A'ishah's POV

I swallowed the lump in my throat, pushing aside the weight of my emotions as I turned to Jana.

“By the way…” I started, my voice quieter than I intended. “Why were Sienna and Sasha acting weird when I got here?”

Jana’s expression shifted, just slightly, but enough for me to notice. She studied me, like she was trying to decide how to say something.

I frowned. “Jana?”

She sighed, setting the evidence bag aside. “A’ishah, I—”

She was interrupted by the loud ringing of my phone. I flinched at the sudden sound, my heart skipping a beat. But as soon as I saw the caller ID, my stomach dropped.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

Jana must have noticed because her gaze sharpened. “Who is it?”

I didn’t answer. My fingers trembled slightly as I picked up the call and pressed the phone to my ear. “H-Hello?”

A familiar voice greeted me, light and professional. “Attorney Alvarez, good afternoon! This is Piyawat from the legal office in Thailand.”

I gripped my phone tighter, my pulse roaring in my ears.

I had spoken to him before. He was one of the clerks handling the divorce.

I suddenly felt suffocated.

Piyawat continued, his tone cheerful. “I’m calling with good news! Your divorce has been finalized.”

The air in my lungs turned to ice. I felt like I had been punched in the chest.

No.

“Miss Maxine signed the papers a few days ago. Everything is in order, and the divorce is now taking effect.”

My lips parted, but nothing came out.

I… I knew this was coming. I was the one who filed for it. I was the one who walked away.

Then why… why did it feel like my ribs were caving in?

“Congratulations, Miss Alvarez!” Piyawat said, still oblivious to the way my entire world was crumbling. “You are now officially a free woman. Free from a criminal, no less. It must feel good to finally be rid of all that mess.”

Free.

I was free.

Then why did it feel like my entire world had just shattered?

The moment Piyawat’s words registered, it was as if everything around me blurred. The walls of Jana’s office, the soft hum of the air conditioning, the muted voices outside—it all faded into a dull, distant noise.

My grip on my phone tightened, my knuckles turning white.

Maxine signed the papers.

I should have been relieved. This was what I wanted. I was the one who filed for the divorce, the one who walked away, the one who convinced myself that this was the best thing for both of us.

But hearing those words, knowing that it was final, that there was no turning back, it felt like someone had taken a knife and twisted it deep into my chest.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to breathe.

It was irrational. Stupid. I had no right to feel this way.

Then why… why did it feel like my entire body was caving in on itself? Why did it feel like I had lost her all over again?

Piyawat kept talking, his voice bright, mocking.

"You must feel good to finally be rid of all that mess."

I felt sick.

I wanted to tell him he was wrong. That Maxine wasn’t a mess. That she wasn’t some stain I needed to wash off my life. That if anything, she was the only thing that ever made me feel like I was home.

But my throat burned. My vision blurred. And all I could do was swallow it down.

A shaky breath left my lips as I forced my voice to remain steady. "I… understand. Thank you for informing me."

"Of course, Miss Alvarez!" Piyawat chirped. "Let us know if you need anything else. Have a wonderful day!"

The call ended with a soft click. And that was it.

Maxine was no longer my wife.

My hands trembled as I slowly lowered my phone, staring blankly at the screen.

My vision blurred as I stared at the darkened phone screen, my mind unable to process what had just happened. This is it. The last thread tying Maxine and me together had been severed. I had asked for this. I had fought for this.

I sucked in a shaky breath, but the air felt too thick, too heavy. My fingers curled around the edge of the desk, seeking something solid, something real, because everything inside me felt like it was unraveling.

Jana’s voice pulled me back. “A’ishah?”

I didn’t answer immediately. My throat was tight, raw with unshed emotions. I willed myself to blink, to move, to breathe.

It didn’t work.

Jana’s chair scraped against the floor as she stood and stepped closer. "Hey, what happened?" Her tone was softer now, cautious.

I swallowed hard, forcing my lips to move. "The divorce… it's final." I whispered, as if saying it out loud would make it easier to accept. It didn't.

Jana didn't say a thing. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, and her fingers tapped restlessly against the desk like she was debating something.

And that’s when it hit me. She already knew.

I let out a shaky breath, my voice barely above a whisper. “You knew.”

