The following days passed quietly for Cherry.
She went to her classes during the day, and at night, she changed into her uniform and clocked in for her part-time job. It had become her routine, ordinary, exhausting, but hers.
Her brother, Luke, had returned to their home in Paco just the day before. He was doing well, or at least, that's what he always told her during their late-night phone calls. Since his school was too far from where Cherry boarded, she had decided to rent a small space closer to campus and only went home on weekends.
Every Saturday and Sunday, she made sure to visit him, bringing food and whatever little allowance she could spare.
Luke was in his third year at St. Mary Academy, a public school that catered to students with special needs. Thankfully, tuition there was free. It eased a huge weight off Cherry's shoulders, though she still had to cover everything else, transport, meals, medicines, and the usual cravings of a growing teenage boy.
Luke had always been a little stubborn. He liked to do small jobs, sweeping the plaza, helping at the wet market, even volunteering as a gardener, despite her many warnings. Cherry worried endlessly. With how cruel people could be these days, especially to someone like Luke, her heart never really rested.
But their community in Paco had always looked out for him. Everyone knew Luke. Everyone liked him. He was polite, hardworking, and quick to smile, just like their late father.
"Are you heading to the cafeteria, Cherry? Let's go together," Troy asked, his smile easy, as always. He had been smitten with her since the first semester, but Cherry never gave him hope. Even if her marriage to Gilbert was nothing more than ink on paper, she still honored it silently in her own way.
Cherry smiled shyly and shook her head. "I'm heading to the library today, Troy. Sorry. Maybe next time?"
Troy's smile faltered for a moment before he quickly masked it with a nod. "It's okay. I understand. I know you need to study, you're a scholar, after all."
"Thank you for understanding," she said gently.
After parting ways, Cherry made her way to the library.
She tried her best to stay ahead in class. It wasn't just about grades anymore, it was about survival. She had to stay in the university, keep her scholarship, and somehow finish her degree while juggling two jobs and a secret marriage.
Sometimes, when the days dragged and sleep was in short supply, she would drift off in the library, cheek pressed to her notebook and dreams interrupted by alarms.
But Miss Morales, the campus librarian, understood.
The older woman had taken a quiet liking to Cherry, especially after learning about her part-time job and the sacrifices she made for her brother. On more than one occasion, she had let Cherry nap on the corner table, even leaving her a cup of coffee for when she woke up.
Cherry was grateful for little mercies like that. In a world that often felt cold and indifferent, small kindnesses still meant everything.
While on her way to the library, Cherry's thoughts wandered to Troy.
He was kind, no doubt about that. Always respectful, always smiling. He was handsome, too, athletic in build and generous by nature. According to their classmates, Troy's family owned several large supermarket chains across Metro Manila. A few of her friends even teased her to consider him seriously, insisting she'd hit the jackpot if she said yes to his courtship.
But they didn't know the truth. None of them did.
How could she explain that she was already married, to a man who barely looked at her unless it was to scold or intimidate her? How could she tell them she had signed her name on a contract that tied her to one of the most powerful families in Luzon… for reasons no one would understand?
So, she just kept her head down and smiled politely whenever Troy was around.
Troy, unlike Benjamin, didn't have a dark bone in his body. Benjamin had a conscience that was as twisted as his temper, manipulative, cruel, and unpredictable. The moment Cherry thought of him, a chill crept up her spine.
She had heard the rumors on campus: Benjamin hadn't shown up to class for several days now. And though she dared not speak it aloud, Cherry prayed quietly that he wouldn't return. She was still haunted by what he tried to do. The trauma clung to her like a shadow, quiet, but ever-present.
After spending some time self-studying in the library, Cherry checked the time. Her part-time shift started at seven. Rather than going back to her boarding house, she decided to head straight to work. Her uniform was already there, folded neatly in her locker.
As she stepped out of the university gates, someone suddenly blocked her path.
"Cherry!"
She looked up in surprise, and there he was.
Troy stood in front of her, fresh from a shower and still glowing with post-practice energy. He wasn't wearing his usual school uniform. Instead, he had on a crisp white t-shirt, dark jersey shorts, and rubber shoes. His duffel bag hung from one shoulder, and he had that same easy, confident smile that always made the girls around him giggle.
"Are you heading home?" he asked, cheerful as ever. "I've got my car. I can drop you off. You're from Paco, right?"
Cherry blinked. "U-Uh…"
Troy's grin widened. "I live in the Peninsula. It's not far. We'll be passing that area anyway."
She hesitated. The invitation was kind. Harmless, even. But something about it made her uneasy, not because of Troy, but because of herself.
Even if she and Gilbert were only married on paper… even if he barely acknowledged her existence when they were alone in that cold, lonely house… she still couldn't bring herself to say yes.
Because despite everything, Cherry had given her name to him. And in her own quiet, stubborn way, she had decided that mattered.
"I really appreciate the offer, Troy, but I've got a few errands to run nearby," she said softly, offering a gentle smile. "Next time, maybe?"
