The Gangster Princess

Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Whispered Goodbye

Aisha Fancy Lee

The sky was turning golden again, and the clouds moved slowly like they had all the time in the world.

Unlike me.

I sat by the windowsill of my room, chin resting on my knees, eyes fixed outside—but my mind was somewhere else. Somewhere far. Somewhere quiet.

I never thought I’d reach this point that I’d have to choose between staying and surviving. Between love and letting go.

Jake’s words echoed in my head, “Don’t let emotions cloud your decision. You know what needs to be done.”

But how could I turn my back on someone who made my world feel bearable?

“Bwisit talaga,” I mumbled. “Bakit ba ako nagkaroon ng kapatid na muntik ko nang mapatay?”

That battle between Jake and me wasn’t just a memory—it was a scar. A reminder of who I used to be before Reid softened all my sharp edges. Knowing now that Jake was my stepbrother? Tangina. Life had a sick sense of humor.

Bwisit talaga.

I never thought I’d say this, but Jake—my long-lost, battle-scarred, pain-in-the-ass stepbrother—turned my life upside down. After all the blood, scars, and years of being raised to fight against enemies, not beside them I almost killed him on the battlefield.

And now? He’s family.

I couldn’t sleep after finding out. My mom confirmed everything. We’re five in total—five siblings scattered like broken pieces of the past. Five. That’s five rounds of trauma, secrets, and survival.

I don’t even know how to process that.

I stood up and grabbed a small piece of stationery from my drawer. My handwriting trembled as I wrote:

"For Reid—if ever I’m gone without a word."

I didn’t want to say goodbye, but part of me felt like I should start preparing for it.

That afternoon, he came.

“Reid,” I greeted casually, tucking the envelope under my pillow the moment I heard his footsteps.

His brows furrowed. He looked tired. Jet lagged, maybe. Pero nandon yung sama ng loob sa mga mata niya.

“Are you gonna break up with me?” he asked, tone low, almost sarcastic.
I hide my smile when I saw his jaw tightened. I remember I text him earlier na nakikipag break ako, maybe reason why he's here infront of me.

I walked to him and hugged him tight, burying my face in his chest.

“Yeah I’m sorry, Reid. I think I don’t love you anymore.”

I felt his body freeze. He didn’t hug back. Not right away.

And for that split second, it shattered me—because maybe that’s how it would feel when I really disappear.

But then his arms wrapped around me—tight, desperate, warm. My heart twisted.

“Kala ko ba matatapang tayo?” I whispered.

He didn’t speak.

I pulled away slightly and burst out laughing. “Reid, ang epic ng mukha mo! Grabe ka, naniniwala ka agad!”