Lance didn't know how to react to the news he had just heard from his cousin. He had just come from the airport and went straight to his office instead of going home. Like Darius, it felt like his brain was about to explode from the weight of what he had just learned. After his cousin left, he stared blankly into space for almost an hour, replaying every word that was said.
Because of this, he didn't get any work done that afternoon. Even though papers were piled up on his desk, he had no energy to touch a single one. It was as if his world had come to a halt—dazed, confused, and not knowing what to prioritize. His mind was filled with questions, and not a single answer.
The word "shocked" wasn't enough to describe what he felt. His thoughts were so scattered that he decided to go home. He needed to talk to Kitty. He needed someone to talk to. She was the only one who could help him think clearly.
If only he had known this was going to happen, they might not have returned to the Philippines just yet. But what could they do? They had no choice but to face everything now.
"What?!" Kitty couldn't help but raise her voice after hearing the news from her husband.
"What about Angela?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. The tears finally fell from her cheeks.
"She doesn't deserve this… She's been through so much," she whispered through sobs. In her mind, all of Dylan's stories came rushing back—the pain Angela endured, the sorrow she hid, the bravery she forced herself to wear like armor.
"Babe, I'm sorry… but I think I need to go back to the U.S. Gel needs me," Kitty explained.
She felt the weight of responsibility as a best friend—this was the moment to make up for all the times she wasn't by Angela's side when she needed her most. She didn't want to add that to the list of things she regretted.
"Babe, calm down. I know. But we both know Clark won't leave her, right? And besides, she doesn't know yet because my cousin chose not to tell her for now," Lance said gently, trying to keep his voice steady, though his eyes were also beginning to tear up. He felt for his wife. He knew it wasn't easy for Kitty either when they lost Gel before.
"I know. But it's different if I'm there. I've been away from her for so long… and now, when she needs me the most," Kitty replied, barely able to speak from the weight of her emotions.
"I know. And I understand, babe," Lance said sadly but firmly.
"Here's what we'll do. For now, let's stay calm. Let's fix what needs to be done. I'll take care of the documents for you and Clarence. You and our son will go ahead. I'll follow as soon as I finish everything left here. I've been away from work for a month."
"And also, we need to talk to my cousin so we know what he plans to do. You and Clarence can't go ahead without Gel knowing what's going on," he reminded her.
Kitty nodded and hugged Lance tightly. They fell silent for a while. Nothing else needed to be said. Even if they were facing different struggles, their hearts were aligned: family came first.
***
Meanwhile, while Darius and Elle were in the middle of their emotional storm—and Lance and Kitty were tangled in their own—Clark and Angela's world seemed calm and peaceful.
Clark could feel the change in Angela. She had become more affectionate, more open. And for someone like him, who was used to hiding fear behind a smile, the reassurance Angela gave meant everything.
It was like a beam of light entered a long-dark part of his heart.
He called Dylan through video chat. He wanted to inform—he was planning something, something he had long prepared for. The proposal.
There were no problems. Even from the beginning, he had always felt their full support. From then until now, their trust in him had never wavered.
Next on his list was to talk to his own parents. Angela had no idea about the preparations he was making. He told her he had many patients at the hospital. But the truth was, he didn't have a single patient that day—he was busy organizing everything for the engagement.
He originally planned to bring Angela to visit her parents' and younger sibling's grave in Orange County. But because of Gel's condition, that had to be postponed. So, he made the trip alone.
While there, he also spoke to Dylan's parents. He wanted to show respect and thank them for all their support. He wanted everything to be proper. Angela couldn't suspect anything—he wanted the surprise to be perfect.
Afterward, he also called his own parents via FaceTime while he was at the airport, heading back to San Francisco.
"At long last!" his mother exclaimed joyfully when she heard his plan. His father laughed and gave two thumbs up.
"I'm happy for you, son!" his dad said, playfully hitting him on the head—almost as if saying, "Finally, your life has direction."
His mom clapped excitedly while wiping tears from her cheeks.
"Mom, stop crying! It hasn't even happened yet, and you're already crying!" Clark teased, laughing.
"I just couldn't control the joy I'm feeling!" his mother replied with laughter and delight.
The call lasted longer. They talked, laughed, and teased each other. He missed moments like that—simple laughter, but full of love.
His mom volunteered to join him in picking out the ring. She didn't want him ending up with a "displeasing design," she joked. His dad even sent money right away—to help with the ring and the simple celebration after the proposal.
Clark didn't ask for it. But he could feel their full support for this big step in his life.
***
Elsewhere…
"Good thing you remembered me!" came a teasing complaint from the other line.
"Why wouldn't I? Don't be so dramatic. We both know you're busy too," Clark replied, smiling.
"What's up? What made you suddenly decide to call?" asked Andres, his friend known as the drama king since college.
"I need you here this coming weekend," Clark said seriously.
"Excuse me, I still have two weeks of vacation left. Don't forget," Andres replied.
"So, you don't want to attend my engagement party?" Clark said with a bombshell.
"Whoa! Seriously?!"
"Seriously. That's really the reason I called," Clark confirmed. "I'm going to propose to Angela. Then there'll be a small family dinner. And of course, I have to invite the drama king to make it complete."
Clark wasn't new to their banters. In fact, he missed his friend—their teasing back in university, their debates about love lives, school works, and life in general.
For Clark, it was fine even if they waited until after Angela gave birth to Darius and Elle's child before getting married. There was no rush. What mattered was that the two of them were sure.
He was sure now.
He had nothing more to wish for. This was the moment he had long dreamed of—to marry the woman he had loved for so long.
All the waiting, the doubts, the silence—they were all worth it. Because now, he knew they were nearing the end of all the trials—the kind of end that isn't really an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter.
At last, he was ready.