Chapter 48: The Revelation
1273words
A month later, I stood frozen as my little angel was laid to rest in the cemetery. She would be left alone here, in the rain and sun, and I wouldn't be able to protect her. She would be utterly alone in this place. Tears streamed freely down my face. If only I had listened to Gabriel, this wouldn't have happened. My need for revenge had cost me the life of the one person I cherished most in this world. If only I had let her go back to Mexico, I would have the comfort of knowing she was alive and happy. But I had been too selfish, too stubborn. If only we hadn't come back to the Philippines, none of this would have happened.
'We have to go home now," my mother said, holding my hand.
'I can't leave her here, Mother. She will be all alone," I said, pulling my hand away. 'She needs me to watch over her. She can't be alone, Mother. My child can't be alone," I sobbed, clutching her tightly.
'I know. She is not alone, my child," my mother whispered, patting my back. 'She is with the Lord now. She is safe."
'I can't go. She is still here. My baby is here," I insisted, pulling away.
'Scarlett, please. We have to go now," she urged.
'I don't want to go!" I snapped, turning away before Nathan stepped in front of me.
'Everyone else has gone, Scarlett. Look around; how many graves do you see here? Everyone dies eventually, Scarlett. It's only a matter of time," he said gently. 'Let's go home. Razi wouldn't want to see you like this."
'It's getting late, Scarlett. We need to go home now," Kristine added, touching my hand.
'I'm not asking anyone to stay. Just leave me alone!" I groaned, pushing past Nathan and running down the cemetery path. This pain wouldn't go away. I wanted to be with my child, but they dragged me back to this miserable life.
'Ow!" I cried out, collapsing to my knees as sharp pain tore through my abdomen.
'Scarlett?" They all rushed over to me.
How could this be happening now? Why was Desirella acting up?
'You are hurting yourself. Let me take you home," Nathan offered, reaching out.
'Let me go!" I pushed him away. Before the pain worsened, I needed to get far away from them. They couldn't see me like this. I scrambled to my feet, resisting their attempts to hold me back. I ran as fast as I could, but the pain increased with every step. My body temperature rose, and sweat drenched me as if I were in a shower. The agony in my abdomen felt like a knife cutting through me. I stumbled over a stone and fell. Nathan caught up with me as I writhed in pain, unable to bear it anymore.
'What's wrong, Scarlett?" Nathan asked worriedly. I couldn't respond. They were all watching, ready to judge me.
'Let's take her to the hospital," my mother suggested.
I shook my head. 'Nobody should touch me!" I groaned, clenching my hands and toes against the pain.
Nathan ignored me, scooping me off the ground. His touch ignited something intense in me. I wanted him right there, but I would rather die from the pain than disgrace myself at my child's funeral.
'Knock me out," I whimpered, shaking my head desperately.
'What?" he asked, increasing his pace to the car.
'Knock me out," I pleaded, though my voice barely rose above a whisper. He didn't listen. The more I begged, the faster he moved, while the road seemed endless. I faintly heard my mother's sobs as they ran alongside us.
'Don't worry. You will be okay, all right?" Nathan said, placing me in the backseat. My mother got in beside me, and Kristine sat in the front seat.
'You will be fine, my child," my mother wept, holding me close.
'Mother," I whispered.
'I'm here, my child," she sobbed, brushing my damp hair away from my face.
'Take me home," I pleaded.
'We need to take you to the hospital, please."
'I don't want the hospital. I will be fine at home, please. Tell him to take me home," I begged, as darkness closed in around me.
***
My head throbbed as I opened my eyes. My first instinct was to look around. I was in my room. Thank God. I tried to sit up, but my whole body ached.
'Be careful," I heard Nathan's voice as he stood from the couch and came closer.
I leaned back against the headboard, massaging my temples.
'How do you feel now?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
'Worse," I muttered.
'Let me help you," he offered, gesturing to massage my temples, but I shook my head.
'I will be fine," I said.
'The doctor prescribed some medication," he showed me a small bag. I tilted my head. 'Since you didn't want to go to the hospital, we had him come here."
'What did he say was wrong with me?"
'He couldn't tell. He took a blood sample to run some tests. What was that sudden pain, Scarlett?"
My gaze drifted to Razi's photo on the nightstand. I picked it up, running my fingers over it.
'Do you even know who she was, Nathan?" I asked, tears filling my eyes.
'She came to see me at the office the day it happened," he said.
'I know," I nodded, hugging the photo.
'She wanted me to ask for your forgiveness because you always cried while holding my picture," he added, and I chuckled bitterly. 'You don't have to hold back. Let all your anger out on me. I'm ready to take the blame. I couldn't protect your child, Scarlett. I failed you again. I know saying sorry won't change anything, but I am truly sorry," he apologized, holding my hand.
'You don't have to be sorry. I'm glad you saw her alive before the tragedy," I began. 'Maybe it was meant to be this way. Maybe this is how God wanted to punish me. That's why He sent her to you one last time. Razi was your child, Nathan," I revealed, tears streaming down my face.
'What? How?" he asked, his eyebrows knitting in confusion.
'I was pregnant with her when you married Everleigh," I said, chuckling sorrowfully as I hugged the photo tighter. 'It was the news I came to tell you the day you tore me apart. And you didn't even give me a chance to say we were expecting our child. Do you know what it's like to be pregnant and alone on the street? Do you know how hard that was?" I cried. He remained silent, frozen, staring at me in shock. 'I went to your mother, hoping she would understand and stop your wedding with Everleigh. Instead, she warned me never to tell you, or she would deal with me. That day, I promised her that my child would never have anything to do with the Reyes family. If Razi talked to you, then you must know her name. She bears my name because you didn't even know she existed, and your mother didn't want her in your life," I explained. 'I don't hate you anymore, Nathan. Do you know why? Because the child you and your mother rejected begged me to forgive you. I didn't realize it was her last wish, so I forgive you wholeheartedly. You are free to live your life now. I will never trouble you again."
With that, I laid down and closed my eyes.