Jana hesitated. I caught the slight twitch in her jaw, the way her gaze flickered away before returning to me. “…Yeah.”

My stomach twisted. “For how long?”

Jana sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. “Since the day it happened.”

The room suddenly felt smaller. “What?”

She exhaled deeply. “Sienna and Gwyneth were there when Maxine signed it. They went to visit her at the jail.”

My breath hitched.

“They said she didn’t even hesitate.” Jana continued, voice carefully neutral. “Just… signed it. No questions. No delays.”

The nausea came fast. My stomach felt like it had turned inside out.

“She acted like it didn’t matter.”

My fingers twitched. I felt the words like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs.

That’s why Sienna and Sasha were acting so strangely earlier.

They knew. And now, I understood the look in their eyes. The hesitation, the pity.

I squeezed my eyes shut. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.

Maxine had signed the divorce without hesitation.

Like I was nothing. Like we had meant nothing.

The pain hit me all at once, sharp and unforgiving, crashing over me like a tidal wave.

I had lost her for good.

Jana exhaled, leaning back against her desk as she studied me. Her eyes, usually sharp and teasing, were now laced with something softer—concern, maybe. Or hesitation.

“Ano nang plano mo ngayon?” She finally asked, voice careful.

I blinked at her, my throat tightening.

What now?

The question should’ve been easy to answer. I had made my choice months ago. I had walked away. I had filed the divorce.

And now, it was done. There was nothing left to fight for.

I forced out a breath, shoving the pain, the regret, the unbearable weight of knowing I had lost her deep down where it couldn’t suffocate me.

“I’ll let her go.” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

Jana’s gaze flickered, like she wanted to argue, but she didn’t. She just nodded.

I didn’t wait for her to say anything else. I turned on my heel and walked out of her office, my legs feeling heavier with every step.

The hallway felt longer than usual, each step echoing in my ears as I moved toward the exit. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting sharp shadows on the linoleum floor. My fingers curled into fists, nails digging into my palms, but the pain wasn’t enough to ground me.

I told Jana I’d let Maxine go.

But could I really?

The front door creaked open, and the familiar scent of home wrapped around me like a ghost of the past. It smelled the same, clean linen, faint traces of Maxine’s old perfume clinging to the air, and the soft scent of lavender from the diffuser by the stairs. But as I stepped inside, the warmth I once felt in this place was gone.

It wasn’t home anymore.

I hadn’t been back in almost a month. Between chasing leads in Baguio for Maxine and Nicole and burying myself in work, I had avoided this place, afraid of the memories waiting for me. But standing here now, I realized distance had done nothing to dull the ache of returning to a house that no longer felt like mine.

“Ate A'ishah?”

I snapped back to reality when I heard that voice. I didn't even turn to look at her when I felt the warmth of her hug.

“OMG! It's you! Namiss kita ng sobra, Ate!” Ashley cheerfully said. “Naku! Siguradong matutuwa si Nicolas kapag nakita ka niya.”

Ashley didn’t seem to notice the shift in my expression right away. She was still beaming, excited to see me after so long. But when I finally turned to her, her smile faltered.

Her brows furrowed. “Ate?”

She stepped back slightly, her eyes scanning my face, taking in the way my shoulders tensed, the way my breath hitched.

“Anong nangyari?” She asked, her voice dropping into something softer.

I blinked rapidly, but it was useless. The weight of the long nights in Baguio, the relentless chase for answers, the phone call that shattered what little I had left was crushing me from the inside out.

Ashley’s lips parted as realization dawned in her eyes. “Ate… bakit—”

“The divorce.” I whispered, barely able to get the words out. “It’s final.”

For a moment, Ashley just stared at me, processing what I had said. Then, I saw the way her expression twisted from confusion to something heavier.

Her mouth opened, then closed, as if she didn’t know what to say.

I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. “Tapos na.” The words felt foreign, unreal. “Wala na.”

Ashley took a step closer, hesitant. “Ate—”

“I filed for it.” I cut her off, my voice shaking. “Ako ang humiling nito, Ashley.” I sucked in a breath, gripping the strap of my bag so tightly my fingers ached. “So bakit… bakit ang sakit?”

Ashley’s eyes softened, and before I could step back, she reached for me, her arms wrapping around my shoulders.

