Whisper of the Heart

Chapter 18

Wyatt and Ava lay sprawled across his bed, enjoying the rare quiet time they could carve out together amid her whirlwind modeling schedule. They talked about life, travel plans, and dreams, until the topic of children came up. Wyatt had been hoping to bring it up carefully, gently, knowing Ava's career demanded so much. But his heart ached for that next step, for the family he had long dreamed of.

"Ava," he started softly, reaching for her hand, "ano kaya kung magka-anak tayo soon? Gusto ko na sana..."

Ava shifted uncomfortably, withdrawing her hand slightly. "Wyatt, I thought we were clear about this," she replied, her tone firm yet gentle. "I'm not ready. Ayoko pa magkaroon ng anak. Five more years siguro. I still have so much I want to do with my modeling career, ang dami pang opportunities."

Wyatt forced a small smile, nodding even as disappointment etched itself across his face. He knew her work was important to her, that this was the price of having a wife who was in such high demand. But as he gazed at her, he couldn't shake the sadness settling over him, like a heavy blanket he couldn't shrug off. His parents had been teasing him about becoming grandparents soon, filling his mind with images of little ones running around, laughter filling the home, bringing a new sense of life.

Parang robot ako ngayon, he thought as they went about the day. They met with the wedding planner, discussed colors and décor themes, everything from the flower arrangements to the seating arrangements. They even did a round of food tasting, Ava pointing out her preferences, her excitement palpable. Yet Wyatt couldn't feel the joy he knew he should. He went through the motions, smiling, nodding, agreeing, but his thoughts kept circling back to their conversation, to the emptiness he suddenly felt at the idea of waiting so long for a family.

Meanwhile, Chloe returned to work, holding onto a sense of normalcy that her world desperately lacked. She needed to save for her baby's future, especially with the added cost of the apartment and her parents' debts weighing heavily on her shoulders. She knew the hug Wyatt gave her at the wake was only his way of offering comfort, an act of kindness, not a change in their dynamic. Alam ko kung saan ako nakalugar kay Wyatt, she reminded herself, not allowing herself to linger on those brief moments of solace he offered her.

Back in the office, Chloe tried to keep a low profile, working quietly, and keeping her distance. Seraphina had taken over the tasks she used to do for Wyatt, from preparing his coffee to handling the finer details of his schedule. Chloe was grateful; she wasn't ready to see Wyatt every day, not when her grief felt like an open wound that ached with every reminder of her old life. She had lost weight, her clothes fitting loosely on her now frail frame, her eyes hollow and tired. She clocked out promptly at 5 PM every day, a far cry from the dedicated assistant who used to stay until Wyatt left. Now, every spare moment went to survival, riding jeepneys, grabbing groceries, and returning to her little studio to cook herself a simple meal.

The adjustments had been grueling, her energy depleted by the challenges she faced alone. But she was determined; this was for her baby. Kahit gaano kahirap, worth it ito para sa 'yo, she thought, resting her hand on her growing belly, the only source of warmth in her otherwise lonely world.

Wyatt noticed Chloe's absence in the office more and more as the days went by. It puzzled him—she had always stayed until he finished, had always been the last to leave. One afternoon, he found himself looking around and asked Seraphina, "Umalis na ba si Chloe?"

"Ah, yes, sir," Seraphina replied. "It's already past 5 naman, and she's been leaving on the dot recently. It's her usual time."

Wyatt felt a strange pang in his chest at that. Normal sa kanya umalis ng 5? Bakit ngayon? He thought of the way she had always stayed behind, often working late into the evening. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanya? But he said nothing, shoving down the questions forming in his mind.

Despite his own disappointments and frustrations, Wyatt couldn't shake the feeling that something was different with Chloe. But between his obligations to Ava and the looming wedding plans, he buried his curiosity and returned to his work, though the questions lingered.

Carmina sat at the dining table, her brow furrowed as she sipped her coffee, thinking of the house she had passed on her way home, the Marquez house, empty and dark, a "For Sale" sign now planted in the front yard. It tugged at her heart; she knew what that house meant to Chloe, and now it sat cold and abandoned.

