She stepped back inside the house, closing the door softly behind her. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness in her chest. Her parents were still in the living room, sitting together on the couch. Her mother was leaning against her father, watching something on his iPod, her expression one of amusement. Her father, looked more focused, occasionally adjusting his glasses as he scrolled through the screen. Sensing her presence, her mother looked up. “Lucas already left?” she asked. Lara nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah. He just left.” Her mother sighed, shaking her head. “I wish he could’ve stayed longer. But of course, it’s always about the company.” She frowned slightly before adding, “It reminds me of before—when your father used to do the same thing.” At that, her father scoffed, setting his iPod down as he turned to his wife. “Don’t compare me to that man. I knew how to make time for my family.” Lara’s mother rolled her eyes. “Oh, pleas
The hot water felt soothing against her skin, washing away the exhaustion of the day. As she let the steam envelop her, she found herself thinking about Lucas again—about the way he had coldly reminded her not to get the wrong idea, how he left without a second glance. She knew she shouldn’t care. She knew she had no right to expect anything from him. And yet, the familiar sting in her chest reminded her that some wounds weren’t so easy to ignore.Pushing those thoughts aside, she finished her shower, changed into her fresh clothes, and towel-dried her hair. Then, she climbed onto her bed, leaning back against the headboard with a sigh.Reaching for her phone, she unlocked the screen and absentmindedly opened Instagram.Her fingers hesitated for a second before typing a familiar name into the search bar. Eievan Duke Sandejas.It had been a while since she last checked his account. She used to visit it from time to time, just to see how he was doing, but life had gotten too busy lately
After dinner and some lighthearted chatting with her family, Lara returned to her room.She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, willing sleep to take over. But sleep refused to come. It wasn’t surprising—she had already taken a long nap earlier in the afternoon.With a sigh, she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. Might as well get something to drink.She made her way downstairs, padding softly toward the kitchen. As she entered, she paused, surprised to find Levi sitting at the counter, lazily swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.He glanced up at her arrival and smirked. “Can’t sleep?”Lara walked closer, leaning against the counter. “Nope. You?”Levi chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. “Guess we’re both night owls tonight.” He then raised an eyebrow. “Wanna join me?”Lara considered it for a moment before pulling out the stool next to him. “Sure. Why not?”Levi stood up, grabbing another glass from the shelf. He held up the bottle of whiskey and gave her a teasing look.
After sharing a couple more drinks with Levi, Lara felt the liquor slowly taking effect. A warm buzz settled over her, making her limbs feel heavy and her thoughts a little sluggish. She wasn’t drunk, but she was definitely tipsy. And sleepy.Suppressing a yawn, she turned to her brother. “I’m heading to bed.” she mumbled, pushing the glass away.Levi smirked. “Already? Lightweight.”“I’m not a lightweight,” she insisted, though the slight slur in her words betrayed her.Levi chuckled. “Sure. Go to bed before you embarrass yourself.”She rolled her eyes but stood up anyway. “Goodnight, Kuya.”“Yeah, yeah. Try not to fall flat on your face on the way there.” he teased.Lara scoffed, waving him off before heading back to her room.As soon as her head hit the pillow, she let out a deep sigh, her body sinking into the mattress. Sleep should’ve come easily, but instead, her mind wandered—to Lucas.The thought of him sneaked in like an uninvited guest. Was he home yet? Was he sleeping? Or w
Lara woke up with a pounding headache. She groaned as she sat up in bed, pressing her fingers against her throbbing temples. She regretted drinking last night. It wasn’t even much, just a couple of glasses with Levi, but clearly, her body wasn’t built for it. Reaching for her phone, she squinted at the screen. 9:00 AM. She wasn't even surprised anymore. She usually slept in on weekends, her body already accustomed to waking up late. However, she originally planned to leave early this morning, but judging by her current state, that plan was as good as canceled. With a sigh, she forced herself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth—something she forgot to do last night—she took a long, refreshing shower, hoping it would wash away the remnants of sleep and her slight headache. Wrapping herself in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom while towel-drying her damp hair. She walked over to her closet and pulled out a pair of denim shorts and a loose, oversize
A few minutes later, her mother’s phone rang. She checked the caller ID and gasped. “Oh! It’s my friend! I need to take this.” She excused herself, leaving Lara and Lucas alone.An awkward silence settled between them.She tapped her fingers against the table, debating whether to speak. After a moment, she hesitated, then asked, “So… when are you leaving?”Lucas’s gaze flickered toward her, his expression unreadable. “Are you kicking me out?”Lara’s eyes widened slightly. “No! I was just wondering,” she quickly clarified. “Since I’ll be getting ready to head out soon, I thought you might not want to stay here alone.”Lucas studied her for a moment before replying, “I’ll leave once your mom returns. I should at least say goodbye.”“Oh. Alright then.” She shifted awkwardly in her seat before standing. “I’ll head upstairs to get ready now.”Lucas gave no response.She clenched her fists slightly before turning on her heel and walking away.Don’t let it bother you.It didn’t matter whethe
