“Faith, your bathroom looks really clean. I saw your students coming out earlier,” Veron commented.

“They broke the rules, so I had to punish them,” Faith replied with a sigh. “They were fighting too. I dealt with the two cousins first.”

“Ah—Rodel and Niel,” Veron nodded. “Those two are really close. Last month they kept getting into fights—sometimes even throwing punches.”

“They won’t be fighting again,” Mariely said confidently.

“What were they fighting about?” Veron asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Mariely chuckled. “Love.”

Veron burst into laughter. “Kids these days. They seem to understand love better than we ever did at their age.”

“Maybe,” Mariely smiled. “But we’re here to guide them. That’s our job.”

Veron nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, Faith.”

Mariely smiled in agreement.

Saturday passed quickly. To save on fare, her brother drove her to her board exam review center. By Sunday, she was back home helping her mother clean—something she could only do once a week.

“El, go grocery shopping first,” her mother said. “I just need to finish something.”

“Yes, Mom,” she replied with a smile.

“Your brother and Nadia will go with you.”

“Did you prepare the list?” Mariely asked.

“Oh—almost forgot!” her mother said, handing it to her.

“Okay. We’ll head out now.”

“Shall we go?” Nadia asked warmly.

“Yes.”

They arrived at the supermarket in town. Nadia had her own errands, and her brother came along to help.

“That’s expensive,” Mariely muttered, frowning at the price of milk. “It won’t fit Mom’s budget.”

“Here,” Nadia said gently, handing her another carton. “This one’s cheaper—five hundred milliliters.”

Mariely checked it. “This works. Thank you.”

Nadia playfully ruffled her hair.

“What else is on the list?” her brother asked. “We’ll help you look.”

She handed it over.

“Alright. I’ll get these. Hon, stay with El.”

Nadia nodded. “Okay.”

They were always like this—soft, steady, warm. Just watching them made Mariely feel safe.

“Nadia, what are you buying?” she asked.

“Household stuff,” Nadia chuckled. “Same as you.”

Mariely smiled.

“Oh. You’re here.”

A male voice interrupted them.

They turned. Mariely recognized him immediately—one of the principal’s sons. His name still refused to surface in her mind.

“With your future sister-in-law, I see,” he said, glancing at her.

Mariely frowned slightly.

“What a miracle,” Nadia said coolly, arms crossed. “Supermarket date? Or are you looking for victims again?”

He smirked. “You’re so dramatic—almost Mrs. Celestial. Didn’t I get an invitation to the wedding?”

“We’ll think about it,” Nadia replied calmly. “Six months is a long time.”

The man chuckled and shifted his gaze to Mariely. “Nice seeing you again.”

He leaned closer. “Still a crybaby? Do your students make you cry too?”

“You’re still as annoying as ever,” Mariely shot back, raising an eyebrow.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “How’s school? Care to tell me about your day?”

He whispered near her ear.

She stiffened. She wasn’t used to anyone getting that close.

Suddenly, someone pulled her arm, and she found herself leaning against her brother’s chest.

“Stop,” Nathan said firmly. “Why don’t you help your mother with the groceries instead of whatever this is, Zean?”

Zean raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax. I was just asking how your sister’s doing.”

“You’re not the principal,” Nadia snapped. “Last I checked, that’s still your mom.”

Mariely’s heart was pounding. She stayed quiet, thankful her brother was there.

“I’m happy for your wedding,” Zean said lightly before stepping back.

“Frank,” Becca’s voice cut in. She had just arrived. “Let’s go.”

“I’m sorry,” she added to Nathan and Nadia. “He hasn’t changed.”

Nathan said nothing, his arm still protectively around Mariely.

“See you around,” Zean said, flashing Mariely one last unreadable smile before leaving with his mother.

Once they were gone, Nadia turned to her immediately. “Are you okay?”

Mariely nodded.

They finished shopping. On the ride home, Mariely dozed off in the backseat—until voices stirred her awake.

“I’m worried about Ely,” Nadia said softly.

“If he hurts her again, I’ll handle it,” Nathan replied, his voice hard.

“You saw what he did earlier,” Nadia continued. “He’s clearly interested in her again. El doesn’t know how to deal with someone like Zean. What if she falls for him again?”

Nathan stayed silent.

“I’m scared,” Nadia admitted. “He’s a player. He doesn’t care if someone loves him. If he ever hurts her again—”

“He won’t,” Nathan interrupted quietly. “And if he tries, he’ll regret it.”

Nadia hesitated. “Didn’t we send Ely away before? Wasn’t that why she transferred schools?”

“Shh,” Nathan said gently. “She might hear you. You know how much she loves teaching. That naïve sister of mine never gives up easily.”

Mariely pretended to sleep.

“We’ve been dealing with this for years,” Nadia whispered. “Of all people, Zean is the last man she should be near. I shouldn’t have left her alone in the office that day.”

“That was long ago,” Nathan replied. “It’s not your fault. We’ll figure it out. I just hope it’s not too late.”

Silence filled the car.

The concern lingered—heavy, unspoken, and unresolved.