Finale

3rd P.O.V.

Apollo and Beatrix arrived at Grandma's house in the morning. Donny was already waiting at the door, dressed in his favorite superhero costume.

"Hey, little man," Apollo said, picking up Donny and giving him a hug.

"Hi, Dad!" Donny said, grinning from ear to ear.

Beatrix smiled at the sight of them. "Are you ready to go visit Charis at the hospital?" she asked Donny.

Donny's face fell. "Is Auntie Charis sick?" he asked.

"She's feeling a little under the weather, but we're going to bring her some flowers and make her feel better," Beatrix explained.

Donny perked up at the idea of giving Auntie Charis flowers. "Can I pick the flowers?" he asked.

"Of course," Apollo said, ruffling his son's hair.

They drove to the hospital, with Donny eagerly pointing out every flower he saw on the way. When they arrived, they made their way to Charis's room. She was lying in bed, looking weak and tired.

"Hey, Charis," Beatrix said, placing the flowers on the bedside table.

Charis tried to smile, but it was clear she was in pain. "Thanks for coming," she said weakly.

"How are you feeling?" Apollo asked.

"I've been better," Charis admitted. "But the doctors say I'll be okay in a few days."

Donny climbed up on the bed and hugged Charis gently. "I brought you flowers, Auntie Charis," he said.

Charis smiled and took the flowers. "Thank you, Donny. They're beautiful."

Beatrix and Apollo sat with Charis for a while, chatting and keeping her company. They wanted to make sure she knew she wasn't alone. When it was time to go, Donny gave Charis one last hug.

"Get better soon, Auntie Charis," he said.

"I will," Charis promised.

As they walked out of the hospital, Beatrix looked at Apollo. "I'm glad we came to visit her," she said.

"Me too," Apollo agreed. "She needs all the love and support she can get right now."

As Beatrix and Apollo reached their car, Beatrix’s phone rang.

It was a call from Charis.

“Who’s that?” asked Apollo.

Beatrix was looking at her phone for a minute before answering Apollo’s question to her. “Uhm… Charis.”

Apollo sighed. He reached for her shoulder and wrapped his arms around it. He whispered, “Go, you guys need to settle.”

Beatrix was anxious. But she remembered someone. “How about Harley? Should I tell him about what happened? He’s probably crazy for looking for his family now.”

Apollo nodded. “Despite being the worst husband, I know there’s something inside of him that shouted for his wife’s name. He cares for her, just couldn’t move on from you.”

Beatrix nodded, and proceed into answering Charis’ call.

“Hello?” she started.

"Hey, Beatrix," Charis replied, her voice sounding weak and fragile. "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing."

"I'm okay," Beatrix said, glancing over at Apollo who was waiting for her to get into the car. "Do you want us to talk?”

Charis let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry, Beatrix. I don't think I can face you right now."

Beatrix frowned, feeling a pang of worry. "What do you mean? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Charis said quickly. "I just...I feel guilty, you know? Like I should have told you everything from the beginning. And now I'm the reason why you and Apollo are in danger."

Beatrix felt a surge of emotion wash over her. She understood how Charis felt, but she didn't want her friend to blame herself for what had happened. "Charis, it's not your fault. None of this is your fault. You were just trying to save your marriage.”

"I know," Charis said, her voice trembling. "But I still feel like I let you down. And I'm sorry."

Beatrix felt her heart soften towards her friend. "It's okay, Charis. We'll talk more about it when we see you, okay?"

"Okay," Charis said, sounding a bit more hopeful. "Thank you, Beatrix. I'll see you soon."

Beatrix hung up the phone and took a deep breath. She turned to Apollo, who was watching her with concern. "Is everything okay?"

She nodded.

But when she was about to hop in the car, she thought of something, and it is Harley.

Beatrix went inside the car, and said, “Apollo… leave me here instead. I’m feeling anxious. I feel like, I’ll need to do something that I think is essential.”

Apollo nodded. He caressed Beatrix’s face. “I understand everything you do. I trust you.”

Apollo kissed Beatrix’s forehead, and proceed into driving toward their home.

