Pagdating nila sa bahay, tahimik silang pumasok. Umakyat sa taas si Argon, sa silid na hindi naman nila tinutulugan ni Sheena, hindi man lang nag-goodnight. Gusto niyang sumabog sa galit, 'yong natural na reaksyon ng isang taong ininsulto, o kahit umiyak man lang, pero hindi niya magawa. How could his sister be so cruel? How could she humiliate him like that in front of all those people? And Sheena... She didn't deserve that. He felt like a failure.

Hindi rin mapakali si Sheena. Sinundan niya si Argon sa silid na pinasukan nito at tumabi na lang din sa kama. Tumalikod naman ito sa kanya, which made her feel like she's at fault. How much longer could they endure all the toxicity around them? It seemed like the road ahead would only get harder, but she also knew that her feelings for Argon weren't going to change. She loved him too much.

"Argon, harapin mo naman ako." Niyakap niya ang kanyang asawa hangga't sa humarap din ito habang nakahiga silang dalawa. At gaya kanina, wala pa ring imik si Argon. Napakislot lang siya nang mapansin ang mukha ni Sheena na may galos sa bandang labi at may kalmot sa noo. He let out a sigh. Bumangon siya para hanapin ang medicine kit. Hinatak niya si Sheena para bumangon ito at alam niyang nasaktan ito sa kanyang paghawak.

"Bakit hindi ka nagsasalita? Bakit sa'kin mo binubuntong ang galit mo?" Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ni Sheena. Umiwas siya kay Argon, pero mabilis siya nitong nahatak at napasubsob sila pabalik sa kama. They almost kissed as they exchanged glances.

"Next time, don't defend me. Kung may marinig kang insulto, hayaan mo lang," pabulong na pakiusap ni Argon.

"Bakit? Anong silbi ko bilang asawa mo kung hahayaan lang kitang insultuhin?" pagkwestyon ni Sheena at hindi na napigilang lumuha.

"Pinàsasamá mo lang ang image mo bilang professional," tanging sagot ni Argon.

"Galit ka sa pag-react ko pero sa ginawa ng half sister mo, hindi? Anong klase 'yan?" She raised her tone.

"Ikaw ang dahilan ng pagkikita namin."

"Hindi ko siya kilala, I have no idea about your family. Gusto kong malaman 'yon pero hindi ka nagsasalita. Unfair ka! Halos lahat ng sikreto ko, ipinaalam ko sa'yo samantalang ikaw? Bahala ka na sa buhay mo!" Sheena wiped her tears and just walked out. Hindi niya matanggap na sa unang pagkakataon, pinaratangan siya ng asawa sa bagay na hindi niya ginawa. Padabog niyang isinara ang pinto. Humabol si Argon at binuhat siya pabalik sa kwarto. He locked the door and pushed her back in a firm yet gentle manner.

"Look at you, paano ka haharap sa clients mo na ganyan ang itsura? Nakipag-away ka pa talaga," panenermon ni Argon at banayad na nilagyan ng gamot ang sugat sa mukha ni Sheena.

"Sa tingin mo ba may career pa akong babalikan?" Mas lalong umagos ang luha sa mga mata ni Sheena. And for Argon, seeing his wife cry like that because of him made him feel useless. But still, hindi niya maproseso ang kanyang emosyon. Hindi na niya kayang magpakita ng simpatya at nablangko ang tingin niya sa kanyang kabiyak. Maybe it has something to do with his childhood traumas. Despite that, isa lang ang emosyon na kaya niyang iproseso habang kaharap si Sheena—pagmamahal.

He wasn't able to say how much he's grateful for what Sheena has done. So the only thing he could do is to kiss her without a word, as if kissing her will cure her bruised lips after her fight with Chezka.

Sheena felt more vulnerable at that moment. She kissed him back while still in tears. She felt the softness of their bed when he gently laid her down. Nang maghinang ang kanilang mga labi, tila huminto ang oras. Sa kabila ng lahat ng pait at bigat ng araw na iyon, si Sheena ang naging tanglaw ni Argon, at ito naman ang naging sandalan niya.

His invisible anger and doubts slowly dissolved into an indescribable warmth that enveloped on both of them. Nang humiwalay si Sheena, pinilit niyang pinigilan ang mga luha sa kanyang mga mata, ngunit ramdam pa rin ni Argon ang kanyang panghihinayang.

"Pasensya na," mahinang bulong ni Argon habang hinahaplos ang kanyang pisngi. Malambot ang kanyang tinig, puno ng pagsisisi. "Alam kong ikaw lang ang kailangan ko."

Sheena cupped his face, her hands trembling slightly as she lifted his chin so he could look at her. Sa sandaling iyon, tila nawasak ang lahat ng pader na itinatag ni Argon sa kanyang puso. They slowly removed everything that they were wearing; may pagsuyo at tamang pag-iingat. Nagkalat iyon sa iba't ibang bahagi ng silid. Hinigpitan niya ang paghawak kay Sheena at mariin itong niyakap. There were so many things he wanted to say, yet he found himself expressing them through his actions. Their eyes locked and with an intensity that spoke volumes.

Their kisses deepened, filled with raw emotions. Argon's hands moved gently to her back, cautious not to hurt her. When he guided Sheena back to the bed, his movements were tender and full of care.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly but filled with sincerity.

"Ang alin?" She laughed a bit.

"Your bruised lips," he answered.

"I thought you were referring to something else. If my heart is what you're talking about, not anymore, Argon." Sheena closed her eyes. Her tears fell silently, but this time they weren't from pain—they were from relief.

Nang muling sumandal si Sheena sa kama, hinaplos ni Argon ang kanyang pisngi at tinitigan ang mga mata niya na puno ng luha at pagmamahal. Despite the pain she endured, she could feel Argon's love and concern in every gesture he made. Argon pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before letting his lips graze the cut on her lip.

He pulled her closer once more in order to close the gap that had grown between them over time. Their breaths began to sync, and their lips met again. This time, more passionate and more forgiving.

Sheena wrapped her arms around him, her fingers combed through his hair. Her heart cried out with love for the man in front of her. If this is the only way that could make him feel at ease, then she's willing to surrender at any time.

That night, the love they shared became their refuge. With each other's embrace, they found peace; with every kiss, they found hope. Another unspoken promise has been sealed.