Chapter 112
The highest betrayal.
Chris’ POV:
As I sit beside my mother’s bed, watching her chest rise and fall with each gentle breath, I realize that she’s fast asleep.
The doctor’s words echo in my mind, “Don’t leave her side,” but I know I need to take care of some things too.
I decide to use this opportunity to sneak away for a bit and head back to work but it’s a weekend, so I need to let Jane know.
I quietly get up from my chair and make my way out of the hospital room, careful not to disturb my mom. As I walk to my car, I feel a mix of emotions: guilt for leaving her side, but also a sense of responsibility to take care of my job and my life.
When I arrive to meet Jane and I am greeted by her with concern.
“Chris, how’s your mom?” Jane asks, as soon as I walk in.
I take a deep breath and fill them in on everything that’s happened.
“She is stable, but I need to be with her as much as I can,” I explain.
“I’ll be working remotely for a while, so bear with me if I am not as responsive as usual.” I told her.
Jane nod understandingly, and I feel grateful for her support. I know it won’t be easy, balancing work and my mom’s recovery, but I’m determined to make it work.
I dial Megan’s number, my mind still reeling from the events of the past few hours. I need to let her know what’s going on with my mom, and I’m not looking forward to the conversation. But as soon as she answers, I know something’s off.
“Hey, Chris,” she says, her voice sounding… different. Happier than I expected.
“Hey, Megan,” I reply, my curiosity piqued. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Wait, Chris, I have something to tell you too,” she interrupts, her voice bubbling with excitement.
“What is it?” I ask, my mind racing with possibilities.
“You need to be here, before I tell you what it is exactly!” She said.
But as I approach Megan’s house, I’m met with a sight that makes my heart sink. Megan and Miles are standing in the doorway, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.
My mind goes numb as I watch the scene unfold before me. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me.
“Megan?” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
She pulls away from Miles, her eyes widening in shock as she sees me standing there.
“Chris, I… I can explain.” Megan said and she walked up to me.
But I don’t want to hear it. I turn around and walk away, my heart heavy with betrayal and sorrow.
I stand there, frozen in shock, as the scene before me refuses to make sense. Megan, the woman I love is kissing another man. Miles, her so-called friend, is wrapped in her arms, their lips tangled in a passionate embrace.
My mind races, trying to process this betrayal. How could they do this to me? How could they lie to me, deceive me, and crush my heart like this?
I feel like I’m living in a nightmare, like I’m trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and heartache. I can’t breathe, I can’t think, I can’t move. I’m paralyzed by the weight of their betrayal.
Megan’s voice breaks the silence, her words barely audible over the sound of my shattering heart.
“Chris, I… I can explain.” Megan said.
“Never mind!” I said and turned to leave.
But I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear their excuses, their justifications, their lies. I don’t want to hear anything that will make me stay, that will make me forgive, that will make me forget.
I turn around, my eyes blinded by tears, and walk away. I walk away from the woman I love, from the friend I trusted, from the life I thought I knew. I walk away, unsure of where I’m going, but certain that I need to get as far away from this pain as possible.
I trudged back to my empty apartment, feeling like a shell of a man. The weight of Megan’s betrayal bore down on me like a heavy burden, making every step feel like a struggle.
I collapsed onto my couch, my mind reeling with thoughts of never going back to that place, never seeing her face again, never feeling that pain again. I wanted to escape, to disappear, to erase the memory of her kiss with Miles from my mind.
But reality soon set in, like a cold slap in the face. I had a contract to fulfill, a job to do. I couldn’t just abandon my responsibilities, no matter how much I wanted to escape the heartache. I thought about taking a leave of absence, about quitting altogether.
With a heavy sigh, I resigned myself to my fate. I would have to face Megan and Miles again, at least until my contract was over but that will be when I care for my mother.
The thought sent a wave of nausea through me. How could I possibly work alongside them, pretend like everything was okay, when my heart was shattered into a million pieces? How could I look at them, talk to them, act like nothing was wrong?
I am glad that would not be happening soon, and I packed my things home.
As I went away, my head was filled with promises for my mother.
Mom, I promise you, from now on, I’ll be here for you every step of the way. I’ll take care of you, help you recover, and make sure you get the best treatment possible.
“I’ll be your rock, your support system, your everything. I’ll make sure you don’t have to go through this alone.” I told her.
I’ll help with your physical therapy, your medication, your doctor’s appointments. I’ll cook for you, clean for you, and make sure you’re comfortable. I’ll be your advocate, your voice, your safe haven.
I know I haven’t been the best son lately, but that’s going to change. I’ll put my life on hold if I have to, to make sure you get the care you need. I’ll be here for you, Mom, every hour, every day, every week.
You’re not alone in this fight, Mom. I’m here with you, and together, we’ll get through this. We’ll fight this disease, and we’ll win. I promise you that.
I love you, Mom, more than anything in this world. And I’ll prove it to you, every day, for the rest of my life.