"He did what?!" Andrew yelled pacing back and forth around Pippa's dressing room. "Phillipa, make sure he won't go see the show today or else I'm gonna break his face."

Pippa continued to do her make up as if this isn't a big deal to her.

"And you're sitting there acting like everything's fine?" Andrew said in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."

Pippa still continued preparing for the show and it bothered Andrew even more. This isn't the reaction he was expecting from her. And he's not sure if this is a good thing or not.

"Drew, stop walking around. You're making me dizzy. I can see you in the mirror you know?" She ordered.

"It's just... are you sure you're okay? I mean I know it's a two show day and you're avoiding to feel emotional right now but you can at least tell me how you feel. Are you mad? Are you hurting? What? Tell me." Andrew said pissed because he knows she's not okay and yet she's keeping an act.

"Drew, I can't be anything when I'm empty. I don't feel mad, nor sad, nor happy, nor fine. I'm nothing at this point. I just want to get through this day and rest in my bed all night. That's all."

Andrew stared at her not knowing what to do. Pippa noticed the worry in his face from the reflection of the mirror.

"Hey, I may not feel anything right now. But as long as I have my child, there's nothing I can't do so I know I will be just fine." She assured him.

Pippa's phone went off but she ignored it. She knows who it is anyway.

"Are you gonna answer it or not?"

"I don't want to hear anything he has to say. I've heard enough." She said as she closed her make up kit.
_______

One message notification from Mads:
[Pippa, I know it's late and you're probably tired but can I sleep over?]

Amanda is a lark and Maddie forgot her key so she figured no one's going to open the door for her.

Without any question, without any hesitation, Pippa replied

[Anytime, sweetie. Do you have your keys or you left it too?]

Few minutes later, Maddie knocked and she immediately opened the door for her. She arrived with a Chinese takeout. One thing about them is they both love Chinese food.

"So how have you been?" Pippa asked Maddie while opening her noodles.

"Some parts of my legs are still sore but it's getting so much better now. How are you? You're still coming tomorrow right?" She said

Pippa and Steve promised to take her back to her place. But that was made when they were still in good terms.

"It's okay if you can't though. I already know what happened." She said with a slight disappointment. "And no, dad didn't ask me to come here. He doesn't even know I'm here."

"How did you know?"

"I went to visit him this morning and he looks bad. I mean he tried not to show it but I'm his child. He told me when he sensed I know something's wrong." Maddie explained.

Pippa just gave her a weak smile.

"I''m going." she said. Maddie's eyebrows furrowed.

"Tomorrow. Ill go with you. I'm keeping my promise."

"Pippa, that means a lot but if that makes you uncomfortable then...."

"Sooner or later, I'm gonna have to face him anyway." she saw Maddie smile. "Here, take my extra dumplings"

They both shared the rest of the food. Pippa noticed that something is bothering Maddie so she took her hand. "Maddie, say it."

"Pippa.... another reason I went here is because I want to tell you that... uhmm I know that you're pregnant."
________

Maddie was getting her things ready as Steve started to put her bags at the compartment.

"Pippa! You made it." Maddie welcomed her with a hug. She really kept her promise. Today is Sunday and Pippa went straight to Amanda's house.

"Here, have some coffee." Amanda offered. Maddie and Pippa's eyes met each other.

"Mom, I really have to go. Pippa, I'm sorry you can't have your coffee." Maddie told Amanda

Pippa mouthed thank you and Maddie winked at her as if she's telling her she got her back.

Steve opened the door for Pippa and while she thanked him, she never even bothered to greet him or look at him.

It was just a 30 min drive but it felt longer because of the silence. They would talk once in a while but it's either just between Steve and Maddie or Pippa and Maddie, never Steve and Pippa.

"Thanks, Pippa. I know you should be resting." She hugged her. Pippa assured her it's no big deal and she can visit her anytime she wants.

"Thanks, dad. Take care of yourself. Have a rest and please eat." She said. They hugged each other and for the first time since they left Amanda's, Pippa took a glance at Steve.

She saw how weary his eyes are and how pale he looks. So different from the man he had dinner with 2 days ago. Still, she felt nothing. Not even pity. You chose this, Steve.

"Pippa, let me explain." Steve pleaded

"Save it. It's no use." She said firmly.

"But I...."

"Let's do it, Steve. I don't have to wait for my show to close. Let my lawyer know when and where, I'll be there." She said. "You can drop me in the nearest stop. I can take it from there. You should go home and take a rest."

"No, I'll take you home." He knows Pippa would resist so he used his last card. "Please, let me. I'm not gonna bother you after this if that's what you want."

