Boy closed the bottle of mineral water he had been drinking, then threw it onto the passenger seat while keeping his gaze focused. His eyes were directed and unblinking as he observed each face entering the Greatech building that morning.
According to the plan, Boy was already in position on Monday morning. He wanted to confirm the truth behind a nagging suspicion.
Boy waited calmly and patiently. However, he did not see Velia’s arrival until the office gate became deserted.
The answer was obtained. Boy grinned meaningfully and accelerated the car.
This might be a little challenging, but that’s okay. The harder the job, the bigger the payoff. I just need to find a loophole. She won’t be under surveillance forever.
*
Velia and Mecca had just finished enjoying their lunch when they heard a ringing sound. It came from Velia’s phone. The name displayed on the screen prompted her to answer immediately.
Mecca remained silent but listened to the brief conversation that took place. When the call ended, she spontaneously asked, “From the hospital?”
Velia nodded. “Regarding Harry’s surgery.”
“Oh, but he’s okay, right?”
“Yes,” Velia nodded again. “Hopefully, with this surgery, his condition will improve further, and he’ll wake up soon.”
As soon as possible?
Once, that phrase was something Velia always prayed for. It still held true now, but something had been disturbing her hopes lately.
What will I do if Harry wakes up?
Velia closed her eyes, pushing the unanswered question out of her mind. She replaced it with the fact that she had not visited Harry for too long.
How can I go to the hospital while Carter is there? Can I deceive him?
Only one reason crossed Velia’s mind. She could pretend to be sick, and maybe Carter would relent.
“Carter.”
Carter glanced at the rearview mirror. “Yes, Miss?”
Briefly, Velia remembered Lucas’s words. The man had once labeled her as a terrible liar.
Velia took a deep breath. She tried to remain calm and asked, “Can you drive me to the hospital? Just for a little while. I have some errands, and I already told Lucas. It won’t take long.”
“The hospital, Miss?”
“Yes,” Velia nodded and mentioned the hospital’s name. “What do you think?”
“Alright.”
Velia breathed a sigh of relief. The tension dissipated instantly.
It took only about half an hour for Velia to arrive at the hospital. Carter stopped the car in the hospital’s parking lot, and Velia instructed him.
“I’ll contact you when I’m done.”
Velia hurried. She did not have much time. She immediately met with dr. Stewart and consulted with her. They discussed various things regarding Harry’s condition, the surgery, and all the possible outcomes.
But it did not stop there. Velia took care of the necessary paperwork for the surgery scheduling. Only after that did Velia head to the location where Harry was.
Velia did not go inside right away. She just stared through the glass for a few moments. She hesitated as if her feet were nailed to the ground. It was somewhat difficult to take a step, but in the end, she forced herself because of one reality. That there was no guarantee she would have the same opportunity tomorrow.
A nurse helped Velia put on protective clothing. She entered while reminding herself that she could not stay for long.
Velia sat down. She gazed at Harry, who was growing thinner, and held his hand.
“Harry.”
Velia’s voice trembled. There was a weight pressing on her chest, forcing her to take deep breaths.
“I’m sorry for not visiting you for so long, but I’m doing fine. I hope you are too, and ah,” Velia continued softly, “I’ve scheduled a surgery for you so that you can recover and wake up from your coma soon. I-”
Velia’s words came to a halt. She could not pretend not to feel anything when the opposite was happening. She could not lie, even to Harry, who was lying there helpless.
“I met Lucas.”
Honesty escaped Velia’s lips along with the pain that stabbed her heart. Her face fell. She lowered her head and let a tear fall freely.
“It wasn’t just a meeting.”
Velia cursed herself. Maybe she should not have visited Harry at all. The guilt she had unleashed turned out to be greater than expected.
No face. No courage. Velia felt unworthy to face Harry anymore.
“I-I know. When you wake up, you’ll probably hate me and think of me as the stupidest woman. Once again, I’ve fallen for the same man over and over, but…”
Is it sinful for Velia to defend herself? Just to find a bit of justification for the steps she had taken? To suppress the guilt that had been gnawing at her heart inside.
“… I have no other choice. My life is truly difficult. It’s only Lucas. Only he can help me. That’s why I’m going back to him.”
Velia’s grip on Harry’s fingers tightened. She bit her lower lip hard, hoping the slight suffocation along with the sobbing could be contained.
“I go back to him for money. I know I should stay away from him. There’s no future between us. I should hate him, but…”
Heat burned within her. Boiling tears and letting them cascade down Velia’s cheeks.
“… I hate myself more for unconsciously being drawn to him.”
Velia did not know exactly when, but it was too late when she realized. She, who had initially erected barriers when it came to Lucas, unconsciously did the opposite.
“I feel lonely without him. I’m waiting for his return. I-I feel at peace in his embrace.”
Now Velia realized one painful thing. It was not the fact that she was forced to be Lucas’s mistress that tormented her. It was the realization that she enjoyed her days with Lucas.
Velia closed her eyes, hoping to stop the tears, but instead, it only intensified. Her recent moments with Lucas flashed through her mind, spinning, and displaying the warmth that she should not be feeling.
Hate? That word was not enough to describe Velia’s disappointment in herself. She felt ashamed, disgusted, and incapable.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You helped me during my darkest times, but forgive me. I can’t be with you anymore.”
She managed to suppress the tears. Velia wiped her face roughly and suppressed her emotions. She did not want to drown in sadness when she realized that nothing could be changed.
However, there was one thing Velia could strive for. Something in the future.
“I’ve decided to leave after you recover.”
Velia had done it before. She had left and left the past behind. With stumbling steps, she would tread the path to the future. Ironically, that path led her back to the past.
This time, Velia would ensure that nothing repeated. She would leave everything behind.
“I will leave all of you.”
Without friends. Without family. Without anyone.
Velia could imagine what kind of life she would lead. It looked sad, but a smile appeared on her face.
Maybe, it is the best.
Velia ended the visit about five minutes later. She exited and cleaned her face in the restroom. Then, she contacted Carter.
“I’m done, Carter. I’ll wait outside.”
Velia walked. She went through the corridors and continued walking without even glancing back. Unaware that there had been a man watching her all along.
The man moved. His steps trembled slightly as he took the spot where Velia had observed Harry from outside.
His face hardened. A clenched jaw and tightly closed mouth conveyed an unspoken rage.
So, you’re the one, Harry? You’re the one who has been hiding Velia from me all this time?
His gaze shifted. Now his target was the direction in which Velia disappeared.
I won’t let you go, Ve. You won’t be able to leave me for the second time. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine.
The promise echoed in his heart, accompanied by an intense gaze shining in Lucas’s eyes.
*