My Last And My Only

Chapter 58: Dear Aiah

Khae had lost count of how many times she had driven past Gwen's house.

At first, every visit had been fueled by hope. She convinced herself that maybe Aiah had already returned to Manila. Maybe Gwen had finally heard from her. Maybe this would be the day she would get to explain everything.

Eventually, hope gave way to habit.

She no longer expected miracles.

Still, her hands found the familiar route almost instinctively, as though her heart refused to believe there wasn't another way back to Aiah.

She pulled over in front of the house and switched off the engine. For a long moment, she remained inside the car, staring at the gate. Amanda's words from the other day echoed quietly in her mind.

"Keep trying anyway."

At first, she had taken those words to mean she should keep calling. Keep texting. Keep showing up.

But the more she thought about it, the more she realized Amanda hadn't been talking about persistence alone.

Trying wasn't just about reaching Aiah.

It was about becoming someone Aiah wouldn't have to keep forgiving. The realization settled heavily in her chest.

Khae stepped out of the car and walked toward the gate.

Gwen was watering the plants in the small front garden when she noticed a familiar figure standing outside. She lowered the watering can and sighed quietly to herself.

Khae looked different. The desperation that had clouded her face during the past few days was still there, but it had softened into something else. Something quieter. She looked tired, yet oddly calmer, as if she had finally stopped running in circles.

Gwen opened the gate before Khae could ring the bell.

"Hi."

"Hi." Khae managed a faint smile.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was simply heavy.

Khae looked down at the ground before meeting Gwen's eyes again.

"I know Aiah isn't here."

Gwen nodded. She appreciated that Khae hadn't asked.

Not this time.

Not because she had stopped caring, but because she seemed to understand that Gwen was caught between two people she loved.

Khae took a slow breath.

"Actually... that's not why I came."

"Then why are you here?" Gwen frowned slightly.

Khae hesitated. The words felt strange coming out of her mouth. She wasn't used to apologizing to people outside the relationship. Somehow, she'd been so consumed by her own guilt that she hadn't stopped to think about everyone else who had been affected.

"I wanted to say sorry." Gwen said.

"Sorry?"

Khae nodded.

"For putting you in the middle of all of this."

She let out a small, embarrassed laugh.

"You've probably had to answer more questions than you should have."

Gwen looked at her for a long second. It wasn't the apology she had expected. She had expected Khae to ask about Aiah. To beg for another chance. Instead, she was apologizing to her.