Aya met with her new attorney that day.
Although the case involving her clinic had already been won and she had been acquitted, she chose to set everything aside—for now.
For her sister.
She stood silently, staring at the towering building before her.
After taking a slow breath, she finally stepped inside to meet the attorney assigned to her case.
Calm down, Aya, she told herself.
The new attorney had requested to meet her personally—the one who would handle her sister's case once formal charges were finally filed against whoever was responsible for Aliya's death.
Following the instructions she had received, she walked toward the designated meeting room.
A man suddenly caught her attention.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he offered a polite smile.
"You're Miss Aya Grace Bartolome-Castro, if I'm not mistaken?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I'm Justine Zach Madrigal," he said, extending his hand.
Aya shook it briefly. He smiled again, perhaps noticing the tension in her expression.
"Please, have a seat," he said.
She nodded and sat down.
Aya quietly studied him. Her new attorney appeared only a few years older than her, yet his composed posture and sharp features made him difficult to read. He placed several documents on the table and slipped on a pair of reading glasses.
Had she been like most women, she might have stared longer than necessary.
"You seem a little anxious," he said calmly. "Try to relax."
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
"I see," he continued while scanning the documents. "Mr. Agoncillo already briefed me about the case you faced last month involving your veterinary clinic. Due to certain circumstances, the court ruled in your favor, and you only had to pay minimal damages. Is that correct?"
She nodded.
Her clinic had reopened, though she knew many people were still watching her from a distance.
"I also heard that your sister, Aliya, is still missing," he said, frowning slightly. "Only her right arm was recovered?"
"Yes," Aya replied quietly. "Until now, it's still with the police. The—"
Her voice faltered.
"It's alright," he said gently. "I understand."
"They still haven't identified the person responsible," he continued. "Mr. Agoncillo transferred your case to me so you can consult with me directly from now on."
Aya nodded. She had already been told that he was one of the best.
"Don't worry," he assured her. "I'll do everything I can to help bring justice to your sister. For now, just continue cooperating with the police. And if they ever need to reach me, here's my contact information."
He handed her a small card.
"Thank you very much," she said.
He nodded.
"If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me anytime."
He tapped the table lightly before standing.
"If there's nothing else, I'll have to excuse myself. I still have another client scheduled today."
Aya nodded again.
He left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She sighed.
An attorney could only do so much—protect her privacy, handle legal documents, and guide her through the process.
In the end, she still needed to cooperate fully with the police.
But time was slipping away.
And if she didn't act soon—
The truth might remain buried forever.
XXXXX
Far away, Aliya watched as life slowly faded from the creatures of the ocean.
Nearby stood Tiara, staring into the distance as if lost in her own thoughts.
Several sea spirits gathered around them.
"Why are humans like this?" one of them asked sorrowfully as it looked toward the people responsible for killing one of their kind.
"Come," Aliya said softly.
"They're destroying the ocean," another whispered.
Aliya glanced toward Tiara.
Anger burned in Tiara's eyes as she stared at the humans above the water.
"One day," Tiara said coldly, "you will be the ones crying and begging."
"One day, you will suffer the punishment for what you have done to nature—the very thing that protects your lives."
Aliya met her gaze.
Suddenly—
Images flashed before her eyes.
Too fast.
Too sharp.
She squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to understand what she was seeing.
A woman.
Bloodied.
Begging for help.
The vision was fragmented—blurred and incomplete.
A sharp pain struck her head, forcing her eyes closed.
The final image she saw was Tiara.
Dying.
Buried somewhere far away from the world.
Aliya jolted, forcing the thoughts away.
She searched for Tiara again.
But Tiara avoided her gaze.
Then she vanished.
Aliya knew she had to leave soon.
Someone else was waiting to be guided.
After completing her task, she returned and sat quietly.
Her mind continued searching through fragments of memory, but every time she tried to force them back, a painful pressure throbbed against her temples.
She sighed softly.
Did Tiara really die in something that tragic? she wondered.
Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder.
"Did I startle you?" Daniel asked.
Aliya looked up as he sat beside her.
She didn't answer.
He smiled gently.
Their eyes met.
And without warning—
Aliya was pulled into his memories.
She gasped.
"Are you alright, Aliya?" Daniel asked, concern filling his voice.
"Daniel… h-how did you die?" she asked quietly.
He stared at her.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "Forget what I asked."
She shook her head as if trying to clear her thoughts.
"You should rest," Daniel said gently. "I'll leave you here for now."
He gave her a warm smile before standing up.
Aliya nodded.
She wanted to ask more questions—
But she stopped herself.
Do they see how I died too? her restless mind wondered.
She sighed again and looked around.
The place was calm.
Peaceful.
So different from the chaotic, noisy human world.
Then suddenly—
The image of the man who had rescued the animals returned to her thoughts.
Curiosity stirred within her.
There's no harm in observing for a while… right?
She stood and waved her hand.
Instantly, a door appeared before her—a doorway leading to the human world.
What amused her most was how the door always appeared wherever her thoughts guided it.
Moments later, she found herself inside a veterinary clinic.
The animals rescued from the laboratory were still there.
The dog named Black looked healthy now.
The clinic was quiet.
She didn't see the woman veterinarian anywhere.
The silence was almost deafening—
Yet strangely calming.
Aliya wandered around the room.
Suddenly, the clinic door opened.
The veterinarian stepped inside, carrying a cat.
Can they see us? Aliya wondered.
She sat quietly, watching.
The veterinarian sighed softly before beginning her routine—checking on each of her patients.
Aliya observed how gently she handled the animals.
Her restless thoughts stirred again.
Fragments of memories surfaced—visions of the veterinarian caring for animals even when she was younger.
Then suddenly—
Aliya stiffened.
A sudden sense of alarm washed over her.
She stood up.
She didn't want to leave.
But she had somewhere else to be.
Someone was waiting.
Someone who needed to be guided.