Chapter 12: Deserve

Her smile sweetened and widened at the end. Her eyes twinkled, and I even heard auntie giggle while admiring the bracelet on my wrist. Her gaze lifted to my face, and she looked into my eyes and caressed my cheek.

"You really look like your mother and your father. You as their daughter,gosh their genes was so different. They make a goddess." she exclaimed in awe. I felt my cheeks blush what my godmother said.

Later, she pouted, and aunt Amber looked so cute. I smiled, momentarily forgetting that she was my godmother. She acted my age, but more girly and sillier.

"It so unfair that I don't have daughter! I really want to have." she grumbled.

I laughed, causing her to pout even more. Auntie Amber is the most adorable woman I know, second only to my mother, of course. My mother is still incomparable. No matter how cold and strict she is, she never failed to make me feel loved and cared for. My mom is the most wonderful woman I know, and nothing can change or surpass that. Also, having a godmother like Auntie Amber, I couldn't wish for more with these two wonderful women in my life.

"So let me, Yvonne, because if I had a daughter, she would probably be very spoiled by me, but since I don't, let me treat you with this bracelet because we rarely see each other," she even gave me a beautiful look and batted her eyelashes, making me smile broadly.

Being with Auntie Amber made me forget my problems because of her. She is the reason why I'm distracted and not dwelling too much on what I saw at the hotel earlier.

None of my cousins Matthew, Matteo, and Machias inherited Auntie Amber's traits. Auntie Amber is affectionate and kind, whereas her sons are exactly the opposite. They are aloof, rarely smile, and seem indifferent to their surroundings. It seems like all their characteristics were inherited from Uncle Mattias.

Uncle Mattias is kind to me, but to be honest, he is strict and always emotionless. I don't even know how he and my dad clicked as friends. My dad is playful, while Uncle Mattias is serious. But then, maybe that's why they click, you need someone opposite of your own to embrace them more and their differences.

We stayed until seven in the evening. Auntie Amber dropped me off at our company. I waved my hand to her when I already stepped out of her car.

She smiled and waved back before instructing their driver to start the limousine. When it was out of sight, I entered the building. The guard immediately opened the door for me and greeted me. I responded with a small smile and went straight to the private elevator, greeting the staff I passed who greeted me first.

The lift dinged after a few minutes, signaling that I had arrived at my dad's office floor. It opened, and I immediately stepped out. I saw my mom wearing a black dress that suits her and her setpent bulgari necklace and bracelet makes her more elegant and intimidating leaving my dad's office with a neutral expression.

Upon seeing me, a smile curved her lips. She took my backpack and placed it on the secretary's table, who was not at her desk. I smiled and immediately hugged her.

She returned my hug. I instantly felt better, feeling the warmth of my mom's hug. I even felt her stroking my hair.

"I know what happened, Yvonne," Mommy softly told me.

In her eyes, a deep well of concern for me was evident, tinged with a profound sadness that resonated within. It was a rarity to witness such raw emotion displayed by my usually composed mother. As I gazed into her eyes, I felt a sudden sting and a wave of discomfort washing over me.

As tears welled up in my eyes, they instantly turned red and puffy. My mother possessed an uncanny ability to be aware of everything that transpired in my life. No matter the circumstance, she somehow managed to stay informed. Particularly when it came to my pain, she was always quick to sense it, offering her unwavering support and solace.

"Mom, it hurts..." My voice wavered, cracking with the weight of my distress. She held my gaze, her eyes filled with empathy, and let out a heavy sigh that seemed to carry the weight of both our burdens.

The bitterness and agony that had been simmering within me now surged through my entire being. Yet, I refused to let it manifest outwardly. Earlier, I had managed to muster the strength to suppress my emotions and put on a brave face, but now, the floodgates of my emotions threatened to burst open. It was in this moment, when I was alone with my thoughts, that the pain inflicted upon me by their actions pierced me like a thousand needles.

The word "pain" suddenly took on a whole new significance within the depths of my being. The image of Luis passionately kissing Alayna on the lips, as if our relationship held no significance, as if my feelings were inconsequential, seared itself into my mind. He had kissed the very person I considered a sister with an intensity and tenderness that I had never experienced from him. In that moment, my entire sense of self-worth was shattered, and I found myself questioning every aspect of my existence.

