✵•PROLOGUE•✵

❀ Worst Birthday Gift ❀

Two years ago...

"Shawn, baby! Wake up! It's getting late! You still have to go to school!"

Shawn could no longer count how many times did her mother shout those words at him in the span of fifteen minutes. He tried to bury his head with pillows but her voice penetrated through it like an alarm clock he couldn't snooze. Truth was, he had already been awake way before she started nagging him to wake up. He just didn't feel like getting out of bed.

"Baby!" Daisy, Shawn's mom, called out for the nth time.

"Argh!" Shawn groaned, finally admitting defeat. He angrily sat up and threw the pillow at the wall.

Just right after that, the door swung open and came in his mom. "Oh, you're already awake, baby?" she asked, her voice sweet and calm. Shawn couldn't think of which should he be more annoyed with, the fact that his mom never raised her voice angrily at him or the fact that she still calls him baby despite being eighteen already. I guess both wouldn't be entirely unexpected since he was the only child of an attorney and a teacher.

"Yeah, Mom. I'm awake!" Shawn called out.

"Good," his mother, replied. "Now, take a bath, get dressed, and come downstairs for breakfast. I made your favorite beef steak."

"Argh! Yeah! Sure!" Shawn groaned.

From where he stood, Shawn could still hear his mom chuckling. He also heard her footsteps fading as she walked away. Once she was gone, he let out a sigh and stretched, yawning as he glanced at the clock. It was still early—only six o'clock. His classes didn't start until eight. His mom was just always ahead of schedule, waking him up at the crack of dawn as if he were about to be late.

He rolled his eyes but then took a moment to check how he felt. He wasn’t sleepy anymore, so he decided to get up.

Grabbing the towel draped over the sofa, he headed straight for the bathroom. As soon as he stepped inside, he stripped off his clothes until he was left wearing only his underwear. Standing under the shower, he tilted his head up for a moment before finally turning on the water, letting it cascade down his entire body.

After his shower, Shawn walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from his hair down his toned body, and even without a mirror, he knew exactly how good he looked.

But as soon as he stepped into his room, he froze. His mom was there.

His bed, which he hadn’t bothered to fix earlier, was now neatly made. She was standing by his closet, most likely picking out his clothes for the day.

"Mom," he muttered.

Daisy paused and turned to face him, holding his freshly pressed uniform in her hands. Everything was prepared—his belt, socks, and even his boxers. His shoes were neatly placed by the side of the bed.

"Damn, baby, you look hot," she said dramatically, giving him an exaggerated once-over from head to toe.

Shawn rolled his eyes, feeling more than a little embarrassed.

"You've really grown," Daisy remarked, eyeing her son up and down. "Wait, have you been working out?"

"Just occasionally, when I tag along with Neon at the gym," Shawn replied.

His mother nodded in understanding. The Neon he mentioned was his best friend—the one person he had considered a true companion since childhood. Unlike others, Neon was never fake, nor had he ever abandoned Shawn.

"Well, anyway, you still look so good. I’m sure the girls will be all over you once they see those six-pack abs," Daisy teased, laughing.

Shawn rolled his eyes, feeling a wave of embarrassment settle over him.

"Alright, now please leave. I need to get dressed," he said, exasperated.

But instead of obeying, Daisy just laughed harder. Shawn turned to her again, this time narrowing his eyes in warning.

"Mom! I said get out."

"Oh, come on. Why so shy? I've seen you butt-naked so many times already," she teased.

"That was when I was still a baby, darn it! Now, get out!"

"Alright, alright. My baby is so impatient," Daisy chuckled.

She finally placed the clothes she had been holding onto the bed before walking past him toward the door.

"You should hurry up. Your dad is waiting downstairs," she reminded him.

"I know!" Shawn groaned.

Only when he heard the door close did he finally move. He turned to check the door, making sure his mother was really gone. Once he was certain, he reached for the towel wrapped around his waist, ready to change. But just as he was about to grab his boxers, the door suddenly swung open again, and his mother’s voice filled the room.

"Oh, and also, baby, have you run out of vitamins?"