I stiffened for a second, caught off guard by the sudden warmth.

“Hindi mo kailangang sagutin ’yan ngayon.” She murmured.

My throat tightened. Because the truth was, I didn’t have an answer.

Ashley held me tighter, her warmth steady despite the way I trembled against her. I wanted to push her away, to tell her I was fine, that I had no right to be feeling this way after everything I had done. But I couldn't.

The moment I let myself relax, the dam inside me cracked.

A shaky breath escaped my lips, and before I could stop it, silent tears slipped down my cheeks.

Ashley felt it. I knew she did. Her arms tightened just a little bit more, and she didn’t say anything, she just let me break.

I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into the fabric of her shirt. “Ashley…” My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Hindi ko alam paano ko haharapin ’to.”

She sighed, rubbing slow, soothing circles on my back. “Ate… hindi mo kailangan laging kayanin mag-isa.”

Her words struck something deep in me.

For so long, I had convinced myself that I was strong enough to carry everything alone. That as long as I kept moving forward, as long as I buried myself in work and responsibilities, I wouldn’t have to deal with the weight of losing Maxine.

But standing here now, in the house we once called home, I finally understood that there was no running from this.

I pulled back slightly, hastily wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Sorry, hindi ko dapat…”

Ashley shook her head, frowning. “Ate naman, wala kang dapat i-sorry. Tao ka rin, nasasaktan.”

I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Pero ginusto ko ’to, hindi ba?” My voice cracked. “Ako ang nag-file. Ako ang umalis.”

Ashley sighed, crossing her arms. “Ginusto mo ba talaga?”

The question made my stomach twist.

Of course, I had convinced myself I did. I had told myself that this was the best choice for both of us.

But if that was true, then why did it feel like I had just lost a part of myself?

Maxine's POV

If someone had told me before that I’d actually enjoy being in jail, I would’ve laughed in their face. But here I was, sitting in a corner of the cell with Ate Carmen and Lovely, rolling up pieces of paper to use as makeshift chess pieces while laughing like we were at some casual get-together.

“Hoy, Maxine, ano ba ’yang ginagawa mo? Ayan na naman kayo ha! Malapit na kayo magdikit ni Lovely!” Ate Carmen teased, grinning like she was watching a romance drama unfold.

I glanced to my side and realized that Lovely had somehow ended up leaning slightly against my arm while sketching a chessboard on the floor with a smuggled pencil.

Wait… she wasn’t this close earlier, was she?

“Lovely, you're getting a bit comfortable there, huh?” I teased, smirking.

Lovely rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Oh, please, Maxine. You were the one who pushed me earlier, and now you have the nerve to tease?”

Ate Carmen, clearly enjoying herself, let out a dramatic sigh. “Hayaan mo na, Lovely! Alam mo namang single na si Maxine. Malay mo, kayo ang itinadhana.”

I raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to laugh or actually think about that. “Ate, huwag mo akong gawing teleserye character, please.”

Lovely groaned dramatically. “Ate Carmen, ’wag mo nga akong idamay sa ka-ewanan nitong si Maxine! At saka, hindi porket single siya, eh may karapatan siyang maglandi dito!”

Ate Carmen burst into laughter. “Eh bakit, bawal ba? Wala namang nagbabantay na selosang asawa, di ba, Maxine?”

My smile faltered.

Right. There wasn’t one anymore.

If this had happened before, there would’ve been a pair of sharp eyes watching me, ready to scold me for even joking about something like this. But now? Nothing.

A’ishah wasn’t here to call me out.

Lovely must’ve noticed my sudden silence because she sighed and gave me a light pat on the shoulder. “Hey, Maxine. Quit the emo mode. I thought we were having fun?”

Even with the heaviness in my chest, I forced a smile. “Yeah, you’re right. Come on, let’s start the game before they call us for dinner.”

“Yan, ganyan dapat! Wag kang masyadong seryoso, Maxine.” Ate Carmen grinned before winking. “Pero kung gusto mong magseryoso kay Lovely, aba, hindi kita pipigilan.”

“ATE CARMEN!!!” Lovely and I shouted at the same time.

In the end, the three of us just laughed together. And for a moment, just for a little while, I forgot about everything outside these walls.