Pippa didn't speak. So he figured he can take her home. The car ride was only filled with the stereo playing. Few seconds later, their song played. He heard Pippa let out a sigh but no one said a thing. Few kilometers before they reach their destination, Pippa spoke.

"Take a right on the drive-thru." She said pointing at their favorite burger joint.

"You hungry?" He didn't get an answer but still he did what she said. The lady took her order and they went back on the road after picking them up.

"Here. You should eat." she handed the other bag to him. He looked at her not knowing how to react. She's mad at me right? Why is she offering me to eat?

"You're making Maddie worried. Take it." she said before getting out of the car. She went straight to her building without looking back at Steve. There's no turning back now, Phillipa.
_______________

<< throwback to Bowie's birthday <<

"Congratulations, Steve!"

They just finished the contract signing for his upcoming album. Everybody was excited to go for drinks but Steve excused himself.

"I'd really love to go but I really have an important thing to attend to. I'll make it up to you guys next time, okay?" He told them. They bid goodbye to him as he rush to go to the venue.

"Hi. Sorry I'm late." He greeted Dane and Anna. His eye caught Pippa and gave her a sweet smile. But that smile faded when he saw Andrew sitting beside her, holding her hand under the table.

Steve was on the table with Dane and company when he noticed Andrew and Pippa playing with Bowie. Later on Andrew was already hugging Pippa and it made him furious.

"Bro, what's the matter?" Dane noticed Steve's sudden mood change so he just offered him another bottle to drink.

When he saw Pippa made her way to the Kitchen, he grabbed the opportunity to talk to her.

"Looks like you're having a good time, huh?" He said.

"I am" she said as she open the cabinets one by one.

"So, how are you?" Steve asked trying to open a conversation.

"I'm good. How about you? Anything that keeps you busy these days? Any reason why you're late?" He saw her smirk.

"I'm working on something now. Also, I had to meet someone before coming here and got caught up in traffic." He said as he took a sip of his drink to gather up some courage.

"I missed you so much, Pippa. I want you back. I am getting better now I promise."

"You know that's not how it works, Steve. You can't just leave me hanging like that and then decide to come back when it's convenient for you." she said

"Is there someone else now? Tell me the truth. Is it that guy?" He raised his voice. He didn't mean to. He's pissed. But not to Pippa. Not to Andrew. But to himself.

"Who? Andrew? Ha..ha... Steve you're obviously drunk." Pippa laughed at him.

"I may be drunk but I know what I saw. Do you think I don't know that he's sleeping in our place? OUR FUCKING PLACE, Phillipa. I asked for a god damn break, you can't see othe...." he wasn't able to continue because Pippa cut him off.

She was shouting but it's like he can't hear anything she was saying because he's too caught up in his own thoughts.

The image of Pippa smiling to Andrew as they made their way to their building after a show. He saw it all. Not just for a night, but every night. And then the sight of them earlier looking like a happy family with Bowie. It broke him. That should've been me.

"..... your mere presence makes me sick and I don't know how we'll be able to make it through when I can't stand seeing you." was the only thing he was able to pick up from all the things Pippa said. And a part of him wished he never heard that too.

"I should go."

"No. Stay." he firmly said.

"You're 3 weeks late, Steve. I hope you said that before you let me walk out of the door." she said.

He was able to stop her from leaving. He's not ready to let her go but Pippa used all her might and hit her hand on something. "Ouch!"

Steve panicked when he saw blood and tried to help her but Andrew came and pinned him on the wall.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Steven?" Andrew yelled.

Steve had no urge to resist because even him was still shocked from what happened. He didn't even know what happened next. Because even when they left, the words Pippa said are still echoing on his head.

Your mere presence makes me sick....I can't stand seeing you.....I don't know how we'll be able to make it through.

For a moment he believed that maybe they really wouldn't be able to make it through. Especially now that someone else is already making her happy.

She received a message from Ahna and thought that he should go with them if they're still hanging around. He needed and escape so he went where they are.
——————-
"Steve, you seem a bit preoccupied." His lawyer told him. "It's done. I'll just coordinate with Mrs. Soo's lawyer regarding the schedule of the next meeting."

He glanced at Pippa who just got up from her seat. I'd give anything to make her life happy, even if it means I no longer get to be a part of it.

He knows her wife so well but now, he can't even read her emotions.

She should be happy by now. She wanted this so bad. I thought I could stop it, make her realize it's a stupid idea so she'll call it off. I did everything I can but it's still not enough.

"Sorry it took a while. But here it is, the divorce you've been asking." Pippa said.

"I'm sorry what!? I never asked for this. In fact, I tried my best to avoid this to happen. It's all your call." Steve couldn't help not to raise his voice because how dare she turn it back on him.

"Sure! As if I'm the one who initiated it." She smirked.

"And you think I did?!"