Chapter 10 Sincere Apology
After being utterly disheartened, all my hope and faith was shattered, I was staring out of the window with tears glistening on my cheeks.
‘What was my sin that not only I lost my love but my family also abandoned me? What did I do!?’
As I was filled with my woeful thoughts,my phone rang and it was Vince but having zero strength left in me, I didn’t pick it up.
Sighing, I looked out of the window, a single question filling me.
“Will this heartbreak ever end for me?”
Later, Auntie came, “Alyssa, Dear, come for dinner,”
“I have lost my appetite, Auntie, I don’t think I can even swallow a bite,” I replied honestly.
“Don’t say this. Life itself is a trial, My Dear,”
“Yeah, an endless trial,” I chuckled dryly, hugging myself closer.
“Aren’t you a strong one? What happened to Alyssa who was ready to fight this world?”
She tried to lift my courage but in her words, I found nothing but mockery and retorted.
“The Alyssa who fought the world and got nothing in return? The Alyssa who made wrong choices and fell from grace? Yeah, Auntie, that Alyssa is dead,”
Her gaze softened, pitying my state too much but there was nothing to be done.
She opened her mouth but my phone vibrated and it was Vince again but I was too exhausted.
“Maybe you should pick up,”
“I.. I don’t think I can talk to anyone…”
“Okay,” Sighing, she got up and left me alone.
When she was gone, darkness began to consume and before I knew it, I fell asleep on the couch.
But, that slumber wasn’t comforting, it was unsettling, filled with anguish, my eyes were closed, I was not conscious but the sleep was too… hard.
It felt like even resting had become an effort for me.
The following morning, my eyes were heavy, barely able to open due to the discomfort I gained all night. I was lying on the couch lifelessly until the door knocked.
“Hmm?”
Permitting whoever it was to enter, a strong scent filled my nostrils, indicating it was Vince. In the morning? Didn’t he have work?
The sound of his shoes against the floor struck me as I opened my eyes weakly watching him approaching me with a tray of food before closing the door.
“Alyssa… I heard what your father said…”
Trailing off nervously, he didn’t know what to speak for my consolation as I chuckled dryly.
“Maybe this is my punishment for loving the wrong man.”
He simply gave me a pitiful look, placing the tray on the table along with his phone as I sat up gradually to give him space to sit as well, hugging my knees close to my chest.
He sighed, taking one plate, placing a pancake on it. I thought it was for himself but instead, he offered me a bite.
Shrinking my eyes out of dejection, I lowered his hand, “Vince…”
“Hmm?”
“I.. I am not depraved. I am not what my father says, right? You don’t think he is right, right?”
“Of course not, I am the one who offered to marry. You have no fault. Ken used you, he took advantage of you,” He whispered, hoping to reduce my vexation.
But his words were echoing in my mind, calling me immoral and all, leading my voice to break.
“And I stupidly let him, I let this happen to myself.”
“That is why you must regain your strength and reach the top, Alyssa, don’t let Ken win. You lost love, don’t lose your power and assets too. Don’t give up,”
“Vince, I married Ken out of pride, I fought this world, called everyone a liar…” Looked away shamefully, “Even slapped you too,”
Pulling my hair in frustration where I found myself lost from all sides, nothing but a growl filled with regrets of my decisions escaped.
“Look at me, what did I gain? If I stepped out now, people would laugh at my face. I.. I can’t take it anymore,”
Not permitting me to drown grief, he held my wrist, removing it from my face so I stop hiding myself from this world.
“For how long will they? People talk, that’s what they do. But, you have to show them you are not weak,”
Sniffing, I lifted my watery gaze and saw his deadpanned ones, refusing to abandon me like everyone else.
“I am. For now, I am so weak that raising my voice feels like too much of a struggle,” I whispered, parting my wrist back to hug myself again.
He exhaled, picking the fork once again, “This too shall pass, I am here to help you,”
Not giving me a moment to argue, he offered me a bite sweetly, “Now, here, take a bite,”
I blinked. Unsure how to react and opened my mouth staring at his inscrutable face, taking the bite.
Hiding all his mysteries through his soft expression, not letting me know what he truly desired and my heart pumped to fathom.
When this world was deserting me, he was right before me.
Whatever reasons he might have, he was with me.
My family, my ex-lover, my friend, none but him.
“Vince…”
“Hmm?”
“I am sorry… for everything,”
After the last bite, he was about to pull his hand back but I held his sleeves, softening my gaze, speaking in my most sincere tone.
“I am sorry for slapping you, for ignoring your warning, for not believing in you, I am so sorry,”
“I won’t blame you, you were blind in love,”
Picking the napkin, he wiped my mouth, evoking an unforeseen blush on my cheek. Staring at his hard features, being so gentle with me.
I had never seen him like this. From rumors, they said he was cold, that he was uncaring and too strict. I saw none of that.
Was he another deception? Not what he showed? I didn’t know yet and all I could do for now was to trust and tighten my grip on him.
“You… won’t abandon me, right, Vince?”
“I won’t,”
He smiled, picking the tray and went to put it back as I stared at him.
‘We were never this close so why was he here? What lies in helping me?’
Questioning, I was highly bewildered but my thoughts were broken when his phone rang.
He left his phone in the room so I came down to give it back as it was ringing and the name was hidden nor do I intend to invade his privacy.
I came down and saw Vince with Uncle from afar, I came near and heard him speaking in frustration that slowed my steps.
‘Was he talking about me? Did he grow weary of me already?’
Distress crept upon my features as I stood quietly to listen to what made him agitated, hearing him sigh.
“What should I do, Uncle? Astrid is returning. How do I explain all this to her?”
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“Help me,”
Only to hear what I least expected, inducing the realization that I wasn’t saved but actually got entangled into another mess.
“This is your problem, son. When you knew you were engaged then why did you marry Alyssa?”