CHAPTER 35: Leaving You Behind

Atilla's POV.

When I finally left Ram's room, I felt my feet were made of lead because of how heavy I felt while walking away, away from his life.

My heart was aching so much, that I wouldn't be surprised if I started to get a heart attack, it hurt to leave him, but I knew that I must leave for his sake.

It has been a few days since the doctor assured us that Ram is safe, and during those days that he was unconscious, I was always by his side making sure that he was ok, but now, it's time for me to fulfill my promise to finally leave him.

"Goodbye, Ram," I couldn't stop myself from looking back and looking at him for the last time.

I felt the tears start to flow from my eyes, as I tried to memorize everything about him because I knew that I wouldn't be able to see him after today.

This is the last time I'll see him up close, and I'll bring this memory wherever I go.

I didn't regret seeing him again, but what I regret was that I didn't become honest with him about my real identity, then maybe, maybe he wouldn't feel like I fooled him, and maybe we would have a...

"Stop it, Atilla," I scolded myself for regretting something pointless.

I feel as though an anchor is pressing down on my feet as I exit the hospital.

Ram's dad didn't know that this would be the last time I would visit Ram and the last time he would be seeing me again.

I didn't know where I wanted to go when I exited the hospital, but before I could even think, I immediately noticed Henry waiting outside the hospital.

People were staring at him with admiration because aside from his incredible good looks at his age, people knew him as one of the wealthiest men in the world.

"Are you ready?" He asked when I finally got near to him.

I didn't expect that he would wait for me here, but he did, making me appreciate him even more and I was lucky to have a brother like him.

Ever since that accident that happened when I was still a kid, the way he treated me suddenly changed for the better.

When he first saw me, he acted cold and aloof, but after the accident, he made sure to make me feel loved, even though our dad stopped him from getting close to me.

I felt the love that I thought I would never feel from a family after my mom died.

Henry made me feel accepted and loved, and he treated me like his true sister, and for that, I was able to prove that he loves me, even if our dad was against accepting me and treated me like a freeloader, and a bothersome.

"Am I really ready?"

That was the question that was running through my mind at that exact moment.

I knew Henry was asking about something else, but that question hit me differently.

I never knew if I was really ready, ready to leave my own life and leave Ram forgot, and honestly, I don't think I would be ready, but there are things that we have to do for the sake of the people we love, even if it meant unbearable heartache and suffering.

Because I didn't know how to answer, I just nodded at his question. I heard Henry sigh and take the lead as we walked towards his waiting car.

I was surprised to learn that he was the one who would take me to the airport.

While on the road, he remained silent, and it took me a few minutes before I found the courage to speak.

"Thank you, Henry," I said in a soft voice, looking at the side of his face. I saw the muscles move in his face.

"I found out from Ram's dad that you helped them even though our wedding didn't push through," I explained.

"I did it because you asked me to, Atilla; I would never help that scumbag if it weren't for you," he replied adamantly. But, no matter how cold his reply was, he couldn't hide his love for me as his sister.

"I know, and thank you, Henry. We may not have the same mother, but you made me feel the love of a true brother," I said, smiling.

"That's because you are my sister. When will you ever realize that you are a Cervantes? You're my only sister. End of discussion," he said with finality in his voice.

Silence prevailed between us once more after his last statement. I could feel the sincerity in his words.

As he drove, I was silently looking out of the car window. I didn't know if I would ever go back to the Philippines or if I even wanted to go back.

Maybe our chapter, mine and Ram's, is really over.

Our love story was not like the usual ones seen in movies or TV shows that have a happy ending. This is real life, and the ending of our love story was not a happy one.

I won't be able to experience that "and they live happily ever after."

After that, we didn't say anything as he continued driving me to the airport for my scheduled flight today.

He still didn't say a word as he helped me unload my things from his car, not even allowing the people at the airport who wanted to curry favor with him.

He managed to get inside without being stopped by the marshals, it helped that he was Henry Cervantes.

"So I guess this is goodbye then," I smiled bitterly as I looked at Henry's face, trying to fight back his emotions.

"No, this is not goodbye, Atilla. You might forget that I'm Henry Cervantes, and I can visit you anytime I want," he joked, even though I could see something else in his face.

I knew that anytime he wanted, he could fly to wherever I was on a whim and I am looking forward to seeing him again.

I couldn't help myself and suddenly ran towards him, tightly hugging him, to which he immediately hugged me back.

Even though I didn't want to admit it, I was scared. I was scared of facing my life after leaving the Philippines. My situation was different now than it was before, and just thinking about being alone scared me to death, but I tried to fight it.

"Don't worry, Atilla, Ellaine, and I will visit you whenever you want. You know how much my wife likes you; she might like you more than me as her husband," he said, smiling.

"Please do, brother..." I whispered, and I felt his body stiffen at the sudden address of "brother."

"You called me brother?" He asked, surprised.

Who would have thought that such a simple word would rattle the great and mighty Henry Cervantes?

"You are my brother, right?" I joked, and he nodded immediately.

I didn't stay long and decided to head to the departure area when I heard my flight being called.

"Atilla!" I heard Henry call out when I was close to the airport's inspection area.

Curiously, I looked back at him, thinking that he might have something else to tell me.

"You don't need to go far away. If you really love Ram, fight for your feelings for him. Don't give up," I was surprised when he said that.

From the beginning, I knew that he didn't approve of Ram for me. Even though he didn't say it, he didn't accept that Ram was the person I loved.

"I want to, but how can you fight for a relationship that you already know has no future?" I said bitterly, and I saw the understanding in Henry's eyes, so I continued walking.

"If that's your decision, Atilla, but remember this: since you already made your decision, I won't let that Ram get close to you anymore," he shouted after me, which I responded to with an OK sign.

I knew that it was unlikely for Ram to look for me again. I was sure that when he woke up and found out that I had disappeared from his life, he could breathe a sigh of relief.

This is what he wanted, he wanted me to disappear from his life, and that what is he going to get, to get his life back to how it was originally.

Once again, I felt the pain of being separated from the person I loved more than my life.

I couldn't stop my tears from falling when the plane finally took off, taking me to the place where I would try to forget Ram.

"Please God, help me find the strength to forget him. Please help me ease the pain in my heart," I prayed, tightly closing my eyes.

But how could I? Can I really find that strength to move on with my life without Ram?

Can I still live without the man of my life?