At a local bar, following the shocking disclosures from Liezel (Mary Joy Apostol) and Angelo (Marlo Mortel) about their connection to Louisa (Mutya Orquia), Erica (Kaila Estrada) and Marco (Race Matias) discuss their insights into Louisa’s hidden life and the recent developments in their investigation of the unknown perpetrator who sent text messages to Beth (Charlie Dizon) and Angelo.
Marco informs Erica in detail about how he chased after the anonymous onlooker but failed to catch them. In a sudden moment of vulnerability, Erica bares her heart to Marco, admitting that she once believed the “bana” love note found among Liezel’s belongings would be the key to solving Louisa’s case—a case she cannot truly let go of, no matter how many victories she has achieved over the years.
Without warning, Erica’s estranged mother, Annette (Sharmaine Suarez), arrives at the bar to take home her drunken husband. A mere glance at Annette triggers Erica’s traumatic flashbacks, prompting her to pack up and walk out. As she does, Annette notices her and softly pleads with Erica to stop communicating with Althea (Andi Abaya). Erica, however, reasons that she was not the one to blame.
Agreeing with Erica’s explanation, Annette gently tells her that she does not want her mother-daughter relationship with Althea to be ruined. In disbelief, Erica hurriedly walks away, with Marco following after noticing that she is heading away from her parked car.
As soon as Marco reaches Erica, she becomes even more emotional, finally unable to hold back her tears. She sadly expresses how Annette never apologized for the pain and neglect she caused, focusing only on ensuring that Erica wouldn’t disrupt their “happy” family.
In a heartbreaking denial, Erica declares that she doesn’t care and doesn’t need a mother like Annette—yet her heart says otherwise as more tears fall. Seeing that Erica needs someone to lean on, Marco pulls her into a comforting hug.
Back at Annette and Althea’s home, Annette opens up to Althea, admitting that she would understand if Althea’s perception of her as a “good mother” has changed after learning the truth about how she treated Erica.
She adds that the anger she felt toward Erica’s father was so overwhelming that she took it out on the innocent Erica and that she has become a changed person as Althea’s mother. Now, she asks Althea for forgiveness, hoping it won’t be too late—unlike her relationship with Erica.
At the same moment, in a different place, Marco continues to console Erica, assuring her that he will be there for her just as she had been for him in his darkest times. The two then share a heartfelt, genuine kiss.
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