Beatrix sat in her car, watching as Apollo drove away towards their home. She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone. She needed to speak to Harley.

She dialed his number and waited anxiously for him to answer. After a few rings, he finally picked up.

"Hey, Beatrix. What's up?" Harley's voice sounded groggy as if he had just woken up.

"Harley, I need to know where you are right now. I need to see you," Beatrix said urgently.

There was a moment of silence before Harley spoke. "I'm at home. Why do you need to see me?"

Beatrix hesitated before answering. She didn't want to involve Harley in their situation any more than she already had. But she needed his help.

"There's something I need to talk to you about. It's important. Can you meet me at the hospital near your house in half an hour?" she asked.

Harley agreed, and they hung up. Beatrix sat in the car, her mind racing with thoughts of what to say to him. She hoped he would understand and be willing to help her.

She took a deep breath and started the car, heading towards the park. As she drove, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. She didn't know what to expect when she met with Harley, but she hoped that he could provide some answers and help her resolve the situation with Charis and Mr. Cartier.

Beatrix could feel her heart racing as she waited for Harley to arrive at the hospital. She had called him and asked him to come to the hospital, but she had not told him why. After almost an hour of waiting, Yuna’s condition has gotten worse due to the impact of the whip on her back. As she waited, she couldn't help but worry about how he would react to seeing his daughter in the ICU.

When Harley arrived, Beatrix led him to the waiting room where she had been sitting with Apollo. Harley looked confused, but Beatrix didn't want to waste any time beating around the bush.

"Harley, Yuna is in the ICU," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"What? What happened to her?" Harley asked, his eyes widening in fear.

"She had an accident. She's in critical condition," Beatrix said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harley's face turned pale and he looked like he was about to faint. Beatrix quickly grabbed his arm and led him to the ICU.

As they approached Yuna's room, Beatrix felt her heart breaking. Seeing her daughter lying there with tubes and machines attached to her was the worst thing she had ever experienced.

Harley walked slowly towards Yuna's bed and stood there, staring at her. Beatrix could see tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Yuna," Harley whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Beatrix put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "We all are, Harley. We're praying for her to get better."

Harley turned to Beatrix, "Thank you for bringing me here. I'm glad I got to see her."

Beatrix nodded, "Of course. We're in this together."

They both stood there for a few more minutes, silently praying for Yuna's recovery. As they left the ICU, Beatrix could see a sense of determination in Harley's eyes. She knew that he would do anything to help his daughter, no matter what it took.

After a long silence, Beatrix suggested to Harley to meet Charis and settle everything.

Harley’s hands trembling as he fidgeted nervously. It had been days since he had seen Charis, his estranged wife, and the thought of confronting her again made him feel sick to his stomach.

He had agreed to meet her at the hospital, where she was receiving treatment for her injuries. Beatrix had convinced him that it was the right thing to do, that he needed to face his past and make amends.

Finally, he heard footsteps approaching, and he looked up to see Beatrix leading Charis towards him. She looked fragile and weak, but still beautiful, and the sight of her brought back a flood of memories and emotions.

They stood in front of each other, awkwardly at first, until Charis spoke up. "Harley, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that happened between us. I know I hurt you, and I regret it every day."

Harley felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. He had been so angry with Charis for so long, but seeing her like this, vulnerable and apologetic, he couldn't help but feel his heart soften.

"I forgive you," he said softly, reaching out to take her hand. "I've carried so much anger and pain for so long, but I don't want to anymore. We have a daughter, Charis. We need to be there for her."

Charis nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, you're right. Yuna needs us. I don't want to lose her."

They hugged each other tightly, both crying now, and Beatrix stood back, watching with a small smile on her face. She had done the right thing, bringing them together like this. She knew it wouldn't solve all their problems, but it was a start.

As they pulled apart, Harley and Charis both wiped away their tears and looked at each other with a newfound sense of hope. They had a long road ahead of them, but they were willing to try. For their daughter's sake.

—

It had been years since Beatrix and Apollo last saw Charis and Harley. Their children, Donny and Yuna, had grown up so fast. They were now both in their late teens, and their parents were proud of them.

