(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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP4KEBJsBP
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnDP3Ty1ET
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWYldueLrz
So wrong.
Because the truth is, Henry doesn't feel like a man anymore.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf3nIAzAsV
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq4EVyKnmW
Their daughter.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcOZUgTyQz
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.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1J0Qr4MQQ
And Henry Manuel? He's good at running.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8PytDM1VU
Not so much at surviving what's left behind.
32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ3onVEVWJ
