CHAPTER 47

Charlene’s POV
They knew.
The kids knew.
And I was the only one left in the dark.
The realization hit me so hard I felt like I couldn’t breathe—like I might collapse from the weight of it all.
“Lily found the medical records in his room… then she showed them to Wyl and Wency… and eventually to me,” Ericka said, her voice trembling. “We’ve known for a while now, Charlene. That’s why we’ve been trying so hard to make him happy… b-because… b-because—”
She couldn’t finish.
I pulled her into my arms. I knew she’d been holding it in for too long. The moment I held her, she broke—crying against my chest, gripping me tightly like she was afraid to fall apart if she let go.
Tears streamed down my face as I listened to her sob.
If this hurt me… I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much more it hurt them.
“Charlene… I’m scared…”
I kissed her forehead and held her tighter. “Shhh… your dad is strong. He’s going to fight this. We’ll get him treatment. We’ll finish this trip… we’ll travel the world together, all of us…”
My voice almost broke, but I forced myself to stay strong—for them.
“What if he doesn’t make it?” she whispered. “I don’t want him to leave us. I’m scared… I’m not ready… please…”
“He won’t give up,” I said softly. “We just have to believe in him.”
The door suddenly opened, and the twins walked in with Lily, all in their pajamas.
“Tita… is Daddy going to be okay?” Lily asked innocently.
My chest tightened at the way she looked at me.
Before I could answer, Wyl spoke, carrying her as he walked closer. “Of course. Dad’s strong. He’s a fighter.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“You can all sleep here tonight,” I told them gently. “I’ll take care of him.”
They climbed into my bed, all four of them huddled together.
“Please take care of him, Charlene. We’re okay,” Wency said softly as they held onto Ericka.
I forced a smile, kissed each of them on the forehead, and waited until they were asleep before leaving the room.

---
When I entered Kerill’s room, I saw him trying to stand on his own.
But before he could even steady himself, his legs gave out—and he fell.
“Kerill!” I rushed to him, helping him sit up. “What are you doing? Just rest!”
“No… I can walk.”
He tried again.
And again, his legs failed him.
“Fuck… fuck!” he cursed under his breath, frustration spilling out as he hit his own knees. I quickly grabbed his hands.
“Stop it! Please!”
“No, Charlene. I can still walk. I didn’t have this problem before. I just need my medicine and I’ll be fine. Wait—I’ll get it—”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
My voice cut through the room.
I couldn’t even look at him.
“How long have you been hiding this from me, Kerill?” I asked, my voice shaking.
He turned to me and gently wiped the tears from my face.
“I’m sorry… please don’t cry—”
“I need the truth,” I whispered. “Please…”
He took a deep breath and held my hand.
“It started after Monica left,” he said quietly. “I noticed changes—dizziness, blurred vision… sometimes my legs would go numb. I thought it was nothing at first, but when it got worse, I had it checked…”
He paused, shaking his head slightly.
“I don’t even know how I got it. I was fine. The medication helps slow it down, but lately…” He stopped himself. “No. I’ll be fine. I can still walk.”
My heart broke listening to him.
He was trying so hard to stay strong—even now.
“We’ll treat it,” I said quickly. “We’ll do everything we can. I don’t care how expensive it is—you’ll get better. You will get better, Kerill…”
“I hope so. I don’t want to—”
He suddenly coughed violently.
I froze when I saw the blood on his hand.
It wasn’t much—but it was enough to terrify me.
I quickly grabbed water and helped him drink. “Are you okay?”
“Get my medicine… in the drawer.”
I rushed to it.
When I opened it, I froze.
Inside were dozens of injections… small bottles of medicine lined up neatly.
My chest tightened.
I grabbed one and handed it to him.
Without hesitation, he prepared the injection and pushed the needle into his own skin.
Like it was routine.
Like it was normal.
And in that moment… I realized—
He had been doing this alone.
Every single day.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Because it hurt.
It hurt so much.