Fading Echoes

Quince

Third Person

Two weeks after that tragic incident, Greggy had grown distant from everyone, even from his wife. Since the burial of his brother, he hadn't spoken a word to Irene. He isolated himself in the guest room, the place he had chosen to stay ever since they returned home.

Their business trip had been abruptly cut short when they received the heartbreaking news. They rushed back, but it was all too late.

David had been in a car accident on his way to Tagaytay, where Greggy had been scheduled to meet with an investor. The meeting had come up suddenly; Greggy had called David that very day, urging him to represent him. But amid all the misfortunes they had faced, nothing compared to the tragedy of David's death. He was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, his brain stem severely damaged in the collision.

Because of this, Greggy was consumed by guilt. He couldn't shake the thought that David would still be with them if he hadn't asked his brother to attend that meeting on his behalf.

Diana would have still experienced the joy of being swept off her feet by her father on her 16th birthday in two months. Margrethe would have had her father by her side at her grade school graduation next month. And he and Alex could have reunited, sharing their lives again.

For days, Greggy barely ate, ignoring the meals Irene prepared for him. The food piled up, untouched, a stark reminder of his despair.

In response to Greggy's grief, his father filed for an indefinite leave of absence for him. He understood that Greggy wouldn't be able to perform his job properly while still mourning and didn't want to pressure him to return to work. Irene, on the other hand, opted for a work-from-home arrangement, going into the office only when necessary for onsite inspections and outdoor meetings. She took on some of her husband's responsibilities, though her father-in-law remained the interim head in Greggy's absence.

As Irene sat in the upstairs living room, focused on her work, Alex arrived. Her sister-in-law had decided to stay in the Philippines for a while, allowing her daughters to spend time with their grandparents—and, if Greggy permitted, with him. But even her nieces and Alex felt the coldness of his withdrawal.

The last words Greggy had uttered during the funeral echoed in Irene's mind: "I'm the reason you lost your husband, and why my nieces lost their father..."

Hearing those words had shattered Irene's heart. She missed him desperately but knew that she had to give him the time he needed to process his grief and heartbreak.

"Irene..." Alex called, and she turned, quickly rising from her seat.

"Ate! I didn't know you'd come. I would have prepared something," she said, embracing her sister-in-law.

"It's okay; I brought some of Greggy's favorites. Mama and I cooked it together," Irene replied, managing a smile. She gestured for Alex to sit down.

"How are you? And the girls? I'm sorry we haven't visited, especially for the kids..." she said, casting a glance toward Greggy's closed door.

Alex offered a faint smile, her eyes still red from nights spent crying.

"It's okay, Rene. We understand, I understand. The girls are with Mama and Papa, so I came here to check on him. Is he still not coming out of his room?" Alex asked, concern etched on her face.

Irene sighed and shook her head, looking down. "No, not yet. He barely eats. Whenever I try to talk to him, he's always asleep. I haven't heard his voice in days," she admitted, bitterness creeping into her tone.

Alex took her hand, gazing intently into her eyes. "Please be patient with him. He needs you now more than ever," she said softly. Irene managed a weak smile in response. "I will... I just hope he realizes that it was never his fault," she replied, her voice trembling.