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Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: The One Who Stayed

A knock sounded at the door.

Soft.

Phat didn't move.

She was still lying on the couch,

in the same position,

in the same place,

as if time had stopped there.

The knock came again.

"Phat."

A familiar voice.

Soft—

but clear.

Her heart twitched.

That voice…

shouldn't be here.

She didn't respond.

Not because she didn't want to—

but because she had no strength left.

Silence followed for a moment.

Then—

"I'm coming in."

The door opened.

Light from outside spilled in,

cutting through the darkness of the house.

A figure stepped inside.

Kan.

He stood there,

looking at her

without saying a word.

The sight in front of him

made him stop.

Phat—

in a state he had never seen before.

Messy hair.

Pale face.

Swollen, red eyes.

And the worst part—

her gaze.

Empty.

Kan slowly walked closer,

carefully,

as if afraid she might disappear.

"Phat."

His voice was softer than ever.

She shifted her eyes slightly,

looking at him—

as if it took everything she had.

"You…"

her voice barely there.

"How did you get here…"

Kan stopped in front of her.

"I know."

A short answer—

but enough.

She didn't ask further.

Because deep down,

she knew he would come.

Or maybe—

she had hoped he would.

Silence settled again.

But this time,

it wasn't the same.

Because he was here.

Kan sat down beside her,

close enough to feel her presence.

But he didn't touch her right away.

As if he was waiting.

"I…"

Phat tried to speak.

But her voice failed her.

Kan didn't rush her.

He just looked at her.

Waited.

"I don't know what to do…"

Her voice trembled.

"…I'm alone now."

Those words—

soft,

but they tightened something in his chest instantly.

Kan moved a little closer.

"You're not alone."

His voice was steady.

Firm.

Phat shook her head slightly.

"It's not the same anymore…"

"I know."

He answered immediately.

"It will never be the same again."

She went still.

Those words didn't comfort—

but they were true.

"But I'm here."

Kan continued.

"I'm not going anywhere."

That sentence made her eyes tremble.

As if something

that had been completely broken

was starting to crack open again.

"You don't have to—"

"I do."

He cut in.

For the first time,

his voice was this clear.

"Because it's you."

She fell silent.

Tears started to gather again.

"I have nothing left…"

Her voice was so faint it almost disappeared.

Kan looked at her,

then slowly reached out.

Gently—

he took her hand.

Soft,

but firm.

"Then start with me."

Phat flinched slightly.

Because it was the first time in days

that she felt

someone was really there.

Tears fell again.

But this time,

it wasn't the same.

She wasn't crying silently anymore.

She moved closer to him,

slowly,

then let herself

lean against him.

Kan froze for just a second—

before lifting his other arm

and wrapping it around her.

Tight enough to show he was there.

But not enough to make her uncomfortable.

"It's okay."

His voice was soft.

"Let it out."

That sentence

broke something open.

Phat cried.

Not quietly anymore.

But for the first time—

she cried

with someone

beside her.

And he didn't let her go.

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