When Love Break Ties

Chapter 11: Family Calls from Manila

Nathan sat at his desk in the tiny apartment he and Abby had rented together. The city lights of Tokyo shimmered through the window, casting long shadows on the walls. It was late, but his phone buzzed incessantly, interrupting his thoughts. The screen lit up with yet another missed call—this time from his father.

For weeks now, Nathan had been ignoring calls and messages from his family in Manila. It wasn't that he didn't love them; on the contrary, he had always been the dutiful son, the one who checked in regularly, the one who kept his parents updated on his life. But ever since his relationship with Abby deepened, something had shifted. Every time his phone buzzed, a feeling of dread settled in the pit of his stomach.

Abby's influence on him was undeniable. Her views on family had seeped into his own way of thinking, challenging everything he had once held dear. Nathan had never questioned his family's expectations before—he had accepted them as part of the natural order of things. But now, as he spent more time with Abby, he began to see the cracks in that belief.

"They mean well," Abby had said during one of their late-night conversations. "But sometimes, what they want for you isn't what's best for you."

She had spoken from experience, of course. Abby's relationship with her family was complicated, to say the least. Her legal battles with her mother had created a deep rift, one that seemed impossible to heal. And while Nathan's situation was far less dramatic, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their differing perspectives on family life.

His phone buzzed again, this time with a message from his mother. He hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt as he glanced at the notification.

Mom: "Nate, we're worried. Please call us when you can. We just want to know you're okay."

Nathan sighed, running a hand through his hair. His parents didn't understand what he was going through, and part of him didn't want to explain. How could he tell them that he was starting to see them as controlling? How could he admit that Abby's influence had made him question the very foundation of their relationship?

He had always been close to his family, especially his mother. Growing up, she had been the one to encourage his writing, to push him to pursue his dreams. But now, that encouragement felt more like pressure—pressure to live up to their expectations, to make them proud. And with Abby in his life, those expectations seemed suffocating.

Nathan looked over at Abby, who was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She had been his anchor through all of this, helping him navigate the confusion that came with questioning his values. She had made him see that it was okay to prioritize his own happiness, to push back against the weight of his family's demands. But even with Abby's support, the guilt gnawed at him.

"You're thinking about them, aren't you?" Abby asked, not looking up from her phone but sensing his inner turmoil.

Nathan nodded, his voice low. "Yeah. They keep calling, and I feel bad for ignoring them. But every time I think about talking to them, I just... I don't know what to say."

Abby finally put her phone down and turned to face him. "You don't owe them an explanation, Nate. You're an adult. You're allowed to make your own decisions."

"I know, but it's not that simple. They've always been there for me. I feel like I'm betraying them."

Abby moved closer, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You're not betraying them. You're just choosing to live your life on your own terms. That's not a bad thing."

Nathan wanted to believe her. He wanted to embrace the freedom she offered, the idea that he could live without the burden of his family's expectations. But deep down, the guilt was still there, nagging at him, reminding him of the bond he shared with his parents.