WHEN LOVE RETURNS

CHAPTER 4

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the city, but Erica felt only darkness as she stood at the entrance of her mansion, a duffel bag clutched tightly in her hand. The air was thick with unspoken words, and her stomach churned with dread. Her father stood by the car, his expression hard as granite, while her mother wore a forced smile that felt more like a mask than comfort.

"You'll be fine," her mother reassured her, though Erica could hear the tremor in her voice. "Aunt Nena will take good care of you."

"Oh yeah, Aunt Nena," Erica muttered under her breath, her gaze lingering on the bustling city beyond. "My mother's best friend since elementary. Just what I need—a friend of my mother's, not some kind of savior." The thought did little to soothe her rising anxiety. Erica turned to look back at the towering buildings of Bonifacio Global City, their glimmering facades a stark contrast to her heavy heart. This is my home, not some rural backwater.

Her mother's smile faltered as she stepped closer. "Erica, please—"

"No," Erica cut her off, shaking her head. "I don't want to go. I don't want any of this!"

Her father's voice, colder than before, interrupted the tension. "Enough, Erica. This isn't up for discussion."

Erica turned to face him, her eyes burning with frustration. "I didn't do anything so wrong! I was just trying to have fun, like a normal person!"

Her father's lips pressed into a thin line. "Normal people don't bring shame to their families. You need discipline, and you'll get it. Now get in the car."

Erica swallowed her words, too tired and hurt to argue anymore. "Fine."

The drive to the bus station felt interminable. As the car wound through the city streets, Erica pressed her face against the window, watching the vibrant life of BGC slip away. I can't believe this is happening. I'm being banished.

Her mother glanced at her from the front seat, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and guilt. "You know we're doing this because we love you, right? We want you to learn—"

"Learn what?" Erica snapped, her voice tinged with bitterness. "That I don't matter? That I'm just some project to fix? This is ridiculous!"

Her father's grip tightened on the steering wheel, but he remained silent. The air in the car grew heavy with unspoken words, each passing moment increasing the distance between them.

*****

When they arrived, the bus station was bustling with travelers, the noise of engines and chatter overwhelming. Erica stepped out of the car, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her chest. Her legs felt like lead as she made her way toward the entrance, every step dragging her closer to something she didn't want.

"You'll be on the bus for a while," her father instructed, his voice clipped. "Use the time to think."

Erica's eyes narrowed as anger surged inside her. "Think? Think about what? How unfair this is? How you're ruining my life?"

Her father ignored her, his focus solely on the task at hand. "Just get on the bus."

Erica's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the waiting bus. The crowd bustled around her, but it felt like she was moving in slow motion. This can't be my life. This can't be real.

*****

As the bus pulled into the loading bay, Erica felt a lump in her throat. She stepped on board, the cramped seats already filled with passengers, and found a spot near the window. She settled in, her hands gripping the armrest as the engine rumbled to life. The bus lurched forward, leaving BGC behind, and Erica stared out the window, watching her city slip further and further away.