Well-respected in the field of law, beloved by those she helps, and admired by the youth, Attorney Erica Melendez (Kaila Estrada) is a perfect lead character. A fearless figure, she remains unshaken by any powerful system or political giant, so long as she wields true justice.
Excellence aside, the show also reveals Erica’s vulnerability—how she is just as human as anyone else, needing someone to support her and remind her of the progress she’s made in taking accountability for past mistakes involving Edong (Jake Cuenca).
In the list that follows, you’ll meet the challenges that test Erica’s path to redemption—and maybe see a little of yourself in the process.
Erica finally reveals the truth to Edong
In the first few episodes of the series, Edong begins exacting his vengeance through a phone call with Erica, after fourteen years. In that moment, he asks whether she has changed from being reticent and allowing the innocent to be falsely imprisoned.
The question lands like a gut punch for Erica, reminding her that during young Edong’s (Renshi de Guzman) trial, she was unable to testify on his behalf and ultimately couldn’t do anything to reveal the truth—that Edong was not Louisa’s (Mutya Orquia) murderer.
Shaken for days, she visits Edong in Bagumbayan Prison, trying to explain how they were pressured by the police, the Amurao townspeople, and even their own parents. Now that she has credibility, she hopes she can finally help him.
But Edong refuses her, subtly criticizing the pressures they faced, arguing that they could never compare to what he endured in prison.
Lucas blocks Erica’s efforts to help
Any feelings they had for each other in the past vanished the moment young Lucas (Andrez del Rosario) felt betrayed by Erica, who had failed to tell the truth—or at least failed to convince others of it—about Edong.
Fourteen years later, having learned of Erica’s visit to Edong at Bagumbayan Prison, Lucas arrives at her office, threatening to file a complaint for reaching out.
He rejects her attempts to make amends by trying to secure Edong’s freedom, insisting that it is already too late for her and that Edong doesn’t need to be reminded of the past through her.
During the chaos of Edong’s escape, Lucas finally does accept Erica’s legal assistance—but he makes sure to bitterly remind her every time that this is still only a small repayment for her debts to him.
Erica is left on her own again by Beth, Mel, and Alice
Coldly reuniting at the opening of Lucas’ Fitness Plus in Amurao, the fractured friendship among MABELs Erica, Beth (Charlie Dizon), Mel (Sue Ramirez), and Alice (Janella Salvador) resurfaces once again—this time with Erica warning them about the suspicious Santiago brothers following Esther’s (Malou Crisologo) disappearance and Celestino’s (Bart Guingona) death.
Unsettled by Erica’s refusal to move on from the past, Beth leads the trio in dismissing her warnings, just as they did when they were younger—insisting that what they did to Edong can never be considered wrong.
Mel adds to the ongoing tension in the following episodes, questioning why there is a need to dig up the past just for theories about Louisa’s true killer—and, of course, defending Lucas, who had also been her secret affair.
Lastly, Alice, the only one in the group Erica can still talk to, opens up about how hurt she felt when Erica left their friendship behind. Erica explains the grief she has endured, caused by the very friends she once believed were different from her mother, who didn’t believe her and questioned her loyalty when all she wanted was justice
Louisa’s brother does not side with Erica
Throughout the chaos of Edong’s escape, Erica returns to Amurao with Marco (Race Matias) and visits Lemuel Soria (Hero Angeles), Louisa’s older brother.
Surprised and unsettled by her sudden visit, Lemuel finds it unacceptable that Erica is trying to prove Edong’s innocence—reminding her of how the police and Amurao townsfolk had to pressure them in the past to testify against him.
Despite Erica’s firm stance on Edong’s innocence and her pursuit of real justice, Lemuel remains unmoved in his belief.
Erica is determined to take on the battle alone
Accepting that it will be difficult for those around her to admit they might be wrong about Edong, Erica remains steadfast, proving that even if the burden becomes too heavy to bear alone, she will continue to set things right.
This determination stems from the long list of hardships she has overcome—from being neglected in Amurao to moving alone to Manila and enduring traumatic, life-changing experiences.
She has survived and succeeded on her own, yet still carries in her heart the desire to free others like Edong.
Don’t miss Erica’s journey to redemption in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, ALLTV2 and iWant.