Maxine's POV

The first thing I noticed was the quiet.

No distant echoes of metal doors slamming shut. No hushed murmurs of other inmates stirring awake. No stiff mattress beneath my back, no thin, scratchy blanket barely keeping the cold away.

Just silence.

And warmth.

I opened my eyes slowly, my vision adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through expensive curtains. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and bread drifted in from downstairs, a stark contrast to the stale air and cheap instant coffee of the prison cafeteria.

For the first time in months, I was in a real bed.

A bed with thick, plush sheets. A bed that smelled like lavender instead of disinfectant. A bed that wasn’t shoved into a cramped space with concrete walls closing in on me.

I should’ve felt relief.

I should’ve sunk into the comfort, inhaled the familiarity of my parents’ house, let myself enjoy the freedom I fought so hard to get back.

But instead, all I felt was… out of place.

I turned my head, half-expecting to see the small bunk beds lined up against the walls. Half-expecting to hear Lovely’s groggy voice mumbling about how she barely got any sleep, or Ate Carmen reminding me to fold my blanket before the guards did their rounds.

But there was no one.

Just an empty room and a neatly arranged bedside table with my phone, a glass of water, and a framed photo of my family that my mom must’ve placed there while I slept.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.

I should be happy. I was free. I was finally out of that hellhole.

I closed my eyes and let out a shaky breath. The silence was suffocating.

It wasn’t just the difference between a jail cell and my parents’ house, it was the absence of something else. Someone else.

I used to wake up to the sound of slow, steady breathing beside me. The warmth of soft sheets tangled between limbs, A’ishah’s face turned slightly toward me, peaceful in her sleep.

I could still picture the way the morning light traced the delicate curve of her cheek, the way her lashes fluttered against her skin when she started to wake up.

I used to stare at her, memorizing every detail. The way her lips parted slightly, the way her brows furrowed just before she stirred.

And when she finally woke up, hazel eyes blinking up at me, she would always catch me staring.

"Good morning, babi.” She’d mumble in that sleepy, teasing voice of hers. Then she’d pull me closer, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before I could even reply.

Every morning, without fail.

And then there were the strawberry pancakes.

We were both obsessed with them. She would sit at the counter, watching me flip them with a lazy smile, her chin propped on her hand. Sometimes, she’d sneak behind me and wrap her arms around my waist, laughing when I pretended to scold her for distracting me.

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.

It hurt.

It hurt so much that I could still remember every detail. That I could still feel her beside me even when she was gone.

I wasn’t angry anymore.

Not really.

Because the truth was, I understood. I understood why she did what she did. Why she built the case against me. Why she had to convince herself I was guilty.

Because believing in my innocence would’ve meant going against everything. The evidence. The system. Her career. Maybe even her own fears.

I understood.

But that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Because out of all people, kut of everyone in the world, it should have been A’ishah who trusted me first.

I took a long shower, letting the warm water run down my skin, hoping it would wash away the weight in my chest. But even as I stood there, eyes closed, head tilted back, the memories clung to me like ghosts.

A’ishah’s laughter in the kitchen. The way she used to flick water at me when we brushed our teeth together. The quiet hum of her voice as she scrolled through her phone while waiting for me to finish showering.

I sighed, shaking the thoughts away.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, the scent of food wafted through the air. Something warm, comforting, home.

I changed into a loose shirt and sweatpants, towel-drying my hair as I made my way downstairs. As soon as I turned the corner into the dining room, I stopped in my tracks.

Everyone was there.

My dad sat at the head of the table, his usual unreadable expression softening just slightly when he saw me. My mom stood near the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her eyes filled with quiet relief. My sister and brother were already seated, grinning like they had been waiting for this moment for too long.

The table was filled with food, homemade dishes, warm bread, fresh fruit. It was so… different.

“Uh…” I raised a brow. “What’s going on?”

My sister rolled her eyes. “We’re eating breakfast, obviously.”

I crossed my arms. “Yeah, but all of you together? And waiting for me? That’s weird.”

