Alice

It still feels different every time I go up to Mom’s place—it’s like I return to a lighter version of myself, the one without complicated men, without corporate wars, and without eyes constantly measuring whether I’m enough for the world of people like Lance.

I have my own keys and fingerprint on the door lock, so I just opened the door. I was immediately greeted by the smell of sinigang and the familiar laughter of my stepfather watching a documentary in the living room. Mom glanced at me from the kitchen, and her smile instantly widened.

“Alice!” she said, her voice full of delight as she wiped her hands...