Chapter 50: I forgive you
1127words
It has been a week since my mother was buried, and the pain in my heart has only intensified. I killed her. Maybe if I hadn't confronted her, she wouldn't have had the heart attack that took her life. I'm convinced the attack was due to the pain of losing the company, not because of her first grandchild's death.
My world has crumbled in the blink of an eye. No daughter, no mother, and I can't face Scarlett. Even Everleigh left—she couldn't bear seeing me so helpless. She caused everything. If she hadn't desired me, I would have married Scarlett, and our baby wouldn't have died.
I downed another glass of vodka, its burn searing down my throat, but nothing compared to the ache in my heart. My leg hung over the arm of the couch as I sprawled across it, the ceiling spinning above me.
'Hey, man," Michael's voice broke through as he loomed over me, his head seeming larger than usual. I squinted at him. 'What are you doing to yourself?" He took the glass from my hand, pulling me up to sit.
'Let me go," I jerked my arm away and slumped back onto the couch. 'You don't know shit," I muttered drunkenly. He seized the glass from me and pulled me up again.
'I know you are in pain, man, but drinking yourself senseless won't change anything," he said. 'You are stronger than this. You can get through it without drowning yourself in alcohol."
'It's easy for you to say," I chuckled bitterly, pulling my arm free. 'But you still don't know a damn thing about how I feel."
'Everleigh asked me to come. She wants me to take you back to my place for a while."
'Is your place going to turn back time?" I asked.
'No, but it will help you get back on your feet. Come on, let's go," he urged, holding out his hand.
'Let me go, Michael!" I yanked my hand away. 'I'm not going anywhere if it can't turn back time. I can handle myself. Just leave," I insisted, lying back down on the couch.
A few days later, I tried to pull myself together. I had responsibilities to handle. The company was under reconstruction, so I had time to focus on other things.
'Hello, Sir?" Joy's voice came through the phone as I answered her call.
'Hello, Joy. What's up?"
'Not much, Sir. Just checking in on you," she said.
'Thank you. I'm alright. And you?"
'I'm okay, Sir."
'Could you please let the staff know I'm working on something for them? I will have their salaries paid by the end of this month, God willing," I said.
'We understand, Sir. Don't worry about us. The loss is ours too, and we will endure until the company is back on its feet. Just take care of yourself," she assured me. How understanding could my staff be?
'You too," I replied, and hung up.
A little later, I arrived at Scarlett's house. Her mother told me she hadn't left her room since the funeral. When I entered, she looked so pale and fragile, clutching a photo frame of Razi.
'Hi," I greeted, moving closer. She looked up at me, tears glistening in her eyes, and wiped them away. I sat beside her, taking her hand. 'You have cried enough, Scarlett. It's enough," I said gently, squeezing her fingers.
'Nothing is enough, Nathan. You should have let me stay with my daughter. Why did you take me to the hospital? Why did you bring me back to this painful world?" she sobbed, pulling her hand away and burying her face in her palms. I drew her closer, patting her shoulder.
'I'm sorry, okay? Suicide wasn't the answer. Let me make things right," I comforted her.
'I want my child back. I just want her back," she continued to cry.
'Scarlett?" Everleigh called, peeking into the room.
'Come in," I told her, and she stepped in, closing the door behind her. Kneeling by the bed, she spoke.
'I know words can't express how sorry I am, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," she said tearfully. 'I was so foolish. I didn't know what came over me—I was manipulated, and I gave in. Please, forgive me, Sunshine. I will do anything you want. I will accept any punishment if you just forgive me," she pleaded.
Scarlett pulled away from me, wiping her tears. 'I have forgiven you. I hold no grudges anymore. Just stand up," she said softly.
'Thank you, Sunshine. Thank you so much," Everleigh sobbed, standing up.
'Come, sit with me," Scarlett invited, making room for her on the bed. 'I have missed you. I miss our childhood together. I miss everything we used to be."
'I have missed you too," Everleigh said, and they hugged. I just watched them, realizing how much I had damaged. I had ruined their friendship—for what? Love?
'Can I say something?" I asked, and they looked at me. 'I think we all need some fresh air. Can we go outside?"
'You two go; I will pass," Scarlett replied, leaning against the headboard.
'No, I mean all three of us, please."
'Come on, Sunshine. Let the sun kiss your skin for once, please," Everleigh urged, taking her hand.
'I can't. I don't want to go out," she insisted. 'By the way, congratulations, Eve. I can tell you are pregnant."
'How?" Everleigh looked at her in shock, as did I.
Scarlett only chuckled mischievously. I hadn't told her, so how did she know?
'It's fine. Can I ask you a favor, Sunshine?" Everleigh asked, holding her hand again. Scarlett nodded. 'I know this isn't easy, but please don't say no."
'What is it?"
'Can you go back to Nathan?" she asked.
Scarlett laughed bitterly, the sound bordering on hysteria. She suddenly stopped, turning to Everleigh, who flinched in surprise.
'Take Nathan back? Are you serious, Eve? You think I would do that to you too? Do you think I'm that selfish? Do you have any idea what it feels like to be pregnant and alone? Kristine had a hard labor because her husband wasn't there—she didn't have the comfort or support she needed. And you think I want you to go through that because of me?" Scarlett groaned.
'I... I'm sorry," Everleigh stammered, her lips trembling.
Scarlett climbed out of bed. 'Both of you, just go. Leave me alone!" She ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
'Oh God, I don't understand any of this," Everleigh whispered, starting to cry again.
'You need to stop crying, okay? You shouldn't have said that. Scarlett's just too sensitive right now," I tried to console her.