“We missed you, anak.” My mom said gently, stepping closer. “That’s why we waited.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

They missed me.

I had spent months eating meals on a cold metal table, surrounded by people who weren’t family but had become something close to it. Lovely’s jokes. Ate Carmen’s quiet wisdom.

But now, I was back in my parents’ house, surrounded by my real family.

I swallowed down the feeling and forced a small smile. “Well… I hope the food’s good. I got used to the inmate’s cooking, so you guys have some competition.”

My brother groaned. “Don’t compare us to jail food, Max.”

Everyone laughed, and just for a moment, the heaviness in my chest eased.

I took my seat at the dining table, still trying to shake off the unfamiliar warmth of the moment. It had been so long since we sat together like this, all of us. Even before I was arrested, I had been too busy, too caught up in work, and my life with A’ishah to notice how much time I had lost with my family.

As I reached for my coffee, my dad cleared his throat, his usual serious demeanor softening just slightly.

“We’re going on a family vacation.”

I almost choked on my first sip. “What?”

“We’ve already planned it.” He continued, ignoring my reaction. “It’s been too long since we were complete. And now that you’re back, we should take some time away.”

I blinked at him, trying to process his words.

“I should be getting back to work.”

“Work can wait.” My mother interjected, giving me a look that brooked no argument. “You’ve been through hell, anak. You need time to recover.”

I clenched my jaw. Recover? I don’t have time for that.

“We haven’t had a proper family trip in years.” My sister chimed in. “And this is the first time Kuya’s wife will be joining us.”

I exhaled, gripping my coffee cup tighter.

My family wanted normal. They wanted things to go back to the way they were.

But I wasn’t the same person who left.

I had seen betrayal up close. I had lost friends, allies. And I wasn’t about to let Cobra slip through my fingers just because I was supposed to be on vacation.

“Where are we going?” I asked finally, forcing neutrality into my voice.

A round of smiles broke across their faces. My mother beamed, my sister grinned, my brother’s wife clapped her hands excitedly.

They thought I was saying yes. But in reality, I was already planning.

Wherever we were going, Cobra wouldn’t be far from my mind. And if they thought I had been defeated, if they thought I would just sit back and pretend to be normal again…

They had no idea what was coming.

After breakfast, I told my family I needed some fresh air. They didn’t question it, probably assuming I just needed space to adjust. In truth, I needed clarity.

I found myself at the small park near our neighborhood, the one A'ishah used to run to when she needed to think.

The air was crisp, the afternoon sun casting golden light through the trees. Kids were playing, people were walking their dogs, and for the first time in months, I felt a semblance of normalcy.

I saw Denise sitting on one of the benches, watching the people pass by. She must’ve known I’d come here. Or maybe she had been waiting for me.

When she spotted me, she smiled. “Colonel Maxine Blair De Luna.” She said, her tone teasing yet proud. “Back where she belongs.”

I huffed a small laugh, shaking my head as I took a seat beside her. “Not back yet.” I corrected. “But working on it.”

She nodded, understanding the weight behind my words. “I’m happy you’re free.”

I turned to her, meeting her gaze. “Me too.” Then, after a pause, “Thank you, Denise. For everything. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be in that damn cell.”

She smirked. “Well, I am a great lawyer.”

I chuckled, but there was sincerity in my eyes when I said, “You are.”

Denise leaned back on the bench, stretching her arms. “So, what now?”

I exhaled. “Cobra.”

She didn’t look surprised. “I figured.”

“They think they’ve won.” I said, my voice steady but sharp. “They tried to take me out, silence me. Now, I’m going to make sure they regret it.”

Denise studied me for a moment before nodding. “Alam ko namang hindi ka matatahimik, Maxine.”

I smirked. “Not until I burn them down to hell.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Denise rolled her eyes. But then, she looked at me, her eyes softening. “Have you talked to A'ishah?”

Her question made my eyebrows furrow. “Huh?”

She nudged my shoulder lightly. “You should talk to her, you know?”

