Over weeks, Lilith shared her story.
A young aswang in 1840s Bohol. A forbidden romance with a human man—Glad's father. A pregnancy kept secret from both communities.
"The witch who turned you—her name was Malaya. She'd loved your father. When he chose me, she couldn't accept it."
"So she targeted me."
"She targeted us both. Your turning was meant to destroy me. To make me watch my daughter become something I feared."
"But you didn't fear me."
"I never feared you. I feared FOR you. The life you'd have. The dangers you'd face." Lilith paused. "I was right, in some ways. You did face dangers. But you also built something beautiful."
"Because of those dangers. Because of everything."
Lilith nodded slowly. "I'm starting to understand. Pain doesn't have to be pointless. It can shape us into who we're meant to become."
"Took me a long time to learn that."
"Took me longer."
They held each other in the garden, mother and daughter, finally together.
The Watcher watched.
Anino's statue stood silent.
And somewhere, love continued.