Was I truly so replaceable in his eyes that he would betray me? Was I not beautiful enough to capture his unwavering attention? I possessed everything one could desire, so why did he feel the need to deceive and betray me, casting aside our love and trust like discarded remnants?

My mother's comforting presence enveloped me as she pulled me into her embrace, her arms encircling my trembling shoulders. I could feel the warmth of her touch, her caress serving as a gentle balm for my wounded soul. In that moment, it was as if she sought to shield me from the pain that threatened to consume me entirely.

"Hush now, dear..." My mother's soothing voice resonated in my ear as she tenderly stroked my back, her lips pressing against my hair in a gesture of maternal affection.

Barely able to catch my breath amidst my sobs, my vision became obscured by the cascade of tears streaming down my cheeks. The ache in my heart intensified with every tear that fell, an outward manifestation of the anguish that had plagued me from within.

"How could he, mom... How could he cheat on me? How dare he..." I whimpered, my voice barely audible above the storm of emotions raging within me.

"Just cry," my mother gently whispered, her voice filled with empathy, as she tenderly caressed my back, providing a comforting presence in my moment of despair. She allowed me to release my pent-up emotions, granting me the space to let the tears flow freely. It took several minutes for the storm within me to subside, and it was then that I gradually disentangled myself from my mother's embrace.

"Feel better?" she inquired, her gaze soft and understanding, as if she could see the depths of my pain.

I mustered a faint smile, unable to find the words to express my true state of being. I couldn't bring myself to deceive my mother, so I simply shook my head, conveying my unspoken truth. She nodded in response, a silent acknowledgement of the weight I carried within.

With a tenderness that bespoke of a mother's love, she gently wiped away the remnants of my tears, her touch a balm to my wounded spirit. As I gazed into her eyes, I could sense the anguish she felt, mirroring the pain reflected in her gaze.

"You deserve so much better, Yvonne. You don't deserve this," she murmured, her voice filled with conviction and a fierce protectiveness that only a mother could possess.

I nodded, a silent affirmation of her words. Deep down, I knew she was right. They didn't deserve me—those individuals who had deceived me, who had shattered the foundation of trust I had placed in them. Their actions revealed the darkness that resided within their souls.

"What's your plan?" my mother inquired gently, her hand continuing to comb through my hair, seeking to provide a sense of solace in the midst of the chaos.

"Have you already ended your relationship with him?" she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

I shook my head in response, my voice momentarily failing me. "Not yet, Mom," I finally managed to utter, the weight of the decision heavy upon my shoulders.

"Do you want me to make them regret—" she began, her voice tinged with a hint of vengeance, a desire to protect her child.

I quickly interjected, shaking my head vehemently, my eyes meeting hers with an intensity that conveyed my resolution. She paused, her gaze penetrating mine, silently acknowledging my unspoken plea.

"You don't need to, Mom... I'll handle it. Just give me a month, and I will gather the strength to end our relationship," I declared, determination seeping into my voice.

My mother nodded, a mixture of pride and concern etched on her face. She extended an invitation for me to accompany her into my father's office, yet I declined, needing a moment of solitude to gather my thoughts. She understood, accepting my decision with a quiet grace, and instead, she took hold of my backpack, carrying it with her as she ventured into my father's domain.

I sought refuge in the sanctuary of the restroom, closing the door behind me to create a haven of privacy. I stood before the expansive mirror, my weary eyes meeting their reflection, the visage of a soul weathered by heartache.

Once again, tears welled up within me, cascading down my cheeks like a tumultuous waterfall. I found myself caught between laughter and pain, as I futilely attempted to wipe away the evidence of my sorrow, yet it seemed that my tears would never cease. So, I let out a heavy sigh and allowed my eyes to continue shedding tears.

My chest tightened, and the loud sobs escaped from within me.

I allowed myself to cry without reservation. It seemed that the tears I poured on my mother's shoulder were not enough. I cried in the bathroom as if there were no tomorrow.

I wearily ran my fingers through my hair, then gazed at my reflection in the mirror.

I appeared disheveled. My eyes, nose, cheeks, and even my lips were all red and swollen. This time, I won't place my trust in anyone. It's been enough times of being hurt, of having my trust shattered and being betrayed.

They are not worthy of my trust, my love, and my tears.

They both don't deserve me...