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11:49 p.m.

Death-Cast did not call because she is not dying today, but the sound of her son crying has always made her

die inside.

Down the hall, she hears Pazito crying, so she gets out of bed, ready to knock on the door when she hears Alano Rosa comforting

her son. Gloria wants to barge inside and hold Pazito, but she must let him grow up, to be held by the boy who cares for him.

Still, Gloria wishes Pazito had watched that terrible documentary with her. After all, it’s their traumatic history that was

documented, not Alano’s. But Gloria is one to talk. She secretly watched Grim Missed Calls . She only ever lies to protect the people she loves. She didn’t think it was wise for Pazito to watch the documentary so

soon, especially after its very twisted existence led to his suicide attempt, but she knew the day would come when he would

need to see it for himself.

Gloria planned on being ready for that day. She did not plan on how painful it would be to watch this documentary herself.

It was devastating to relive that tragic day. To see Frankie’s violence justified. To have her true love for Rolando treated as a ruse in a murder plot. Most heartbreakingly, to watch Paz treated like a cold-blooded killer. She had called their attorney for the trial, Martina Cielo, and asked if she should be pressing charges for the lies and misinformation in this documentary. There was a case to be built on defamation alone for Pazito’s career, but Martina Cielo was concerned with winning, simply because Hollywood is a very subjective business that turns down millions of young talents every year, and the fact that Pazito hadn’t booked work after winning his trial would be used against them.

“I would still be willing to take this to court,” Martina Cielo had told Gloria, giving her hope, until she asked: “But are

you willing to put Paz through another trial?”

After rewatching her precious son in court at ten years old, Gloria had her answer.

Hours after her call, Gloria maintained a brave face during dinner, a survival skill she gained in her years of raising Pazito

with Frankie, but deep inside she was still so heartbroken and angry over the documentary. She’d wished she hadn’t watched

it alone after all. She was this close to inviting Rolando to keep her company, but he carried his own guilt from that tragic day. If Rolando hadn’t confessed

his love on that first End Day, Gloria wouldn’t have been inspired to leave Frankie. The fight would’ve never broken out.

Gloria would’ve never screamed for her life, and Pazito would’ve never come to her rescue.

If only Gloria had left Frankie sooner...

If only Gloria had taken Pazito and run away...

If only Gloria had thrown out that gun . . .

If only, if only, if only.

The reality is that Gloria stayed, just as her regrets and shame stay with her now, like scars.

Unfortunately, scars don’t just appear out of nowhere. They are all wounds first. Some painful, others not. The loud cries

of her son let Gloria know that Pazito’s wound has been ripped open again before it can heal; she’s grateful that his wound

is metaphorical, not physical, but pain is pain.

A body needs a survivor’s spirit to keep it alive. Only then will it heal, only then will it close all wounds, only then will

it scar, and only with time can a scar fade.

One day, Gloria and Pazito will be survivors with faded scars, but today is not that day.