The family house smelled like old cologne and denial.
Gigi hadn't been home in days. She'd been avoiding it - not because of what happened, but because she no longer felt the need to defend herself inside its walls.
But today, she chose to return.
Not for them.
For closure.
She walked in and found her father at the dining table, nursing a cup of coffee like regret might be floating somewhere in the foam. Her grandfather was watching boxing on the TV. Kuya Josh was nowhere to be seen - maybe avoiding drama for once.
"Anak," her father started. "I heard about the job offer."
She gave a single nod. "It's mine if I want it."
He smiled like it was his achievement too. "We always knew you'd go far. You've always been the smartest."
Lolo Ben chimed in without looking up: "Still needs a man, though. Too much ambition makes a woman hard to marry."
Gigi didn't flinch.
She didn't fight.
She just… stood tall.
"I didn't come here to argue," she said. "I came to tell you something."
They turned to her.
"I've spent my whole life learning how not to be like the men in this house. I made my independence a shield. My anger, a compass. And for a while, it worked."
Her voice stayed calm, even when her hands started to tremble.
"But I also realized that cutting myself off from love didn't make me stronger. It just made me lonelier. And you - " she looked at her father, " - taught me to believe that love comes with betrayal. That women should expect to be second, third, replaced. I believed it. And it poisoned everything good that tried to reach me."
Her father looked ashamed. But she didn't pause for him to speak.
"I'm not blaming you anymore. I'm forgiving myself for carrying your sins like they were my birthright. They're not. I don't want them. I'm done."
Her voice didn't shake.
She turned to leave, but then added, almost softly:
"If I leave for Singapore, it won't be to run from you.
If I stay, it won't be because I'm afraid to grow.
Either way, I win."
She walked out before they could say anything.
Outside, the wind hit her skin like a blessing.
She felt… lighter.
Not because her past was fixed.
But because she no longer felt the need to fix it.
Her phone buzzed.
Caloy: I know you're probably drowning in your thoughts right now. But if you want to come over… I have garlic rice and peace.
She smiled.
Gigi didn't know yet if she was going to Singapore.
But she knew this:
She wasn't her father's daughter anymore.
Not the way they meant it.
She was herself.
Strong. Soft. Choosing. Becoming.
And wherever she went next, it would be on her terms.