I raised an eyebrow. “I don't ever want to.”

“Why not?”

I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into fists on my lap.

“After everything?” I scoffed. “She built a damn case against me, Denise. Out of all people, it should’ve been her who trusted me first. But no. She was so ready to believe I was guilty.”

Denise studied me carefully, her expression unreadable. “And yet… you don’t hate her.”

I turned to her sharply, but I didn’t deny it.

I should hate her. It would be easier that way. But I don’t.

I miss her.

I miss waking up next to her, the way she would scrunch her nose whenever the sunlight hit her face. The way she’d grumble and pull the blankets over her head, trying to steal just five more minutes of sleep.

I miss her so damn much.

And it fucking hurts.

Denise sighed. “Max, I get it. I do. But maybe… maybe she had her reasons.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Reasons? What reason could possibly justify what she did?”

“She loved you.”

I froze.

Denise’s voice was quiet, but firm. “I think she loved you so much, it clouded her judgment.”

I looked away, my chest tightening. “Then why wasn’t that love enough to make her believe in me?”

Denise didn’t have an answer for that.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows across the park.

Finally, I stood up. “I don’t want to talk about her anymore.”

Denise sighed but nodded, standing up with me. “Fine. But one day, Maxine, you’re gonna have to face her. Whether you want to or not.”

I didn’t respond. Because deep down, I knew she was right.

The next morning.

I stepped into headquarters, the familiar scent of coffee and old case files instantly grounding me. It felt… surreal.

I adjusted the collar of my uniform, my posture rigid, my mind sharp.

“Colonel De Luna.” A voice called out.

I turned to see Cleo leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, a smirk already forming on her lips. “Back where you belong, huh?”

Before I could answer, another voice chimed in.

“Welcome back, Colonel.” Detective Osorio said with an innocent smile on her face.

I tensed.

I forced a polite nod in her direction, but something inside me burned. I knew what she did. And I promised myself that I’d free Lovely, and I’d make Osorio pay.

Cleo, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me, stepped closer, her fingers lightly grazing my forearm. “You should’ve told me you were coming back today, Blair. I would’ve prepared something special.”

I huffed, shaking my head. “Since when do I give you that kind of privilege, Cleo?”

She smirked. “Since you let me call you Blair.”

I rolled my eyes, but before I could pull away, the sound of a door swinging open caught my attention.

Three figures emerged from Jana’s office. Jana herself, Gwyneth, and… A’ishah.

My breath hitched.

A’ishah’s sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on Cleo’s hand still resting on my arm.

I saw the flicker of something dark in her gaze. A warning.

Cleo noticed too, her smirk growing as she leaned in just slightly. “Looks like I have an audience.”

I subtly pulled my arm away, pretending not to notice the way A’ishah’s jaw clenched.

Jana, unfazed, crossed her arms. “You’re early, Colonel.”

I straightened. “Just eager to get back to work.”

“Good.” She nodded before gesturing toward A’ishah and Gwyneth. “They need to go.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Silang dalawa lang?”

“Yes.” Jana nodded like it was nothing.

“Where are they going?”

“I believe you don’t need to know, Colonel.” A’ishah’s voice was cool, polite, but distant. It stung more than I wanted to admit.

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my expression unreadable. “I just got back, and I’d like to be informed of movements related to the Cobra Organization.”

A’ishah didn’t waver. “It’s none of your business.”

She turned, her fingers curling around Gwyneth’s arm as if to pull her away.

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could think, I grabbed A’ishah’s wrist, stopping her mid-step. The contact sent a jolt through me, the warmth of her skin all too familiar.

A sharp whistle echoed through the room.

“Damn.” Cleo muttered, amused. “This is getting interesting.”

Jana, ever the observer, simply raised an eyebrow, arms still crossed. “Colonel, are you questioning the movement of a civilian lawyer now?”

I ignored them both, my gaze locked onto A’ishah.

She looked at me then, really looked at me, her eyes stormy with something unreadable. But she didn’t pull away immediately.

