Mariely could hear faint voices speaking around her. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her gaze landing on a place she didn't recognize. She sat up from the couch where she had been sleeping and noticed a blanket draped over her.
The quiet murmur of a conversation reached her ears, though she couldn't quite make out the words.
"Faith, you're awake," came Veron's gentle voice.
She turned to look at her. "Veron." She immediately stood, Frank's words from earlier flashing in her mind.
Frank reached out and lightly tousled her hair. "Are you really okay?" he asked with concern.
Faith simply nodded. Frank bent down and kissed her on the forehead.
"Veron, are you okay?" Faith asked suddenly, watching her closely.
Veron blinked in surprise. "I'm okay, Faith," she replied, confused. "W–Why?"
"When… when did you find out about my situation?" Faith asked hesitantly.
"After that double date last year," Veron said. "You were startled when you woke up at my condo, remember? That's when I noticed the bruises you were hiding."
She nodded faintly.
"Faith, why didn't you tell me he was hurting you physically?" Veron asked, her tone sharper now.
Mariely let out a long sigh. "Because… I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. I always tried to muster the courage to say it, but I was scared no one would believe me. That you'd just tell me he's a good person." Her voice trembled as she bit her lip.
"That's why I kept it a secret. Whenever we fought, he would always bring up my brother. And I… I couldn't explain myself to him. That was also the time baby Kaye was getting sick, in and out of the hospital. I didn't want to add to my brother's distress."
She took a shaky breath. "So whenever you asked me if I was okay, I'd say yes… but inside, I was always screaming for help." Tears began to fall. "I was thinking about you and Andrew too—I didn't want you to get dragged into it. You've always been good to me, even when I borrowed money from him."
Veron stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Faith. I'm sorry you endured this for so long. I'm sorry if I ever pushed you toward him."
"No, this isn't your fault." She only shook her head. "It was my decision to stay in this situation."
"I'm here now," Veron said firmly. "So please—let me carry some of your burden. I will help you. Always."
She smiled faintly. "You've always helped me, Veron. You were my angel that day—you even paid baby Kaye's hospital bill. I'll always be grateful for that." She let out a soft, tearful laugh as she wiped her cheeks.
But Veron took a deep breath and said quietly, "About that, Faith… I have to be honest. That money wasn't mine."
Her eyes widened. "Wh—Whose money was it then? For baby Kaye's bill?"
"I was asked to deliver it. It just so happened you told me exactly how much the bill was. You don't owe me anything, Faith," Veron said gently. "It's already fully paid."
Mariely's brow furrowed. "Then who paid for it? I… I can pay it back, even in installments—"
"See?" Veron sighed. "I told him already—Faith is so stubborn when it comes to money."
"Who?" she asked.
"Who else? The one who suddenly showed up and announced you two were back together. You really love that man, even if he's a bastard sometimes," Veron said, her voice tinged with frustration.
Mariely froze. She knew exactly who she meant. "F—Frank?" she asked, glancing toward him.
Frank was quietly looking at his phone but lifted his head when he heard his name. "Did you say something, Veron? I'm busy right now."
"Before he came back here, he already knew about your situation—and about baby Kaye," Veron explained. "His cousin helped him."
"Who?" Mariely asked.
"The one who saved you when you collapsed and took you to the hospital, along with his wife," Veron said.
Her eyes widened. "Clover?"
"Yep. Frank's first cousin, on the Jordan side."
Clover, who had been speaking with Frank, noticed her gaze, waved, and smiled warmly at her.
"So… Frank paid the hospital bills?" Mariely asked again, still unable to believe it.
"Yes, bestie. Your boyfriend sent the money through me. Even though I was annoyed, I still did it—because I love baby Kaye too," Veron admitted.
She was speechless, her eyes turning toward Frank. He casually walked over to her. "I borrowed your debit card without asking. I'll return it to you," he said simply.
"Zean," she began, using his other name, "we need to talk about the one hundred thousand I borrowed."
Frank stared at her, then sighed. "Do you really think you can pay that back?"
"N—No, b—but when I have money, I'll give it to you, even monthly, until I finish," she insisted.
"Here we go again," Veron muttered in the background.
"Faith, it's okay," Frank said. "Don't worry about it."
"No," she argued. "I can't just let it go. I know your family is wealthy, but for me, that amount is huge. I have to work hard to earn it, so I must pay it back."
"Do you know why I took your debit card?" Frank asked, showing it to her.
She waited silently for his answer.
"I'm going to return your hard-earned money. I know how much you've been saving and how frugal you are. I'll give it back—you don't have to do anything in return."
Her eyes widened even more. "Zean, you don't have to do that. I can earn it again, even if it hurts to see my savings gone. I just… I don't want you to feel you have to replace it."
"You're really stubborn, Faith," Frank said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But remember—I'll do whatever I want too. Don't argue when I return the money. And make sure you actually use what's in your account, okay?"
"You're sneaky… I've already borrowed so much from you," Mariely muttered, embarrassed.
Clover chuckled. "You two never back down from each other. Just give and take—you're a couple after all."
Frank turned back to Mariely. "So, are we good?"
"I don't have much choice, do I?" she said with a small smile.
"Good." He smiled back, pulling her into a hug. "Just take it easy, okay?"
She nodded.
"I'll also change your password and the phone number linked to your bank account. Don't worry—I've already called the bank. But we'll need to go there in person to change your basic information so he can't get anything from your account again," Frank explained.
"N—Now? Isn't today a holiday?" she asked.
"It's a non-special working holiday. They're open. Let's go—my cousin will come with us." He smiled widely at her.
She felt shy under his gaze but nodded. "Z—Zean, can we bring Veron?"
"Yeah, sure," he said, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
"Bestie? Are you getting back at me for something?" Veron teased.
"N–No, I just… I'm overwhelmed right now. I need you," Mariely replied softly.
"That's why I'll always love you," Veron grinned. "I'll ride with Andrew."
She nodded.
"Faith," Frank said firmly, "you need to accept this. I won't let this happen to you again."
She nodded once more.
"Just calm down, okay? I'm here now." He kissed her on the forehead.
She couldn't help but smile at him.