Beatrix and Apollo invited Charis and Harley to have dinner with them at their favorite restaurant. As they sat around the table, memories of their past came flooding back.

"Donny, how's school been for you?" Harley asked, breaking the silence.

"It's been good, dad," Donny replied with a smile. "I'm in my last year of high school, and I can't wait to graduate."

"That's great to hear," Charis chimed in. "And Yuna here just started her first year of college."

Yuna smiled shyly as everyone turned their attention to her. "Yeah, it's been a big adjustment, but I'm loving it so far."

As they continued to talk and catch up, Beatrix couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness and contentment. Seeing their children grow up and become successful young adults filled her heart with joy.

"So, Beatrix, what have you been up to?" Charis asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"Well, I've been running my own business for a few years now," Beatrix replied proudly. "It's been challenging, but also very rewarding."

"I'm not surprised," Apollo added, giving his wife a loving smile. "She's always been a go-getter."

The conversation continued to flow, and they laughed and reminisced about their younger days. As the night came to an end, they hugged each other tightly, promising to keep in touch and not let too much time pass before seeing each other again.

As Beatrix and Apollo walked back to their car, hand in hand, Beatrix couldn't help but feel grateful for the people in her life. She had come a long way since her days in the hospital, and she had Apollo and Donny by her side through it all.

She smiled contentedly, knowing that no matter what life throws their way, they'll always have each other.

—

Mr. Cartier stood nervously in front of the gate of Beatrix and Apollo's house in the province. He took a deep breath and knocked on the gate. A few seconds later, Apollo appeared in front of him.

"Mr. Cartier," Apollo said, surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"I...I came to apologize," Mr. Cartier replied, looking down at his shoes.

Apollo looked at him skeptically, but then stepped aside to let him in. Mr. Cartier walked in hesitantly, looking around the house with a mixture of awe and discomfort. He had never been to the countryside before, and the simplicity of the surroundings was a far cry from the luxurious lifestyle he was used to.

Beatrix came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron when she saw Mr. Cartier.

"Hello, Mr. Cartier," she said, surprised to see him. "What brings you here?"

"I came to apologize," he repeated, looking straight into her eyes. "I know I have caused you and your family a great deal of pain, and I want to make things right."

Beatrix nodded, still a bit taken aback by his sudden appearance.

"Well, we appreciate the gesture," she said, "but I'm not sure what there is to do now. The damage has been done, and we've moved on."

"I understand that," Mr. Cartier replied, "but I still want to make things right. Perhaps there is something I can do to help you and your family."

Beatrix looked at Apollo, who shrugged and nodded.

"Well, if you're really sincere about making things right," Beatrix said, "then maybe you can start by helping out the people in the community. There are a lot of families here who are struggling, and any help would be appreciated."

Mr. Cartier nodded eagerly, grateful for the opportunity to make amends.

"Consider it done," he said. "I will do everything I can to help."

Beatrix and Apollo exchanged a look, unsure of what to make of Mr. Cartier's sudden change of heart. But they decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and see where things would go from there. After all, everyone deserved a second chance.

Beatrix and Apollo sat outside their house, watching the sun set in the horizon. It had been years since their ordeal with Charis and Mr. Cartier, and they had since moved to the province to start anew.

"I can't believe how far we've come," Beatrix said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "From that day in the mall to now, living in our own little paradise."

Apollo smiled at his wife, taking her hand in his. "I know. It's been quite a journey."

Beatrix sighed. "Sometimes I still can't believe it all happened. It feels like a dream."

Apollo nodded in agreement. "But it wasn't a dream, Bea. It was real. And we made it through."

Beatrix leaned her head on Apollo's shoulder. "We did, didn't we? And look at us now, happy and content."

Apollo wrapped his arm around Beatrix's waist, pulling her closer to him. "That's because we have each other. We faced everything together and we came out stronger."

Beatrix looked up at Apollo and smiled. "I love you, you know that?"

Apollo returned the smile. "And I love you, always and forever."

As the sun set completely, Beatrix and Apollo sat in each other's embrace, grateful for the journey they had taken together and the life they had built for themselves.