Mag-log inAs Sylvia helped George downstairs, Victor staggered in from outside. He stopped at the bottom step and stared at her, expression blank.The scene struck him as painfully familiar. In the past, Sylvia had supported George down these stairs countless times. For a split second, Victor almost believed she had come back. He almost believed that none of it had happened, that there was still an after for them.Before, her gaze would have found him at once. She would have smiled and spoken his name.Now, no matter how intently he looked at her, Sylvia treated him like air.Everything had happened. It had all already happened. She would not return, and there was no future left for them. The realization pierced his chest like an invisible blade. Every breath cut through him.At dinner, Victor sat across from her, his eyes fixed on her face. From time to time, he picked up dishes she used to like and placed them on her plate.Sylvia never looked up. She focused on talking with George. Ever
As always, Henry drove Sylvia home. Yet this time, everything felt different.Before she stepped out of the car, he handed her a small gift box. "Your birthday present."From the front gate of the complex to her building, Sylvia walked faster than usual. She wanted to get home and open it.Then she saw Victor and came to an abrupt stop.Victor stood downstairs with a cake in one hand and a gift in the other. When he noticed her, he walked toward her.He raised the gift, his nerves obvious, his voice rough. "Happy birthday, Via. I said I would spend every birthday with you. I'm glad I didn't miss this one."It was true.In the past, Victor had never missed a single birthday of hers. No matter how packed his schedule became, even after a full day of surgeries, he always made time for her. When necessary, he operated through the night afterward. He never failed to show up.But that was the past.Sylvia took the gift. Before Victor could relax, she casually tossed it into the tras
After dropping Helena off, Sylvia finally went home.Once she finished washing up, she lay back on the bed. Victor's talk of love surfaced in her mind again, and she could not help laughing out loud.Hearing the word love from him felt like an insult to the word itself.The next day brought no performance. Even the usual practice schedule was canceled. Sylvia skimmed the group notice, tossed her phone aside, and stared at the ceiling.She realized that, aside from rehearsals and shows, she did not actually have much to do.The sense of emptiness had only just begun to creep in when her phone rang."Is there no practice today?" Henry's voice came through. "I'll pick you up. Let's go out for a bit."Sylvia considered it. She truly had nothing else planned, so she agreed.She got out of bed and took her time getting ready. By the time she went downstairs, Henry was already waiting.She paused, then quickened her steps and slid into the passenger seat. "Did I make you wait? I shou
Sylvia stopped and turned. Her expression was distant. "Did your father ask you to come find me?"It was the only explanation she could think of.Victor froze, then rushed to explain. "No. I came on my own."She stepped back, her voice turning cold. "What do you want?"The caution and distance in her eyes cut into him like a blade. Thick, suffocating bittereness surged.His eyes were red with grief and pleading. "Via, come back with me. I—""Still trying to repay a debt?" Sylvia cut in, her tone calm. "There's no need. Whatever debt existed, your family already paid it off. You should leave. We don't owe each other anything anymore."She moved to pass him, but his large hand closed around her wrist."Not repayment," he said urgently, gripping her as if afraid she might vanish. "I just want you to come back. I was stupid. I didn't understand my own feelings until I lost you."Her brows drew together. The contact made her uneasy. She twisted free with a sharp motion.The sudden
There were too many people, so they split into two cars. Sylvia rode with Henry and Helena. The others took taxis.Since she still got carsick, Sylvia sat in the front passenger seat.Helena lounged in the back, staring out the window and talking nonstop. "That guy just now was so handsome. He looked a little worn out, sure, but you could still tell. I really wanted his contact info."Sylvia said nothing.Henry noticed her silence and spoke without looking back. "Will you shut it? Every guy you see is handsome to you. At this point, I don't even know how your eyes work."Helena rose to the challenge at once, completely forgetting Victor as she turned to argue with her brother.Sylvia watched the trees blur past outside the window. That single call of her name echoed again in her mind.There had been no surprise in his voice, which meant it had not been a coincidence. So why had he come looking for her? So much time had passed. If things had gone as they were supposed to, he and
After the surgery, Sylvia remained in the hospital for a few days before her discharge.Her throat had fully recovered.By chance, she joined a new band. The youngest member, a girl named Helena Foster, attached herself to Sylvia almost immediately. Helena had been the one who pulled her into the group in the first place.With Sylvia's experience, the band quickly secured a small bar performance.Standing on stage again after a full year away, Sylvia felt as though she had finally found herself. Her smile came more easily now, lighter and more natural.After the show, she was still lingering in the afterglow when they reached backstage. Suddenly, Helena cried out in shock. "Bro?! Why are you here? You never come to my performances!"Sylvia was watching her step as she walked and did not look up. Then a familiar voice reached her ears. "Relax. I'm not here for you."She froze and lifted her head.Henry stood in the hallway with one hand tucked into his pocket. As he finished spe







