes sense… but your father is kind of scary,” I admit. “He seems really strict. Your uncle, though—he punches people out of nowhere, but he’s nice to you.” “He’s more concerned,” Fabien says simply. I study him for a moment. “Why does it feel like there’s a gap between you and your father?” I ask carefully. “I’m not trying to gossip or anything… but it really feels like you’re different. Like you want different things in life.” “You’re right,” he says after a brief pause. Then he glances at me. “But it’s better if you sleep now. It’s getting late.” I nod, th
I start hitting my arm harder than I should, the sharp smacks echoing lightly against my skin as I pretend to swat mosquitoes. At this point, I’m not even sure if I’m still pretending. It already stings, but I keep going anyway.Maybe if I make it obvious enough, he’ll finally get it.I want to go home.Or at least… I want to leave this place.But Fabien?He doesn’t even look at me.He’s just there—sitting on the hood of his car, one leg slightly bent, a bottle of beer hanging loosely in his hand as he stares up at the sky like he’s waiting for something.I follow his gaze.The moon is full. Bright. Almost too perfect.And there he is, staring at it like some kind of devoted follower in a strange ritual.Honestly, he looks like he’s waiting for something to appear.A creature. A shadow. Someone flying across the moon on a broom.I press my lips together.“Are we not going home yet?” I ask, raising my voice a little, unable to hide my impatience anymore. “At this rate, you and the moon
The word black market won’t stop echoing in my head. It sounds wrong. Dark. Dangerous. Like a place where people disappear and no one ever asks questions. And Fredrin said it so casually. As if I’m just… something to be traded. My chest tightens at the thought. If what he said is true—if Fabien really plans to sell me after he’s done using me—then I don’t have much time. I swallow hard. Then there’s only one thing I can do. I have to make him fall for me. I almost laugh at myself. Out of all the women he has bought before, how can I possibly stand out? I’m sure there were women prettier than me, more seductive, more experienced. Women who knew exactly how to make a man like him stay. And yet… he’s still like this. Cold. Detached. Untouchable. Fabien doesn’t look like a man who falls in love. He looks like the kind who walks away before anything even begins. I don’t know why, but I still want to try. Maybe I’m desperate. Maybe I’m stupid. Or maybe… I just don’t have any







