Chapter 6 QUARREL

That evening, when his father arrived home, he delivered the disheartening news-he hadn't been granted the loan at his office. Disappointment weighed heavily on him as the reality of their financial struggles set in.

"The company is on the verge of shutting down, Rosalia," Douglas said, his voice laced with concern.

He lowered himself onto the worn-out chair, rubbing his temples as exhaustion seeped into his bones.

"Sir Ali is getting old, and none of his children are interested in taking over the business. It's failing, especially with cheaper imports from China dominating the market. I'll try to borrow money from other contacts."

Duke swallowed hard, refusing to let despair take hold.

"It's alright, Papa. I'm a Cum Laude candidate-once I graduate, I'll find a job immediately and help out."

Douglas looked at him, eyes glistening with emotion.

He let out a shaky breath, nodding.

"I'm proud of you, son. Despite everything, you're still reaching for your dreams, even when times are tough."

He wanted to say more-to offer reassurances that things would be fine, that their hardships wouldn't last forever-but the weight of reality pressed down on him too heavily.

The Duke glanced at his mother, who had remained silent, her hands gripping the edge of the dining table as if anchoring herself against the tide of worry.

The dim light above them flickered slightly, adding to the heaviness of the moment.

A lingering silence settled between them, thick with unspoken fears and quiet resilience.

Then, breaking the quiet, he exhaled and stood up, grabbing his jacket.

"I'll head out for a bit, Ma, Pa-I'm going to see Selene," he said, his voice softer now, not wanting to burden them further.

His parents exchanged looks, then nodded. They knew he needed some space-to breathe, to clear his mind.

As he stepped outside, the cool evening breeze greeted him, carrying with it the distant sounds of laughter from the neighboring houses. Life continued, despite everything.

He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, inhaling deeply before making his way down the familiar path, toward the one place where he could escape-if only for a little while.

"How serious is this factory closure, Douglas?" Rosalia asked as she cleared the dining table, worry creasing her forehead. "You look troubled."

Douglas sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck.

"The company has officially filed for bankruptcy, Rosalia. Next week, the management will meet with the employees. They won't even last another month."

Rosalia froze for a moment before placing the plates down gently.

"That soon? What about Duke's graduation? It would be such a waste if he couldn't finish-just two more months and he'd be done." Her voice was thick with sorrow, frustration lining her features.

They had only one child, yet providing him with a stable life had always been a struggle.

Douglas hesitated, staring down at his empty plate.

"There's something else I need to tell you, Love." His voice was quieter now, laced with uncertainty. "I got a call today. From Hacienda Sandoval."

Rosalia immediately turned, her hands halting mid-wash in the sink.

"Hacienda Sandoval?" she repeated, her brows furrowing in concern. "Did something happen to your father?"

"I don't know yet," Douglas admitted. "The lawyer didn't say much-just that I need to come home."

Rosalia dried her hands and approached her husband, searching his face.

"Maybe it's time, Love," she said gently, resting a hand on his arm. "It's been years since you reached out to them. What if things have changed? What if your father isn't angry anymore?"

Douglas let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.

"They were the ones who disowned me, Rosalia. Us. When we had nothing, we didn't turn to them-they turned their backs on us. We struggled alone." His voice carried old bitterness, wounds that never truly healed.

"But they're still your family," Rosalia insisted, her voice soft yet firm. "Forgiveness takes time, yes-but don't you think twenty years is long enough? The past is the past, Love. What matters is now. It has been decades-you can't carry this anger forever."

Douglas stared at her, his expression unreadable. He wanted to argue, to push back, but deep down, he knew she had a point.

Rosalia took a deep breath. "Maybe it's also time to tell Duke the truth about where he comes from."

At that, Douglas's gaze sharpened. He looked at her, but he didn't speak.

Rosalia held his gaze patiently, watching the conflict in his eyes. Then, without another word, she smiled softly and wrapped her arms around him, offering comfort in the only way she knew how.

Douglas remained stiff at first, his mind racing with thoughts, but gradually, he let out a slow breath and pulled her close.

Duke was already nearing Selene's apartment when he caught sight of a familiar face again.

His eyes narrowed.

Connor again? What the hell he is doing at this hour?

The moment Connor saw Duke approaching, he quickly took his leave, not even bothering to explain himself.

Duke's expression darkened as he faced Selene.

"He just came by to ask about the project. He said I haven't been answering my phone. I was doing laundry," Selene explained, drying her hands with a towel as she spoke.

"I don't like that he keeps coming here. You're alone in this place."

"We were just outside, talking on the porch," she reasoned.

"I don't care. It still doesn't look right."

Selene didn't argue. She just let out a deep sigh, not wanting to escalate the tension.

"It's late. Do you have class early tomorrow?"

"Yeah. You said you were on your way earlier, then I find you chatting with that jerk."

"Jerk? Seriously, Duke? That's unfair. He didn't do anything wrong."

