Giving Back

Giving Back
Lucas's Point of View

I'm being a jerk to her unnecessarily, but how can I face her after telling her my truth?
The truth that even Mason and Max aren't aware of!
The truth that makes my stomach churn with disdain and disgust. It was no less than my truth, and I've told her about it when I shouldn't have.

I can't even face her now. I can't face her, and no matter how much I wanted to wrap my arms around her and pull her closer to me, realization hit me harder.

She doesn't deserve a man like me; she deserves someone better, and I'm no better. My life was darkness itself, and I do not have to drag her into that darkness.
She deserves to be happy, and that can only happen if I'm not in her life.

"Everything is ready. I've transferred everything to her name. All she needs to do is sign these papers, then everything will be official,"
Sergo, my lawyer, announced, breaking the silence in the room.
I nodded dismissively without uttering a word. I'm letting her go; she should live her life and be happy. I'd rather love her from afar than drag her into my darkness and ruin her. She's been through a lot already, and I'm not adding to that.

"Lucas, what are you doing? Are you sure about this?"
Mason asked, his voice laced with confusion. I understand how he was confused, but I have no intention of explaining anything.

"He's doing the right thing. Sophie should go away and start her life afresh. This life isn't good for her,"
Max said.

He's right; this life is not for her, and it took me enough time to finally understand this. But now that I do, I will make sure to rectify my mistakes.

Without a word, I got up from the chair. Grabbing a paper and a pen, I clenched everything in my hand before I trudged out of the room.

As I reached Sophie's room, I used my free hand to unlock the door and stepped inside. She's sitting in the corner of the room, her knees raised, resting her head between her legs, her frame curled into a ball.

I shut the door behind me and walked over to her.
She tilted her head to me, and as soon as her gaze found me, she sprang to her feet and rushed over to me.

"Have you decided to turn me into a prisoner?"
Her voice was void of any emotion as she threw a sharp glare at me. Her face was pale, probably due to crying so much; her eyes were red and puffy; her lips were dry and swollen.

A sharp pang twisted in my chest. I hated seeing her like this, and the fact that I locked her in here for a week made it even worse.

"Sign these papers and leave. I'm finally freeing you from the torture of seeing my face every day,"
I said, trying to control the emotions in my voice. I desperately wanted her. I loved her. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her as my life partner.
But the bitter truth is she wanted nothing to do with me. She hates me with everything in her bones, and I've realized forcing her to stay won't do any of us any good.

Sophie's brows furrowed, confused. She didn't expect me to let her go so easily, and I swear it is not easy for me, but I can't be selfish.

"What do you mean you are letting me go?"
She threw me a blank look, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm not repeating myself, Sophie. You heard exactly what I said. Sign these papers and leave,"
I said through clenched teeth, feeling a sharp pain in my jaw. This was harder than I thought, and I hate how my heart is pounding so hard against my chest like it is going to burst out.

"Lucas, I'm not a toy that you can play with and toss away as you want. I'm a human with emotions, do you understand?"
Her voice cracked, tears starting to well up in her eyes. I couldn't understand what was wrong with her. Leaving has been everything she wanted, and now that I'm letting her go, she's getting
angry. What's wrong with her?

"Stop making me angry, Sophie. Sign these papers and leave."

My stomach hardened with each passing second as I watched tears streaming down her cheeks. I didn't want her to leave. I wanted her to stay here with me, but I guess I can't have everything I want in life, and it's about time I accept it.

Sophie snatched the papers from my hands, walked over to the dresser, and placed the papers before she leaned closer and signed the papers. Leaving a copy of the papers, she stormed out of the room.

My heart was now pounding so hard against my chest as I watched her leave. I wanted to stop her, kiss the life out of her, tell her how much I loved her, but I had no choice but to watch her go away. I didn't want to drag her into my dark life. She didn't deserve it at all.

The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of my thoughts. I slipped my hand into my pocket
and yanked my phone out.

I narrowed my eyes to see Liam’s number flashing on the screen. I slid my thumb across the red button.

My phone rang with a new notification from him. I let out a sigh as I tapped on the message, and my eyes widened to see him outside my mother's ward dressed as a nurse. He was wearing a mask, which he had opened slightly when he took a selfie.

I balled my hand into a fist as I called his number, which was quickly picked up.

"If you go in there, I'm going to kill you, Liam. Don't you dare,"
I shouted on the phone, and he burst into laughter. He's a lowlife, and he'd do anything to make me angry, and using my mother always works.

"Give me a place to stay and one million rands, and I will leave your dear mother alone," his voice dripping with sarcasm.

My grip around my cell phone tightened. I wanted to punch the hell out of him until he loses his brain, but I can't risk it. My mother's life was in danger, and I won't lose her because of him.

"And yes, bring my dear Sophie back, or else I'm going to kill her."

This was the limit. I swear I'm going to kill the hell out of him.