Always

Part 1 - Who Is He?

Carlene Haiden is the only sister of Matthias Ryker, and she has secretly held feelings for Alaric Cort, her brother’s best friend. Alaric used to visit their home often during school years, but one day, he vanished without a trace—right after Carlene confessed her love through a letter.

Now, Carlene runs a small fashion label, T&A. On a busy day, she accidentally bumps into a man in a navy-blue suit who looks just like Alaric. Shocked, she later confirms it truly is him when he introduces himself: Alaric Cort.

Although Alaric doesn’t seem to recognize her, they meet again for a business discussion. Carlene forces herself to stay composed, despite the rush of old emotions. Afterward, she’s overwhelmed with memories and questions—why did he disappear? Why is he back as if nothing happened?

When she confronts her brother, Matthias admits he knew Alaric had returned but chose not to tell her to protect her from further heartache. The past resurfaces—seven years ago, Carlene had written a love letter to Alaric, and after that, he was gone, as if he had never existed.

Part 2 - What’s Really Going On?

On a lazy Sunday morning, Carlene Haiden receives a call from Christopher, a friend and employee who often shows mixed signals about his feelings toward her. They agree to meet at the park. As the conversation grows tense, Christopher prepares to confess something serious—but before he can, Alaric Cort appears and approaches them.

Carlene panics, worried Alaric might misunderstand her relationship with Christopher. She lowers her head to avoid being recognized, but Alaric still recognizes her and greets her with a smile—stirring deep, painful memories. She recalls their first meeting when she was 13 and Alaric was 20, her brother’s charming friend who quickly became a central figure in her young heart.

Unable to handle the emotions, Carlene excuses herself and walks away in tears. Alaric chases after her, grabbing her hand. She pulls away and insists she’s fine, reminding him that they’re only business partners. Alaric remains silent, silently hoping she’ll open up.

Carlene runs home, leaving Alaric behind, lost in thought—questioning whether the choice he made seven years ago was right or wrong.

Back in her room, Carlene collapses on her bed, overwhelmed. Her mind races with questions: What really happened in the past? Why did he leave without a word? And why has he returned now, as if nothing happened?

Part 3 - The Answer

Seven years ago, Alaric Cort overheard his parents in a heated argument—one that revealed painful truths. His mother never truly wanted to move to America. Worse, Alaric learned that he had almost been abandoned by his birth mother.

The next day, without explanation, Alaric was forced to leave the country with his parents. In America, his mother grew ill and eventually passed away. But before her death, she left a letter for Alaric—a letter that shattered everything he thought he knew.

Inside, Alaric discovered the truth: Carlene Haiden and Matthias Ryker were his half-siblings. The woman who raised them was the same woman who once left him behind.

Memories of Carlene—her laughter, her determination, their shared sunsets—rushed back to him. What once brought him warmth now only brought pain. He had buried his feelings for her, but now everything made sense—and hurt more.

That night, Alaric stood once again on the backyard court of Matthias’ old home, now a public playground. Under a rusted basketball hoop, surrounded by overgrown grass, he let the memories flood back. The sound of her laughter echoed in his mind.

“You already won, Carlene… from the beginning,” he whispered into the night air.

The wind carried his words away, but not the ache in his chest. And in that moment, Alaric finally understood—after all these years, he still loved her.

Part 4 – Under the Starless Sky

Alaric sits alone under the dark, starless night sky, overwhelmed by pain and guilt. Though he feels like crying, no tears fall—his heart is already too full. He whispers to Carlene, admitting he’s more afraid of himself than of her knowing the truth.

He hesitates to contact her, staring at her name on his phone but never pressing send. He confesses his selfishness and cowardice, revealing that he left not only because he had to, but because he feared falling deeper in love with her.

After returning from the place that held their memories, Alaric’s mind drifts back to Tara, a woman from his past who deeply wounded him. Tara manipulated and controlled him, using love as a weapon and turning him into someone he no longer recognized. That toxic relationship left scars so deep that even after eight years, they still hurt.

