ONE MONTH LATER – November 2025
The morning sun streamed through the windows of Andre's small repair shop, now decorated with strings of fairy lights Rose had hung up over the weekend. Liza was behind the counter, finishing her homework while helping customers with their bills – she'd taken to managing the shop's finances, her sharp math skills putting every penny to good use.
"Rose, can you take a look at this?" Andre called from the back, where he was working on a vintage jeepney that had come in for repairs. "The engine's running rough, and I can't figure out why."
Rose wiped her hands on her apron – she'd been learning the basics of auto repair from Andre, determined to be part of every aspect of his life now that they were together again. She walked over and bent down to look at the engine, her eyes scanning the parts carefully.
"Did you check the fuel injectors?" she asked, pointing to a section near the carburetor. "I remember you saying last week that older jeepneys often have clogs there."
Andre smiled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "You've been paying attention."
"Of course I have." She leaned in and kissed him quickly. "I want to know everything about what you do. Just like you're learning about my new school."
Rose had recently taken a teaching position at a small elementary school in Gapan, working with kindergarten students – something she'd always dreamed of doing but had put on hold while searching for Andre. He'd been to every parent-teacher meeting and school event since she started, even helping her build classroom decorations out of scrap metal and wood from the shop.
That afternoon, after the shop closed, they drove to Cabanatuan to visit Rose's parents. Her mother, Elena, had been overjoyed when she'd called to say she'd found Andre – though her father, Roberto, had been more cautious at first.
"He hurt you, anak," he'd said the first time Andre came to their house. "I need to be sure he won't do it again."
Andre had looked him straight in the eye and told him everything – the stolen money, Marcus, the lies he'd told to protect Rose. He'd apologized not just to Rose, but to her parents for causing them pain too. Roberto had listened quietly, then nodded slowly and extended his hand.
"Everyone makes mistakes," he'd said. "The important thing is that you're honest now, and that you care about my daughter."
Now, as they walked into the house, the smell of adobo and lechon kawali filled the air. Liza ran ahead to hug Elena, who'd already adopted her as a second granddaughter.
"Guess what Tita Elena?" Liza said excitedly. "I made it to the school's math competition! I'm going to Manila next month to compete."
"That's wonderful, sweetheart!" Elena hugged her tight. "We'll make sure you have everything you need – new clothes, school supplies, whatever you want."
Andre pulled Rose aside near the window, where they could see the garden her father had been tending for years. "I was thinking… maybe we could move into a bigger place soon," he said quietly. "Something with a yard where Liza can play, and a spare room for when your parents come to visit. Maybe even space for a classroom if you ever want to tutor kids after school."
Rose looked at him, her heart full. "You're already planning our future?"
"Of course I am." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I wasted three years running away from us. I don't want to waste another second not planning for everything we could have."
Later that evening, as they drove back to Gapan, Rose noticed a piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper of their car. She pulled it out and unfolded it, her face growing serious as she read.
It was a letter from Marcus, written from prison.
"Rose – I know you probably don't want to hear from me, and I don't blame you. I just found out that Andre was one of the people I scammed, and I'm so sorry. I was greedy and stupid, and I hurt so many people – including you and the man you love. I've been trying to make things right here, working with the authorities to get people their money back. I know it won't erase what I did, but I hope one day you can forgive me."
Rose handed the letter to Andre, who read it carefully. "What do you want to do?" he asked.
She thought for a moment, then took his hand. "I think we should write back. Tell him we're not ready to forgive yet, but that we hope he really is trying to change. And tell him about Liza's competition, about our shop, about the life we're building. Not to rub it in, but to show him that there's a better way to live."
Andre nodded, squeezing her hand. "That's exactly what you'd do."
As they drove into the night, the lights of Gapan City twinkling ahead of them, Rose leaned her head on Andre's shoulder. Three years ago, she'd thought she'd lost him forever. Now, with the truth out in the open and their love stronger than ever, she knew that no matter what challenges came their way, they'd face them together.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," Andre replied, glancing over at her with a smile. "Always."