Stitches and Scars

Chapter 17

"Letting go doesn't always mean weakness — sometimes it actually shows true strength in recognizing when it's time to let go and simply give up. When we get hurt, bruised, or wounded, we instinctively take care of ourselves. We apply bandages and try to heal on our own. However, when the pain becomes overwhelming and too much to bear, it's perfectly okay to ask for help. Often, seeking help isn't a sign of defeat — it's an act of courage, and understanding that sometimes the best way to heal is to let someone else guide us through our struggles."

Karylle hurried down the hospital corridor, somehow searching for someone she wished to talk to. As she rounded a corner, she nearly bumped into Vice, who was walking in the opposite direction. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as their eyes met each other's. She found him. Finally, she found him.

"Hey," Karylle said, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn't hide the surprise and somewhat hurt in her eyes.

"Hi," Vice replied, his tone heavy with regret. He paused, searching for the right words. "Karylle, tungkol kagabi —"

Karylle immediately knew what he wanted to say and her heart sank, but she forced herself to stay composed. "You chose her," she said, not as a question, but as a statement of fact.

Vice nodded slowly. "She's my wife."

"Hinintay kita," Karylle's voice cracked with emotion, her eyes still looking at his.

"I'm sorry," Vice said, his own voice filled with pain. "But she is my wife. I couldn't leave her. I thought I could but I just couldn't."

Karylle looked away, blinking back tears. "Of course. I should have known that," she said quietly. "But I guess, that doesn't make it hurt any less."

Vice reached out as if to touch her arm, but stopped himself, letting his hand fall back to his side. "Karylle, I never meant to hurt you."

Karylle stopped him from touching her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I have to get to rounds," she said, her voice firmer now. "Take care of yourself, Dr. Viceral."

She walked past him, her heart heavy, and as she did, Vice turned to watch her go, feeling the weight of his choices more than ever.

~•~•~•~

Vice walked into Kaye's office at the hospital, finding her seated behind her desk, her fingers massaging her temples. She was still nursing a headache after last night's incident. He quietly walked towards her and placed a cup of coffee on her table, making her aware of his presence.

"Salamat," Kaye said, taking a sip and trying to muster a smile. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with lingering tension. "About last night—"

Vice immediately cut her off, his voice gentle but distant. "How's your head? Feeling any better?"

Kaye sighed, the exhaustion evident in her voice. "It's still throbbing, but I'll manage." She paused, taking a deep breath as she gathered her thoughts. "You know, we still need to talk about what happened."

Vice's expression hardened slightly. He shifted his gaze away from her, staring at a spot on the wall, "Kaye, I don't want to go over it again right now. I already made a choice, didn't I?"

Kaye's shoulders slumped slightly, but she pressed on gently. "But we can't keep pushing this aside. We both know our marriage won't fix itself," she paused before continuing, "That's why I called a marriage counselor for us."

Vice's face tightened, his jaw clenching slightly, but he didn't interrupt. Kaye added, "I think we need to talk to someone. I want us to get better, to understand each other more."