(Henry's POV — Flashback)
"Babe, I need that new iPhone. Like, need need it."
Trina's voice cuts through the music blaring in her condo. She's lounging on the couch in one of his old shirts—her bare legs propped on the armrest like she owns the place. Technically, she kind of does. The lease is under her name, but Henry pays the bills. Or tries to.
"I told you," he says, trying to keep his tone neutral, "we're short this month. Rent, electricity, groceries—I already stretched everything."
She scoffs. "That's not my problem, baby. You promised me a better life than that girl could give you."
That girl.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk4ql6eLfl
She never calls Samantha by name. Like if she doesn't say it out loud, she can pretend she didn't wreck someone's life.
"I just sent what I had left," he mutters, checking his phone. The GCash balance is depressing. ₱143.92. Pathetic.
Trina pouts. "You used to be more generous when we were sneaking around."
He winces. "That was before my parents cut me off."
They hadn't exactly cut him off—they just stopped sending the usual monthly remittance after his last college drop-out attempt. They think he's still studying, still getting his life together. They don't know about Angelique. Or Samantha. Or anything, really.
And he doesn't plan to tell them.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7ZJrNtxD
How do you tell your OFW parents—who spent their entire lives working abroad to give you a future—that you threw it all away on lies, a pregnant girlfriend you abandoned, and a relationship with a woman who thinks a new phone is more important than your dignity?
Later that night, Trina drags him to a club.
"You can borrow from someone," she says, sipping from her cocktail. "Figure it out. You're a man, aren't you?"
That line hits wrong.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdurtODtW7q
So wrong.
Because the truth is, Henry doesn't feel like a man anymore.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW4Fef8Wzv
He feels like a hollow shell. A guy who made all the wrong turns and now can't find the way back.
And somewhere out there, Samantha is probably putting their daughter to bed.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jHob7Yl3f
Their daughter.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeSa28q2nC
The one he's never seen. The one who probably doesn't even know his name.
He feels it for a split second—guilt, raw and sour—but Trina's pulling him toward the dance floor, laughing like none of it matters.
So he lets her.
Because facing Samantha would mean facing everything he ran from.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl0XzksIEa
And Henry Manuel? He's good at running.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1yjIiR9dk
Not so much at surviving what's left behind.
38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYgKBRReSk
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