It’s convenient. You were waiting until you felt I was ready and powerful enough to take the news. Until you thought I didn’t need you anymore.”“That is not true,” Christian said quickly, getting up, his voice a high pitched note. “I have been taking this guilt with me every day since I left.” I did not return because of convenience. I returned because I could not continue living such a life knowing that I destroyed something that was wonderful.Phoebe whirled on her toes, glaring. “And what about me? Have you ever thought what it feels like to wake up every day with the marks you have made on others? To have to break yourself down and begin to build yourself up again from scratch just to have the one who was responsible for tearing you down appear with an apology?”“I do now,” he said quietly. “Because I do, I see it in your eyes. I hear it in your voice. And I hate myself for being the reason it’s there.”She was breathing raggedly, her hands were balled up at her sides. “You don’t
Phoebe shook her head, her arms wrapped around herself. “You don’t get it, Christian. Other people also had the same feeling as you; they were scared. I was terrified too. Of losing you, of not being good enough. But I stayed. I fought. And you didn’t.”“I know,” he said and his eyes welled up with tears. “And I hate myself for that. I wish I could have been stronger and did not leave when I did. But I’m here now, Phoebe. And I’m not running this time.”She glared at him and her eyes were red with rage, hurt and something else which she could not describe. “You say that now,” she whispered. But what happens when things get hard again? This begs the question, what happens when the cracks start to show?“They won’t,” he said firmly. “Because I’ve come to realize that running in particular does not solve anything. It just leaves a trail of broken pieces behind.”Phoebe only shook her head and a tear rolled down her face. She gently removed it as if she was embarrassed to show her weaknes
Christian did not answer this for a while. He looked down, his hands were tightly bunched into fists at his sides. “I know it caused pain,” he said, his voice rising in a hoarse whisper. “I know I can’t undo that. But I can’t just let things be this way. Not anymore. If that means living with your hatred then let it be so.Phoebe only chuckled bitterly and began to pace in front of the fire. ‘Christian, you keep saying all the right things.’ Saying sorry, admitting my mistake, promising to take my anger on myself. But you don’t seem to understand. It’s not about you. Not anymore.”He stared at her with a frown on his face. “Then what is it about?”“It’s about me,” she said angrily, turning to him. ‘That’s about the years I’ve spent struggling to climb out of the pit you dug for me to fall into.’ It is about finding out how to be independent, how to live without the feeling that my chest is going to collapse. It’s about healing, or at least, about trying to put myself back together aft
“Regret,” she said with a sneer. Regret is just a euphemism for guilt. It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t wipe the slate clean, and it definitely does not heal the mess that you made.‘Christian,’ she said softly, ‘don’t come any closer.’ He stopped, as she decided to step back from him.Phoebe flared up again and asked him: “You said you came for the truth?” “Fine. Here’s the truth, Christian. I loved you. With everything I had. And you destroyed me. You were able to make me question myself in ways that I never knew existed. And now you stand here, asking me for what? Closure? Redemption? Forgiveness?”“No,” he said firmly. All I am demanding is an opportunity to prove that I can improve.” That I am better.”She scoffed. “And you believe that one conversation is going to make a difference?” You think I can just what? Stare at you and forget the years I struggled to climb up the ladder and get a life again?“No,” he repeated again, and there was no quiver in his voice. “But I can’t
Elegantly yet flamboyantly stood an enormous villa in Kingston city, one of the best to be precise. Its designs and architecture were beyond breathtaking and so was its height and width.The evening sun set beautifully over the Patterson's villa as guests went and came. Decorations hung around high pillars and the tall walls within the villa as it was a very special day that day. With men and women of different high status from the city filling the hall, some enjoying pleasant chats with each other while others filling their stomachs with wines of their choice. Several delicacies floated about as both male and female servants moved around to serve the guests. Chicken, steak, pork pie, wiltshire ham, smoked salmon and different kinds of delicacies from all around the world!The people were left with their mouths watering from the nose tingling aroma that the several delicacies mixed together to become. Seth Rivera made his way into the hall with his eyes admiring the beautiful deco
Gasps erupted from the crowd at Marlin's words. Marriage? Phoebe? Every single person in Kingston city knew that Phoebe had already been married and for three long years at that! So why would a Murray try to marry her again?Marlin was more than aware of this fact but he cared less about a useless man like Seth. At first, grandma Patterson wanted to speak about it, reminding him that her granddaughter was married, but then again, Seth was a good for nothing man and she ought to consider such fact before speaking. He had not a pin to his name and he lived off his wife as a useless son in law unlike Marlin Murray who had everything to his name including the fact that he worked for one of the best companies in the whole of Kingston. "Mrs Patterson, I know this is all too sudden, but I can't just stand by and watch my beautiful and precious waste away in a bondage in the disguise of marriage. I only wish you can give my word a proper consideration before getting back to me." He gave
It was a message from the Rivera family and this caused a frown to sit on his face. Seth was born with a golden spoon, he was destined for greatness as he became the heir to the greatest conglomerate family in the entirety of Kingston city. He served with diligence to one day take over chroma creative as the chairman but things turned upside down father quickly. He was accused of fraud and embezzlement of funds and the entire family didn't care to make proper investigations before they cut him off of his rights as heir. As if that wasn't punishment enough for him, they decided to ban him from their clan and sent him into the street without a penny to his name. Even though he tried to explain himself and open their eyes to the truth, none of them cared to hear what it was he had to say. None of them cared if he would die or live on the streets and even his own parents flew out of the country without looking back.He hadn't set his eyes on them ever since that day and neither did
Seth knew in his mind his reason for boasting but arguing with his wife and her friends wouldn't prove anything. No matter how many times he tried to make them understand he was capable enough, they just wouldn't see it because his words were as nothing to them. So, he would let his actions speak for him when he gave them the ten million dollars. He retreated to the kitchen and started preparing dinner for his wife.Phoebe chatted with her friends all through the time he prepared dinner and finally sent them home as he began to set the table. After seeing them off, she returned to join Seth at the dining table. The only thing he was permitted to do with her was to eat at the same table.After eating together in silence, Phoebe went up to her room and laid for the night while Seth cleaned up the place.He took to doing the dishes and storing the leftovers and when he was finally done with every chore, he retreated to the study room to spend his night like he always did.He asked hi