Chapter 29
“JANINE—”
“Don’t talk to me!” she snarled at him. “This is all your fault, Ken.”
Ken shook his head. “Even if I am not Paulo’s brother and we didn’t meet at that restaurant with him, you will still be a victim of the rumors. Paulo is a famous celebrity model.”
Janine threw him a sharp gaze. “But your involvement made it worst, Ken!’
Ken didn’t answer and watched Janine pace back and forth in the cabin’s living room, her frustration palpable with every step. He understood her anger and desire to escape their isolated refuge. Still, he also knew that it was necessary for her safety.
He approached her gently when she calmed down and sat on the sofa, his voice filled with sincerity. “Janine, I know this situation is far from ideal, and I understand your frustration. But please, let me cook you lunch. It’s the least I can do to make you feel better. It’s already past lunchtime.”
Janine turned her gaze towards Ken, her eyes filled with anger and hurt. “Why should I accept anything from you? This whole mess is because of you, Ken! I just want to leave this forest and clear my name!”
Ken sighed, his heart aching at Janine’s words. “Janine, going out there right now would only make things worse. The media is relentless and won’t hesitate to twist your words and tarnish your reputation. I’m trying to protect you from that.”
Janine’s frustration intensified, and she shook her head vehemently. “Protect me? Do you think this is protection? You should have stayed away from me, Ken! I warned you to leave me alone, but you kept showing up wherever I went!”
Ken’s voice trembled with regret as he tried to explain himself. “I know, Janine. I made mistakes, and I hurt you deeply. But please believe me when I say I want to make it right. It’s just... Paulo.”
Janine’s anger persisted, tears streaming down her face as she again accused him. “Paulo? What about him? Paulo is not part of our problem! Paulo is the only man that treats me right, Ken. But what did you do? You ruined my life again!”
Ken’s shoulders sagged under the weight of Janine’s accusations. He realized the depth of the pain he had caused her, and it tore at his heart. “Do you like Paulo, Janine? Do you like my brother?”
“Paulo is kind, and he treats me right… Unlike you.” Janine’s tears continued to flow, her anger slowly subsiding into a mixture of sorrow and disappointment. “You hurt me, Ken. You hurt me so much.”
Ken approached cautiously. “I know, Janine, and I can’t take back what I’ve done. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Please, give me a chance to prove that I’ve changed.”
Janine looked at Ken, her gaze softened. With a trembling voice, she whispered, “I need time, Ken. Time to heal, time to trust again.”
Ken nodded, his eyes filled with determination and love. “I’ll give you all the time you need, Janine. I’ll be here, waiting, ready to do whatever it takes to win back your trust.”
***
JANINE sat by the window; her gaze fixed on Ken as he stepped outside the cabin in search of a better signal. She couldn’t help but let out a remark. “You chose a dumb place with no reception. Bear with it.”
Ken chuckled, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, away from the world’s chaos. But I guess I didn’t consider the inconvenience.”
As Janine observed Ken from afar, memories of his protective actions flooded her mind. She thought about how he had saved her from the paparazzi and even intervened when a girl had attacked her at the salon. Despite their complicated history, she couldn’t deny his genuine concern.
“Has he really changed?” Janine asked in a whisper as she watched Ken look for a better signal.
The image of Ken remaining calm as she lashed out at him earlier played in her thoughts. Instead of retaliating, he had prepared lunch for her, assuring her that she would find comfort during their stay. It was a side of him she hadn’t seen in a long time, leaving her conflicted.
The tranquility of the forest and the gentle rustling of leaves outside helped Janine find peace amidst the chaos of her emotions. She decided to set aside her anger and confusion, embracing the serenity surrounding them.
As Ken reentered the cabin, Janine turned her attention to him. “Who were you talking to on the phone? Was it Paulo?”
Ken’s expression was surprised and relieved at Janine’s newfound composure. “No, it wasn’t Paulo. I called my staff to arrange for food and toiletries to be brought here. We won’t have to worry about running out.”
Janine’s brows furrowed as she pondered her next question, her voice filled with curiosity and lingering hurt. When Ken went straight to the kitchen to wash the dishes, she decided to ask him about something she’d wanted to ask.
“Ken, why did you cheat on me in the past? Why did you betray our love?”
Ken’s eyes met hers, searching for the right words. He sighed, his gaze filled with regret and uncertainty. “Janine, I can’t make excuses for what I did. I was foolish and blind to what truly mattered. I let my desires cloud my judgment and hurt you in the process.”
“So you’re owning to that mistake?” Janine asked, trying her best not to shout or scream at him. She wanted this explanation so bad that she even had nightmares. She regretted not listening to him during their trial because she wasn’t ready to hear all of it. But now, she’s prepared to face it. “You really cheat on me, Ken?”
Ken pressed his lips together. “Yes…” he answered in an almost inaudible tone. “I cannot go with her to the bar with the other business clients. I have the option to decline because we have plans for the evening. But I didn’t…”
Janine leaned back in her chair, a heaviness settling in her chest. His apology didn’t erase the pain she had endured. She longed for an explanation, for some understanding of the choices he had made.
“It was a setup—”
“Enough,” Janine cut him off. “I’ve heard that before and it doesn’t matter anymore, Ken. If you just made the right decision that night. We wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Ken’s silence lingered, his expression reflecting the weight of his past actions. Janine knew he wanted to give her the answers she sought, and she had already heard what she wanted from him.
The room fell into quiet stillness, both lost in their thoughts and emotions. The forest outside whispered its secrets, offering solace in their unspoken truths.