Perfect Imperfection

Chapter 8

Never knew her from the start

Reese's POV

Hindi ko mapigilan ang kaba sa dibdib ko habang palabas kami ni Zyon mula sa restaurant.

Yung pagkakita ko kay Riley kanina, parang bumalik lahat ng trauma at sakit na pilit ko nang kinalimutan. My hands were trembling as I clutched Zyon's arm, trying to steady myself.

Napansin iyon ni Zyon kaya't bigla niyang hininto ang paglakad namin. "Hershey, are you okay?" His voice was gentle, concern evident in his eyes.

Hindi ako agad nakasagot.

Naramdaman ko na lang na niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit, as if he knew exactly what I needed at that moment. "It's okay. I'm here. I got you," he whispered while rubbing my back soothingly.

Huminga ako ng malalim, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. I'm stronger than this. Ngunit kahit anong pilit, nanginginig pa rin ako. The memories, the betrayal, the heartbreak—it was all too much.

"I'll get your medicine," Zyon suddenly said, concern etched on his face. "I know you have your anti-depressants in your bag. Wait here, I'll be quick."

Tumango ako, kahit pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo akong nawalan ng lakas nung iniwan niya ako mag-isa.

I leaned against the cold wall, closing my eyes, trying to gather myself. This is just one bad moment, Reese. You've overcome worse.

But before I could fully regain my composure, naramdaman ko ang presensya niya—si Riley.

Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at nakita siyang nakatayo sa harap ko, staring at me with those familiar eyes.

I move backward when he starts to step in. 

"Is he my child?" tanong niya diretso, no hesitation. Not removing his eyes from my gaze.

My chest tightened. 

"He's adopted. Baog ako, remember?" My voice almost cracked, and I forced myself to keep eye contact.

Riley's eyes tightened as he stepped closer, "Ah, so you're saying you adopted a child who looks so much like me? Why don't you break up with that Zion—Zyon, whatever his name is? It looks like you're still obsessed with me." his voice was low and accusatory.

Parang may sumaksak sa loob ko. Bago pa man ako makapag-isip, malakas kong sinampal si Riley. 

"I moved on, Riley. Even after what you did to me. I moved on."

He flinched, but I could see the anger in his eyes, masking something deeper. 

"Reese..." his voice softened as if he wanted to say something else, but before he could, narinig namin ang hikbi ng bata—si Zyker.

Napalingon kaming pareho. And there he was, holding Zyon's hand tightly, his little face was dripping with tears. Zyker's big teary eyes were wide with confusion and fear, 

"Mama, why are you mad? Are you fighting?"

My heart broke at the sight.

I rushed to Zyker, kneeling in front of him. "No, baby, Mama's not mad. It's just... let's go, okay?" I tried to soothe him, brushing his tears away while fighting back my own.

Zyon's expression was unreadable as he glanced between me and Riley.

He didn't say anything, just nodded toward the exit. "Let's go, babe. We've had enough of this."

I nodded silently, picking Zyker up and holding him close as we left.

I didn't dare look back at Riley.