Troy didn't push. He just nodded with that same sweet smile and replied, "Alright. Next time, then. Stay safe, Cherry."
As he walked away, Cherry stood still for a moment, clutching her bag a little tighter.
Next time. She wasn't sure if she wanted one. Or if she even had the right.
"Please? Even just this once, Cherry. I promise I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable," Troy pleaded, his voice soft and sincere.
"I-It's not that, Troy," Cherry quickly said, flustered. "It's just that I, I'm married, "
Her words halted when her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. Unknown number.
A heavy thud echoed in her chest. It felt like her heart had dropped to her stomach. Something was wrong. Her trembling hands brought the phone to her ear.
"H-Hello?" Her voice quivered.
"Is this Miss Cherry Blaire?" a woman's voice asked on the other end.
"Y-Yes… this is she. Who is this?" Cherry's knees were already beginning to weaken.
Troy, watching nearby, noticed the fear in her expression and stepped closer.
"This is Manila Medical Center," the caller said, her tone urgent but calm. "Your brother was hit by a vehicle. He's in critical condition. He's currently being treated in the ER. We need you to come immediately to provide consent and speak with the attending physician."
Cherry's world went silent for a second.
Her vision blurred.
Her phone slipped slightly in her grip as her knees buckled, but before she could hit the ground, Troy rushed forward and caught her.
"Cherry?! What happened? Tell me!" he asked, panicked.
Tears spilled down Cherry's face. Her hands trembled violently as she clutched her phone. Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't even bring herself to speak right away. But she knew she had to get to her brother.
"Please… please, Troy…" she sobbed. "Take me to the hospital. I-I need to get there now. My brother, he's…"
"You don't have to ask me twice. Come on," Troy replied firmly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to steady her. "Let's go."
He helped her walk to the parking lot, gently but urgently. Once they got in the car, he peeled out of the lot and sped toward the hospital.
,
When they arrived at Manila Medical Center, Cherry rushed inside with Troy close behind.
She froze at the sight.
Through the ER glass, she saw Luke, her younger brother, lying unconscious on a stretcher, his body smeared with blood, a breathing tube in his mouth. Nurses moved around him with urgency. Machines beeped. A doctor barked instructions.
Cherry broke.
Her knees gave out. She fell to the floor and crawled toward the edge of the glass door, her hands pressed to the surface as she cried uncontrollably.
"No, no, no… Luke… please wake up…" she whispered, voice barely audible between sobs. "Please…"
Troy stood beside her, stunned and heartbroken by the sight, unsure how to help, only knowing he had to stay.
Cherry pressed her forehead to the glass. Her hand slid down, tears falling faster now. Her body shook with grief.
She didn't notice the hospital staff already whispering, already wondering about the girl who showed up sobbing over the boy everyone in their barangay knew.
And she definitely didn't notice the tall man in a sleek black coat just a few steps away, Gilbert Ace Carter, silently watching from the corridor, his sharp eyes locked on Cherry.
"Cherry, be strong..." Troy whispered gently, his hand resting on her back as she sobbed. He didn't know what else to say, he could only stay beside her, hoping it was enough.
Moments later, a doctor emerged from the ER and approached them with a clipboard in hand.
"Are you the patient's relative?" he asked calmly.
Cherry scrambled to her feet, her eyes red and swollen with tears. "Doc, please... save my brother," she begged, voice trembling. "I'm begging you, please don't let him die, he's all I have!"
The doctor held up a hand, trying to steady her. "Miss Blaire, I need you to calm down so you can understand what I'm about to say."
Troy gently squeezed her shoulder. "Cherry... listen to him, okay? You need to be strong for Luke."
She nodded through her sobs, biting her lip and clenching her fists. Her breathing was uneven, but she managed to stay standing, bracing herself for what was coming.
"We've administered emergency treatment," the doctor explained. "But we need to run a cranial MRI to determine if there's any bleeding in the brain or other internal trauma. Right now, your brother is in a comatose state. We'll be monitoring him closely for the next 24 hours because we suspect a risk of brain death."
Cherry froze.
It was like the floor gave way beneath her. The air in her lungs disappeared. Her knees buckled slightly, but Troy caught her before she fell again. She clung to him as the tears returned, harder this time.
"He's in a coma..." she repeated in disbelief, voice breaking. "No... not Luke... please no..."
The doctor continued gently, "I also want to inform you, Miss Blaire, that because this is a public hospital, the operation and procedures themselves are covered. However, you'll need to shoulder the cost of medicines and any specialized treatments your brother may need. We estimate around forty to fifty thousand pesos, though the amount can be reduced if you apply for financial assistance through the social welfare office."
Cherry looked like she couldn't breathe.
Fifty thousand pesos?
She barely had ten thousand in her account, money she had painstakingly saved for Luke's education. How was she supposed to come up with five times that?
She lowered her head, clutching her chest as she whispered, "Where do I even begin?"
Troy didn't say anything for a moment. Then he quietly reached for her hand.
"We'll find a way," he said, firm but gentle. "I'll help you. We'll figure this out together."