"Just... when I leave later, make sure to lock the door and the windows. Don't let anyone in. Not even him. Especially not him," Duke said firmly, his voice full of tension.

He didn't stay long after that. Just a few minutes later, he left again and went home, shoulders tight with frustration.

The next day, Duke decided to take a part-time job as a service crew member at a fast food chain near his university.

His father hadn't found a way to pay for his tuition yet, and Duke knew he couldn't afford to delay his graduation-not when he desperately needed to land a stable job after college.

He barely had time for Selene anymore. His life became a cycle of classes, work, and studying. He only managed four hours of sleep most nights as he tried to save up the fifteen thousand pesos he needed.

His father's last paycheck from the factory was barely enough to cover rent and other bills while he searched for new work.

On a Sunday evening, Duke finally decided to cut his shift short. He left the restaurant by 7 PM, determined to see Selene even for a little while. It had been so long since he last visited her properly, and he missed her.

He stopped by a convenience store and bought her favorite chocolate. Something simple, but it was all he could afford. It was a small gesture to remind her that she still mattered.

Meanwhile, Selene was finishing up the dishes when someone knocked at the door.

She smiled to herself, assuming it was Duke.

But when she opened the door, it was Connor.

"Connor? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see him holding their class project.

"My little brother messed it up. I couldn't fix it, so I thought I'd bring it to you."

"You could've just left it with me. I can handle the repairs."

"I figured we could just finish it together-won't take long. That way, I can carry it tomorrow too."

The deadline was the next day, and she had to admit-it would be difficult to carry the entire thing by herself.

"Alright. Come in," she said hesitantly.

Connor walked inside and placed the project on the living room table. Selene, still wearing her house clothes, returned to the kitchen to finish the dishes before sitting down beside him to fix the project.

"If I leave it again, my brother might ruin it again," Connor said, watching her carefully as she worked.

"I'll finish it later. Let's make sure it doesn't happen again."

It took them nearly an hour to put the pieces back together. Connor didn't leave right away. Instead, he struck up a conversation, laughing and sharing stories like they were close friends. Selene was polite but distant.

"I'm getting sleepy, Connor. We can talk tomorrow at school. It's getting late," she said, trying to end the visit.

"You're alone in this house at night? Isn't your cousin staying with you?" he asked, eyes glancing around the room.

"She should be here soon," she lied.

"I'll wait. Just until she arrives. I don't feel right leaving you all alone."

"It's fine. Really. My aunts live next door, too. I'm used to being by myself," she insisted, unease creeping into her voice.

"Still. Doesn't sit right with me," he said, ignoring her hints.

Selene forced a smile, stood up, and brought their empty glasses to the kitchen.

She didn't see it coming.

The moment she turned her back, Connor moved. In a split second, he grabbed her from behind, lifting her into the air and dragging her toward the nearby bed.

Selene froze in shock, her mind unable to process what was happening fast enough to react.

Connor pinned her down, his large frame overpowering her. He kissed her forcefully, trapping her wrists against his chest. She struggled, but he was too strong.

The smell of alcohol hit her nose-strong and vile. That was when she realized it. The gum, the forced smile, the confident words. He'd been hiding it.

"Stop! Connor, stop!" she cried, fear spiking through her body as he tried to push her skirt up.

And then the door burst open.

Duke stood at the doorway, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat at the sight in front of him.

Then fury overtook him.

Without a word, Duke launched himself at Connor, punching him square in the jaw. The force knocked Connor off the bed. Selene scrambled up, shielding Duke in panic.

"Stop! Duke, please!" she cried, afraid he would lose control.

Connor staggered up, holding his face, and dared to speak.

"I'm sorry, bro. But you should know... Selene and I, we've had something going on for a while now."

"What?" Selene gasped, turning on him. "What are you talking about?! That's a lie!"

She slapped Connor across the face, tears brimming in her eyes.

But Duke didn't say another word. He turned and stormed out of the house, his face carved in rage, pain etched into every line.

Selene ran after him, barefoot on the pavement, yelling his name-but he didn't stop. He didn't even look back.

Neighbors peeked through their windows and doorways, drawn by the noise. The shame of it all-being seen like that, accused of something so vile-crushed her. She stopped chasing, sobbing in the middle of the street.

For days, Selene tried to call Duke. Over and over. But his number had already been disconnected.

He never showed up at school again. No one knew where he had gone. When she finally gathered the courage to visit his place, the landlady told her his family had packed up and left for the province without warning.

He was gone. Just like that.

All she could do was cry. For days. Weeks.

The two years they had spent together-all the memories, the laughter, the plans-they all ended in one horrifying moment. And worst of all, Duke hadn't even given her a chance to explain.

He believed Connor.

He believed the monster.

Eventually, after weeks of crying, silence, and heartbreak, Selene stood up. She knew Duke wasn't coming back. He'd left her without a trace, and the wound he left was deeper than anything she had ever imagined.

But she was still alive. Broken, but alive.

So she picked up the pieces. Slowly.

And she began to live again.