Panic-stricken, Shawn grabbed the towel and hastily covered himself again before whipping around to glare at his mother, who was still casually talking as if nothing had happened.

"Don’t forget to take them, okay? You need to stay healthy. You’ve always been a sickly kid," she reminded him.

"I know, Mom! I know! I still have plenty left, so please leave already! I need to change!"

Daisy simply smiled at him, watching him squirm for a moment before giggling to herself. Then, without another word, she finally closed the door.

Shawn didn't move right away. He stood frozen, half-expecting the door to swing open again. For a few seconds, he just stood there, staring blankly like an idiot. Only when he was sure his mother wouldn’t come back did he finally start getting dressed.

After slipping into his uniform, Shawn finally got out of his room and went straight to the dining hall. He found his father simply seated on a chair while reading a newspaper. He seemed to have felt his presence and he lifted his gaze towards him.

"Good morning, son," Shion, his father greeted.

"Morning," Shawn replied dryly, pulling a chair for himself and sitting down.

From the kitchen came out his mom, holding a mug of smoking hot coffee in each hand.

"Oh hey there, baby," she greeted him, smiling.

Shawn watched her as she placed one mug in front of his dad, and took a sip from the other. Shawn's brow twitched in confusion.

"Where's mine, mom?" he asked.

"Haha, oh no, you're not," Daisy said with a teasing grin.

Shawn blinked, confused. "Huh?"

"You’re not drinking coffee," she clarified, her smile widening.

Shawn's shoulders slumped. "Wait… Don’t tell me you’re making me drink milk again."

"Bingo!" she chirped.

He groaned dramatically, dragging a hand down his face. "Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m eighteen."

"Doesn’t matter. You’re drinking milk whether you like it or not," she declared, completely unfazed.

Shawn rolled his eyes, already knowing resistance was useless. Sure enough, a few moments later, his mom set a glass of milk in front of him.

Once the family settled at the dining table, they ate in a comfortable silence—until his father, spoke up.

"So, how’s school, son?"

"It’s fine," Shawn answered between bites.

Shion nodded. "Good. Do you still have enough allowance?"

"Y-yeah, I do," Shawn said, but the words barely left his mouth before his father pulled out his wallet, took a crisp ten-thousand-peso bill, and handed it over without another word.

Shawn hesitated for a second before pocketing the money, too stunned to argue.

"Don’t waste it on nonsense, okay? That’s for the whole week," Daisy reminded him.

Not that he was surprised. His parents had always been this way—generous to a fault. As their only child, and with finances never being an issue, they had the means to spoil him. Even when he didn’t ask for more than what he needed, they still gave him more than enough.

Shawn shook his head slightly but chose not to comment, simply finishing his meal in silence. Once done, he stood up, ready to head out.

"Come home early! And don’t go wandering off to who-knows-where!" Daisy called from the doorway.

By then, Shawn was already on his motorcycle, securing his helmet. The bike had been a gift from his dad on his sixteenth birthday, though he had only recently gotten his license and had it registered.

"Yeah, yeah! I got it!" he called back.

"I love you, baby!"

A familiar warmth settled in his chest. He heard it every day, but somehow, it never got old.

"Love you too, Mom! Tell Dad I love him, too!"

"I heard that!" Shion’s voice rang from inside the house.

Shawn chuckled.

"Love you, son!"

His parents even threw him a playful flying kiss. Grinning, Shawn pretended to catch it midair and dramatically pressed it against his cheek. With one final exchange of smiles, he revved the engine and rode off.

His school wasn’t far, so it wasn’t long before he arrived. After parking his motorcycle, he headed toward the car lot, hoping to find his best friend.

A smirk tugged at Shawn’s lips when he spotted him. Neon was by his car, inspecting his reflection in the window like a complete idiot.

Unlike Shawn, whose family was financially comfortable but not excessively wealthy, Neon was ridiculously rich. With both of his parents working abroad, luxury was practically a given for him. The difference in their social status was glaring, but for some reason, they had always been inseparable.

Shawn didn’t know why, and honestly, he didn’t care. All that mattered was that Neon was his best friend—the one person who had always been there.

