*Who's My Eternal*
*Manila Bay — Same Night, Cherry's House*
While Elian was lying awake in Vancouver, Manila was broken.
Cherry's father died.
Just like that.
One minute he was there. Weak, but there. The next, he was gone.
Cherry was on the floor.
Not crying. _Screaming_.
Like her heart was being pulled out of her chest.
"Papa," she kept saying. Over and over. "Papa, no. Papa, wake up."
Mrs. Eva was beside her. Holding her. Shaking. Crying so hard she couldn't stand.
Years of worry. Years of hospital trips. Years of _just a little more time_.
All gone.
Lola Anna was there. Elian's grandma. She didn't say anything. Just sat on the floor and pulled Cherry into her lap like she was still a little girl.
Rocking her. Rubbing her back.
Noa was there too. Quiet. Eyes red. He put a hand on Mrs. Eva's shoulder. Didn't move it.
The whole bay came.
Neighbors. Fishermen. The old women who sold fish with Lola.
They filled the small house. Brought food no one would eat. Lit candles. Whispered prayers.
Manila Bay knew grief. They showed up for it.
But in the back, by the door, Cindy stood.
She wasn't crying.
She wasn't praying.
She looked at Cherry on the floor, broken, shaking in Lola Anna's arms.
And thought:
_Good._
_That's what you get._
_For stealing Elian from me._
No pity. No softness.
Just that.
Cold.
Mrs. Eva saw her. Through her tears.
Saw the look.
And felt something worse than grief for a second.
Because some people don't know how to hurt unless they're hurting someone else.
Noa saw it too.
Stepped in front of Cindy. Blocked her view.
Didn't say a word.
Just stood there.
So Cherry wouldn't have to see it.
Not tonight.
Tonight was for crying.
Tonight was for _Papa_.
The rest could wait.
And 10,000 miles away, Elian slept.
Not knowing the girl who gave him everything
Just lost the man who gave _her_ everything.