Chapter 74: CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
MALU looked relieved when she appeared to check on them the moment they arrived home.
“Hey, Malu,” Ross said.
“What happened?” She was looking at Cyrel.
“I had a confrontation with my dad,” Cyrel replied quietly.
“And he hurt you?” Malu’s voice raised a little.
“I hurt his ego too, so we’re even. For now.”
Malu sighed harshly.
“He’s evil.”
“Thanks for your concern, Malu. I’m sorry for making you worried.”
Malu’s expression softened.
“Well, it’s done. I’m just glad you’re back home safe. Did Rustom know about this?”
“Yeah,” Ross replied. “He’s filing a case against Mr. Byrne.”
“Oh, dear,” Malu uttered and sighed.
“It’s for the best,” Cyrel said.
“I hope so. I’ll leave you alone for now. I only wanted to check on you.”
“Thanks again, Malu,” Ross said.
“I’ll see you later for dinner.”
Malu turned her back and returned to the kitchen.
“I wish my mom was as affectionate as Malu,” Cyrel said after a moment.
“But Malu is family now,” Ross said softly.
“Yeah.” She gave him a broad smile.
“Let’s go. You need plenty of rest. Promise me you’ll never do that again.”
“Ross.” She gave him a serious look. “I’m sorry that I made everyone worried, but honestly, I did not regret confronting my dad on my own. I know that you don’t want me to feel that I’m alone, but, you know, there are things we should do by ourselves even if we have someone to do it with us. You know what I mean?”
“Yes, but don’t we all get scared sometimes? Weren’t you scared?”
“I was scared. I did not know what to feel. But I had to tell my father how I felt. I just got something out of my chest that I have kept for years. I have been waiting for that moment to come.”
“I just want you to depend on me. What’s wrong with that?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that… nothing is wrong with being strong on your own, either. It’s… it’s liberating.” Cyrel sighed. “I didn’t know I could even do that until I confronted my father. Do you understand?”
“Yeah. And I’m honestly proud of you.” Ross looked hesitant, though. “It’s just that… you’re strong, and I want to be strong for you, too.”
“I’m human too, Ross. No matter how strong we are as a person, we all want someone whom we can safely be vulnerable with.”
“I like what you said.” He smiled.
Cyrel giggled softly.
“All right. Be strong on your own. If you’re tired, I’m just here,” he said.
“You can do the same, too. Men don’t have to be tough or act tough all the time. You can show weakness, and it’s all right. It doesn’t make you less of a man or a person or whatever.”
Ross grinned.
“You should be a beauty queen.”
Cyrel frowned.
“Not with this body handles.”
“Fuck society’s standards.”
“I prefer being your wife.” Cyrel wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest.
Ross pursed his lips as he suppressed a giggle.
“Gosh, you’re turning me on.”
FOR THE following days, Cyrel tried to focus on her online music class while Ross endured Donald’s silent but deadly treatment. She had not heard from her mother again after that. She was thankful, but a part of her felt worried about her.
Although Rosell had been tolerant of her father all these years, Cyrel knew her mother had been struggling, too. And she just hated the fact that her mother could not stand up for herself or even for them, her children.
As much as she wanted to hate her, she felt sorry for her mom. Her dad never treated her mom as a wife or a partner. She was just there to listen to his whims and schemes. Christian never asked Rosell her thoughts and feelings.
Cyrel had this belief that Christian only married Rosell because she was the only heiress to her parents’ company which was going down now because of his wrong decisions.
If she wanted to bring her dad down, Rosell could stand as a strong witness. She could be the last nail to his coffin. She was always by his side, even though he treated her as invisible. But her mom was more than that. If only she could find her voice.
Maybe she could still save her relationship with her mother.
WITH a sigh, Cyrel dialed her mom’s number and waited for her to pick up. She stood by the porch. Ross and Rustom had just left for work.
“M-Mom.”
“Cyrel, why did you call? I thought you had already abandoned us. Did you call to check if we’re suffering enough?” Rosell’s voice was filled with bitterness.
Cyrel felt something strike her heart. Rosell was never an affectionate mom to her, but she was not this cold either.
“You’re still blaming me when I only wanted justice, Mom?” she asked bitterly. “Are you disappointed I did not grow the way you brought me up?”
Rosell did not respond.
“Mom, why are you letting Dad treat you like that? Why could you not stand up for yourself? Why can’t you be a mother for me just this once?” A tear escaped from her eye. “You’re more than just a trophy wife. It was your company in the first place. Why are you so scared to hold him accountable? He was never a good husband to you.”
“But I love him! I love your father! I made a promise when I married him. He’s got no one except me! And I’m so disappointed that our own daughter could do this to us!”
Cyrel shut her eyes tight as she drew a breath.
“Mom, you could go to jail as his accomplice, do you know that? It’s not too late. You can save yourself. Are we going to lose you, too?”
Rosell began to cry on the other line. Cyrel could not hold her tears anymore.
“Mom…” she sobbed. “Please.”