As Shawn walked toward the car lot, he couldn't help but call out, "Hey! Have some mercy on your car—you might break it."

Neon turned around at the familiar voice, a grin spreading across his face as their eyes met.

"Bro!" Neon called.

"Bro!" Shawn echoed.

The moment Shawn reached him, they immediately went for their signature bro fist bump—a tradition they’d had for years—before pulling each other into a quick hug.

Neon leaned against his car and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so early? It’s only seven."

Shawn scoffed. "Do you really need to ask? You know my mom."

Neon laughed. "Oh yeah, right. I bet she was screaming at you like a thousand times again."

He was about to burst into full-blown laughter when his phone suddenly rang, cutting him off.

"Oh, wait. Let me get this," Neon muttered, pulling out his phone.

Shawn simply nodded, watching as his friend answered the call.

"Hello, babe..." Neon's tone softened instantly.

Shawn immediately grimaced.

"Haha, yeah, I’m free. Where do you wanna hang out? … Oh, okay, that sounds good … Sure, I’ll pick you up around lunch. That okay? … Alright. Bye … Love you too."

As Neon ended the call, Shawn just shook his head.

It wasn’t new to him—his best friend’s womanizing habits were well-known. Every year, Neon had a new girlfriend. Since turning sixteen, he had already gone through more than ten relationships. But the interesting part? None of them ever lasted. Not because they left him, but because he was always the one to leave them. The moment he found them uninteresting, he broke things off without hesitation.

Shawn felt a little bad for him, but at the same time, he knew Neon was just living his youth. Unlike him. Shawn had only ever had one girlfriend, and that relationship barely lasted a month—it was long-distance, and they both knew it wouldn’t work out.

Despite Neon’s playboy reputation, he wasn’t just known for his looks or charm. He was also widely recognized as a young investigator. Even at his age, he had already solved multiple cases, earning himself an early internship with the police. Though he wasn’t a professional yet, he was already getting paid for his work.

Shawn crossed his arms. "So? Another new girl?"

Neon clicked his tongue. "Tch. Just shut up. She probably won’t last long, anyway."

Shawn rolled his eyes but didn’t bother arguing. With that, they both headed inside the school.

The rest of the day went by as usual—boring lectures, the constant chatter of students, endless gossip, and, of course, the high-pitched squeals of girls every time they spotted a good-looking guy.

Shawn was now currently sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria, absentmindedly poking at his food with his fork while staring off into space. As Neon had mentioned earlier, he had left to meet up with his new girlfriend, leaving Shawn by himself.

Not that he minded much. It wasn't entirely unusual for Neon to leave him when he had a girlfriend.

He wasn’t thinking about anything in particular—just letting his thoughts drift, escaping, even for a moment, from a world he never really wanted to live in.

He had been zoning out for a while when a voice suddenly pulled him back to reality.

"Hello, Shawn."

He turned his head and flinched slightly upon seeing Bella standing beside him. She was a classmate of his—one who had once confessed her feelings for him. But she had never pressured him to reciprocate. She had simply wanted to be honest about her emotions.

Even though Shawn had tried to see her in a different light, he never quite managed to feel anything beyond friendship for her. Still, they were close. They often ended up as partners for group activities, and he genuinely enjoyed her company—but that was all there was to it.

"Oh, Bella. Hi," he greeted her.

She smiled warmly.

"Looks like you're all alone. Where's Neon?"

"H-he's on a date," Shawn replied.

Bella chuckled. "You should probably get a girlfriend for yourself. Mind if I sit here?"

She gestured to the empty seat beside him. Shawn, caught off guard, quickly nodded.

"S-sure."

"Haha, thanks."

She placed her tray on the table before settling into the seat next to him. Soon enough, they were eating together.

Minutes passed, and thankfully, their conversation flowed naturally. Bella was talkative enough that Shawn never felt awkward around her.

In the middle of their discussion, a notification sound came from his pocket. He fished out his phone and checked the message. It was from his mom.

"Get home early, okay? Your dad and I will be waiting. Anyway, Happy Birthday, son. We love you."

Shawn's eyes widened in shock.

His birthday.

How had he completely forgotten his own birthday?