Meeting Carlene had been unintentional, pure, and different. She simply wanted to learn basketball to spend time with him. But that innocence scared him. He feared falling in love again, especially with someone who unknowingly offered something far more dangerous—hope.

To someone repeatedly betrayed—by Tara, by his parents, by fate—hope was terrifying. It was easier to remain alone.

Crushed by guilt, he tells himself Carlene should have never entered his life. Learning she is his half-sister only deepens his pain and hatred toward himself. He spirals into despair, even questioning his own existence.

In the silence of the night, Alaric writes a letter to Carlene that he never plans to send. It ends with one heartbreaking sentence:

“Forgive me for once wishing I could have you.”

At the same moment, Carlene stands by her window, wondering why Alaric always looks like happiness is forbidden to him.

That night, two hearts that love each other choose to remain silent. The night stays dark, the wind cold, and though time keeps moving, the wounds they carry begin to stir again—quietly, painfully, and inevitably.

Part 5 - Loving at the Wrong Time

That night, under a starless sky, Carlene Haiden breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by the pain of Alaric Cort’s return after seven years. Just when she had begun to move on, Alaric’s presence reopens old wounds. His confusing gestures and emotional distance torment her, making it impossible to let go. Despite wanting to hate him, Carlene realizes what she feels is deeper—love that slowly destroys her.

Meanwhile, her brother Matthias hears her sobbing and immediately blames Alaric. Frustrated, he tries calling him, but Alaric doesn’t answer. In his apartment, Alaric is too broken to speak, haunted by memories of Carlene and crippled by guilt and fear. He remembers how deeply he fell in love with her years ago, and now, knowing the truth about who Carlene is, that love has become a painful burden.

Torn between his feelings and his fear of repeating past trauma, especially with Tara, Alaric shuts himself off, believing he’s too damaged to deserve her. He sees her as a light he is too afraid to reach for. Matthias, deeply hurt by his sister’s pain, vows not to forgive Alaric.

That night, Carlene relives her memories of Alaric in silence. She accepts that love, for her, is a wound she must carry. Two hearts, one drowning in regret and the other in longing, remain separated—hoping, perhaps, that one day, light will return to their dark skies.

Part 6 – Unable to Have

As morning light breaks, Alaric Cort resolves to face Carlene and reveal everything—the painful truth about his past, the heavy guilt he carries, and the love he feels but believes he should never have. He dresses in the same outfit he wore years ago while playing basketball with Carlene, a memory frozen in a photo taken by Matthias.

Standing at Carlene and Matthias’s doorstep, Alaric is overwhelmed with doubt. What if Carlene refuses to listen? What if they both hate him? Still, he gathers the courage to knock—just as Matthias opens the door.

Matthias is furious and confronts Alaric harshly, demanding answers. Alaric quietly apologizes and asks to speak with Carlene. Tensions rise as Matthias accuses Alaric of abandoning them and breaking Carlene’s heart. Their argument draws Carlene to the other side of the door, where she listens in silence, her heart racing.

Alaric begins to explain. Seven years ago, he was forced to move to America with his family due to his father’s sudden job transfer. He didn’t have time to say goodbye and lost all contact. While in America, his mother fell ill and eventually passed away—leaving behind a letter that revealed a devastating truth: Carlene and Matthias are his half-siblings.

As he confesses this to Matthias, Alaric breaks down in tears. He admits the cruel irony that he fell in love with Carlene before knowing the truth. Now, he’s tormented by emotions he believes are forbidden. He feels crushed, confused, and paralyzed by fear—haunted by a past relationship with a woman named Tara, which left him scarred and distrustful of love.

On the other side of the door, Carlene is overwhelmed. Everything suddenly makes sense—Alaric’s strange silences, his distant warmth, his internal conflict. She cries, heartbroken by the truth and by the reality that the man she loves can never be hers.