In no time, it was dinner time.

Dinner in jail wasn’t exactly a five-star experience, but at least it was something. The food was barely warm, the rice was dry, and the soup looked more like dishwater, but it was better than nothing. I sighed, balancing my tray while making my way to the usual corner where Ate Carmen and Lovely sat.

Just as I was about to reach them, a commotion broke out near the serving area.

Raised voices. The clatter of trays. A few inmates crowding around.

My instincts kicked in immediately, my grip tightening around my tray as I turned toward the noise.

“Saan ka pupunta, sweetheart?” I heard a male inmate said near Ate Carmen and Lovely's usual spot.

I shoved past the crowd just in time to see a group of male inmates surrounding her.

Lovely’s expression was a mix of anger and unease, her back pressed against the wall as one of the men leered at her. He was tall, built like a linebacker, with a smirk that made my blood boil. His buddies stood nearby, laughing, clearly enjoying the show.

“Halika dito, sweetheart.” The man sneered, reaching out. “Huwag kang mahiya.”

Lovely smacked his hand away, her jaw clenched. “Get lost, asshole.”

He laughed, amused by her defiance. “Matapang. Yan ang gusto ko!”

I didn’t think. I just moved.

Before he could touch her again, I stepped in, slamming my tray straight into his chest.

The force sent him stumbling back, his smirk instantly vanishing. The cafeteria went silent.

Lovely’s eyes widened. “Maxine—”

I stepped in front of her, squaring my shoulders. My pulse pounded in my ears, adrenaline rushing through my veins.

“Wala bang nagturo sayo ng tamang asal?” I asked coldly. “No means no, dumbass.”

The man scowled, rubbing his chest before glaring at me. “At sino ka sa tingin mo para banggain ako?!” He lunged.

I barely dodged his first swing, ducking just in time before throwing a punch of my own. My fist connected with his jaw, sending him reeling. The cafeteria erupted into chaos.

I felt someone grab my arm, but I twisted out of their grip, slamming my elbow into their ribs. Another one charged at me, but before he could land a hit, I grabbed a tray from a nearby table and whacked it against his head.

Lovely had grabbed a chair, ready to swing if needed, but I caught the way her hands trembled.

A punch clipped my shoulder, snapping my attention back. The first guy had recovered, his face twisted in rage.

“Putang—”

I didn’t let him finish.

I surged forward, tackling him straight to the ground. His back slammed against the floor, and before he could react, I landed another punch. But this time, right to his nose.

Blood splattered.

The cafeteria was in chaos, people shouting, guards rushing in.

Someone grabbed me from behind, yanking me off him, but not before I landed one last hit.

I barely registered the guards shouting, barely noticed the rough grip on my arms. My chest heaved, my knuckles burned, but all I could focus on was Lovely, wide-eyed and shaken but unharmed.

As the guards restrained me, dragging me toward solitary, I caught Ate Carmen’s voice over the noise.

“Putang ina, Maxine! Tama yan! Protektahan mo yang girlfriend mo!”

Lovely groaned, exasperated. “She’s not my girl!”

I smirked, despite the situation.

Solitary confinement wasn’t exactly on my bingo card for the day, but here I was, sitting in a dimly lit cell, arms crossed, my knuckles still stinging from the fight.

The cold cement walls were my only company, the only sound being the occasional footsteps of a guard passing by. I let out a slow exhale, flexing my fingers. I could still feel the sting of my punches, the rush of adrenaline that hadn’t completely faded.

Worth it.

I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes. Images of the fight flashed in my mind, but more than that, I saw Lovely’s face. The flicker of fear when those bastards cornered her. The way her hands shook when she grabbed the chair.

If I hadn’t stepped in… I clenched my jaw. No. I wasn’t going to let that happen.

A sharp knock on the metal door made my eyes snap open.

A sharp knock on the metal door made my eyes snap open.

“De Luna.” A guard called out, unlocking the door. “Time’s up. Let’s go.”

I got to my feet, rolling my shoulders before stepping out. As soon as I was led back into the main block, I was greeted by whispers and amused stares from the other inmates. Some nodded in respect. Others just smirked.

