Chapter 51: Birthday surprise
1085words
I have been trying so hard to let go of this pain, but I can't. Razi's smiling face haunts my sleep. Sometimes, I even imagine hearing her voice, and it's driving me crazy. When I returned to the room, Everleigh was gone, but Nathan was still there.
'I told you to go," I mumbled, walking to the bed.
'I will just get you something to eat," he said, standing up.
'I'm not hungry," I replied, climbing onto the bed and resting against the headboard.
'You don't have to be hungry," he said, leaving the room. He came back almost immediately, setting a tray of food on the bed in front of me.
'I said I'm not hungry."
He pulled a chair closer and sat down. 'I know, but you still need to eat something," he said, lifting a spoonful of soup toward me. 'Open up."
'Get that out of my face, Nathan," I snapped, though my voice was barely audible. I leaned back, careful not to push the spoon and spill anything on my clothes.
'Please, just one spoonful. Just two bites, even."
'I'm not hungry!"
'Please," he insisted, still holding up the spoon. I picked up a novel from the nightstand and tried to read, but the words blurred before my eyes. 'Just one spoonful, Scarlett. It won't hurt."
When I didn't respond, he put the spoon back in the bowl and sighed. 'I want to be alone, Nathan. Leave my room," I told him.
'If you don't eat, then I'm not leaving. Your choice," he said, crossing his legs and scrolling through his phone.
I rolled my eyes and turned away when suddenly, I saw Razi pouting near the bathroom.
'Oh my God!" I jumped, the book slipping from my hands.
'What is it?" Nathan asked.
'Are you seeing her?" I asked, my heart racing, my body trembling.
'See who? What are you talking about?" he asked, moving to sit beside me on the bed. She was still there, pouting.
'My child," my lips trembled. 'Razi?" I called, stretching out my hand, tears streaming down my face. She vanished, making me jump again.
'It's okay. You are just hallucinating," Nathan said, pulling me close. 'What if she doesn't want to see you like this? She must be hurting too, you know? She never saw this side of you."
'I want my child," I sobbed in Nathan's arms. 'My child needs me."
'I know, but you have to learn to let go, so she can find peace. Stop crying, okay?" he comforted me.
Nathan finally left at sunset after I insisted I needed to be alone, but before he went, he made sure I took two spoonfuls of soup.
'Scarlett?" my mother's voice came from the door. 'Can I come in?"
'Yeah," I answered, and she entered, holding a glass of what I assumed was my favorite black coffee.
'How are you doing?" she asked, walking closer. 'I brought you some coffee."
'Thank you," I said, accepting the drink and taking a sip. She sat beside me. 'I'm getting better, Mother," I replied.
'I want to talk to you about something."
'Go on."
'It's Juan," she began. 'He's been waiting outside the gate. He wants to see Kristine and his child."
'Does she want to see him?" I asked.
She hesitated. 'I think she does, but she won't admit it."
'You can let him in to see his child. Kristine can go with him if she wants; I won't stop her," I said.
'I know, but I'm scared for her. What if Juan gets angry and hurts her or the baby?"
'I don't know. It's her choice, not mine."
'Please, Scarlett. Help me out here. Maybe she'd listen to you," she begged, holding my hand.
'What do you want me to do?" I asked, tilting my head. 'I'm not Kristine. She has her own choices to make, you know? I can't keep her and the baby away from Juan forever. That baby is his; he has every right to see her," I said.
'I know, but could you come downstairs before he sees the baby? If you are there, he won't do anything to her," she said, her worry clear.
'I'm not leaving this room, Mother. Tell Robert and Lyon to stay on guard in case Juan tries anything."
'Please, my child. I need you to come downstairs. Just once, please," she insisted.
I leaned my head against my hand, taking a deep breath. 'Fine. I will be right behind you," I agreed.
'No, let's go together."
'Ugh!" I groaned, stepping off the bed.
'Thank you," she smiled.
We headed out of my room together. The living room was so dark I could barely see her beside me. 'What's going on?" I asked.
'Be careful," she said, turning on her flashlight. 'We are almost there."
'What's all this?" I asked as she guided me along.
'You will see," she said.
'I don't like this, Mother," I grumbled.
'One last step," she said before we reached the living room, and it suddenly lit up.
'Happy birthday!" they all chorused, startling me. The living room was decorated with balloons and ribbons, and a small cake sat on the center table. Everyone was there: Nathan, Everleigh, Kristine and her baby, the servants, and the security team.
'We planned a small birthday surprise for you," my mother said. 'Come, make a wish before you cut the cake," she said, pulling me to the center of the room.
I just stared at them. 'What am I supposed to do with all this?" I asked, and the room fell quiet. I let out a sad chuckle. 'Unbelievable. I just lost my child barely two months ago, and you are throwing me a birthday party? Who told you I celebrate birthdays?"
'Come on, Scarlett. I'm sure if Razi were here, she would want you to celebrate," Nathan said.
'Indeed," I smirked. 'Clean up this mess and leave my house," I said, turning to go.
'Scarlett, please," my mother called out, but I ignored her.
Halfway up the stairs, I froze as Razi appeared in front of me again, making me stumble back. I almost fell but steadied myself on the railing.
'It's okay, Mommy," she smiled up at me. I stood there, horrified, my heart pounding. 'It's okay," she kept saying, walking down the balcony.
'Razi," I stretched my hand out to her, but she vanished. I sank to the cold staircase, burying my face in my hands, whimpering.
