Chapter 85: The in-laws (Rafael's request)

Chapter 85: The in-laws (Rafael's request)
Rafael's POV
I embraced her. Ellasandra was confused, but I chose to hold her first before explaining. "What's wrong, hmm? Are you nervous that if my parents saw this scar, they'd think that you did it?" she jokes. She held my face and gave me a smack on my lips.
"Don't worry. All of them knew about this scar since that day. So, relax," she adds.
"Actually, I was the reason for that scar," I whispered softly.
I grab the bracelet inside my pocket and place it in her palm. "You gave this to me in the hospital. You told me that if I ever need help and I can't reach you, I can sell this. You said it's worth a million dollars."
Ellasandra grabs the bracelet and stares at her initials. "Don't tell me you're that kid?" she asks. I slowly smile and hug her again. "We're really destined for each other. You're my soulmate," I mumbled. She suddenly pinches my cheeks.
I didn't fight back or stop her. "Are you sure you're still my crazy husband, hmm?" she asks. I grab both of her palms and lick them. She takes it back, and her cheeks turn bright red. "Nope. I think I'm just a crazy dog that loves licking you forever," I tease.
She rolled her eyes and laughed after. "Get ready. You still have a feast to cook. Don't forget Mikael's favorite dish," Ella says. I nod and hold her one more time. Life was really unexpected.
I was in the kitchen for three hours, cooking. My wife was next to me. She's the taster. She made sure that the taste is what her family loves. I told my wife to handle the rest. I took a quick shower and went to the airport.
I arrived ten minutes before they landed. My wife sends me their family photo. Her family knows my face as well. After thirty minutes, the passengers start to come out. I remained seated and checked my phone from time to time. A moment later, I saw three people who looked familiar. I stood up and approached them.
They look at me intently. I know they're checking me out. "Rafael Midnight," I utter. "You're alone?" Ella's dad asks. I nod lightly.
"Yes, sir. I told her that I'll pick the three of you myself," I mumbled.
I grab their luggage, and they don't stop me. "This way." At the parking lot, I opened the car door for them. My father-in-law sits on the passenger side. As I drove the car off from the airport, silence was heard. After twenty minutes, I decided to stop the car in the park.
"What's wrong?" Ella's dad asks. "Before we head home, I want to talk to all of you first. A conversation while Ella isn't around. I know my wife well. She'll stand up for me if things go wrong."
"Ella told us everything. She didn't lie or sugarcoat the experience she had while she was using her nickname and my maternal surname," Ella's mom says. "We won't beat around the bushes. We're disappointed, heartbroken, and mad about what you did to her," she adds. I controlled my emotion. I don't want their sympathy.
I want their true forgiveness. "I won't lie or make any excuses. What I did was unforgivable. I made her my blood bank and forced her to donate bone marrow to Ashley. The woman I thought loved me the most."
I feel like a rock appears in my throat, making me feel uncomfortable. "Ashley was there when my parents died. She helps me to cope with the loss I have. That's why I care for her like no other. I spoiled her with material things and helped her whenever she was in trouble," I added.
"Then Ashley suddenly left. She didn't tell me her reasons and vanished into thin air. A year later, I met Ella. I thought she had the same behavior as Ashley. That drew me in. I started courting her until she agreed to marry me." I continued to tell them what happened. How I used Ellasandra and the sufferings she experienced because of me. I lean back and place my hand on the steering wheel.
"The truth is, there are times that my heart aches when I hear her sobbing silently, alone in the dark. But I keep on telling myself that Ashley is the one who truly loves and understands me," I added. I look at my wedding ring.
"In the end, Ella faked her death. I learned the truth about Ashley's true intention toward me. The whole house, my cars, the company, Ella feels like she's everywhere. I miss how she pesters me. I miss everything. That's when I realize something," I paused.
I close my eyes and recall the days when everything was darker. I thought losing my parents was the darkest day of my life, but it wasn't. It's the day that I lose Ellasandra. "I love my wife with all my heart. I'm just an asshole to see that. She was already my world. I want to end my life, but I stop myself. It's not because it's a sin. I deserve to get old and be eaten by regret. I should suffer that way." I took off my seatbelt and turned my body.
"I won't be asking for forgiveness. I won't beg for it. I know I don't deserve that. I only ask one thing," I halt.
They remained silent, but their eyes were on me. "A chance. Give me the chance to love and cherish Ellasandra. It's my way to atone for everything that I did. Give me that chance to make up for everything and love her for the rest of my life," I whispered.
I showed them how serious I am. I was about to speak again when my phone rang. They saw Ella's name on the screen. I answered it. "Rafael Midnight, come home," she asserts.
"We're on the road already, love," I replied.
"Don't lie to me. Have you forgotten that you let me place a GPS with all your cars? The four of you were in a park. I know you want to talk to them, but can you do it at home?" she says. I cleared my throat. "Love, they can hear you," I murmured softly.
"Dad, Mom, Grandma, don't scold him. Do it after dinner. Mikael and I were waiting for all of you," Ella asserts.
"Let us have this moment, Ellasandra. We both know how stubborn you can be," her grandma finally speaks. "But Grandma..." Ella pleaded.