A wave of disbelief washed over him, and for a second, he wanted to slap himself. But instead of dwelling on it, he simply typed out a reply.

"Thanks, Mom."

"Who are you texting?"

Shawn turned to Bella when she suddenly spoke.

"Oh, uh… it’s my mom," he replied.

Bella let out a playful laugh. "Gosh, I thought it was your girlfriend!"

Shawn chuckled. "Haha, no. I don’t have a girlfriend. She just reminded me… that it’s my birthday today."

Bella’s eyes widened. "Wait—what? You forgot your own birthday?"

"Y-yeah… I guess I did."

Feeling a little embarrassed, Shawn scratched the back of his head.

Bella shook her head in amusement. "You're one of a kind, Shawn. Anyway, happy birthday! Best wishes."

"Thanks."

"Soo… are you treating me to something or what?" she teased with a grin.

Shawn laughed. "Haha, sure."

—

Hours passed, and finally, the school day came to an end. Excitement bubbled in Shawn’s chest as he hopped onto his motorcycle. He couldn’t wait to get home—not just because it was his birthday, but because he was eager to see his parents.

On this special day, there was no one else he wanted to spend time with more than them. He didn’t care if it was just the three of them celebrating. Simply being with them was more than enough.

Neon never returned to school, so Shawn decided to text him instead, letting him know it was his birthday and inviting him over if he wanted to come.

Neon immediately greeted him and said he’d try to drop by later.

With that settled, Shawn wasted no time. He started his motorcycle, and soon, he was on the road.

The anticipation in his heart only grew stronger with every mile he covered. It was almost as if nothing else mattered—his mind was filled with nothing but the thought of finally being home with his parents again.

He wasn’t always the best at expressing his love for them, but deep down, he cherished them more than anything else.

Whenever they were away and he was left alone in the house, he couldn’t deny how much he missed them. He longed to hear their warm voices every day, to embrace them whenever he wanted.

He wanted to make the most of every moment he had with them—because they were the people he never wanted to lose. The ones he would always come back to, no matter how much time passed.

After hours on the road, Shawn finally arrived home. However, the moment he entered their compound, confusion took over his excitement. A crowd had gathered in front of their house, murmuring amongst themselves.

His heart, which had been filled with anticipation just moments ago, now felt heavy with unease. A strange, inexplicable sense of dread crept into him. But he shook off the feeling, forcing himself to think positively.

"Maybe Mom just invited a lot of people over," he told himself.

He parked his motorcycle a short distance away and decided to walk the rest of the way.

"What’s going on?" he asked an elderly woman he recognized as one of their neighbors.

But before she could answer, several people in the crowd turned to look at him. Their faces were filled with concern, even shock.

His brows furrowed in confusion. The crowd slowly parted, as if making way for him. His gaze followed the path they had cleared—only for his breath to catch in his throat.

A yellow tape stretched across the front of his house, marked with bold, black letters: KEEP OUT.

Shawn’s eyes widened in disbelief. Parked just beyond the tape were a police car and an ambulance, their lights flashing ominously. Several officers were scattered around the area, some standing guard while others moved in and out of the house.

His heart pounded violently against his ribs.

"W-what’s going on…?"

The excitement he had felt just moments ago was gone, replaced by sheer terror. A cold dread settled in his chest as his mind raced with the worst possibilities.

Something had happened.

Something terrible.

And it involved his family.

At that moment, he saw a group of police officers entering his house. Panic surged through him, and before he could stop himself, he bolted forward.

He didn’t care about the yellow tape. He didn’t care about anything else. He had to get inside.

But before he could take another step, two officers intercepted him, grabbing his arms to stop him.

"Sir, please stay back. You’re not allowed beyond this point," one of them said firmly.

Shawn struggled against their grip.

"Let me go! That’s my house! I live there! My parents are inside!"

Recognition flickered across the officers’ faces, but they still refused to let him through.

"Sir, please calm down. We’re handling the situation."

Shawn's breathing was ragged, his body trembling.

"Tell me what happened!" he demanded, his voice breaking. "Why are you here?! What are you doing to my house?!"

