Chapter 67: EMILY'S STORY

Kate’s words really got to me. I heard the pain in her voice, and that brought tears to my eyes. She was right; if I were to die without spilling the truth to everyone, I don't think my soul would rest.

My heart was already heavy with the burden it bears. I need to talk to Charles; he needs to know everything. All these years, I suffered the pain while longing to be with him again. I know I lied to him, and I know I hurt him deeply, but it was never my intention.

I grabbed my phone and dialled his number; no more secrets. I need to get this burden off my shoulders so I can look my parents straight in the eyes without feeling guilty.

I need to earn his forgiveness; I need to let him know that I never removed the baby. I also need to let my little baby feel her father's love, which I have deprived her of for three years of her life.

“Hey, hi,” I said, trying to steady my voice.

“I was about to call you; the table is all set, and you and Alda can start heading down now,” Charles said, getting me confused. Who is Alda?

“I don't understand. Who is Alda?” I heard Xender's voice telling him that it was Kate and not Alda.

“Sorry, I meant Kate.”

“Okay, we will be right down, but Charles, I need to...” The small beep from the phone told him he had ended the call. I sighed and went outside to find Kate. I found her in Xender's room while we were growing up. She seemed distracted, staring at our family picture resting on a nightstand besides the bed.

I knocked on the door, drawing her attention towards me.

“Were you able to find the restroom?”

“Yes, I just got curious about this room when I saw the caption on the front door.”

“What caption?” 

“The one that says “Xender property do not enter without permission”.”

“Oh, that was for me; I used to be a thorn in his flesh, so that caption was specifically written for me.”

“You guys must have been very close while growing up.”

“Not really; we were mostly fighting most times, so I wouldn't say we had the best relationship, and I also broke his best friend’s heart.” I jokingly said as we both laughed.

“It must be nice to have a brother to play with.” What really happened to her? There is always pain in her voice and eyes.

“You don't have any siblings?”

“No, I was an only child. It has always been me and my parents.”

“Your parents have loved you a lot.”

“Yeah, they did.” 

“Oh, I'm so sorry, Kate. I didn't know your parents were dead.”

“It's okay, let's just head downstairs; they might need our help.”

My heart ached for her. I don't really know when her parents died, but the pain was still very much visible in her eyes. I followed her downstairs; when we entered the dining room, the table was already set.

And I saw Charles cleaning the wine glasses while Xender was talking with dad. I walked up to him and stood besides him. I was scared, but I needed to let him know the secret I had been hiding from him for three years now.

“Charles, we need to talk.”

“Not now, Emily; it is almost time for dinner.” He was still avoiding me. He didn't even look me in the eyes or acknowledge my presence around him. He just carried on with cleaning the glasses like I wasn't there.

“The dinner isn't for us; let's talk outside.”

“I said no; now would you let me focus on what I'm doing?" He finally looked at me, but the anger visible in his eyes got me scared. I took a few steps away from him, trying to run away again like I used to, but how long will I keep doing it?

“Either you talk to me or I will let my parents in on this,” I said, raising my voice at him. 

“What the heck is your problem? You want to talk to me, right? Then follow me.” He brushed past me and headed towards the garden. I followed him to the garden, not knowing how to tell him everything.

“Start talking; I need to head back inside.”

“Why do you hate me so much?” I didn't mean to ask that, but I just wanted to know.

“Do I need to spell it out to you, and is this what you want to talk about?” I couldn't answer him; I just stood there, staring at him blankly.

“See, you don't even have anything to say." He started walking away, but I grabbed his hand, stopping him.

“What if I told you that I never aborted that baby? What if I told you that you have a daughter?” I asked, staring at him straight in the eyes.

“That would have been possible four years ago, Emily, but now, all it can be is what if.”

“I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything. I tried to call you when she was born, but I couldn't. I thought that keeping her away from you was the best option, but I was wrong.” 

“What on earth are you talking about?” He asked, looking confusedly at me.

“You have a daughter; I never aborted the baby.” I said, waiting for his reaction, but she just froze at the spot, staring blankly at me. 

“Don't just stand there looking at me and say something!” I couldn't hold the tears anymore; I was angry and tired of everything.

“Did you actually make this up to find your way into my life again?” He didn't believe me, and the shock I got from that question left me suffocating.

I felt a sharp pain in my heart as I struggled to breathe. How could he say that to me?

“That trick won't work on me, Emily; I will advise you to give up.” Grabbing onto my clothes, I went down on my knees as I unbuttoned the dress. He left; he actually didn't believe me.

I just sat there and cried my eyes out. He wasn't the Charles I used to know. Did I really bring this part of him out? Or am I the reason he created this part of him?

I didn't know how long I sat there crying, but I hoped that he would come back, but he never did. I folded my hand into a fist, swallowing down the pain in my heart, and headed inside.

I'm sure they are all seated, eating, and gisting. I could hear the sound of my parents's laughter coming from the dining room. I walked in like a zombie and stood in front of my mum.

“Emily? What has gotten into you, and why are you this messed up?” My mum asked.

“You know, mum, all I ever wanted was to make you and dad proud. Growing up, dad wanted Xender to be the one who would handle his company, even though he knew I was very interested in taking the space Xender rejected.

I struggled to make you both proud, and that cost me a lot. I always smiled and looked happy, whereas I'm dying inside.

Before I left for England to study for my diploma, I was pregnant.” My mum gasped in shock while my dad remained calm.

“I couldn't tell you both because dad finally gave me the chance I have always asked of him. All I had to do was get my diploma and come back to Yew Nork to prove to dad that I could handle his company.

When I found out I was pregnant, I felt devastated because I knew that Dad would cancel my flight to England and have me marry the father of my child.

I wasn't scared of getting married, but I just knew I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready to be a wife or a mother. I saw my baby as a threat to making my dad proud, so I decided to have an abortion.

I would lie if I said that aborting my baby didn't cross my mind a million times. Her father begged me not to, but keeping the baby means giving up my chance of going to England and one day becoming the CEO of Dad's company.

So I did what I thought was the right thing for me to do. I lied to her father, who begged me to keep the baby. I told him that I carried on with the abortion process while I hid it from you guys.”

“I carried my baby while studying for my diploma until I gave birth to her. I raised her on my own for three years while keeping her a secret, but I wanted to unburden my heart.

I want to be able to look you all in the eyes without feeling guilty, and I also want to say I'm sorry.” I turned to Kate and gave her a little smile before whispering a thank-you to her. She gave me a small smile before looking away from me. 

I could tell she was crying.

“To Kate and Xender, I'm sorry if I ruined your dinner.” I went upstairs and came back with a picture of Elara and placed it in front of Charles, who hasn't said anything or even looked my way since I came in here and started my speech.

“Her name is Elara, and she is three years old. I'm not asking you to take me back; I'm just asking you to be a father to Elara. I will be picking her up from the airport tomorrow. I will text you an address. Try and come there if you want to see her.”

My mum still maintained the shocking expression on her face. I didn't know what to say to my parents; I just turned and headed upstairs. I have never felt this good in a long time. No more secrets; my baby is no longer a secret. I can finally bring her home.

I entered my room and rested my back against the door, breathing in and out. I heard a knock on the door and thought it was Charles, but instead I found my mum standing in front of me with her arms widely open.

I rushed into her arms and hugged her tightly.

“You should have told me everything; even if you couldn't tell your dad because you were scared, you should have come to me. It must have been very hard on you.”

“Well, only a little; raising Elara has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can't wait for you to meet her.” 

“Now, about that. How could you keep my grandchild away from me?” I can't believe she still has the time to scold me.

“I love you, mum.”

“I love you too, sweetie.”