Ruthless

CHAPTER 29

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, tugging at the stray strands of hair that refused to stay in place. My hands were trembling, but not from excitement—just exhaustion. I thought today would feel different. After everything I’d gone through, after all the late nights and tears, I thought I’d feel triumphant. But I didn’t.

I twisted a pin into my hair and exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the heaviness in my chest. My cap sat on the vanity table beside me, waiting to crown this moment that was supposed to feel like a victory. But all I could think about were the things I endured to get here.

The sleepless nights. The overwhelming deadlines. The times I cried in the shower because no one could hear me there.

"Ma, do you remember that time I collapsed at school?" I asked quietly, adjusting the bobby pin one more time, even though it was already in place.

Behind me, I heard the soft rustle of fabric as my mom folded my graduation gown. "Of course, anak," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "That was... what, a few months ago? Akala mo pa nga noon papagalitan kita for pushing yourself too hard."

I gave a small, humorless laugh. "Yeah. I really thought I could handle it all. But I ended up in the clinic instead."

The memory came rushing back, pulling me under before I could stop it.

That day, I told myself it was just another hurdle. I hadn’t slept in three nights, too busy finishing my final project and juggling requirements for other classes. I kept telling myself, Kaya mo pa. Just a little more. Konti pa, Tania, Konti nalang.

I was in the school cafeteria studying for the upcoming exams, my hands shook as I flipped through the pages of a book, trying to memorize lines, equations, and formulas that blurred together. I ran on caffeine and pure stubbornness, ignoring the way my head throbbed with every step.

And then it hit me, all at once. My vision swam, and the next thing I knew, I was falling on the floor.

I didn’t even feel myself falling, just the warmth of strong arms catching me.

"Tania!"

Renz’s voice rang in my ears, frantic and full of concern. He held me upright, his arm tight around my shoulders to keep me from sliding down. "Shit, you’re burning up. Nagpapahinga ka pa ba?"

I tried to smile, brushing him off even though my body felt like lead. "I’m okay... just dizzy..."

"No, you’re not okay," he snapped, his brow furrowed. "Dadalhin kita sa clinic. Now."

Before I could respond, another voice sliced through the haze.

"I’ll take her."

I barely had the energy to look, but I knew that voice. Clyde.

Renz’s grip tightened around me, his expression hardening as he glared at Clyde. "I got her, ako na. Hindi mo na kailangan."

Clyde stood there, cold and unyielding, his jaw clenched like it always was. "I said I’ll take her."

I wanted to tell them both to stop, but I was slipping deeper into exhaustion. My head lolled against Renz’s shoulder as the two of them stared each other down.

Renz hesitated, his jaw ticking, but in the end, he relented. Clyde didn’t even look at him as he stepped forward, scooping me into his arms.

My heart ached—just a little—because for a brief moment, it felt like the old Clyde was back. The one who used to care.

But I should’ve known better.

Everything went dark after that. And when I opened my eyes again, it wasn’t Clyde sitting beside me in the clinic.