CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

RUSTOM was furious when he heard about what happened. He called for Aiko and Jordan.

“These reporters are not going to stop until they have dug enough,” Aiko said. “When do you want to release a statement? I’ll prepare it for you right away.”

“Tomorrow,” Rustom said and turned to Donald. “And make sure no reporter is going to come to any of us ever again.”

“I’ll make sure of that, Mr. King,” Donald replied.

“All right.” Rustom sighed and pinched his forehead. “Ross, you can go home with Cyrel first. Security is dispatched in the lobby. It should be safe now.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Ross said and squeezed Cyrel’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Cyrel sighed.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I shouldn’t have come here.”

“It’s not your fault. The reporters were already there, waiting for a good opportunity,” Rustom said.

But no matter how they told her it was not her fault, Cyrel did not feel any better. She was still thinking that it was she who gave them the opportunity.

“It looks like we can’t have another convenience store date,” Ross said as soon as they got inside the car. “But we can go to a drive-through, can’t we? Cheer up.”

Cyrel stared at Ross as he turned the ignition on.

“I’m not hungry,” she said.

“Oh.” He looked at her. “What do you want to do then?”

“I just want to go home. I’m so tired.”

Ross looked reluctant, but then he said, “Okay.”

A few moments later, they were on the road.

“Ross, do you think this marriage is still making sense?” Cyrel asked out of the blue.

He glanced at her in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

“I-I mean, my dad’s relationship with your dad is already ruined. And… and…” Cyrel swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat. “Y-you know, the only reason we are married is to save our family’s business. But Dad still lost everything because of his own doing. Now you’re being bothered by reporters. They publicized the case, and now they’re digging into our private lives. How long are you going to bear with that? I just… I just don’t think it’s still a good idea that we’re seen together while the case is ongoing.”

“Yeah, sure. We can go have a date somewhere,” he said nonchalantly.

“N-no, Ross.” Cyrel drew a breath. “What I mean is, maybe we should take a break from each other for now.”

“What?” Ross suddenly pulled over to the side of the street.

It took Cyrel by surprise, but she was too stunned to make a fuss about it.

“I… I-I don’t get it,” Ross said afterward.

“Listen…” Cyrel drew another breath as she tried to contain her tears. “As long as my family knows that we’re together, they will always find a way to guilt-trip me to convince your dad to withdraw the case. This is the only way to let them know that there’s no escape for Dad.

“Today was the first time I actually fought with Casey. Growing up, I would give way and surrender because she’s my family, and families don’t fight each other. But when I stood firm with my decision back at the coffee shop, I knew I hurt her, but something heavy was lifted from my chest. You know what I mean? For the first time in my life, I felt proud of myself for standing up. And I realized I should have done that a long time ago.

“But I want to prove them wrong. I did not have the courage just because I’m married into your family. I did it because I was finally brave enough to realize that sometimes, knowing your worth as a person and standing up for what’s right is going against your own blood. Do you get what I mean, Ross? I am not happy because my family is falling apart. But if it’s the only way to set all of us free from this toxic bond, I’m willing to sacrifice.”

“You want to go? I’ll go with you,” he implored.

“N-no, Ross. You can’t. I have to do it alone. You can’t come with me. Especially not now. You just started mending your relationship with your dad. You can’t leave him now. He needs you more than ever. I must do this alone.”

Ross sighed. “A-are you sure about this? Aren’t you just being impulsive? I don’t think now’s the perfect time to talk about that. We’re both stressed. Yeah, that’s it. Maybe you’ll change your mind tomorrow.” He avoided her gaze and turned the engine on again.

“Ross…”

“Please, Cyrel,” he said without looking at her.

Cyrel bit her lip as she leaned back in her seat.

They did not talk nor glance at each other until they reached home.

OF COURSE, Cyrel did not expect Ross would understand right away. He was shocked. But she could not think of the perfect timing to tell him what was on her mind. It was for the best. If she stayed, knowing she was within her family’s reach, she would never have peace. This was never meant to be peaceful anyway.

But seeing him ignoring her for the rest of the trip and not holding hands with him as they entered the house, her heart felt crushed into pieces. She stared at Ross’s back as she walked behind him. He had not looked over his shoulder since then.

With a sigh, she ran to him and hugged him from behind. He stopped abruptly.

Cyrel pressed her cheeks into his back as she sobbed.

“I’m sorry… I-I’m so sorry… Please don’t be mad at me.”

She heard him sigh. Ross held her arms, but he did not say a word. He just waited and listened to her as she cried.

“Ross, please talk to me,” she implored.

“Later, Cyrel. I’m also tired from working and all these things happening,” he said in a cold tone.

She loosened her arms around him. Ross walked away at once.