Philip was back. I didn’t expect it-just like I didn’t expect him to remember Eliseo’s old phone number.


    Peter and Michelle were just as surprised. They stood there, staring at Philip for a while without saying a word.


    Philip had been gone for four years, withouting back even once. So, his sudden return was a big shock to them-both a pleasant surprise and a little overwhelming.


    “What’s wrong? Are you not happy to see me?” Philip walked in with a smile.


    His warmth and easygoing nature made him the perfect older brother type. During the ten years I spent with the Dolton family, before he left, he was always the one who treated me the best.


    But unlike Alvin, who openly showed his affection, Philip was more the quietly supportive type.


    “Philip,” I called out to him.


    That snapped Peter and Michelle back to reality. Michelle immediately let go of my hand, stood up, and walked toward Philip.


    She gave him a couple of yful smacks. “So, you still remember your parents? You finally decided toe back?”


    Peter also grumbled, “You couldn’t even give us a heads-up? What’s going on?”


    Philip nced at me before offering a casual smile. “I thought I’d surprise you all.”


    Michelle’s eyes misted up. Philip reached out to hug her. “Mom.”


    At that, Michelle smacked him again, this time softly, and held him tight. “You’ve been gone so long, Peter and I were starting to think we’d done something wrong, that maybe you were upset with us.”


    “Mom, what are you talking about? I’ve just been too busy overseas,” Philip replied, but his eyes kept drifting toward me.


    The intensity in his gaze made my heart skip a beat. I thought, ‘Could he havee back because of me?’


    Philip’s arrival ended the conversation about me and Alvin, but everything that needed to be said had already been said. It seemed like Peter had epted it, but Michelle was still having a hard time.


    I was sure that with both Philip and Peter talking to her, she’d eventuallye around.


    Philip mentioned that he hadn’t eaten yet and was craving his parents’ cooking. Peter and Michelle immediately got to work in the kitchen, even inviting me to join them for a meal.


    That left me alone with Philip in the living room. We’d already covered everything over the phone, so neither of us knew what else to say.


    After a moment of silence, Philip broke it. “I thought you weren’ting here anymore?”


    “What are you talking about? This is my home. I cane and go whenever I want,” I replied. But as soon as the words left my mouth, I remembered I still had to pack up my things.


    Looking at the busy figures in the kitchen, I realized it was the perfect time to finish packing and get my things into the car.


    That way, when I leftter, Peter and Michelle wouldn’t have to see my luggage and get even more upset or try to stop me.


    T help you with your luggage,” I said, standing up to grab his bags.


    “No need!” Philip quickly refused, reaching out to stop me.


    Our hands brushed, and I flinched, quickly pulling back.


    Philip’s fingers twitched slightly, and he smiled. “I never let you carry my luggage when we were kids, and I’m not about to


    start now.”


    It was true. When I was with him, he never let me carry anything-not even a single sheet of paper. Except for my feelings for Alvin, no one in this family ever made me feel like I was carrying a burden.


    “You’re still the best, Philip,” I said, shing him the same innocent smile I used to give him when I was younger.


    “I thought you might’ve forgotten,” he said, repeating the words he’d said so many times before.


    I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I simply reached out. “Let me help you with your bag.”


    This time, he didn’t refuse. I grabbed his bag, and we headed upstairs together.