Chapter 77 I’m sorry
“Aurora.” Jack called as soon as he got back to his office. She turned to look at him, her jaws clenched in anger.
“Has she left?” She asked him, and he shook his head.
“I’m not sure. What’s happening? Who is she?” He asked, sitting next to her.
“She’s no one.” She answered coldly, lowering her head.
“I heard you call her Mom…”
“She isn’t my mom anymore. She became a stranger the minute she stepped out of my house and left me.” Aurora answered, tears heating the back of her eyes.
“Oh… I’m so sorry, Aurora.” Jack answered. He held her hand, trying to give her some comfort.
“She’s the most selfish mother I’ve ever known. She left when I needed her the most, and now she’s back. If she was a good mother, she would be with me right now, rejoicing with me. But she doesn’t even know how I’ve been.” She mumbled.
“How long has it been? Did she leave when you were very young?”
“Does it matter if I was young or not? It’s been two years since I last saw her. The boys were five years old when she left just because we didn’t have enough and I refused to go out with her friend’s son who happened to be rich.
“She just woke up and decided that she had to leave. She had always loved money more than her family.”
After Aurora finished speaking, she felt tears roll down her cheeks and she hastily wiped it off with her hand.
Deep down she missed her mother and wished she was the kind of mother she’d always wanted.
“I’m sorry about that, Aurora.”
“You don’t have to. It’s not your fault. I guess she isn’t just human. She loves only one person and that is herself.
“What if she wants to come back to your life?”
“I won’t let her. She’ll come to cause nothing but pain and I’ve had enough of that.” She answered firmly, and Jack nodded in understanding.
“At least you still have a mother. I lost my parents in a plane crash when I turned ten. I have always wished they didn’t go on the trip that very day. If I could go back in time, I would have cherished the time we spent together even more.” He narrated with a faint smile.
Aurora felt pity for him, her anger overtaken by remorse. “I’m so sorry, Jack.” She uttered, and he forced on a smile.
“It’s been long. I’m saying this because your mother is still alive, and there’s still time for you to forgive her and get to know her. Some even want this opportunity.
“I’m not trying to force you to do it against your will, Aurora, but if she wants to do well with you now, please give her a chance. Even though it can never be like it should, remember you’ll lose her one day and you don’t want it to be too late.”
Aurora swallowed hard as she reminisced on Jack’s words. “Can I hug you?” She asked him, and he turned to look at her. He nodded and opened his arms.
She embraced him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for your words, Jack. They always help.”
“You’re always welcome.” He answered, brushing her hair softly with his hand.
“I should return to the kitchen now.” She uttered with a chuckle as she disengaged from the hug.
Night time drew near hastily and Aurora closed from work. She bade Jack goodnight and walked out of the restaurant.
“Aurora!” She heard someone call her name as she walked down the road.
She looked back to see who had called her and it happened to be Rachel. She clenched her jaw, looked away and continued walking.
“Aurora please wait!” Rachel called, running after her.
Aurora stopped abruptly and turned to look at her again. “What do you want? Why are you here? Why are you following me?” She questioned in frustration.
“I’m sorry, Aurora. For everything.” Rachel uttered, standing in front of her.
Aurora scoffed and nodded. “Is that all? I have to go now.” She turned to leave again, but this time, Rachel grabbed her, making her stop.
“Please Aurora, I need you to please listen to me. I know you hate me and don’t want to hear or see me ever again, but please can you hear me out? I waited here the whole day just to talk to you.”
“I never asked you to.”
“I know, but please, okay?” She further begged, and Aurora let out a sigh. She took a glance at her wrist watch and nodded.
“Five minutes is all I have.” She shrugged and folded her arms, waiting for her to speak.
“Aurora, I’m sorry. I know I haven’t been a mother to you…”
“No, you haven’t.” Aurora cut her short, staring at her coldly.
“I know, and I’m truly sorry. I shouldn’t have let you out to Arthur when I did. I just wanted to get money from him and go away from you. I confess that was an inhumane thing to do, and I accept the blame. I shouldn’t have done that to you.”
“Hold on. You were the one that told Arthur where I was living? For money?” Aurora inquired in awe, and Rachel nodded.
“I knew he couldn’t report you because Surrogacy is illegal, and yes, it was for the money. I took some money from him before telling him where you are.”
Aurora clenched her jaws and gulped hard as she felt even more betrayed by her mother.
“Did you even give birth to me at all? Just tell me I was adopted because I refuse to believe you gave birth to me. How could you do that to me? I trusted you!” Her voice grew louder as tears began to roll down her eyes.
“I have realized my mistake…”
“After you saw that no matter how bad you wanted to ruin my life, I am still doing okay. Now you want to come back into my life. It’s never going to happen. I’m never going to let you come near me or my family!” Aurora smacked.
She turned to leave and this time Rachel let her. She didn’t know what to do or say anymore. She lost hope that Aurora was ever going to forgive her.
While Aurora was storming away in tears, she bumped into Alec, who instantly knew something was wrong with her.
“Hey, are you alright?” He lowered his upper body so he could look at her face.
“Can you please just get me out of here?” Aurora mumbled, cleaning her tears with her hand.
Alec nodded in haste and took her bag from her. He led her to his car and as soon as she was settled, he drove off.
Aurora sniffed several times as she tried to stop herself from crying in front of a stranger. “I’m sorry.” She mumbled.
“It’s okay. Are you better now?” He further asked, and she nodded with a feeble smile.
“Yes. I feel better now. Thank you, Alec.”
She raised her left hand to clean her face and that was when Alec saw the ring on her index finger. He furrowed his brows in awe, staring intensely at it.
Aurora looked at him and noticed him staring at her finger. “Oh.” She uttered, making him look at her face.
“You just got that? I didn’t notice it the other day.” He uttered, and she smiled softly.
“Yes. I got engaged a few days ago.”
“Really? That’s amazing. I’m happy for you.” He answered with a large grin.
“Thank you.” Aurora answered, looking at her ring again. She wasn’t used to it yet.
After a few minutes, they got to her apartment, and she alighted. She told him goodnight and headed into the house.
As soon as Alec drove off, he called Anita. She didn’t answer the phone so he left a voicemail instead.
“Hey, Anita. We have a problem. You should have let me do it my way.”