Chapter 27: Everyone's Leaving
1050words
"Are you deaf, or has the cat got your tongue?" I snapped, causing both of them to shiver.
"Um, she... she was just leaving, Miss Guzman," my stepmother stammered.
"I wasn't leaving," Kristine cried, stepping out from behind her mother. "I would rather die here than go back to that maniac," she added.
"Hello, sister. We meet again," I said, waving at Kristine.
She clung to her mother's hand and forced herself to her knees.
"I know I'm a terrible person, Scarlett. You did nothing but love me, and I betrayed you in the worst way possible. I regret everything. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," she begged.
"Hmm... okay. I would love to forgive you, but I lost my heart in the desert. Until I find it, forgiveness doesn't exist in my dictionary," I declared. "Now, get out of my house before I unleash my dogs on you," I added furiously.
My stepmother dropped to her knees. "Please, Miss Guzman, don't hurt your sister. If you must unleash your fury, do it on me, but for the sake of her unborn child, let her go," she pleaded.
"I don't want to go, Mother! What are you saying?" Kristine interrupted. "I would rather die here than go back to that monster. I'm not going!" she cried.
"Ma'am, I'm done with the files," Gabriel said, appearing behind me. "Oh my God! Lady, why are you kneeling in your condition?" Gabriel exclaimed, dropping the files and rushing to help Kristine to her feet.
"Thank you," Kristine said, appreciating his help.
"Ma'am, what are you doing? Why let a pregnant woman kneel before you? Do you want to hurt her baby? Don't you have any pity?" Gabriel scolded me.
"Watch your tone, Gabriel!" I snapped angrily. "Who do you think you are to speak to me like that? I want both of them out of my house. I never want to see them again," I declared.
"Seriously? I'm not going to stop you this time," Gabriel said and walked back inside.
"Please, Scarlett, you can't let Juan kill me," Kristine sobbed.
"I don't care! Get your miserable self out of my house. Don't be here when I come back," I shouted and stormed into the house.
I saw Gabriel packing up the documents to leave. "Where do you think you are going?" I asked him.
He gave me a contemptuous look but continued with what he was doing.
"I'm talking to you!" I said, grabbing his arm to make him face me.
"Don't you dare touch me! You want everyone out of your life, right?" he snapped. "I can't deal with this anymore, Scarlett. I'm fed up with your callous and inhumane attitude. I'm leaving for good. I will send my resignation letter soon," he announced and stormed out.
"Ugh!" I groaned, collapsing onto the couch.
I was still in the living room, my face buried in my hands, when Razi came and sat beside me.
"Why is everyone leaving, Miss Scarlett?" Razi asked.
I lifted my eyes to her. "What do you mean?"
"I saw Mr. Gabriel leaving after he argued with you, and Grandma is packing her bags too. I don't want them to go," she said softly. "My teacher says family is a treasure, and we should never disregard it. Aren't relatives part of our family too?"
I was speechless at the wisdom of my little girl. Just then, my stepmother dragged her suitcase down the stairs.
"Um, Miss Scarlett, I have to go now. I can't abandon Kristine. She needs me. Thank you for letting me work for you," she said, tugging at the handle of her suitcase.
"You don't have to go, Maria. Bring Kristine inside and take care of her," I said, walking upstairs without waiting for a response.
"Thank you, Miss Guzman," I heard my stepmother say, but I ignored her.
I couldn't sleep that night, worrying about Gabriel. I had been trying to reach him since he left, but he kept ignoring my calls. My room felt like a prison, suffocating me. I have lost so much, and I'm still losing. The ones who caused me pain continue to enjoy life while I suffer alone. Despite the loud music blasting in my ears, I couldn't stop reliving everything.
"Pick up, for pity's sake!" I groaned, punching the bed in frustration.
"Ma'am?" I suddenly heard Gabriel's voice.
"Gabriel?" I snapped my eyes to the door.
"Why have you been blowing up my phone? What do you want?" He sounded annoyed.
"I let them in. Can you come back?" I asked.
He chuckled. "No, I left for good. And if you ask me, it's time you forgave those who wronged you in the past. Do you even know how many times Nathan has called to seek your forgiveness? Only time heals, but it seems you've only grown worse over the years. If you don't stop, more people are going to get hurt because of your unyielding vengeance," he scolded.
"Does that mean you are coming back?" I asked, ignoring his lecture.
"Did you hear anything I said?"
"Are you coming or not?"
"No," he declared and hung up.
"If Nathan could leave and you were fine, then you can handle anything," I told myself.
The following day, I was at Heritage Hotel meeting with some clients. We were wrapping things up when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I clenched my fists, hoping the pain would subside, but it hit me like acid coursing through my veins.
"Ow!" I let out a low grunt.
"Are you okay, Miss Guzman?" one of the clients asked.
"Yes, I have to go," I said, standing up abruptly.
Sweat dripped down my forehead, and my body temperature spiked. Waves of dizziness washed over me, and the distance to the entrance blurred before my eyes.
Through my hazy vision, I saw Nathan heading upstairs. He must have just left the gym.
"Nathan," I called faintly. I had no hope of relief if I went home.
Sometimes, asking your enemy for help should be an option. But the question is, will he accept? Despite the confusion clouding my mind, my feet, as if guided by their own will, led me toward Nathan.
