Almost, Always | The Weakness He Found
@coupslovre
“I’ll make this quick, Soren,” I started but he chuckled and leaned forward before I could continue.
“Hindi mo 'man lang muna kinamusta ang kuya mo?” Soren said and I stared at him, uninterested in his bullshit. “How’s Mom?”
‘Mom.’ I clenched my jaw.
“Your mom is gone.” I answered flatly. He nodded in that mocking way of his.
“Alam ko. Ang ibig kong sabihin… ang nanay nating parehas—”
I cut him off. “My mother is not your mother, Soren.” Soren frowned. “And my mother didn’t treat you like her own son.”
“I lived in your house for half my life, Cyrus. Nakalimutan mo na ata?” His voice sharpened. “I grew up in the shadows whenever Father’s business partners were around. Everyone adored you. ‘The perfect son.’ But you know damn well I helped you both rise.” Soren said.
I chuckled. “I’m the reason I’m here today, Soren. Not you. I built this company. I earned this place.”
“You’re scared I can take it from you” he said.
I scoffed. “You? Behind bars? Don’t be ridiculous.”
He leaned back, smirking.
Same conversation, different year. Nakakasawa. But I have to remind him every time of exactly where he belongs.
“Let me make something clear,” I said. “Stay out of sight. Stay away from the Altamonte name. I’ll keep your life inside here comfortable as long as you keep your mouth shut, Soren.”
“You’re better off outside the narrative,” I added. “So don’t do anything stupid.”
I looked at him and he had the same expression he always wore whenever I reminded him of this.
“That’s all, Soren. See you next year.”
I was about to stand up when he spoke.
“Alam mo, Cyrus… bawat taon na pumupunta ka rito para paalalahanan ako na huwag guluhin ang pangalan ng Altamonte, taon-taon din akong ginaganahan na makaalis dito nang maaga—”
“Try to escape, Soren, and—”
“Oh, Cyrus.” His smile was cold. “You really don’t know what’s happening inside. But you do know I inherited Father’s mind.”
“You won’t get far.” I said.
“I won’t need to,” he replied. “Isang sabi ko lang… that I’m an Altamonte—”
“SOREN!” My voice echoed in the visitation room. “Do not test me.”
He grinned. He knows what I’m capable of. What I’ll do to keep everything stable. Legally. But when it comes to Soren… even I don’t know how long I can stay civil.
“Same shit. Same threat,” Soren said with a chuckle. “You know, I used to be scared of you. Scared of my perfect little brother. So I obeyed for decades. Kasi sabi mo at sabi ng attorney mo, I might get out of here sooner if I obeyed.” He leaned forward.
“But you're just letting me rot here.”
“You’ll be out in thirteen years. Thirteen is better than twenty,” I said. “Don’t play stupid.”
Then he smiled slowly and dangerously.
“You’re finally weak.”
I frowned. “Weak?”
“May kahinaan ka na,” he whispered. “Dati wala. Kaya wala akong nagawa kundi sundin ka at si Leonardo. Because everything you said was true.”
“I had nothing outside.”
He leaned closer, eyes never leaving mine.
“But then… thanks to you… you opened a new pathway for me.”
My brows furrowed. “What?”
“You’re a married man now, aren’t you? Chairman Cyrus Leo Altamonte?”
Every sound around me seemed to disappear.
“Ah, may anak ka rin, hindi ba?” Soren added.
“You—!”
He burst into hysterical laughter. “Akala mo hindi ko malalaman, Cyrus?!”
“The man who swore he’d never weaken. The man who swore he’d never go back to Joy Celestine Uy because Joy was your distraction.”
“SOREN!”
“Turns out nagkaroon pa kayo ng anak… what’s her name again… Ligaya, right?”
“Ligaya Celine Uy.”
I slammed my hand against the glass. “Don’t you fucking dare lay a hand on my husband or my daughter.”
“Oh, ‘wag ka mag-alala, bunso. Hindi ako makakalabas dito… unless gustuhin ko.”
“I will never let you out of this goddamn jail, Soren.” I said.
He stood slowly.
“Forgot what I said, Cyrus?” he murmured. “Whatever power you and Leonardo have outside? Walang-wala dito.” He smirked wider. “I guess I’ll see my pamangkin soon.”
“Ligaya… Joy...” he added with a chuckle.
“Hmm. Joy Celestine,” he hummed. “I still remember that angelic face he had…” He looked away slightly, imagining Joy beside him.
My vision blurred with rage. I punched the glass. “Fuck. Off.”
“If you introduced me as your brother back then…” he whispered, “baka sa’kin pa siya nahulog.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Or baka kami pa ang nagkaroon ng anak,” he continued. “Because I would choose him over that goddamn company. Joy didn’t deserve what you did seven years ago, diba?”
My fist bled but I didn’t care.
Soren leaned closer. Only the thick glass stood between us.
“If you could see yourself right now, Cyrus...” he said. “This is exactly the version of you I wanted to see.”
He tapped the glass softly at first. Then harder.
“See you again soon, little brother,” he said.
“And I look forward to meeting Joy and Ligaya.”
He walked away, steps unhurried like he already won.
—
Outside, the fear hit me like a punch. I’ve felt fear but never like this. Not the kind that settles in your bloodstream and clamps down on your lungs. My hands trembled. My stomach twisted. I wanted to throw up.
Soren will do something.
Fuck—he will.
And Joy… my Joy… my Ligaya.
“Shit.” I got inside the car and slammed the door. “Tangina.”
“Boss, may nangyari po ba?” Ali asked.
I stared at my shaking hands. I curled them into fists to stop the trembling. The wounds stung but that didn’t matter.
“Boss—”
“Contact General Garcia and Attorney Cruz. Tell them it’s urgent.” I exhaled sharply. “And don’t tell Father. He’ll sense something.”
“Copy, boss.”
“Starting tomorrow, I’m staying in Batangas until after New Year. Cancel everything. Parties, meetings—lahat. I need to protect my family.”
“P-po? Pero boss, importante po—”
“Are you deaf, Reyes?” I snapped. “Do it. I don’t give a damn about those fake board members and business partners. I’m staying with my family.”
“Y-yes, boss. Copy po.”
I leaned back, closed my eyes and held my temple.
But no matter how slow my breathing got, no matter how tightly I shut my eyes, the fear stayed.
I will never forgive myself if Soren touches Joy or Ligaya. I’m not done making things right. It might take decades for me to forgive myself for what I did to Joy.
And now… another threat.
For the first time, as a father, I understood real paralyzing fear.
The kind that makes your heart stop.
The kind that tells you one wrong move and everything you love can disappear.