40 - Found Her

ELIO BLAZIEL SIERRA

Mommy Grace was in tears as she recounted the story, her voice breaking with each word. But it wasn't until I mentioned Mama Tina, who's been bedridden for years, that her tears turned into deep, wrenching sobs.

Mommy Grace's sobs grew louder as she clung to Daddy Allan. "Tina wouldn’t like that... How... How could I tell her that Veronica is gone now?" Her voice was filled with pain and guilt, and though Daddy Allan gently caressed her back, trying to soothe her, it was clear that no amount of comfort could ease the regret that now consumed her. She wailed, her grief echoing through the room, refusing to be silenced.

“H-Hindi mo ata kasama si Elyse…” Mommy’s voice trembled with concern.

“She’s... She’s actually missing—gone... I don’t know where she could have gone, Mommy. I... I was hoping to find clues,” I replied, though I carefully concealed the real fear gnawing at me: that Elyse might have left me willingly. The uncertainty was unbearable, but I was determin