It was Gwyneth who broke the moment. “Attorney Alvarez?”

A’ishah blinked, as if snapping back to reality. Her expression hardened.

“Let go, Colonel.”

I hesitated for a fraction of a second before releasing her wrist, the warmth lingering on my skin.

I wasn’t jealous.

I refused to admit I was jealous.

But the way A’ishah held onto Gwyneth’s arm as they walked away left something bitter in my chest.

I turned to Jana, and said, “Tell me they are going somewhere related to the Cobra Organization.”

Jana raised an eyebrow. A teasing smile slowly crept on her face. “Nagseselos ka ba, Colonel?”

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Jana. No. I just want to be involved in everything related to the Cobra Organization.”

Cleo snorted. “Riiight. That’s why you nearly snapped A’ishah’s wrist back there?”

I rolled my eyes at her, before turning back to Jana. “So?”

She chuckled teasingly. “Yeah. They will visit Nikki.”

I didn't waste any minute as I turned on my heel, and marched out. My boots echoed against the tiled floor as I made my way to the parking lot, ignoring the teasing laughter behind me.

I spotted A’ishah and Gwyneth getting into a black sedan.

I moved fast.

The moment the door shut, I yanked open the back seat and climbed in, making both of them jump.

“What the hell, Maxine?!” A’ishah snapped, twisting around to glare at me.

“It's Colonel for you, Atty.” I smirked when she rolled her eyes.

Gwyneth blinked. “Colonel, you can’t just—”

“Yes, I can.” My voice was calm, controlled. “This involves Cobra, right? Then I should be here.”

A’ishah let out a sharp breath, rubbing her temples. “Unbelievable.”

I smirked. “And you’re still a bad liar.”

Her jaw clenched. “This isn’t your mission.”

“Cobra is always my mission.”

Her eyes burned into mine, frustration evident.

Gwyneth cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable. “Uh… should I just—?”

A’ishah groaned and slammed the car door shut. “Fine. But if you’re coming, you follow my rules.”

I raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

She shot me a warning glare as the engine roared to life. I leaned back, staring out the window.

This wasn’t jealousy. Absolutely not.

I just didn’t trust anyone else to handle Cobra.

And if keeping a close eye on certain people came with that… well, that was just a coincidence.

The ride was silent, save for the occasional hum of the engine and the distant sound of traffic outside. I sat back, arms crossed, but my eyes kept flicking toward the rearview mirror.

A’ishah was driving, her hands firm on the wheel, her gaze focused straight ahead. Gwyneth sat beside her, scrolling through something on her phone.

A’ishah had lost weight. Her uniform, though still tailored, looked a little looser on her frame. And the dark circles under her eyes… they weren’t just from a few sleepless nights.

It was exhaustion.

Months of it.

My fingers curled into fists on my lap. I wanted to say something. Ask something.

But instead, I leaned forward slightly and said, “Why the hell are you involved in this case?”

A’ishah didn’t look at me. “Because I need to be.”

“Not an answer.” My voice was sharp, pressing.

She let out a tired sigh, tightening her grip on the wheel. “I’m planning to be Nikki’s lawyer.”

A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “You’re what?”

A’ishah glanced at me through the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything.

I shook my head, a humorless smirk forming on my lips. “Of course, you are. Of course, you’d be defending someone like her.”

“Maxine.”

“No, really.” I cut her off, my tone laced with mockery. “Years of my hard work. Our hard work, just being erased. Just like that. Good job, Atty. You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”

Her jaw clenched, but she remained quiet.

I scoffed, leaning back against the seat. “Tell me, how do you sleep at night knowing you’re helping the very people I swore to take down?”

A’ishah exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel even tighter. “I don’t sleep, Colonel.”

That shut me up.

The weight of those words, and the quiet exhaustion behind them settled between us like an unspoken truth.

I stared at the back of A’ishah’s head, my jaw tightening. I wanted to snap back, to throw something cruel her way, but something about her tone stopped me.

