CHAPTER EIGHTY

“WOW, THIS is awkward,” Ross said as they stood in front of Letizia’s photo.

“I know. This is the first time we ever visited her together,” Rustom agreed.

Ross stared at his father and nodded.

“But let me start by apologizing to you, Ross.”

Rustom looked at him.

“I knew you hated me that your mom died without me by her side. I knew you thought that I stopped caring about her when she was dying.” Rustom took a deep breath. “You know, I wanted to die with her too. I don’t care if you believe me or not. At night, we would talk, and she would tell me that she did not want me to see her lose her beauty. She wanted me to just remember how beautiful she was when we first met. She did not want me to stop living. It was she who told me to prioritize our business. Someone had to be strong, and she said it should be me. Back then, I didn’t understand her, but I did what she asked of me anyway.

“But you know, son, it was hard to pretend that everything was fine. I admit I was not good at showing affection, so I’m sorry if you think I never cared about your mom dying. I realized I didn’t know how to be the father that you need, that it was not enough that I could provide you with everything. After all, our money could not save Letizia in the end. Years passed, and I disappointed her. I lost you, too. I controlled your life. I’m a bad father.” Rustom paused and studied Letizia’s smiling photo. “I did not want to accept that it was too late for the two of us. But I did not know how to reconcile our relationship. I’ve been asking for signs. And then, Cyrel came.

“I believed she was the answer to my prayers. I began to see again the child you once were, the even better version of you. And I’m proud of you, Ross. I’m sorry if I made you feel that you were a failure. I was actually mad at myself that I disappointed you and your mother. And I appreciate that you still hang around instead of going after Cyrel. You could have left, and I would still welcome you back.”

“Dad…” Ross groaned. He was not used to seeing his father become emotional and honest with himself. “I’m sorry, too. I know losing Mom was even harder for you, but I still chose to hate you. I hate you because you did not mourn for her as I did. I only know half of your pain, yet I acted like a jerk.” He cleared his throat as he threw his head back, hoping to stop his tears. “Yeah, I was a jerk.”

“Forgive me, Son.”

“Forgive me, too, Dad.”

Rustom opened his arms. Ross hugged him at once.

Rustom sighed in relief as he tapped Ross’s back.

“Thank you. I feel better now.”

“Me, too,” Ross replied and sniffed.

Rustom pulled away.

“How long are you going to wait for Cyrel, though? If I were you, I’d go to her and ask her to come home.”

Ross stared in disbelief.

“But…” He looked away. “What if she doesn’t want to come home yet?”

“Then, you can ask her another time.”

Ross smiled.

“I still have things to do.”

“Then, you better wrap them up.”

“Thanks, Dad!” Ross hugged Rustom once again.

Rustom took a step back.

“A-all right, all right,” he said, chuckling.

CYREL pressed the last note on the piano and smiled at the children.

“Great job, guys!” she said, clapping. “Let’s do it again tomorrow.”

The orphans sighed in relief and cheered.

“Thank you, Miss Cyrel!” they said in chorus.

“Children, fall in line, fall in line, please,” Mother Bianca reminded in a loud voice.

Cyrel stood up as she watched the children leave the music room.

“Great job, Cyrel,” Mother Bianca said afterward.

“Thank you, Mother,” she said with a smile.

“You must be hungry.”

“Oh, yeah.” She put a hand on her tummy. “Did you hear that? Food.”

Mother Bianca laughed.

“Cyrel, your phone rang. It was your mother. She asked to tell you to call her when you’re not busy anymore,” Connie said, handing Cyrel her phone.

“Really?” She exchanged glances with Mother Bianca. “Thank you, Connie.”

CYREL’S chest was pounding hard as she waited for Rosell to pick up. She stood at the window of the music room when Mother Bianca and the rest had left.

“M-Mom?”

“Cyrel, dear, how are you?” came Rosell’s soft voice.

“I-I’m fine, Mom. It’s nice to hear from you.”

“I’m sorry it took some time before I got the courage to call you.”

“It’s…” Cyrel sobbed. “It’s all right. Don’t worry.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m still in the orphanage.”

“When are you going home? Ross must have missed you a lot.”

She faked a laugh. “I know. I miss him, too.”

“I have some good news for you, by the way. Your dad is going to plead guilty. He was changing his heart.”

“R-really?” Cyrel put a hand on her mouth. “That’s… that’s good news.”

“I know. Thanks to Ross.”

Cyrel was surprised.

“What do you mean?”

“He said that if Christian was going to admit to all his crimes, he would save our house and our company. I mean, he’s still kind to us. Your dad could be stubborn about it and still lose everything we have, but Ross gave us a choice. I… I could not thank him enough.” Rosell began to cry. “I’m sorry if I made everything hard for you, Cyrel. I’m sorry I was not the mother you needed. I’m sorry for disappointing you and breaking your heart. I hope it’s not too late.”

“Mom…” Tears poured down Cyrel’s face. “It’s okay. It’s not too late… I’m so happy to hear that. I don’t hate you. You know that.”

“I love you, Cyrel. I love you. And I want you to know that I’m so proud of you. I’m proud of the person you have become. I promise I’ll make it up to you. Okay?”

Cyrel nodded even though Rosell could not see it.

“Yes, Mom. I love you, too. Thank you…”

She brushed her tears with her hands. She was happy. Cyrel was still occasionally crying these past few days, but not for bad reasons anymore.

“I can’t wait to see you soon, Mom.”

“Me, too, dear. Me, too…”