Again

I stepped out of the taxi, exhausted, balancing two paper bags in one hand and my bag in the other. Three days had passed since that night, yet I still couldn’t get what I had heard out of my head.

As soon as I walked in, I noticed Mom sitting in the living room, focused on her phone, texting someone. Perfect timing.

“Mom,” I called out, setting my things down on the table.

She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to her phone. “Hmm? What is it?”

I took a deep breath. Okay, Laura. Just say it. “Can we talk?”

It took her a moment, but eventually, she looked up. “What is it?”

I bit my lip before speaking. “It’s about Edward.”

Her brows furrowed. “What about Edward?”

I hesitated, but there was no turning back now. “Three days ago, I got home earlier than usual. I overheard him on the phone—” I swallowed hard. “And I’m not stupid, Mom. He was sweet-talking someone.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then she scoffed. “Laura, seriously?” She shook her head, crossing her arms. “You must have misunderstood.”

Her words made my blood boil. “I know what I heard.”

“And what exactly did you hear?” she shot back, now looking irritated. “Did he say a name? Did he say something specific?”

I bit my lip. “No, but—”

“Then stop assuming,” she snapped, her voice sharp. “You’re making things up, Laura. Edward loves me.”

My frustration only grew. “So you won’t even consider it? Not even for a second?”

“I don’t have to because I trust him,” she said firmly, standing up and grabbing her phone again. “Don’t ruin our relationship over a misunderstanding.”

I took a step back. “A misunderstanding?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Wow, Mom. Not even once did you think that maybe—just maybe—I could be right.”

She sighed, clearly exasperated. “Laura, please. This conversation is over.”

I swallowed hard, fighting back the lump forming in my throat. “Right. Of course. You’re the only one worth believing.”

“Laura—”

I shook my head and turned away before she could say anything else.

I stormed upstairs, shut my door, and sank onto my bed. I was furious—not just at Edward, but at Mom too. I tried to warn her, but what did she do? She brushed me off like I was being dramatic.

I pressed my fingers to my temples, feeling drained.

I need a break.

Grabbing my phone, I sent a text to Sue.

Laura: You up for a drink?

Sue: Damn, ikaw pa nag-aya? ON MY WAY.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. Good. I need a distraction.

An hour later, I was already at the bar, downing my second shot. I wasn’t even sure how I got here, but at this point, I didn’t care. I just wanted to forget.

“Damn, girl, you’re getting drunk fast,” Sue teased as she sipped her tequila.

I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”

She shook her head. “Damn, must be serious. Spill?”

Before I could answer, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Well, well. What do we have here?”

I froze.

Turning my head, I saw Cole smirking down at me, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“Seriously? You again?” I groaned.

He chuckled. “Didn’t expect to see you here again, sweetheart.”

“For fuck’s sake, I’m not your sweetheart,” I muttered, taking another shot.

Before I could process anything else, my vision blurred.

The last thing I knew, strong arms caught me before everything faded to black.

I could still faintly hear the bass in the background, but it was getting farther away. The sound of my blood rushing in my ears overpowered the music.

“Laura.”

Cole’s voice.

I frowned, but I couldn’t even open my eyes. I felt weightless, like I had no control over my own body.

“Damn it, Laura, you really don’t know your limit, do you?” His voice was laced with both irritation and concern, but the words barely registered in my foggy mind.

I heard a car door open—at least, I assumed it was a car—and then I felt strong arms lifting me up.

“Tsk, you’re a mess,” he muttered, but his tone was different this time. It wasn’t teasing. It was… softer. Like he was talking to a child he had no choice but to take care of.

I tried to respond, but even my lips wouldn’t move. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, and no matter how hard I tried to understand what he was saying, everything turned into static.

“I swear, you’re trouble.” He let out a quiet sigh. “But… damn it.”

I didn’t hear the rest.

Because after that, everything went black.