No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 30- Truth

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I should have never hurt her. I should have never let her feel like she wasn't enough, when in reality-she was everything.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, there was a hazy softness in them, like she had forgotten the weight she was carrying. But then, as recognition settled, so did something else.

Pain.

She forced a small smile. "Good morning."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Good morning, love."

She closed her eyes briefly before sighing. "You don't have to say sorry," she murmured. "Just... please, Aiah, wag mo akong saktan."

Her voice was so fragile, so quiet-like she was afraid saying it any louder would break her completely.

"Ikaw na lang meron ako."

My heart shattered.

I didn't deserve her. But I'd be damned if I let this be the end.

I cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing away the stray tear that escaped her eye.

"I love you, Mikha," I whispered. "I swear, I won't hurt you again."

But even as I said the words, a terrifying thought lingered in my mind.

Did I already break her beyond repair?

I should have gone to work.

That's what I told Mikha this morning. That's what I told Sheena and Stacey, too.

But instead, I found myself here-standing in my parents' grand living room, feeling suffocated by the weight of their expectations.

Across from me, my mother sat with her usual poised demeanor, while my father stood by the window, his back turned toward me. Adrian was there, too, sitting stiffly on one of the couches. He looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

"Aiah," my mother started, her voice calm but firm. "Everything is in place. The only thing left is your cooperation."

I frowned. "Cooperation for what?"

My father finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "We'll be announcing the wedding date soon."

A cold dread spread through my chest.

"What?" I breathed out. "You can't be serious."

"Why wouldn't we be?" my mother countered, arching a brow. "This marriage has been arranged for years, Aiah. You knew this day would come."

I clenched my fists. "No," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not marrying Adrian. I don't love him."

"Aiah-"

"No! Hindi niyo ako pwedeng itali sa isang kasal na ayaw ko!" I snapped, my voice rising. "I won't do it. I won't ruin my life for some business deal-"

"This is bigger than you, Aiah!" my father's voice thundered, making me flinch.

Adrian shifted uncomfortably beside me, but he didn't say a word. Of course, he wouldn't. He was used to this-used to following orders, to being the perfect son his parents expected.

But I wasn't.

"I don't care," I said through gritted teeth. "I love someone else. Si Mikha lang ang gusto ko."

My mother's expression hardened, while my father exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Aiah," he said, his voice dangerously low. "You're going to marry Adrian."