I was staring blankly at the twilight ocean while sitting at a big rock.
Like the ocean, my heart was also filled with darkness and gloom. I didn’t want everything to be complicated, so even if it hurts, I chose to go away and hide my pregnancy from Hezekiah.
I guess it’s not important for him to know about the truth. This is the right time for me to love myself and focus on my baby instead. I’ll just worry about tomorrow and the coming days when it comes.
I pulled my phone from the pocket of my dress and dialed mom’s number.
“Hello, Meredith? How’s your vacation?”
I didn’t answer. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying.
If there is one person that could understand what I’m going through right now, it would be none other than Mom. But I tried not to mention my situation to her.
“I’m fine, Mom.” I softly said.
“We miss you so much, hija. When will you be back?”
“Maybe, next week. I have something for you!” I sounded energetic this time. I tried to push my worries aside for now.
“Just be safe, hija. I know you’re in a rough road situation right now. Just know that your Dad and I will always be here, we’ll always support your decision and be with you amidst everything.”
I dropped my head to wipe my tears.
“Mom?” I whispered softly.
I want to tell her about my pregnancy but I was scared. It’s not impossible for the news to get to Hezekiah if it happens. I know Mom’s still blaming herself for all I’m going through right.
But in the end, I decided to hide everything for now. I bid goodbye to her and went back to my cottage.
But my feet froze when I recognized the man standing not far from me.
“Marcus?” I said quietly. I looked at her with confusion.
He smiled at me timidly, “Can I talk to you for awhile?”
We sat on the table in the terrace for minutes already.
I noticed that his coffee was getting cold and he didn’t even sipped a bit.
“You look fine here?” He started.
I looked at the twilight view of the sky.
Is he right? Do I really look fine? Is it obvious that I don’t have any problems I’m going through?
“How did you found me?” I asked with confusion.
He leaned his forearm at the table. He sighed for a few times before holding the cup of coffee in front of him.
“It’s not important, the important thing is we met again,” he said while lowering his head a bit.
My blood boiled and glared at him. If I kill him by my look, he’s probably dead right now in front of me. But no, they’re like diseases and germs trying to eat my soul.
“What more do you need? Isn’t it enough that I already gave my husband?” I sternly said.
I sighed once more and sipped his coffee.
“I’m not here to pick a fight. I came here for some personal reason, actually, Alessandra ordered me to find you.”
I gasped heavily. I closed my eyes to ease the pain in my heart. When will they disappear from my life? What do they really want?
“Alessandra asked me a favor. She tried to convince me a lot of times for this.”
I could see the gleam of dawn that shrouded his strong face. His jaw moved a few times and took a deep breath.
“I had enough to give, Marcus. I sacrificed not only once, but a lot of times.” I said painfully.
My vision blurred as I pulled the tears back in my eyes. This is the better version of me, I’m bulletproof and I’m a fighter.
I was stunned when he moved closer and held my hand. I didn’t have much time to avoid his strong and firm hand covering mine. Because I felt the tears forming in the brim.
“Please, just this once…” he held my hand tightly, as if he doesn’t have plans on letting me go if I didn’t agree.
I licked my lips frantically and averted my gaze. I don’t know if I can still accept whatever he’ll say. There’s no reason for me to get involved with their issues in life.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do this, Marcus.” I slowly removed my hand which he let go.
“Alessandra is in critical condition. She got rushed to the ICU a lot of time due to complications. I’m afraid she won’t make it…” I saw his tears fell.
Seeing Marcus in his emotionally distraught state made my heart shattered.
I swallowed hard. I didn’t speak. How could she suffer from all of this? I know what she did was unforgivable, but why do I have to feel this deep sympathy over her?
I immediately thought of Hezekiah and the child in Alessandra’s womb.
“How was the baby?” My voice was shaking as I spoke.
“She had undergone a lot of tests. The doctor said the child might have complications once she gives birth to it.” He shook his head repeatedly.
I covered my mouth as I imagined where it would lead to. My conscience can’t take to not do anything after hearing about it.
“Please, say something…” he pressured me.
I don’t think there are any words I need to say. I wasn’t born with a devil horn, even if I tried to be bad to someone and think that they deserved it, my principle can’t seem to swallow that idea.
Alessandra was also just a victim of this. She doesn’t deserve to die at her very young age. It’s too early for that, especially for her child to lose a mother.
“What do you want me to do?” I muttered.
Marcus and I were walking fast as we entered the hospital. I didn’t think Alessandra and I would meet this way.
My heart almost stopped as Marcus held my hand tightly. We halted in front of a door.
I raised my gaze at him and he nodded at me. I gulped a few before opening the door.
I stood frozen on my feet as I watched her in a distressful situation. I felt my knees wobbled when I saw Hezekiah dropping his head while holding her hand.
I bit my lower lip as he turned his gaze at me. Hard, I bit it so hard just to stop my tears from showing.
He suddenly stood in surprise. He looks so good wearing his office suit. I’m sure he came from his office. I was lost im a trance for a moment as my eyes raked on him. Those piercing but soft brown eyes, bridge nose, furrowed brows and that God-like face. The familiar rhythm of my heart was awakened although I tried hard to stop it.
Our eyes met. And inside those seconds, I saw the emotions in his eyes that was the same whenever he looked at me. The love, the passion, the thirst and this admiration. My feet wanted to walk to him and embrace him into a hug, but I chose to avert my eyes from him.
Not this time, Emory, never…
I slowly walked to the other side of the bed and went to Alessandra.
She’s in her deep sleep. I saw how deep her breathing was while eyes closed.
“Let’s leave them for a moment…” I heard Marcus said.
Even if I didn’t look at them, I know Hezekiah’s eyes were on me. He stayed for a few seconds before he slowly walked out.