As soon as they started driving, silence fell between them. It was exactly as she expected—quiet and distant.Lara stared out the window, watching the city pass by as the minutes stretched on. The only sounds filling the car were the hum of the engine and the occasional honk from other vehicles.She had always been used to Lucas’s cold demeanor, but there were times when the silence between them felt suffocating.It took nearly half an hour to reach the café due to traffic. The moment Lucas parked, Lara unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.She hesitated briefly before bending down slightly to look at him. “Thanks for the ride. Drive safe,” she said softly and without waiting Lucas’ response—not that she expected him to—she shut the door close.Lara straightened her back, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the café. The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries greeted her, mingling with the soft hum of jazz music playing in the background. The cozy atmosphere,
Finally, she returned to her seat, still eyeing him with a mixture of disbelief and excitement.“You look different,” she observed, giving him a once-over. She had seen his recent Instagram photos, but seeing him in person was another thing entirely. He was taller, more refined, exuding a confidence that hadn’t been there before. His time in New York had definitely done him good.Duke smirked. “Good different or bad different?”Lara pretended to scrutinize him before leaning back in her chair. “I’ll admit it—you look good. My mom wasn’t lying when she said you got more handsome.”Duke chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Honestly, though, New York seems to be working wonders on you.”Duke leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. “It sure does. I think I’ve found my second home.”Lara tilted her head. “Do you like it that much?”He nodded. “I do. The city, the people, the energy—it’s different, but in a good way. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d stay, but
Lara stood frozen. Her mind reeled as the pieces started fitting together—pieces she never even realized were part of the puzzle. She thought back to that day so long ago—when her parents casually asked what she thought of Lucas. She’d smiled then, cheeks warm, and told them she liked him. Naively. Innocently. She had no idea there were already quiet talks happening between their families. She didn’t know that her little confession might have set everything in motion. Her throat tightened. So it was me. Her father had always admired Lucas. He used to mention how driven he was, how sharp, how impressive for someone his age. If she, his beloved daughter, also expressed interest in him… maybe her father had seen that as a sign. A confirmation. A chance to ensure her happiness while also securing a strategic alliance. He probably thought he was doing the right thing. But he wasn’t. He really shouldn’t have done that. He shouldn’t have meddled. Shouldn’t have played cupid
Lara’s jaw clenched as she took a mental step back, locking her emotions away before they could spill over. She looked at Riah, eyes cold. “It doesn’t matter,” Lara said stiffly, her voice clipped. “Whether you’re together or not—it makes no difference to me anymore. The annulment is happening. Whatever you’re trying to do here… it changes nothing.” Riah’s expression faltered. “Are you really going through with it?” she asked, her tone etched with worry and hint of desperation. “What about Lucas? I thought… you loved him.” Lara let out a slow, tired breath. “I did. God knows I did.” she admitted. “But I love myself too. And I’m done wasting my time on someone who can’t see my worth.” “But Lucas loves you!” Riah said suddenly, her voice rising slightly. Lara blinked, stunned for a moment. Then she let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Love? Really? He loves me?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Come on, Riah. You’re making me laugh. Lucas has only ever loved one woman—and it sure
The sun was dipping low outside the school gates, casting soft amber streaks on the floors of the small waiting area. Lara sat on one of the low benches, her posture relaxed, listening to Ram chatter animatedly about a new cartoon she’d seen. The little girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her tiny hands flailing as she described her favorite scene. “…and then Ate bought me a new pink unicorn! It lights up when you press its tummy, and it even sings, Teacher Lara!” Ram beamed. Lara smiled, brushing a strand of hair from the little girl’s forehead. “Really? That sounds magical.” Ram nodded excitedly. “I’ll bring it tomorrow!” Just then, Maera, her assistant, called out from across the room, “Ram! Your guardian’s here.” Ram perked up immediately, scrambling to her feet with an excited gasp. “Yay!” Lara leaned down to help Ram put on her backpack and fix the strap that had twisted awkwardly. “There you go, sweetie.” “Thank you, Teacher Lara!” Ram gave her a quick hug befor
