No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 30- Truth

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

I let out a bitter laugh. "I always have a choice."

My mother's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Do you?" she asked, tilting her head. "Because as far as I see it, you're running out of options."

My stomach twisted.

"What do you mean?" I asked warily.

My father stepped forward. "If you refuse, we'll make sure Mikha suffers for it."

My breath caught.

"A-anong ibig sabihin niyo?"

My mother stood, walking toward me with slow, deliberate steps. "That girl is already struggling, isn't she?" she said, her tone almost mocking. "Her career, her financial status, her connections-she's nothing compared to what we can do."

I swallowed hard.

"She has a job she loves, doesn't she?" my father continued. "It would be a shame if she suddenly lost everything."

A chill ran down my spine.

They wouldn't.

They couldn't-

But they could.

And they would.

I gritted my teeth, my hands trembling. "You wouldn't do that."

"Try us," my mother challenged, her smile cold. "Choose wisely, Aiah."

I felt my world crashing down.

How could I fight against this? How could I protect Mikha from something this big?

I bit my lip, trying to steady my breathing.

"Now," my father said, his tone final. "Are you going to behave?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

My breathing grew shallow as their words sank in.

"We will destroy Mikha," my mother repeated, her voice sharp and unwavering. "You know we can."

My hands trembled. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Because you're being selfish, Aiah," my father said coldly. "This is bigger than your little love story. You have a duty-to us, to this family. And if you refuse, we will make sure Mikha pays the price."

I shook my head, my chest tightening. "You wouldn't-"

"Wouldn't we?" My mother let out a cruel laugh. "You're so naive, Aiah."

She stepped closer, her eyes dark with amusement. "Do you think we don't know everything about that girl? We know her past. We know where she comes from."

My fists clenched at my sides.

"She has nothing," my father continued. "No family to protect her. No power, no influence. She's weak. And weaknesses-" he paused, smirking, "-are meant to be exploited."

I swallowed hard.

"Her parents left behind a mess, didn't they?" my mother added. "So many debts. So many people they owed."

I froze.

I never asked Mikha much about her parents' past. I knew they had struggled before they passed away, but I didn't know the details.

"We have the power to bring those people back," my mother continued, watching my reaction closely. "To make them remember what Mikha's parents owed them. And if they find out she's still alive-"