Cherry's eyes met his, stunned by the sincerity in them. But she still felt like she was drowning. She had no one else. Her mother was a ghost, lost to gambling, alcohol, and chaos. And now Luke, her sweet, hardworking brother, was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life.
Cherry wiped her eyes and looked back at the doctor. "Please do whatever it takes to save him... I'll find the money somehow."
The doctor gave her a nod, then left them to prepare the MRI and further monitoring.
Cherry stood silently, her heart aching, her thoughts racing.
And just outside the hallway, unseen, Gilbert Ace Carter stood frozen in place, having overheard every word.
For the first time since he met Cherry, something twisted deep inside him. A strange tightness settled in his chest, like the first hint of guilt.
Or was it concern?
After talking to the doctor, Troy quietly said goodbye and left, while Cherry remained in the hallway, still sobbing, curled up on the hospital bench with her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Fear and helplessness gripped her like a vice. Her mind kept replaying the doctor's words: "critical condition... coma... brain death..."
Then she heard a voice.
"Cherry, here. Take this."
She looked up, startled, and only then remembered that Troy was still there. In all her worry about Luke, she had forgotten that she wasn't alone.
Troy's face was filled with concern as he held out several bills, five thousand pesos. "I'm sorry, this is all I can spare right now. It's the last of my allowance for the month," he said, his voice apologetic but steady.
Cherry stared at the money, guilt rising in her throat. Her pride and her shame were screaming at her not to take it, but her love for her brother was louder. She swallowed hard and took the cash with trembling hands.
"T-Thank you, Troy. I'll pay you back, I promise."
Troy shook his head and gently took her hand, feeling how cold and shaky it was. "No need, Cherry. Really. Just focus on your brother. Be strong, okay? And don't forget to pray. Miracles happen."
Cherry wiped her tears with her sleeve, forcing a small smile despite the tightness in her chest. "Thank you again, Troy. I really don't know how to repay you."
Troy smiled, half sincere, half playful. "Just let me eat lunch with you once. That's enough repayment for me."
His tone was light, almost teasing, but behind it was a quiet truth. He didn't expect anything in return. He just wanted to be there for her, even in the smallest way. Ever since first year, he'd liked Cherry from afar. But she was always distant, always focused on studying and supporting her brother.
Cherry gave a weak laugh through her tears. "Lunch? You're so easy to please."
Troy grinned. "Only with you."
For a brief second, the heaviness in her chest lifted. Even in the middle of everything, kindness still found its way through.
And not far from them, unnoticed behind a corner wall, Gilbert Ace Carter stood with his hands tucked in his coat pockets, watching. His face unreadable. His jaw clenched. But his eyes never left Cherry.
He didn't know why he hadn't walked away yet.
He just knew... something inside him didn't want to.
Because of Troy's words, Cherry managed a faint smile. Even though she didn't know him deeply, something told her he was genuine, kind without expecting anything in return.
"Okay," she said softly, her voice still a bit shaky. "That's all."
Troy blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're serious?" His eyes lit up like a kid who'd just been handed a gift.
Cherry chuckled under her breath. "Of course. It's just lunch."
To her, it was harmless. After all, she and Gilbert were technically strangers bound only by a secret marriage contract, one that was already on its way to being annulled. She didn't owe him anything.
A few minutes later, Troy's phone rang. It was his dad checking in, so he had to leave. Before going, he gently reminded her to eat something and promised to check in later.
As soon as he left, Cherry was swallowed by silence again.
She stared down at the hospital floor, still unsure what to do next. Then, remembering her shift, she quickly grabbed her phone and called her boss at the fast-food chain. Her voice trembled as she explained the emergency and why she wouldn't be able to report for work.
To her surprise, her boss didn't scold her. Instead, he comforted her, and even offered to help with part of Luke's hospital expenses. Cherry was speechless, thanking him over and over through tears.
Hanging up, she tried one last time to call her mother.
Ringing... ringing...
No answer. Again.
She stared blankly at the screen, her fingers cold and stiff. She'd called five times now. Deep down, she already knew, her mother wasn't going to pick up. Probably out drinking again... or gambling... or both.
Cherry let her phone fall to her lap and dropped her head into her hands. The weight in her chest was unbearable. Tears came again, hot and uncontrollable.
When her father was still alive, things weren't perfect, but they had a roof, food, and a family. After he died, everything crumbled. Her mother spiraled into the streets, drinking, gambling, disappearing for days at a time. And when she did come home, it was only to demand money. If Cherry couldn't give it, her siblings paid the price.
Cherry learned quickly. She became the head of the family. She worked part-time jobs, took care of Luke, shielded her younger siblings from their mother's outbursts. She had no choice. There was no one else.
She studied hard, not just to survive, but to make sure her life didn't turn into a repeat of her mother's. She swore she would be different. She would create a future. She'd carry her family forward, even if it meant breaking herself in the process.
And now Luke... her sweet, hardworking Luke... was unconscious in a hospital bed, his life hanging in the balance.
Cherry wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, forcing herself to breathe.
She couldn't fall apart now. Not when Luke needed her the most.