RYAN POV
It has been over a week since I witnessed that horror scene that kept plaguing memories. The secrets that came with it only left my mind off, my body trembling with anger and disappointment.
Nick came right on time. Dad and Evelyn saved, which at least made me feel better. I wanted to let them live, even with the hurt they caused me. They made me look like a fool for so many years.
However, it made me grateful that all these happened. It made me feel special to have Ariel in my life. She is a special gem who has helped me introduce changes to myself. Slowly, she helped me strip off my old personality.
As for dad, he was arrested and will be spending the rest of his life in prison. He was involved in illegal deals with drugs and human trafficking. It was a shocker.
Evelyn, on the other hand, was under confinement in the psychiatric hospital, as she was being taken care of. It was shocking to realize that her mental health was at stake because of my dad, who used these drugs to get her high and give in to their sham of sexual desires.
I expelled a breath, as the tension in my shoulder released. I held on to the divorce letter that I had prepared for Evelyn.
I was more than ready to face her again,' I thought, but that firm thought of mine seemed to disappear into the air the moment I was a few steps away from her room.
I paced for a while, grateful there were few people around. Not only that, but I wanted this to be done today.
The psychiatrist had assured me that she was in a stable phase and needed to spend 3 days with them before she was discharged.
I held the door knob as I entered. She had her head rested on the wall, as her gaze met mine.
I could feel her body tensed at the sight of me, her eyes bigger than usual embedded with shock.
"I don't think thinking of suicide was supposed to be an option for you.”I spoke, as I walked closer to her.
I sat on the bed, a few steps away from her, as she was sitting on the chair beside the bed.
"Thank you, Ryan. I'm sorry.”Her words came out in more than a whisper, as she looked downward.
Her long blonde hair had been cut short, as she looked pale, her eyes making it obvious she had been crying even when she was trying to hide it. She was in a blue overall, making it obvious she had lost weight.
"You have been overthinking, Evelyn. It won't help you.”The words came out quicker than I thought.
Maybe because it was weird I was simply sitting here with her, without the thought of killing her for the pain she had caused me, or the fact that she was among those lying down with my father, thus causing my mum so much pain.
Her gaze flickered, surprised boldly written on her face.
"You're not mad at me?”It came out as a question, prompting me to readjust on the bed.
"I was. In fact, I was furious at you, but this past week made me realize I would only feel embittered, grudge filled and unhappy if I don't forgive you.”I paused, letting out a puff of air.
"I still can't forget the pain you caused me, and maybe telling you will help me.You pretended to like me, dated me and even married me despite sleeping with my father. You planned to make a fool of me, by faking your death, Evelyn. I grieved for years, thinking you were dead. I promised not to love again, Evelyn.”I gave out a humorless laugh, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes.
"You didn't stop, did you? You came back pretending to have amnesia. You made my wife leave me.”I breathed in and out, my heart seeming to be thumping.
“I'm sorry.”She pleaded, as she had tears running down her face.
"It's fine. I forgive you, Evelyn.”I finally said those words, and this time I really meant it.
I felt my body suddenly light, as if a plague of something was removed from me.
Ariel's words ran through my mind:" When you forgive, your heart is light. When you forgive, it doesn't mean you are condoning their wrongdoings, it simply means you are letting go of the hurt from the action.”
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Ryan. I have been burdened with guilt all these days I've been here. Extend my apologies to Ariel, too.”I nodded, feeling a pang of pain jolting through my chest at the mention of Ariel's name.
I really missed her.
"I came to provide you these documents as well as a divorce letter. I've decided to call off the charges laid against you. You are free to move to any country you like, as well as some monetary reward along with it. I will be dropping it here. I will be back tomorrow to know your response.”I stood up, taking one last glance at her, as she held on to the documents.
"Wait. Give me a pen.”I turned abruptly, not sure if I heard right.
I brought out my pen, as I gave her, still surprised she was willing to sign immediately.
"Won't you like to give it a second thought.”I questioned, as she opened the divorce letter.
Her hand hung in the air, probably noticing I already penned down my name on it.
"There is no thinking about. You gave me a second chance, which I'm grateful for.”She paused, looking up at me.
