Marina arrived home safely that night, exhausted but relieved. She slipped off her heels by the door, dropped her bag and phone on the table, and poured herself a glass of water when her phone suddenly vibrated again.
A raspy, commanding voice echoed from the other line.
"I'm coming back. Prepare my flat."
Marina rolled her eyes. "Sure, grumpy broth—"
The call ended before she could finish. She muttered a few choice words under her breath, glaring at the dead screen. "Who even has a brother like that..." she grumbled, dragging herself toward her bedroom.
The night passed quietly.
Morning came with the smell of something warm and savory.
Marina stirred in bed, confused. Cooking? She rarely used her kitchen except for coffee. The scent of garlic and ginger teased her senses, coaxing her out of her blanket.
In the kitchen, a man stood by the stove, moving with practiced ease. Eggs sizzled in the pan, and the comforting aroma of rice porridge filled the room. The sound of ladles and simmering broth gave the small apartment a rare sense of calm.
Marina leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms with mock authority. "That smells... delicious, ha ha," she said, placing her elbow on the counter and resting her chin like an old man pretending to be wise.
Her brother, Theo, didn't even look at her. He continued stirring the pot, focused and quiet.
The porridge—chicken and ginger lugaw—looked simple but rich. Shredded chicken floated above thick rice grains, and golden garlic oil shimmered on top.
He poured one bowl for himself. Sat. Ate. Silent.
Marina squinted, offended by the lack of hospitality. She grabbed her own bowl, sat across from him, and took a spoonful.
The first sip hit like nostalgia—warmth spreading through her chest, the sharp ginger clearing her fogged thoughts. She exhaled slowly.
"It's... stupid good," she murmured between spoonfuls. "Like my soul's getting a hug."
Theo said nothing, just stood up after finishing, placed his bowl in the sink, and started rinsing it.
"Wait, I'll do that!" she said quickly. But he left the dishes and walked away without a word.
Marina sighed, smiling into the bowl she was washing. "Okay, fine. Ignore me. But this soup forgives me."
When she was done, she sat beside him again, her tone suddenly soft and guilty. "Brother... I'm sorry, okay? I was drunk last night."
Still no reply.
Trying to lighten the mood, she flashed her ring with a grin. "Matt proposed!" She raised her left hand dramatically so the morning light caught the gemstone. "That's why we celebrated!"
Theo's eyes flicked to the ring. A faint shadow passed over his face. "Set an appointment with him," he said coldly.
Marina mistook it for approval and cheered. "Really?! I'll reserve a restaurant tonight!"
Elsewhere, Asha sat quietly in the pet café, watching her two co-workers, Jane and Ben, suffer from their hangovers.
"I'm never drinking again," Jane moaned, clinging to a pillar.
"My head's splitting," Ben groaned.
Asha chuckled softly. "That's what you get," she said, sipping water.
Their phones buzzed at the same time. Jane glanced at hers first and shouted, "Yes! We're off early!"
Ben cheered beside her.
The shop's door chime rang as a woman entered, a young girl following closely behind.
"Sorry, we're closed for today," Jane said politely.
"Closed? It's still early," the woman replied, frowning.
"Our boss decided to give us a break," Jane explained with a bright smile. "You can visit again tomorrow."
Disappointed, the woman nodded and turned away with her daughter.
When they left, Asha tilted her head. "She comes here a lot, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," Jane said, lowering her voice. "Always says she'll get a pup but never does. Kinda weird. But today's the first time she brought a kid."
Ben emerged from the back, already changed. "Asha, check your phone. Boss says we're done for the day."
Asha opened the message and smiled. "Rest today. And drink something for the hangover."
They locked the shop and stepped outside together. Across the street, their neighbor, Mr. Jason, was on a call but waved when he saw them.
"Out early? Business that bad?" he joked.
"Morning, Mr. Jason," Ben greeted.
"Boss's orders," Jane said proudly. "We're taking the day off!"
Jason laughed. "Even superheroes need breaks, huh? So, Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and maskman—where's your fun today?"
Asha shot him a glare, and he raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, your glare's killing me."
Jane chuckled and tugged Asha's arm. "Stop teasing her, Mr. Jason. Bye!"
That evening, Marina sat in a cozy restaurant, waving cheerfully when Matt arrived.
"You didn't get a private room? It's too noisy out here," he complained, adjusting his cuffs.
Marina smiled awkwardly. "Didn't you say private rooms are a waste of money?"
Matt faltered but quickly recovered. "We're getting married soon. It's fine to spend a little more."
He stood and went to the front desk to request a private room. As Marina waited, she felt someone brush past her—Theo. He slipped a folded note into her hand before walking off without a word.
Confused, Marina opened the paper under the table.
Don't touch the food.
She frowned. What's that supposed to mean?
The food arrived shortly after—beautifully plated, all her favorites.
Matt had gone outside to take a call.
Marina stared at the dishes, the note heavy in her palm. Her instincts, the same ones honed from years of working around dangerous ingredients and toxins, urged her to be careful.
She started with the wine. Swirled it. Sniffed. Beneath the fruit's sweetness was something faintly bitter—almond.
Benzaldehyde?
Her throat tightened.
She tested the soup next. Metallic. Salty in a way that didn't belong.
Her pulse quickened.
The grilled fish smelled divine, but the sauce—too sweet, unnaturally so. She dabbed a bit on a napkin and watched it fizz faintly when it touched the vinegar.
Her heart went cold.
Through the glass wall, she saw Matt still outside, laughing on the phone. Smiling.
Marina set the spoon down gently. Her chest ached, not from fear, but from heartbreak.
She folded her napkin neatly, pretending calm. The candlelight trembled, its reflection shaking in her untouched wine.
She stood, smoothing her dress, and walked out without looking back.
Outside, the night air hit her face like ice. Theo's car waited by the curb, engine running. He didn't ask. He didn't need to.
She climbed in, clutching her stomach. "Hospital," she whispered. "Now."
The city lights blurred through the window as the car sped away. Marina's breathing grew shallow. Her fingers trembled. And in the fading hum of the street, she finally let the truth sink in.
He hadn't loved her. He had meant to kill her.
And then—like a whisper rising from memory—Asha's voice returned.
"You'll die"
Marina had blinked. "What?"
Asha had looked down, wringing her hands. "I—I just feel it. Please be careful."
No explanation. No logic. Just fear. Just urgency.
Marina had brushed it off. Asha was young. Sensitive. Prone to strange moods.
But now, with her pulse slowing and the city lights spinning past the window, Marina felt the truth settle in.