“Grabe ka pala, Colonel!” One of the older inmates chuckled as I walked past. “Kaya pala ang bata mo pa Colonel ka na. Ibang klase pala ang galing mo sa pakikipag-laban!”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t stop walking. The moment I turned the corner, I saw Ate Carmen waiting for me, her arms crossed and a shit-eating grin plastered on her face.

“Well, well, well, kamusta naman bakasyon mo?” She teased. “Nag-enjoy ka ba don?”

“Yeah, sobrang saya.” I deadpanned, rubbing the back of my neck. “Best vacation ever.”

Ate Carmen snorted. “Nakita mo sana si Lovely kaninang hinila ka paalis. Hindi siya mapakali!”

Before I could even react, a voice cut in.

“I was not!”

I turned to see Lovely storming toward us, her face flushed. Whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell.

I smirked. “Aww, were you worried about me?”

She crossed her arms, glaring at me. “Worried that you’re an idiot who picks fights like it’s a hobby? Absolutely.”

Ate Carmen chuckled. “Alam niyo, kung makapag-away kayong ganiyan, para kayong mag girlfriend.”

Lovely groaned, shooting her a glare. “We’re not!”

Ate Carmen just shrugged. “Sabihin mo yan sa mga marites na kasama natin dito.”

Lovely turned back to me, scowling. “Seriously, Maxine. That was reckless. You could’ve gotten seriously hurt.”

I shrugged. “I’ve taken worse hits.”

“That’s not the point,” she huffed. “You don’t have to play hero all the time.”

I met her gaze, my expression softening. “I wasn’t playing hero. I was protecting you. It's my duty to protect people around me.”

“You're not a police officer here, Maxine. You're a detainee!”

“Kahit na.” I shrugged. “Wherever I go, it's in my nature to protect. It's something I wouldn't stop doing.”

Lovely faltered for a second, her lips parting as if to argue, but nothing came out. Instead, she looked away, her hands balling into fists at her sides.

“…Just be careful next time.” She muttered.

Ate Carmen whistled. “Ayieeee! Maxine, oh! Concern siya, mag-ingat ka daw.”

Lovely groaned in frustration. “I swear to God—”

I chuckled, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest.

Jail might be a nightmare for some, but with these two? It could be a lot easier.

The next morning, I was still lying on my bunk, staring at the cracked ceiling, when the guards called my name.

“De Luna! May bisita ka.”

I sat up with a groan, stretching my arms before hopping off the bunk. Ate Carmen shot me a look from across the cell.

"Baka girlfriend mo?” She teased.

Lovely, who was sitting by the corner, scoffed. “Which one?”

I smirked but didn’t reply. Instead, I followed the guard out, my mind running through the possibilities. My family hadn’t visited in weeks, and I doubted my father would waste time checking in on his disgrace of a daughter.

When I reached the visitor’s area, the answer became clear.

Denise was seated at the table, her perfectly pressed blazer making her look every bit the high-powered lawyer she was. Her hair was neatly pinned back, but when she saw me, her expression softened.

"You look... good.” She said as I sat across from her.

I arched a brow. “Didn’t know jail was my aesthetic.”

Denise rolled her eyes. “Always deflecting.” She muttered before her expression turned serious. “I have news.”

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “Good or bad?”

She exhaled. “Good. Jana found new evidence, strong ones. Enough to get your case thrown out.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What?”

Denise nodded. “She called me this morning. Jana’s been digging nonstop, and she finally hit gold. We’re filing for an immediate hearing.”

I blinked, the weight of her words sinking in. For the first time in months, real hope flickered inside me.

I could be free.

“Max, this could change everything.” Denise continued, her eyes searching mine. “You might walk out of here sooner than we thought.”

I let out a slow breath, my fingers tightening into fists. “Who do I have to thank for this?”

“Jana, obviously.” Denise said with a small smile. “And... someone else.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Who?”

She hesitated, then shook her head. “It doesn’t matter right now. Just focus on the fact that this nightmare could be over soon.”

I frowned but let it go. “And what if it doesn’t work?”

Denise’s eyes hardened. “Then we fight harder.”

I swallowed. “Denise…”

She smiled. “Don’t thank me yet, De Luna. Save it for when we win.”

I let out a breathless chuckle, shaking my head. “Cocky.”

Denise smirked. “Always.”

~~~

Thank you for reading! 💛