Gazing upon the man lying in bed, lifeless and unaware like a piece of inanimate driftwood, Mary wrestled with the internal dilemma: Should she forgive or completely let go? Mary thought about it thousands of times.
Andrew was once the man who filled her world with boundless joy and hope. She had loved him with an earnest heart, only to one day find it shattered upon the cruel realization that she was but a mere puppet in their love story, manipulated and exploited.
Once a wealthy heiress, Mary was suddenly orphaned, rendered alone and adrift in a vast world. And as she grappled with that fresh wound, he heaped further scorn and insult upon her, driving her to moments where she wished to end it all.
But life’s twists didn’t end there. Just as she found solace in another man’s embrace, he intervened. His actions and attitudes perplexed her – showing love, yet seemingly devoid of it. One might say Andrew was the man she loved the most and, paradoxically, the one who caused her the most pain.
Even though there were times he expressed remorse, wishing to start anew with her, could such love ever be trusted again? Yet, his feeble voice uttered before slipping into a long slumber constantly echoed in her thoughts, “I’m sorry for misunderstanding you for all the suffering I caused. If there ever comes a time for us to be together again, I promise not to disappoint.” That frail whisper, filled with regret and longing, wished for nothing more than to turn back the hands of time.
Many nights after that, whenever Mary closed her eyes, she would hear Andrew’s familiar voice intertwined with the agonizing and bloodied image of Bryan. These two men revealed her life’s profound unpredictabilities.
Bryan knew her heart hadn’t fully detached from Andrew. Yet, he stubbornly stood by her side, hoping his love would heal the persistent wounds in her heart.
On nights, she would murmur Andrew’s name in her dreams, and Bryan would remain stoically silent, but he never gave up. If a delicate yet resilient girl like her could endure such pain, why would a strong-willed man like him ever falter?
That’s the irony of love – the more you try to forget, the more unforgettable it becomes.
While Mary was attending to Andrew’s care, the unmistakable sound of the doctor’s footsteps approached from the corridor. As she lifted her eyes, she saw the doctor and a nurse entering for an examination. After a thorough check-up, the doctor cast a compassionate gaze upon her, his voice tender and reassuring.
“The situation isn’t showing significant improvement. Family members need to persevere even more.”
Detecting a hint of hesitation in his demeanor, a wave of anxiety washed over Mary. She pressed him urgently, “Is there bad news? What can I do to aid his recovery?”
“What you can do,” the doctor began gently, “is to engage him, talk to him, read books, stimulate his brain so it might slowly regain consciousness. However, this method’s efficacy varies greatly from patient to patient, so there’s no predicting the timeframe.”
“It might be months or years, or perhaps… never.”
The doctor stood in stoic silence, his mere nod speaking volumes. His many decades in the medical field had taught him the heartbreaking truth of how slim the chances of recovery could be. Yet, it wasn’t his place to shatter the thin veneer of hope that clung to the room. He believed in fighting with all one’s might until the very end.
Now empty of family, Mary understood the depth of Andrew’s losses. The seed of resentment she harbored for him had started to wane, replaced by a burgeoning compassion. She pondered, in moments of reflection: If she were to leave too, where would his life lead him? Their shared path was filled with turbulence and misunderstandings, but their similarities made empathy inevitable. Could the scars of their shared past ever fade away?
Joy, always immersed in her publishing tasks, would religiously visit every week. Gifts, from daily essentials to clothes and food, often accompanied her visits. Somewhere along the way, Mary had seen Joy as a sister figure, a constant in her otherwise solitary life, sharing joys and sorrows.
On this particular day, Joy came laden with documents that demanded signatures. Mary showed little interest until Joy gently reminded her, “I understand times are tough, but the publishing house has stood by you all these years. It’s also your father’s lifelong legacy. You must preserve it. I can manage the day-to-day tasks, but pivotal decisions rest on your shoulders. I know you’ve been overwhelmed by the cascade of painful events recently, but don’t neglect yourself to the point of illness.”
It had been so long since Mary had someone genuinely cared for her that the words of Joy moved her deeply.
Brushing away her tears, Mary mustered her focus.
“I need to stay and care for him for a long time. Thus, I entrust you with all decisions at the publishing house. Handle these documents and any other issues that arise. Only approach me with matters of utmost importance. If he awakens, I’ll give him another chance.”
A wave of relief washed over Joy, witnessing Mary’s heart softening, opening to forgiveness. It was clear to Joy that the decision was monumental, given all the pain Andrew had inflicted upon Mary. But harboring resentment only drained one’s vitality. After all, Andrew’s current state could be seen as his form of penance.
Everyone errs, and everyone is scared. What truly matters is the ability to express remorse and forgive to ensure brighter days.