Julie took a deep breath as she stared at Crisha's house.
Her chest felt tight. She was hesitant—but she couldn't run away now. Backing out just because the conversation would be uncomfortable wouldn't change anything.
She exhaled softly and followed Cielo inside.
"Cielo? Is that you?"
The woman's voice came from the doorway. She looked to be in her forties, yet her face was gentle, almost untouched by age. At first, she didn't fully register Julie's presence.
"Yes, Auntie. It's been a while," Cielo replied with a warm smile.
The woman smiled back and immediately pulled him into a hug, holding him as if he were her own child.
Julie watched quietly.
That alone told her how kind-hearted Cielo truly was. Pride stirred in her chest.
"Come in," the woman said apologetically. "Sorry about the house."
This is awkward…Whatever. I'll just try to be invisible, Julie joked to herself, letting out a small, nervous laugh.
"Thank you, Auntie," Cielo said. "Oh—by the way, I brought someone with me."
Julie had been looking around when—
"Oh," the woman said lightly. "Is she your girlfriend, son?"
Julie froze.
Cielo chuckled. "Yes, Auntie. This is my girlfriend—Julie."
Julie turned. "G–Good morning."
The woman inhaled sharply.
"C–Crisha…"
Julie expected it. Still, hearing it stung.
The woman stepped closer, gently touching Julie's face. Tears welled up instantly.
"Crisha…"
Julie's body trembled.
"Auntie," Cielo said gently but firmly, taking Julie's hand, "she's not Crisha. Her name is Julie."
Reality slowly returned to the woman's eyes, disbelief still lingering.
"I'm sorry, dear," she said softly. "You look exactly like my daughter."
Julie nodded. "I understand. I—I'm sorry. I'm not Crisha. My name is Julie."
The woman wiped her tears and forced a smile.
"Please… come inside."
They followed her in.
"W–What's Auntie's name?" Julie whispered.
"Oh," the woman laughed lightly. "You can call me Carmen."
The house was simple and modest. They sat in the living room.
"Who are our guests?" a man asked, surprised.
"It's Cielo," Carmen replied. "And his girlfriend, Julie."
The man stared at Julie, stunned.
"She looks like our daughter," Carmen said quietly. "It felt like Crisha came home."
Julie noticed a young girl nearby—about seven years old.
"Hi, Sofia," Cielo smiled. "It's been a while."
"She's Crisha's youngest sibling," he whispered. "She was only six when Crisha passed."
Sofia stared at Julie.
"Big sis… you look like the Pop Princess," she said innocently. "Sis Crisha used to idolize her."
Julie blinked.
So that's why she was staring…
She smiled at the child. Cielo quietly laughed at her reaction.
"We're glad you visited," the father said warmly.
"It's been a long time, Uncle," Cielo replied.
A pause followed.
"What brings you here?" Carmen asked gently.
Cielo inhaled deeply.
"Auntie… Jason already told you about the passbook, right?"
Carmen nodded, uneasy.
"Is that why you came?"
"Yes," Cielo said. "We really need your help."
"Do you truly believe someone caused what happened?" Carmen asked softly.
"Yes," he replied. "The passbook is still active."
Carmen stiffened.
"Active…?"
Cielo nodded.
"M–Maybe Miss Santibañez has it," Carmen said shakily. "She's the reason my daughter died."
Julie's heart dropped.
"Auntie," Cielo said carefully, "Kelly wasn't responsible. She tried to help Crisha—but everything happened too late."
"She was the last one with her," Carmen whispered.
Julie spoke up, voice trembling. "Kelly was dragged into it. She's kind—she just couldn't speak up back then."
"T–Then who?" Carmen cried. "If not her… who?"
Silence filled the room.
Julie gently tugged Cielo's sleeve.
"Auntie," Cielo said, standing and holding Carmen's hand, "please reconsider. We need to find out the truth."
They didn't force her.
"We'll go now," Cielo said softly. "We're sorry."
"S–Sorry, Auntie," Julie added.
"Sofia," Cielo said, "take care of your mom, okay?"
They turned—
"W–Wait," Carmen called. "The classmate who visited Crisha in the hospital… she was also there during the drowning. What was her name?"
Cielo froze.
He pulled out his phone.
"Auntie, please take your time."
Carmen scanned the photos.
"That one," she said, pointing. "She talked to Crisha."
It was Dawn.
Julie felt her stomach twist.
"I remember Crisha borrowing my IDs," Carmen added. "She said the school needed them."
Cielo nodded slowly.
"That girl's name is Dawn," he said.
"She was Crisha's friend," Carmen whispered.
"Yes," Cielo replied quietly, fist clenched.
Carmen turned to Julie. "May I hug you… just for a moment?"
Julie nodded.
Carmen held her tightly, crying softly, calling Crisha's name.
Julie let her.
This pain never really left, she thought.
After apologizing, Carmen let them go.
"Do you think she'll help us?" Julie asked in the car.
"We can't force her," Cielo replied. "But I hope… someday, she will."
Julie nodded.
They updated their friends.
Everyone understood.
Some wounds take longer to open—and even longer to heal.