long time ago, and You can't just come b

lan's next revelation leaves her shocked and hurt – he claims to feel that Carl is his. Struggling to process the emotions, Amelia confronts him, firmly asserting that Carl has a father and

xx

nd she quickly reached for it, wondering who could be calling at such an hour. To her surprise, it was Froila

What are you doing, Froilan? Why are you still not at home at this hour? Your famil

d to have stripped away any restraint he might have had. "I told you not to bring Carl with you inside the hospital! I warned you

ver expected him to react this way. She had brought Carl with her to the hospital because she could

f frustration and hurt. "I understand your concern, but I needed Carl with

stration pouring out in torrents. "You never listen, Amelia! You always do whatever you want wi

had thought that Froilan calling her in the middle of the night was to check on her, to offe

voice steady. "I thought having him with me would give me strength and co

each passing second. "You're always making excuses, Amelia. You need to start taking

s harsh words. She had hoped for understanding, for

ed to cause any harm to Carl or anyone else. I'm doing my best to get

yell, his words becoming more incoherent as the alcohol clouded his judgment. The conve

t heavy with disappointment. "Please take care of yoursel

and sadness. She had hoped for support and understanding fr

She couldn't shake off the hurt from Froilan's words, but she also k

e weight of her own health and Carl's well-being on her shoulders. But she was determined to face

xx

med again. Part of her wanted to ignore it, to shut out the world and its complications for a moment. But another part of he

lan. She hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen. Then, a mi

oice as he spoke, "I'm sorry for waking you u

usion, anger, and fear swirled inside her, and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he

a, as he said, "I could feel that

ngering sense of betrayal. How could he even suggest such a thing? They had moved on from their

, trying to keep her composure despite the shock and frustration. "I can't believe you wo

again. Anger, confusion, and a flicker of doubt wrestled within her.

r all, but a part of her couldn't ignore the gnawing curiosity. She needed

We've been through this, Froilan. Carl is n

, "I know I messed up in the past, and I regret it every day. B

ea of more conversation with Froilan. But deep down, she k

stirred within her. This was not the first time she had seen Froilan's protectiv

nged with frustration. " You made your choices, and you left me a long tim

t she remained cautious. The wounds from their p

ense that Froilan was struggling to find the right words. The alcohol had

that Froilan had his own demons to battle, and perhaps his concern

nally, Froilan admitted, "I can't change the past, and I can't force a role that doesn't belong to me. But I

. "I'm sorry, Amelia. I shouldn't hav

eplied, her voice steadier now. "Carl has been through

not your place," she reiterated her voice firm but tinged with sadness. "Please, Froilan, let'

ehind his drunken bravado. "Amelia, I didn't mean it like that.

his words. "You're right, Amelia. I'll respect yo

tions. The shock of Froilan's words still reverberated within her, but she

shield him from any further emotional turmoil. The window of opportunity for reconciliation had open

ve she shared with Carl. The answers to their past might remain obscured, but their