Shawn was about to fire off more questions, but his voice caught in his throat when he saw people emerging from his house. Among them were four individuals carrying two stretchers—each holding a person.

He didn’t need anyone to explain. He already knew.

His parents. Something had happened to his parents.

A wave of dread crashed over him, pushing out every rational thought.

Wasn’t I supposed to be happy? It’s my birthday, damn it!

"Mom! Dad!"

Panic seized him, and he thrashed against the officers holding him back, his entire being consumed by desperation. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his chest constricted, and his vision blurred as tears welled in his eyes.

Somehow, through sheer force of will, he broke free and sprinted toward the stretchers. His breath hitched when he saw them up close.

His parents lay motionless, their bodies lifeless and covered in blood.

"No…" His voice trembled, his world shattering around him.

He collapsed beside them, clutching their cold hands, his fingers tightening around them as if his grip alone could bring them back. His gaze darted between their peaceful, yet horrifyingly still faces, but his tears clouded his vision.

"Why?" he choked out. "Why did this happen? Why?!"

Tears streamed down his face, dripping onto the pavement as sobs wracked his body. Pain, fear, and confusion swirled inside him, crushing him under their weight. He didn’t know if he would ever be able to stop crying.

His world had crumbled in an instant. Each sob, each desperate gasp for air, only made the agony cut deeper. He couldn’t comprehend why this had happened—why fate had been so cruel. But no amount of wondering could change the reality in front of him.

Shawn furiously wiped his tears away and turned to the people holding the stretchers, his voice frantic with hope.

"Take them to the hospital! Now!"

But no one moved. They only stared at him with pity in their eyes.

Shawn’s chest tightened. "What are you waiting for?! Hurry!"

The paramedics exchanged hesitant glances before nodding and loading the bodies into the ambulance. Shawn followed without hesitation, his hands never leaving his parents.

As the ambulance sped through the streets, he clung to their hands, willing warmth back into them. But with each passing moment, they only grew colder.

Still, he refused to accept it.

Even as tears silently streamed down his face, even as the pain twisted inside him like a knife, Shawn held onto hope.

They would survive.

They had to.

He wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

When they arrived at the hospital, Shawn was not allowed to enter the operating room. Left alone in the dimly lit corridor, he collapsed onto the cold floor, his body shaking with sobs as he clutched his hair in despair. The hallway was eerily silent, not a single soul passing through, yet the turmoil inside him was deafening.

Pain. Confusion. Regret. Grief.

Every ticking second felt like the end of the world.

Minutes passed, though time felt meaningless. Then, suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. Shawn barely registered them until they stopped right in front of him. Slowly, he lifted his head, his tear-streaked face meeting the sight of Neon, panting heavily as he stood before him.

"Bro… W-what happened?"

Shawn stared at his best friend, unable to form words. His throat tightened, and before he knew it, fresh tears spilled from his eyes. His breath hitched, and he buried his face in his arms, letting the grief consume him once more. Stifled sobs escaped him, shaking his entire frame.

He felt Neon settle beside him before a pair of arms wrapped around him in a firm, comforting embrace.

"It’s okay, bro," Neon whispered. "It’s okay."

But it wasn’t.

It would never be.

For nearly half an hour, they sat there in silence, the only sound being Shawn’s occasional muffled cries. Then, at last, the doors to the operating room swung open.

Shawn and Neon instantly scrambled to their feet, their hearts pounding as they rushed to meet the doctor. But while Shawn clung desperately to hope, searching for reassurance, the sorrow on the doctor’s face told him everything.

"W-what happened, doc? How are my parents?" Shawn’s voice wavered, but hope still clung to its edges.

The doctor didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked away, avoiding Shawn’s pleading eyes.

"I… I'm sorry."

The words hit him like a wrecking ball.

Shawn’s mouth fell open, his breath catching in his throat. His entire body trembled as the weight of those three words crushed him. The hope he had fought so hard to hold onto shattered in an instant.

"We did everything we could," the doctor added, his voice heavy with regret.

Shawn's hands flew to his mouth, muffling the sob that tore through him. Tears streamed down his face, falling freely onto the sterile hospital floor. His knees buckled, and before he knew it, he was sinking, his body unable to hold the grief any longer.

