CHAPTER 48

Charlene’s POV
Days turned into weeks… and weeks into almost a month.
We still hadn’t returned to the Philippines. It was better for Kerill to continue his treatment here in Korea. The kids had already gone back—they were staying with their grandparents for now since they had school to attend to.
After several treatments, there were small improvements.
Little by little, strength returned to his legs. He could eat—at least, a little. His body was still fighting, even though I knew how exhausted it already was.
For now, he had entrusted the company to Black while he focused on getting better.
“Ahh…” I lifted a spoonful of food toward him, but he shook his head.
“Please… you need to eat,” I pleaded again and again.
Even if I didn’t say it out loud, it was obvious—he had lost so much weight. He wasn’t the strong man he used to be.
And it was because he kept throwing up.
Every time I saw the reddish rashes spreading across his arms and neck, all I could do was take a deep breath and hold myself together.
“I’m full, Adi… I don’t think I can swallow anymore.”
“But you’ve only had three spoonfuls, Kerill… please…”
I begged softly—and thankfully, he gave in.
He took the spoon, chewed slowly, forced himself to swallow—
But seconds later, he threw it all up.
I quickly handed him water.
“I-I’m sorry…” My voice broke.
“It’s okay… it’s okay…” he said with a weak smile, wiping his lips.
This had become our routine.
A few spoonfuls. A failed attempt. A quiet apology.
The doctor said it was normal—his body was attacking itself, slowly taking away his control.
There were times his legs wouldn’t move at all.
Like his body was shutting down… piece by piece.
There were small signs of improvement—but the illness was cruel.
Then one day, everything got worse.
He developed aspiration pneumonia… and then sepsis.
I didn’t fully understand it—but I understood enough to know why he was struggling to breathe.
Sometimes, he needed oxygen just to get through the day.
The doctor told me the truth I didn’t want to hear—
Kerill’s condition was already severe.
Progressive multiple sclerosis.
A disease that would only continue to get worse.

---
Now, I lay beside him, my head resting on his chest.
He gently ran his fingers through my hair… singing softly—
“Just let me adore you…”
His voice was weak, barely above a whisper—
But it was enough.
Enough to remind me how deeply he loved me.
I smiled.
When he finished, I looked at him… and leaned in to kiss him.
He kissed me back.
For a moment… I believed.
I believed he was getting better.
I believed everything would be okay.
But why…
Why does it feel like he’s slipping away even more?

---
“God… please… heal my husband… I’m begging You…”
I prayed silently, holding his fragile hand—so thin now, almost nothing but bone beneath my fingers.
“We’ve done everything… so why does it feel like nothing is changing? Please… help us…”

---
We were back in the hospital again.
He kept vomiting—this time, with blood.
He could barely breathe. The oxygen mask had become necessary.
“Please… God…”
“C-Charlene…?”
I opened my eyes immediately.
“You’re awake. Are you hungry? Thirsty?” I asked quickly.
“I’m fine… come here… beside me…”
I sat next to him.
“Do you need anything—”
“I’m sorry,” he interrupted.
“For what?”
He held onto my arm tightly. I felt his tears.
“I’m sorry for becoming a burden… I’m sorry this isn’t the life I promised you… I’m sorry you’re suffering because of me…”
“Stop… please…” I cried, hugging him tightly. “You’re not a burden. Do you hear me? I’ll give you all my time—even my whole life—just to take care of you. You’re not a burden… please don’t say that. It hurts…”
“You’ve never been a burden to me. I love you, Kerill… so please, keep fighting. We’ll get through this… together.”
We held hands, making promises—
That we wouldn’t leave each other.
That he would get better.
That we would travel the world with our family.
But deep inside…
I knew.
We might never get that chance.

---
He grew weaker.
Thinner.
He could no longer eat.
Every night, he cried from the pain in his chest—
And all I could do was hold him.
I didn’t know if it was enough.
But I wanted him to feel how much I loved him.

---
He once promised he would marry me in a church.
And he kept that promise.
Even in a wheelchair…
He proposed.
And we went through with the wedding.

---
Now, I walked slowly down the aisle.
Wearing the gown he chose for me.
Our family was there. The children were there.
Tears streamed down my face as I approached him.
He looked so handsome in his barong.
And when he smiled at me—
He looked even more beautiful.
My hands trembled—caught between happiness, fear, and heartbreak.
When I reached him, I held his hand.
“Adi… when I met you… I never imagined I’d fall in love with you… It wasn’t even something I planned… but you changed everything… You made me believe I could trust someone again… I love you… always and forever…”
“I love you too, Kerill… even when you’re stubborn… even when you fight with me… I don’t even know how it happened… I just… fell for you… completely…”
My voice broke.
“I love you… and I will love you until my very last breath…”

---
“I do.”
“I do.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
I kissed him slowly…
As if I could stop time.

---
That night, we lay beside each other.
“Happy marriage…” I whispered.
“H-happy… marriage…”
I stared at him, our hands still intertwined.
“Are you tired, Adi?”
He took a deep breath.
“I… I’m tired…”
Tears slipped down my face as I tightened my grip on his hand.
“Then… it’s okay… you can rest now…”
“I love you… Charlene…”
And then—
His hand went limp.

---
“I love you too, Kerill…”
He fulfilled his promise to bring me to the church—
Not just to marry me…
But to walk him to his final goodbye.