Outside, Matthias is stunned but embraces Alaric, offering comfort instead of anger. Alaric sobs in his arms—relieved to be heard, even as he’s torn apart by a love he can never have.

Part 7 - Hope

Carlene gathers the courage to face the painful truth and opens the door, finding Alaric and Matthias. She questions Alaric for not telling her everything earlier, and Alaric apologizes sincerely, blaming himself for everything. Carlene stops him, asking him not to carry all the guilt.

Alaric finally confesses his love for Carlene, admitting he loves her more than he loves himself, even though reality doesn’t allow it. After his confession, he walks away, but Carlene, realizing her own feelings, runs after him to say how she feels.

As Alaric is crossing the street, a speeding car hits him. Carlene is frozen in shock. Alaric is rushed to the hospital and falls into a coma due to severe head trauma.

At the hospital, Carlene sits by his bedside, speaks to him gently, and recalls their memories together—hoping he can hear her. She touches his face tenderly and whispers through tears, “Please wake up, Alaric.”

Part 8 - Always

Seven days have passed since Alaric’s accident, yet he remains in a coma. Carlene stays faithfully by his side every day, talking to him, reminiscing, and telling stories—hoping he might hear her voice. She recalls their basketball games, how she’s become better, and how she longs to play with him again.

Though Alaric doesn’t respond, Carlene keeps speaking with love and warmth, pretending he is still there with her. Despite fading hope, she never stops believing that he might wake up.

One morning, Carlene finally confesses what she’s never said aloud—her deep, unconditional love. She tells Alaric that if another life exists after this one, she wishes to be with him freely in that life—without pain or barriers. She whispers, “I love you, Alaric.”

Suddenly, the heart monitor flatlines. Doctors rush in, and Carlene, frozen in shock, sees a tear fall from Alaric’s eye—just before the screen turns still. Her heart shatters as she realizes he is gone.

Part 9 - Flashback After Alaric Left

A week after Alaric’s death, Carlene is still consumed by grief. She barely eats, rarely speaks, and spends her days crying or sleeping. Matthias does his best to comfort her, but nothing seems to ease her pain.

While going through Alaric’s belongings, Carlene finds an old photo of them and a folded note in his wallet. The note reads, “Forgive me for ever hoping to have you.” The words devastate her, reinforcing the deep sorrow of their impossible love.

One night, overwhelmed by her longing and heartbreak, Carlene dreams of Alaric. In her dream, they are watching a basketball game together. Alaric turns, smiles warmly, and embraces her. Carlene breaks down, pleading for him to return, to stay.

Alaric gently apologizes, telling her that he can’t come back—but asks her to live twice as happily, for both of them. He promises to always be with her, even if only in spirit.

Carlene wakes up in tears, realizing it was all a dream. Still, the dream offers her a fragile sense of peace. In her heart, she prays that in another life, she and Alaric will meet again—free to love each other without pain or separation.

Part 10 - Epilogue

Two years have passed since Alaric left this world.

Carlene and Matthias are on their way to a wedding—Matthias’s own. Carlene helps him fix his suit, and before walking down the aisle, Matthias gently holds her hand and whispers, “Thank you.”

He’s marrying Joane Yetta—Carlene’s best friend and someone Matthias once treated like a little sister. Now, she’s the one who managed to heal Matthias’s guarded heart.

Carlene smiles sincerely, truly happy for her brother. But even amidst the joy, there’s a space inside her that remains empty—a space Alaric once filled.

Looking up at the bright sky, Carlene silently reminisces about her time with Alaric. She still believes in the possibility of meeting him again in another life, one where their love can exist freely, without pain or boundaries.

"Maybe their love wasn't meant for this world, but Carlene believes that one day, they'll meet again - in a place where love no longer hurts."

Some loves don't end. They simply wait. Always.