When Lara got home that evening, she slipped out of her shoes, feeling the comfort of her condo wrap around her like a warm embrace. She set her bag down and walked into her bedroom, pulling her phone from her pocket to check any missed messages. A notification caught her eye—a message from Atty. Mendez, sent earlier that afternoon. Atty. Francesca Mendez: Hi Lara. I’ve finished drafting your annulment petition. Let me know when you’re free to review and sign it. We can meet anytime that works for you. Lara stared at the message for a moment. Her breath hitched, not out of panic, but quiet relief. It was real now. The end wasn’t just an idea—it was moving, breathing, taking shape. She quickly typed a reply. Lara: Thank you, attorney. I’m free after my class tomorrow, around 5 PM. Would it be alright if we meet over dinner? After hitting send, she placed her phone on the nightstand and walked into the bathroom for a quick half-bath. Warm water rushed over her skin, washing away t
Ali, of course, wasn’t done. She leaned forward, voice full of mischief. “What if he’s into you, though? Maybe he’s being nice because he likes you. You know? Like those K-drama storylines? Stoic guy falls for the girl who’s been through hell? It’s totally plausible!” She cross her arms, still grinning. “I mean, like, c’mon, you’re a total catch, Lara. Aside from the trash you married, you’re perfect. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Lucas is the only person blind enough not to see that.” Despite the dig at Lucas, Lara couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, Ali, you really know how to flatter a girl. But I think you need to stop watching K-dramas. Your imagination’s getting a little wild. Reagan’s just being kind. Don’t make an issue out of nothing.” Ali huffed, leaning back. “I’m just saying! It’s not impossible. Duke, back me up here.” Duke shrugged. “I dunno. Reagan’s not exactly the flirty type. Girls chase after him, not the other way around. He entertains them when he’s bored, b
The next day, the sun had barely started its descent when Lara stepped out of the building, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder. The soft breeze tousled her hair as she walked across the school grounds, heading toward the parking lot where her car was parked.Her mind was still in a daze from the long day of lectures. She was planning to head straight home and maybe decompress with some chamomile tea and a quiet playlist—until she caught sight of a familiar black SUV parked a few meters away. Leaning casually against the hood was Duke—arms crossed, one ankle lazily over the other, as if he had all the time in the world. And inside the car, popping gum and scrolling on her phone like she owned the world, was Ali.Lara blinked, startled. “What the—?”Duke spotted her instantly and raised a hand with an easy grin. “Hey, stranger!”Lara approached them, still caught between confusion and amusement. “You guys, what are you doing here?”Before Duke could answer, Ali’s head popp
When Lara stepped into her condo, the silence wrapped around her like a blanket—familiar, quiet, and oddly comforting.She kicked off her shoes by the door, the echo of their fall the only sound in the stillness. The weight of the night lingered on her shoulders like a heavy residue.After everything that happened at the bar—after seeing Lucas act like that, hearing him say things he probably wouldn’t even remember tomorrow—it only solidified her decision.She was done letting his confusion derail her healing.No more doubts. No more delays.Without wasting a moment, she headed to the study room.She slid into the chair and opened her laptop, the familiar whir of it powering on grounding her slightly.Earlier that morning, Atty. Mendez had texted her that she had sent over the checklist and questions needed for the annulment. Lara hadn’t opened it then—part of her still wasn’t sure if she was ready.But tonight changed that.She clicked into her Gmail and found the email sitting at th
It took nearly half an hour before they reached the bar. Reagan parked by the curb, casting a glance at Lara before they stepped out of the car. The place was packed and loud—music pounding from the speakers, laughter spilling over the chatter, the scent of alcohol and smoke heavy in the air. Reagan instinctively moved closer, his hand gently resting on her shoulder, shielding her from the jostling crowd. Lara was grateful for the small gesture. Her nerves were already frayed, and his quiet steadiness was the one thing keeping her grounded. When they reached the counter, Lara spotted them immediately. Izek sat sideways on a barstool, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else. And beside him—slumped pathetically over the counter—was Lucas. But what made Lara stop cold in her tracks wasn’t either of them—it was the woman standing in front of them. Riah. Her chest tightened, a sick feeling rising in her stomach. What the hell is this? Why was she here? Did Lucas call h
It was a call. From Lucas. The name alone made her stomach twist. Why was he calling her now? At this hour? Her instinct was to silence the phone and shove it back in her pocket, but she was frozen. Reagan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the shift in her expression. “Everything okay?” She looked up and forced a small smile, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.” The phone stopped ringing… only to start again a few seconds later. Lara exhaled sharply, the burrito now forgotten in her hand. She glanced at Reagan, apologetically. “I’ll just take this. Give me a sec,” Lara walked a few steps away, toward a less crowded corner of the street. She hesitated for a beat before answering. “Lucas?” she asked, already on edge. “Why are you calling?” But it wasn’t his voice that greeted her. [“Hi, um… sorry. I’m not Lucas,”] a woman said on the other end. Lara blinked, confusion knitting her brows. “Then who are you? Why do you have his phone?” The woman hesitated, then replied vagu