“No, it’s not easy to forget such a tragic betrayal as this. But, I have faith that we all can certainly overcome this difficulty. Don’t you think so, Emilia?” Dave said, reaching out to hold her hand.
She adverted her gaze, “I…. don’t know for sure.”
“We were afraid of what everyone would feel after hearing about this. Cause your marriage was on the line, and our relationship also. I didn’t want to make you hate me, or destroy the bond we have. But, all the time I lied to you, I felt guilty and bad inside out. I didn’t enjoy it a little bit. Trust me,” Aileen said, tears running down her eyes as she talked.
“I love you, Mom. I want you to be happy, and I knew very well Dave was the one for you. You would smile so much around him. But, if you can’t accept our relationship it would make you hate me. Then, I would rather destroy it altogether. I can do it for you.”
Dave looked at her with a sad gaze, feeling a little hurt by her words.
“How can you utter such nonsense?” her mom yelled, clenching her jaws. “You will throw away your feelings for someone else just because it’s your Mom? If you are so naive, you’ll never be able to become happy. You are so stupid, Aileen.”
“Mom?” Aileen looked at her mom puzzled.
“Ugh! I’m so mad at the two of you. I feel like crying out loud,” Emilia grunted, as tears spilled down her cheeks. “But, even at this time, I can’t seem to resent you for real. Why the heck are feelings so complicated? I just hate it.”
“Mom!” Aileen yelled, wrapping her arms around Emilia, and hugging her tightly. “No matter what happens, I’ll still be your daughter, and I’ll always love you. Please don’t push me away or avoid me. I can’t go on living without you in my life. That’ll be hell.”
“Who am I going to turn to, when I feel lonely? When do I want to share my sadness? And my joys? Who’s going to laugh together with me and support me in my endeavors? It has to be you only and no one.”
“Damn it, you are so cunning!” Emilia yelled, hugging her back. “I don’t have anyone other than you either. After we moved out, you were the only one I had by my side. I would’ve been left alone if not for you. The feeling of someone waiting for you after returning home is more precious than you can ever imagine.”
“Yeah, I knew I neglected you by working out late. I couldn’t give you much attention either. Before I realized it, my little Aileen had grown up so much in such a short time. I always blamed myself I couldn’t give you a better childhood. And only prayed for better days. At that time, Dave appeared before us like rays of sunlight brightening up our entire world.”
“He took care of me and you regardless of what our connection was at first. Despite his feelings towards you, he played his role of a husband very well and also supported me, never making me feel alone. Yeah, I was sad when I saw you together and overheard your conversation. But, I wasn’t angry at you two. I was disappointed in myself realizing my shortcomings. I really wasn’t any match for him.”
“You are the best Mom in the world to me. I’m glad to be born as your daughter,” Aileen sobbed, snuggling onto her chest.
“You are so easy to please,” Emilia chuckled, wiping off her tears.
“It’s not that you weren’t any match for me. If I never met Aileen, you would be the only woman I’d ever love. You can believe in my words,” Dave added with a smile, hugging her from behind. “Thanks for being by my side as my wife for these past years. I appreciate your effort. My life would’ve been boring without you. You made it fun and exciting.”
“I think so as well,” Aileen agreed.
“You two…. thanks for giving me so much love. I feel like I don’t deserve it. Ugh, my eyes are stinging so much. I’m going to cry.”
She bawled her eyes out for a few more minutes. And they helped her calm down. Amid everything, Dave’s phone rang drawing their attention.
He took out his phone and his brows furrowed in confusion.
“Answer the phone, I’ve no problem,” Emilia replied sitting on the couch beside Aileen, “You don’t need to mind me.”
“Uh, sure,” he picked up the call and answered, “Dad, why are you calling me?”
“Do you even have the right to ask such questions from me after the stunt you’ve played?” his father replied in a harsh tone.
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“What do I mean? Check the news, you can see it very well. I knew all along that there was something fishy about her in the first place. But, I didn’t believe you were involved with her as well. Your fake family was fake all along, huh?”
“Will you please shut up?” Dave yelled, “I’ll get back to you later. Bye.”
He hung up on him and heaved a sigh.
“What happened? Aileen asked, looking in his direction. “Everything alright?”
“Uh….. I don’t know. Dad called and he sounded angry. Let’s see what’s the matter.”
He scrolled through his phone and checked for recent news.
“The Master is angry? But why?” Emilia asked, turning to Aileen.
Both of them waited for Dave’s response.
A few minutes later, Dave’s eyes widened in shock.
“How…..”
Aileen got up from the couch and walked over to his side. “What’s the matter?? You look worried.”
“How did anyone get a hold of your personal diary?” Dave asked, showing her his phone.
She checked the screen to see an article with a headline: “The Billionaire Alpha of Sabertooth pack, David McGarten’s illegal affair with his Step-daughter comes to light through her diary.”
Below are the attached pictures of her diary written with her own hands. And they looked identical to the pictures that Skylar her friend showed her in the day.
“How did anyone find this?” she gasped, snatching his phone out of his hands.
“That is my question,” he replied, “Are these really yours?”
She nodded in response, “Yeah…. they are…”
“Then, how did the media manage to find it?”
“I don’t know, I want to know that as well-”
Skylar’s face appeared in her mind right at that moment.
“Why did you go silent? Do you know who caused this?” he asked, his face full of worry.
She paused for a minute before replying, “Well…. actually…. I do have a clue.”
“What’s all the ruckus about a simple diary?” Emilia asked, getting up from the couch. “Let me know as well.”
“Tell me everything you know,” Dave replied, looking at Aileen, “This is a serious matter, you know it.”
She clenched her fists shaking her head, “I know. I’ll tell you everything. Please listen to me.”
Emilia and Dave’s attention turns to her as she explains everything from the very beginning.