“Mia!”The sharp call and sudden yank on Vianna May’s arm startled me, followed by a fist slamming into my lip. It happened so fast, I couldn’t even dodge.Vianna May’s scream rang in my ears. My eyes squeezed shut for a split second as my hand touched my split lip. I turned toward the man who wouldn’t stop yelling and mocking me.Blood rushed to my head when I saw Vianna May in Nelson’s arms—he was holding her back, keeping her from lunging at me.I pulled her toward me, but he yanked her right back. “I thought you were decent. Turns out, you’re nothing but a disgrace!” he spat, teeth clenched in fury as his hand gripped her arm. “You bastard!” He was about to come at me again, but Vianna May blocked him.We locked eyes, jaws tight with anger. “You’re the bastard!” I shot back, tugging Vianna May toward me again. Her face was flushed with rage.“Let go of me!” she snapped, struggling to break free from both of us.The moment she slipped away, we clashed like roosters in a cockpit—f
I suddenly felt weak and lost my balance. I stumbled, accidentally pushing the door—it swung open.“Diego!”Their eyes widened in shock.Tears welled in my eyes the moment I saw the woman standing before me.“Vianna May… it really is you.”“Diego…” she whispered, shaking her head as she stared at me.From the corner of my eye, I saw Dorry slump into a bamboo chair, her own tears brimming as she looked between us.“Vianna May…” I took a slow step forward and wrapped my arms around her. Her shoulders trembled with every restrained sob.I waited for her to hold me back—but she didn’t. She just stood there, letting me hold her.“What happened to you, Vianna May? I thought you were happy with the man you loved. And… why are you here? Where’s your mom?”I cupped her cheek and gently wiped away the tears streaming down her face.I asked so many questions—but she didn’t answer a single one. So I just held her tighter. In that moment, nothing else mattered. I had found her.“I wasn’t dreaming
“Vianna May!” I shouted, springing up from bed. I immediately clutched my forehead and winced. It was Vianna May’s face that jolted me awake from a deep sleep. My head was pounding, but strangely, I felt light.“My drunken friend! Finally awake, huh?” Dorry stood by the doorway, arms crossed, clearly irritated.Instead of meeting her glare, I let my eyes wander around the small room. “Whose room is this?” I asked.“You don’t remember the craziness you pulled last night?!” she snapped, her voice sharp and pointed.I tried to think. I remembered getting drunk—but beyond that? Nothing. I returned her glare.She exhaled loudly and shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, Diego. You drink like crazy, but you can’t even handle it. Good thing Mia was still awake last night and caught you before you reached the ocean. Are you insane? Next time, drown yourself in alcohol—not in the sea!”My eyes narrowed, trying to process her words. She marched over and yanked off the blanket st
DIEGOI’ve been on the island for a few days now, but I still haven’t met Dorry’s friend, Mia. When I suggested we stop by the hut, Dorry refused. She said Mia needed time alone to think.As for Dorry, I barely see her either. She says the resort's packed with tourists, so I’m left to my thoughts more often than not. Still sad. Still lost.That afternoon, I wandered down the beach. Anthony was right—it is beautiful here. But no scenery can fix a broken heart. The pain doesn’t stay behind just because I changed locations. It follows me. Lives in me.I stopped when I saw Nelson in the distance, grinning like an idiot with his arms wide open as he chased after a woman walking backward. She looked irritated—so much so that she actually pointed her hat at him like she was ready to whack him with it.I shook my head and turned back to the sea.“Diego!”I heard my name just as the woman’s heel came crashing down on my foot.Damn, that hurt. I swear my toenails died on the spot.She stumbled,
DIEGO’S POVI stood up even though the boat hadn’t docked yet. I was too excited to see Dorry—the girl I was supposed to marry four years ago, but who never showed up.After all this time, I was finally going to see her again. I couldn't wait to slice her open and grill her like a fish. The moment the boat touched land, I jumped off. My eyes scanned the area, searching for Dorry.But now that I was off the boat, I figured I should find a place to stay first. I was exhausted. I’d just flown in from Canada, and now here I was, traveling again. A long bus ride to the port, nearly an hour on a boat through rough waters—no wonder I felt dizzy.“Excuse me, can I ask something?” I said to an older woman I passed. She didn’t answer right away—just looked me over from head to toe.“Looking for a place to stay?” she finally asked, still eyeing me.“Yes,” I nodded, glancing around.All I could see were cottages and nipa huts lining the shore.“You can stay at the resort over there,” she said, po
DIEGOI left the country six months ago.I did it to forget—to let go of everything and never look back.But I failed. I couldn’t even keep the one promise I made to myself.Six months might not seem long to most people, But to me, it felt like six years—maybe even longer. That’s how heavy it’s been. Each day dragged on, pulling me deeper into a weight I couldn’t shake.I tried to move on. I tried to rebuild. But every time I stood up, I collapsed. No matter what I did, I stayed broken. And worse, I didn’t know how to fix myself. I didn’t even know where to start.I sighed and forced a bitter smile. Now I’m back. But why? For what? Truth is… I don’t really know.My mind’s a blank slate. No plans, no purpose. Just a gut feeling—this pull I couldn’t ignore.I closed my eyes for a moment before stepping off the plane, blending into the stream of passengers. Everyone else looked excited. Families rushing into each other’s arms. Lovers embracing. They all seemed to be running