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Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Crossroads of Emotion

Debbie spent the next few days trying to distance herself from the emotions stirred by seeing Pasco again. It was a losing battle. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see him standing in the gallery, polished and distant, a stark reminder of the life he had carved out without her. Filex had been a steady presence through it all, but even his calm demeanor couldn't quell the storm brewing inside her.

Filex and Pasco: An Unlikely Encounter

A few days later, Filex found himself at a local café

downtown, a favorite spot for creatives and professionals alike. He had been sketching something absentmindedly when a familiar figure walked in—Pasco.

Pasco scanned the room, stopping when he saw Filex. There was a moment of hesitation before he approached.

"You're Debbie's friend," Pasco said, sitting down uninvited. Filex leaned back, observing him. "And you're Pasco."

The tension between them was palpable. Pasco, clearly uneasy, looked out the window before speaking again. "I wanted to say… thanks for looking out for her." Filex's expression didn't change. "She doesn't need looking after. She's stronger than you think."

Pasco flinched at the subtle jab but nodded. "I know. She's always been strong."

Filex studied him, his eyes narrowing slightly as his

supernatural ability kicked in. Emotions washed over him like a wave—guilt, regret, and a flicker of something deeper, something unresolved.

"You left her broken," Filex said bluntly. "And now you're back. Why?"

Pasco hesitated, hisvoice quiet. "I don't know. I thought I'd

moved on, but seeing her again…" He trailed off, running a

hand through his hair. "I realized I never really let go."

Filex's gaze hardened. "Let me make something clear.

She's rebuilding herself, and you don't get to tear her down

again just because you're confused about what you want." The words hung in the air, cutting through Pasco's defenses. For the first time, he saw the depth of the connection Debbie had built with this new circle of people who genuinely cared for her.

Debbie's Turning Point

Meanwhile, Debbie was walking through the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, her mind racing. Lena had convinced her to meet a group of young professionals at an upcoming networking event, something she would've never considered a year ago. "Why am I doing this again?" Debbie muttered as she walked with Lena.

"Because you need to stop hiding," Lena replied firmly. "And because you're smart, capable, and more than whatever baggage you're carrying around."The event was held at a trendy rooftop bar overlooking the city. As Debbie mingled cautiously, she was introduced to Sophea, the vibrant architect who had been part of Pasco's group at the gallery. Sophea, noticing Debbie's hesitation, quickly drew her into a conversation about local art.

"I've heard about you," Sophea said with a smile. "Pasco didn't mention much, but he did say you're studying law. That's impressive."

Debbie stiffened at the mention of Pasco but forced herself to remain calm. "It's… a lot of work," she replied.

Sophea tilted her head, studying her. "You're stronger than you realize. And honestly, you've probably been through more than most people here. That counts for something." The words struck a chord, and for the first time that evening, Debbie allowed herself to relax.

Pasco's Reflection

Later that night, Pasco found himself back at the gallery where he had first seen Debbie. The quiet hum of the space allowed his mind to wander. Seeing Debbie had shaken him more than he wanted to admit. He thought about their time together—the long conversations, the promises, and the way she used to look at him as if he were her whole world. And then he thought about what Filex had said.

"She's rebuilding herself, and you don't get to tear her down again." The words echoed in his mind. He realized he had no right to expect anything from her, not after the way he had left. But the truth was, he still cared—more than he was willing to admit, even to himself.

Filex and Debbie's Bond Strengthens

Back at Debbie's apartment, Filex stopped by with coffee, as he often did. He found her sitting by the window, deep in thought.

"Rough night?" he asked, handing her a cup.

Debbie smiled faintly. "You could say that. Lena dragged me to this networking thing. It wasn't terrible, actually. I met someone interesting—Sophea." Filex raised an eyebrow. "Sophea? Small world."

"She mentioned Pasco," Debbie admitted. "But it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would."

"That's progress," Filex said with a small smile.

Debbie looked.