Miggy's POV
I could tell we were both shocked by her mom's reaction.
"I'm sorry if—" I started, but she cut me off before I could finish.
"I'm sorry," she said sharply, voice loud and firm. "But I'm asking all of you to go home. The party's over. And you—" she looked straight at me, eyes blazing, "—don't you ever show up to my daughter again!"
I turned to Gabie, stunned. Her face mirrored my disbelief.
"Ma? What are you saying?" Gabie asked, trying to stay calm. "Why? What happened? Can't we talk about this?"
But instead of answering her, she turned to someone else.
"Jhay, please take Gabie away from here."
Her voice wasn't pleading—just cold, furious. But nobody moved. We were all frozen in place, shaken by what we were witnessing.
"I… I'm sorry, ma'am," I finally said. My voice cracked. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I know my personal problems aren't an excuse, and I didn't intend to hurt you. I truly am sorry."
"Miggy?" Gabie looked at me, confused and hurt. "What's going on? I don't understand!"
I wiped my face, tears falling before I could stop them. "Gabie… I don't even know what I'm apologizing for anymore."
"Then why are you saying sorry?" she asked, desperation creeping into her voice. "What happened? Ma? What is going on? Please, someone tell me!"
Her mom remained silent. So, I forced myself to speak, even if my throat burned with every word.
"Gabie… I was the reason your mom was hospitalized a few months ago. I caused it. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you after it happened. I couldn't. I was dealing with my dad's death that same night. I wasn't in my right mind. After that, things just spiraled. Mom was depressed, and I had to carry everything alone."
I looked at her, hoping she would understand.
But she just stared at me, stunned.
Then, slowly, she turned to her mom.
"Ma? Is that true?" Her voice was shaky now.
Her mom's sobs were the only response at first. Then Gabie repeated herself, louder this time.
"Ma! Is it true?"
Her mom nodded, tears streaming down her face.
"But that's not why I want you to break up," she said between sobs.
That shocked all of us—me, Gabie, even Jhay.
"W-What do you mean?" Gabie asked, her voice small.
Her mother looked between the two of us, crying harder now.
"What are you talking about, Ma?" Gabie pleaded. "Please, just say it!"
And then came the words that hit like a bullet to the chest.
"Because you two… you're siblings. You have the same father."
Time stopped. For a moment, everything was silent.
"That's not true!" I finally said. "I've already met my sister—Gabriella!"
Gabie's eyes widened. "Ma, don't say things like that! It's not true! I met Miggy's sister with Jhay—we saw her at the mall!"
Her mom blinked, stunned. "What? No… no, you're the real Gabriella Therese. Your father's name is Gabriel Sansebastian, isn't it?"
She started trembling, the words spilling out of her in sobs.
"I came to your daddy's funeral. No one knew me, but I was there. We never had a relationship—but there was one night. We met at a bar in Quezon City, and something happened. I never planned for it. I stayed away after that because I couldn't ruin his family. I was ashamed. I gave up modeling because of the pregnancy…"
Her voice broke.
It felt like a bomb exploded in my chest. My knees buckled, and I clutched the nearest chair to keep from falling.
Then I saw Gabie bolt.
"Gabie! Gabie!" her mom shouted as she ran after her. Jhay followed without a word. I snapped out of my shock and chased after them.
I passed Gabie's mom, who had collapsed on the cement, sobbing. But I didn't stop. I had to find Gabie.
Jhay was ahead, yelling her name. Gabie ran like she didn't care what happened—dodging cars, ignoring horns, blinded by tears.
I struggled to keep up, pushing through traffic.
Then, in the shadows of an alley, I saw her—collapsed, crying. I rushed forward, but just as I neared—
Bang!
A gunshot echoed. My heart nearly stopped. I ran faster, adrenaline surging.
I saw Gabie hit the ground.
Two men in uniforms ran past me. One of them fired forward into the darkness. I didn't stop to process what was happening—I dropped to my knees beside her.
"Gabie! Gabie!" I shouted, grabbing her shoulders.
Her eyes were wide, full of tears, but her voice was gone. She tried to speak.
"Shhh… don't talk. I'll get help, okay? We're getting you to a hospital."
I heard footsteps—Jhay.
"Miggy? What the hell happened?" he asked, panicked.
"Call an ambulance—now! She's been shot! I don't know who did it!"
He whipped out his phone and dialed. I pressed my handkerchief against her chest, trying to stop the bleeding.
"Gabie, please. Stay with me. Don't close your eyes. Just hold on."
I whispered to her, wiped her tears, held her close. Her hand trembled in mine.
I stared into her eyes—and for a moment, I saw someone else's eyes in them. Familiar. Too familiar. But I shook the thought away. Now wasn't the time.
"I—I'm…" she tried to say something.
"Shhh, not now," I whispered. "Save your strength."
"Jhay? Did you call?" I shouted.
"Yes! They're coming!"
I kept whispering to her, doing anything to keep her awake.
I don't know how long we waited, but when I heard the sirens, I felt a sliver of hope.
The medics rushed in, pushed me aside. I let go of her hand as they loaded her onto the stretcher.
I climbed into the ambulance with her. Jhay said he'd go back to tell her mom.
Inside, I prayed. Over and over. That she'd be okay.
Then they started CPR.
"No…" I whispered, as the medics worked frantically. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. I felt useless. I could only sit and watch.
At the hospital, they wheeled her into the ER. I wasn't allowed to follow.
So, I waited. Outside. Alone.
I thought the worst was behind me—but I was wrong. This pain was deeper. More terrifying.
I looked down. My hands were covered in her blood.
I broke down.
I blamed myself.
Gabie didn't deserve this.
If I hadn't followed my heart… if I hadn't shown up tonight…
Then maybe she wouldn't be lying on an operating table, fighting for her life.