Neon caught him before he could collapse completely, pulling him into another embrace, but the comfort did nothing to lessen the unbearable ache in Shawn’s chest.

The doctor exhaled, his expression solemn. "I'm sorry, Mr. Espejo," he said softly. "Your parents are dead."

That final confirmation was the last blow.

Something inside Shawn broke beyond repair. His vision blurred, his mind spiraled, and his heart clenched in unspeakable agony.

And then—

A scream.

Raw. Shattered. Agonized.

"No!!!"

Shawn fell forward, his hands slamming against the floor as he let out a wail of pure anguish. His cries echoed through the hospital, a desperate sound of a boy whose entire world had just been mercilessly ripped away.

•••

Days passed, and at last, Shawn’s parents were laid to rest. The pain of losing them still weighed heavily on him, but he forced himself to stay strong. He had never cried so much in his entire life. And he believed—perhaps foolishly—that his tears had been enough to accept the truth.

They weren’t coming back.

That morning, long before the sun had risen, Shawn was already at his parents’ gravesite.

The police investigation had confirmed what he already feared—his parents' deaths were no accident. Bullet wounds had been found on their bodies: five in his father, one in his mother. They had been murdered.

When he returned home that night after answering the police's questions, he found the place in complete ruin. His house had been torn apart, everything inside shattered and destroyed. But amidst the wreckage, one thing stood out—a banner, still hanging amidst the chaos, its message piercing his heart like a knife.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHAWN!!!

They had been waiting for him.

They had been preparing to celebrate.

And now… they were gone.

His hands clenched into fists as he looked at his parents' graves, his jaw tightening.

"I swear, Mom… Dad…" His voice was hoarse, raw with grief and anger. "Whoever did this to you… I’ll make them pay. I will never forgive them."

Shawn spent the entire day sitting by their graves, speaking to them as if they could still hear him. He told them everything—his thoughts, his memories, the small things that came to mind.

But no matter what he said, no one answered him.

By the time the sun began to set, he knew it was time to leave.

---

"Are you sure about this?"

Neon's voice was uncertain, hesitant. He stood in front of Shawn, his expression filled with concern.

Shawn had come to say goodbye. He had decided to leave for Manila, hoping for a fresh start. He had returned home only to pack, though he brought very little with him—just one bag, filled with a few clothes and necessities.

"Yeah, Neon," Shawn replied, his voice firm. "I feel like I'll have a better life there."

Neon shook his head. "You don't have to do this, bro. You can stay with me here. You know that, right?"

He even placed a hand on Shawn’s shoulder, his grip tight, desperate.

Shawn simply smiled.

"I'll come back, don’t worry."

Neon opened his mouth, as if wanting to argue, but no words came out. Instead, his shoulders slumped, and his head lowered.

Shawn reached out, giving him a reassuring pat. Neon finally looked up—his eyes red and brimming with tears.

Shawn chuckled softly. "Damn. Now you're the one crying."

Neon sniffled, wiping at his face with his sleeve. "You idiot. You don’t have to go, Shawn... I can’t—" His voice broke. "Tito and Tita are both gone. I can’t lose you too."

Neon finally broke down, his quiet sniffles turning into full sobs. Shawn sighed, feeling a mix of sadness and guilt as he pulled his best friend into a tight embrace.

"We’ll see each other again," Shawn assured him. "So stop crying, alright?"

Neon didn’t respond. He simply clung to him for a few more seconds before finally letting go, his eyes filled with unspoken words.

Shawn stepped back, meeting his gaze. "Look after the house for me, okay?"

With that, he offered Neon a small smile before turning away.

As he climbed onto his motorcycle, he heard Neon’s voice call out, thick with emotion.

"Promise me you'll come back, okay?! I swear, I'll kill you if you don’t!"

Shawn chuckled, glancing over his shoulder. He raised a hand in salute, his usual teasing smirk on his lips. Then, without another word, he put on his helmet and started the engine.

Neon could only watch as his best friend sped away, growing smaller and smaller in the distance.

"Be careful, Shawn..."