STEP BACK!

CHAPTER 16: SOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES

"I'll try finding out why he suddenly got so weak after that weird-ass "miscarriage"." Jino assured them, he wanted justice for the baby girl's parent. I still held the baby girl in my arms, still shocked and not sure what to do...

"What should I do with her? She's...Theo's daughter afterall. I can't leave the baby girl like that..." I felt so much responsibility right now, having to take care of the baby girl. I would've never thought that this day would've ended like this. I hoped that we could find the doctor who caused all of this, for Theo's sake and for the little daughter he left behind too.

"Theo told me that he wanted to name his baby Trina." Jino handed out Theo's former name-list and the name "Trina" was encircled.

I smiled at the name that Theo had chosen for the baby girl. It was a nice name, and I was glad that he was able to name her before his tragic passing. "Then I shall name her...Trina. Let's not disappoint him, right?" I held Trina in my arms, smiling at her. It was now my responsibility to take care of her and Theo's wish. "I'm gonna miss Theo so bad..."

Hotaru being soft-hearted, she sniffled. I felt touched that Hotaru was so affected about Theo too. That meant she cared about him a lot and felt bad too.

"We'll miss him, Hotaru...but we gotta be strong for his sake and for his baby girl too. Let's do our best to help Trina." I said as I wiped my tears away quickly, as I didn't want to seem too weak in front of the others. I had to be strong for everyone.

Hotaru gave Theo a proper funeral at her simple house. Wish's other members went and payed respects.

"Condolences..."

A familiar voice was heard in the gloomy rain outside. A guy with a black mask entered Hotaru's simple, and quiet house. The man's aura was quite... intimidating. Wish was in the middle of paying respect to Theo, when I noticed the presence of a stranger coming inside. A sense of dread overcame me, as I could hear rain outside. I was hoping who the man was and why he was there. The mysterious man was intimidating me too. I turned towards the man, feeling concerned. "Who...who are you?" I asked in a soft, but serious voice, as I looked him right at him.

Gregory showed his face infront of everyone. Hotaru was mad as she slapped the man's face hard.

"HOW DARE YOU SHOW UP HERE IN THIS SAD, PRIVATE, YET PEACEFUL FUNERAL! YOU RUINED THEO'S WHOLE LIFE! YOU'RE THE PRIMARY REASON WHY HIS LIFE ENDED UP LIKE THIS!"

Hotaru bursts out in tears and her throat ache, she was showing her massive pain in her heart. I was really surprised when I saw Hotaru slapping Gregory in the face, but I also understood where her anger was coming from. It was very understandable...Gregory had really ruined Theo's whole life and then took it away from him in the end.

I tried getting close to Hotaru, knowing that she was going through some pain and needed some comfort. "Hotaru...Hotaru, please calm down. Please, don't make yourself feel too angry. It's alright..." I tried to calm Hotaru down, as I understood her feelings pretty much. Gregory bend down to his knees, trying to show regrets and apologies to Hotaru.

"Guys, I'm really sorry..."

Hotaru remained silent, her tears and heartache still not going away. He was a little surprised that Gregory tried to do some kind of apology to Hotaru. I doubted that Hotaru could forgive him that easily.

"Apologies mean nothing for us now."
Wish spoke harshly to Gregory, still showing my disgust towards him. I was hoping Hotaru would calm down, but I understood that Hotaru's pain and heartbreak wasn't going away yet. Cherry and Blossom helped Hotaru get Gregory out. The three shut the gate closed.

"How's the child Theo left in your house, Wish?" Blossom asked curiously. "The baby...she's alright. I promised him that I would take care of her."

I said as I still held Trina in my arm. I was glad that Trina was doing fine and I was confident that I could take care of her. I was going to keep my promise to take care of Theo's daughter no matter what. Theo left his legacy and his daughter Trina to me and I was going to take responsibility.

You're so brave. Keep up, Wish."

The twins cheered him, boosting the man some strength and confidence.I was happy hearing Blossoms and Cherry's cheering, as I needed the most encouragement for the hard path ahead of me. I still didn't know how I was going to make it, but I hoped that I could somehow make it in this difficult time.

"Thank you...I hope I can do my best and I'll try my best too. For Theo...for Theo and for Trina." Wish spoke softly, feeling happy that Cherry and Blossom believed that I could do it.

After that, Theo's remains were buried beside Wish's garden. It was afternoon when Jino came to visit Wish.

"I got the former's test results. It's been stated that he had a congenital heart disease long time ago, and his pregnancy and hospitalization triggered the worse effects of illness." I was a little relieved to hear about Theo's test results with what really happened to him, but it still didn't make me feel much better. After all, Theo was still dead and he had passed away. I tried calming myself down, as I had to stay strong.

“...I see. That makes sense now…”
I said in a sad, but calmer tone and then looked at Jino. “Jino…Thank you for doing what you could’ve. I really appreciate it.” I spoke softly and then looked away, holding back my tears.

Diamond hugged Wish warmly.
"It's fine, my love. You could cry..."
He said in a calm tone. I felt some comfort when Diamond hugged me warmly, as I felt like it was a hard time for me right now.

I hugged Diamond back, but not too tight of course, as I was holding Trina right now.

"I'm going to miss Theo so much...Diamond, let's take care of Theo's legacy together." I asked Diamond gently, wanting to know what he thought about us taking care of Theo and his daughter Trina together.