"Wyatt," she said thoughtfully, looking at her son across the table, "napansin mo bang nakalagay na for sale ang bahay nila Stella? Parang ilang araw nang walang tao do'n."

Wyatt's gaze snapped up, his face showing surprise, a flicker of worry in his eyes. "For sale?" he echoed, his voice uncertain. Chloe hadn't told him anything. In fact, she'd been distant, disappearing right after work and giving him nothing but polite, guarded smiles whenever their paths crossed.

"Yes," Carmina replied, eyeing her son curiously. "Nasan na kaya si Chloe tumitira ngayon?  She paused, narrowing her eyes. "Akala ko ba magkaibigan kayo?"

The question felt like a slap. Kaibigan? He used to know everything about Chloe, even her smallest worries. But now, he realized he had no idea where she was, where she laid her head each night. It stung more than he wanted to admit.

"Wala akong alam, Ma," he said, his voice tight, feeling a strange mix of guilt and frustration. "Busy lang kasi ako sa wedding preparations... alam mo na." The excuse sounded hollow, even to him. But he couldn't ignore the flicker of something else—an instinct that there was more Chloe was hiding. And yet, he had stayed away, occupied with Ava and his own life.

Carmina's lips pressed together, disapproving yet understanding. "Ay, anak, 'di ko sinasabing hindi ka busy. Pero kawawa naman si Chloe. Wala na siyang pamilya, tapos iniwan pa siya ng lahat ng tao sa bahay." She sighed heavily, her voice softening with empathy. "Hindi ba natin pwedeng alukin siya ng kuwarto dito sa bahay? Para may kasama naman siya."

The suggestion made Wyatt's stomach twist. Chloe? Dito titira? He knew it would only stir trouble. Ava's jealousy had already flared up with just a few chance encounters between him and Chloe, and he didn't want to complicate things further.

"No, Ma," he replied quickly, shaking his head. "Alam mo naman si Ava. Magagalit siya kung malaman niya. Ayoko na ng gulo."

Carmina raised her eyebrow, unamused. "Kung secure si Ava sa pagmamahal mo, Wyatt, bakit siya ma-threaten kay Chloe? Magkaibigan lang naman kayo, di ba?" Her words stung with a quiet challenge, her eyes lingering on Wyatt with that motherly gaze that seemed to read through him.

Wyatt swallowed, feeling a pang in his chest that he couldn't quite name. Of course, he loved Ava. He had chosen her. But the idea of Chloe staying here, having a safe place, knowing that she was taken care of, it tugged at something deep within him.

"It's complicated, Ma," he murmured, looking away, not wanting to explain how tangled his feelings had become. He didn't want to admit that he still cared so deeply for Chloe, that there was a part of him aching to reach out, even though he knew he couldn't.

Carmina let out a sigh, folding her hands in her lap. "Hay, Wyatt. Kawawa naman ang bata... iniwan ng mga magulang, ngayon siya na lang ang mag-isa sa mundo. "Bilang magulang, minsan hindi natin naiwasan na alagaan ang mga taong mahal natin, kahit hindi na sila parte ng pamilya. She's alone, Wyatt."

The words settled heavily in Wyatt's mind. He knew his mother was right. Chloe was alone, braving a world she wasn't prepared for, holding onto the pieces of her life with a quiet resilience that both hurt and inspired him. He knew he couldn't bring her home. Ava would never understand, but he couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that he should do more. Hindi pwedeng ganito lang.

That night, as he lay in bed next to Ava, his thoughts drifted to Chloe. He wondered if she was safe, if she had found somewhere warm to stay, if she was lying awake with the same ache in her heart that he felt. Kaibigan nga ba talaga ang turing ko sa kanya? The question whispered in his mind, but he shoved it down, reminding himself of the life he had chosen.

But the doubt lingered, a quiet ache that no amount of logic could quiet.

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