“Don’t apologize to me, just leave! I would have forgiven you if you had insulted me more than once, because no matter how close friends are, they still fight too. If you had stolen from the company, all would have been forgiven if you had had a good explanation for it. But no! Nothing you say right now would be a good enough reason for you to have hurt Markian. You lost the privilege of our forgiveness the minute you thought it’s a good idea to hurt him! First, you broke his heart a week ago, and today- you broke his trust. How much more do you want to destroy the poor guy, huh?” I asked frustrated and agitated to the core.
“Heather that’s enough!… you don’t understand what has been going on. She is not wrong here!” Daniel yell back at me like I was the insane one here.
“Excuse me? So, are you trying to say that I’m the one at wrong then?” I asked with so much fury.
“(Scoffs)… I don’t know what kind of spell she has cast on you, but after everything that she has said and done to you of all people- you’re honestly the last person on earth I had expected to stand up for her.” I cited staring at Daniel who came to stand by my side, in an attempt to calm me.
“I promise you, it’s really not what you’re thinking. What happened today was just a fleck of circumstance…” she stated,
“That’s the problem. It’s not just about today, it’s everyday after today. Ever since she came into our lives, it’s been one drama or the other. Who knows what she would bring with her tomorrow, what if it utterly shatters Markian’s heart and peace of mind?” I asked Daniel, as I brushed off his hands from my shoulder before facing Livy again.
“You told me that if I’m able to save Markian, then you’ll leave our lives, right? Well, I saved Markian today and he’s not dead. Which means if you go in there to see him right now, you’ll lose the remaining credibility I have in you.” I ranted, as she stared at me with wide-eyes and tears running down her cheek.
I was getting real tired of those crocodile tears and honestly, it’s getting quite old and annoying.
“What do you mean by that, Heather?” Daniel asked surprised.
“She knows exactly what I mean.” I replied Daniel over my shoulder while still looking at Livy.
“You’ve got today. But the minute Markian is discharged from the hospital, he’ll be returning home with me and I don’t want to meet you there when we arrive. I trust you’ll keep to your word this time, or by god, I’ll make sure you regret ever meeting me” I concluded and walked out on both of them.
I went back to Markian’s room and few seconds later, Daniel came in too and stared furiously at me.
“I really don’t want to hear anything you have to say to defend that home-wrecker, Daniel. It’s either her or Markian- those were her words.” I warned sternly.
He just stooped down in front of me as I sat on the couch, and placed his hand on my lap.
“Let Markian make decisions about his own home from now on, ok?” He suggested rudely before he stood up and left the room.
Really? So now it’s my fault?
How much more do I have to do to hit some sense into Daniel. Whoever he thinks Livy is, she’s just manipulating him with a personality that might seem all nice and warm, just to draw people in.
“Heather?…” Markian called out to me with drowsy eyes.
He can make use of his fingers and toes now but his hands were still paralyzed.
I went to his side to hear him as I held his hand in mine. I looked at his face and he seemed very sad.
I can only imagine what he must be going through and it’s all because of that Livy. If I had my way, I’ll have her disappear from our lives for good.
“I’m here, Markian. Are you feeling any kind of discomfort anywhere?” I asked in concern.
“Where is ‘my Livy’? Why isn’t she here yet?” he asked sadly.
I really don’t understand him nor Daniel these days, they are both driving me insane. She’s all they talk about, everything they think about.
He’s parents came here to see him, but the moment Barbra said one negative thing about Livy, he asked them to leave.
“She came by but I asked her to leave. It’s for the best too, it’s either her or you and I chose you. Markian, she’s mentally unstable- you heard Barbra, right?. This time you were lucky, next time who knows what other craziness she would unleash?” I lamented earnestly.
“I’m only doing what I think is best for all of us. And if I see her anywhere around you, I’ll have her arrested for embezzlement of funds, I promise” I stated sternly.
Fortunately for me, Markian didn’t say anything else. Maybe he has finally realized the fact that Livy is bad for all of us.
I mean, it’s not just about today. Looking back at everything that has happened, Livy has been the center of it all.
What if tomorrow Markian encounters another devastating heartbreak from her like he did today, who would be there to pick up the broken pieces?
Livy
“Mom…” I called out the minute I entered inside her room.
I had her discharged from the hospital and brought back to her mansion with nurses caring for her day and night.
Going to the hospital everyday was starting to raise rumors and soon the press and paparazzi might get hold of the news, so I had to move my mom back home.
I’m quite sure my mother would not be happy to know that the press got the news of her hospitalization.
I hugged her almost too tightly she had to pull me off her, breathlessly.
“Why are you crying again? Haven’t I told you crying makes you look weak and ugly?” she asked me seriously.
“I missed you, that’s why I’m crying. And I’m also grateful that you’re ok.” I cried out and hugged her again.
Thankfully, she didn’t push me off this time around, and for the first time in a long while, I felt the warmth of Judy Luthel.
“You’re still so silly. I can’t believe the Verc haven’t thought you anything yet.” She blurted out while I was still hugging her.
I finally released her from my embrace and weeped off the my tears.
“You’ll have to return to the Verc and Luthel Inc now, right? Like maybe not now, now, but after your recovery and when you’re able to work again, right?.” I asked her excitedly.
She just took my hand and held it with both of hers, and looked at me with sad eyes.
“That’s not how things work, dear. I can go back to Luthel Inc as it’s Chairwoman, but I can’t return to the Verc as their leader. I’ve ever only been your father’s usurp and was never truly in power. You were the only true leader and you’ll remain so until your own child comes of age.” She stated unfortunately.
I was hoping she would return to the Verc after she recovers, and I’ll finally have my life back. I still don’t like the Verc and what they stand for. No one should have that much authority or power, it’s very seductive.
“How is it going at the company by the way?” She asked eagerly.
Typical of my mother to immediately ask about her beloved company right after she wakes up. Well, at least this time she was able to spare up to 5mins without mentioning work.
“Everything is fine at the company, mother. I’m not as incompetent as you think I am.” I commented boastfully.
“I have never thought you’re incompetent. If I had a single doubt that you couldn’t handle Luthel Inc, do you think I would have left her in your care?” She asked rhetorically.