"I have to move on too. Thank you.”I stared, fighting the flashback that suddenly came through my memory lane.
Her words reminded me of the Evelyn of College days. Sweet,polite and charming in the best way. A lot had changed about her now.
I watched as she penned her signature on the divorce letter. She handed it over to me, as I took it, with only one thought in mind: 'To make Ariel see reasons why she should come back to me.'
Yes, I was glad, but my happiness was not completely balanced without Ariel's presence in my life.
I needed her back in my life…
ARIEL POV
A lot seemed to be going on my mind these past weeks. On one hand, is Ryan's letters and gifts that turned me inside out. It was stunning to see him write so beautifully. It made me wonder what could possibly happen if he stepped in front of me and requested I follow him back. Will I oblige?
Everyday kept reminding me that I really loved him. I wanted to be by his side. I miss him.
Eva plumped to the seat beside me, as she omitted a sigh. Her presence reminded me of the second ringing thought on my mind. That of her father being imprisoned and Evelyn being in a mental asylum.
I stared at Eva, wondering how to ask how she truly felt. She hadn't been with me regularly these past days. Most time, she comes in late from work. As much as she always seemed cheerful, her face always gave it away that she was sad.
“Eva, how do you feel?”I patted her shoulder as she adjusted, facing me.
"Well, mixed feeling, actually. The truth is, I don't even know how I feel. I'm just worried about mum. She loves dad so much.”
I felt at ease when she mentioned exactly what I wanted to know.
"And Kathleen, she had such a close relationship with dad. She was devastated. I'm fine. I was closer to mum. I had quite a disdain for dad when I once saw him hitting mum when I was young.”
I pulled her closer as she hugged me.
"It's going to be fine. Learn to let go of the disdain you have for your dad. It is not worth it.”
I felt her breath in.
"Evelyn will soon be released from the mental asylum. Apparently, Ryan dropped charges on her. He hadn't revealed why, though.”She released herself from my grip, as I looked side way.
I felt my body trembled slightly, as I rubbed my tummy, through my laced clothes.
A fear suddenly consumed me. The thought of Evelyn knowing about this pregnancy, and doing everything possible to cause a miscarriage.
"Are you okay, sister-in-law?”Eva's warm hand pressed against my cheeks, bringing me out of my rivalry as I faked a smile.
"I'm fine.”I replied, running my hand nervously through my hair, especially at my strange thought which led my mind into a frenzy.
"You look pale. Is everything alright?”She probed, as I bit my lips.
The doorbell rang, preventing me from speaking further, as we both glanced at the door.
Eva stood up, leaving me to recompose myself as I thought of a better conversation to changed the mood.
The door closed as my eyes met with that of Eva, who had a box in her hand, smiling like a bubbling child.
I facepalmed hiding my crimson self, at the thought of Ryan's frequent gift which always reaches my heart.
Eva handed over the box to me urging me to open it. The box was coloured with blue, alongside a ribbon. It looks beautiful.
I opened it and the first thing that caught my eyes was a bunch of the bleeding heart flowers which had a lovely heart form- a symbol I believed was of love and blossom.
Eva collected the flowers while taking it, with a smiling face. I took a note as I slowly read.
'TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. I AM COMING FOR YOU.'
I smiled as I saw different cologne boxes each with notes. My eyes widened a bit at the sight of a ring- my ring. I had left it because I was furious with Ryan. But somehow seeing it made my heart skip a bit.
I notice a small note attached to the ring, as I read silently.
"This symbolizes our union, our love for each other. I hope to see it when I see you. I'm coming for you."
The urge to put the ring between my fingers came, but I didn't want to, especially not in front of Ariel.
"My brother doesn't seem to be giving up on you."I smiled at Eva's words as she placed the flowers in the box.
"I have a question sister-in-law."Eva spoke further, as I tilted my head, squinting my eyes a bit.
Eva's questions are not something I don't really look forward to.
"Shoot."The word spilled out of my mouth before I could stop it.
What could she possibly ask?
"If my brother comes for you, will you accept and go back to him?" My heart bounded,my tongue glued to a spot.
The question I had thought of so many times came glaring right in front of me.
I simply looked out, nervousness and loss of speech clouding me.