The exhaustion in her voice… the way her shoulders seemed to slump just slightly…

I hated that I noticed.

I hated that I cared.

Gwyneth, still focused on her phone, finally spoke up, her tone neutral but firm. “A’ishah isn’t erasing your hard work, Colonel. She’s trying to make sure justice is actually served.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Justice? You really think defending a Cobra is justice?”

A’ishah’s grip on the wheel tightened. “You think everyone connected to them deserves to rot in prison?”

I leaned forward, resting my arms on the back of their seats. “Nikki isn’t just connected to them, A’ishah. She is one of them. She’s involved, and you damn well know it.”

She finally glanced at me through the rearview mirror, her eyes sharp but tired. “But what about Nicolas? The boy needs his mother.”

I scoffed. "No, what Nicolas needs is someone who isn’t a criminal, someone who won’t get him tangled up in the mess his mother created."

A’ishah’s grip on the wheel tightened. "As much as I love taking care of him, Maxine, he still needs his mom.”

Something in me snapped.

“You can't take care of him anymore?” My voice came out sharper than I intended. "Then I’ll take him from you."

A’ishah’s knuckles went white against the steering wheel.

I leaned forward, my jaw set. "I will take care of him. I’ll raise him properly. I’ll make sure he never has to be around Cobra, never has to rely on a mother who…"

"Who what, Maxine?" A’ishah’s voice was low, warning.

"Who will only bring him pain." I spat, unrelenting. "And you defending her is just proving my point.”

Gwyneth glanced between us, clearly uncomfortable, but she didn’t interrupt.

A’ishah inhaled deeply, keeping her eyes on the road. "You can’t just take him away, Maxine. He’s not a case file you can just claim ownership over."

"Watch me."

Her fingers flexed against the steering wheel. "You have no right."

"Neither do you."

That finally made her snap. She slammed the brakes, making me jolt forward slightly. Gwyneth cursed under her breath.

A'ishah turned to me, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tight I thought it might snap in half. Her eyes burned with fury, with exhaustion, with something so raw it made my chest tighten.

"You want to take him from me?" Her voice was sharp, slicing through the thick tension in the car. "You think you have the right to take Nicolas away from me?"

I leaned forward, refusing to back down. "I have every right. I would've been there for him if I wasn’t rotting in a damn jail cell because of you.”

A'ishah flinched. Just for a second. Just enough for me to see it before she masked it with a cold, unreadable expression.

But she didn’t argue.

She didn’t even try to fight back.

The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. A’ishah’s fingers flexed against the steering wheel before she exhaled sharply and looked away, staring straight ahead as if I wasn’t even there.

My chest tightened.

I wanted her to fight. To snap back. To say something, anything that would make me feel less like the villain in this story.

But she didn’t.

And somehow, that made it worse.

"Okay, that's enough." Gwyneth’s voice cut through the tension, her usual calm tone carrying just enough authority to make me turn to her.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Both of you need to take a breath before we do something we’ll regret." She glanced at A’ishah. "Please, drive.”

A’ishah didn’t move.

I scoffed. "That’s your solution? You’re seriously taking her side?"

Gwyneth’s eyes snapped to mine, sharp and unwavering. "I’m not taking anyone’s side, Colonel."

I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into fists. "Could’ve fooled me.”

Gwyneth sighed again, clearly trying to keep her patience. "Maxine, this isn’t just about Nicolas or whatever personal war you two have going on." She turned fully in her seat, her gaze locking onto mine. "We need to talk to Nikki because she’s the only Cobra leader still alive."

I stilled.

The words settled in my chest like a weight, heavy and suffocating.

The only one left because we haven't captured the last two remaining leaders.

A’ishah exhaled softly, then started the car again.

The tension in the air didn’t disappear, but at least the silence felt less suffocating now.

I sat back, running a hand down my face as the engine roared back to life.

Gwyneth was right. I hated that she was right.

But that didn’t change the fact that I still didn’t trust this.

~~~

Thank you for reading! 💛