Chapter 44

Craig's Point of View

“Nothing should cause concern for the patient; the sole issue is the baby in the womb. Even though it had a firm grasp, it did not survive, with the stomach taking the brunt of the injury. This may be the first strike; the second could be his head, but the inspection indicates that it is stable.” Before continuing, he took a look at my seat. “Do you happen to be the husband? I recommend that you place your wife in a relaxing environment since what transpired might result in her developing a mental health condition.”

After he left, my brain went away again. With so much happening, I don’t know what to think first. Would everything have changed if I hadn’t drunk the wine Felicity gave? Would everything have changed if I hadn’t let Felicity go to our home? My head breaks at what I should have thought, but Wayne’s punch woke me up.

“You have no shame! I wouldn’t have let Thea come to you if I had known what was going to happen, even if she resisted a few more times! Ray and I know you’re the one I trust out of the three of us since you’re like a brother!” He attempted to hit me but stopped. “I’m never going to let you touch Thea again. I’m taking her back from you; I’ve given you enough time.” I heard the last thing he said before he left.

“I hoped I didn’t let Thea pick you when she urged me to end our relationship. You aren’t deserving of her tears.”

Wayne's Point of View

“I’m sorry. I don’t know how, I don’t know why as far as I know, I just love him unknowingly.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and my heart ached. “Maybe because I can no longer feel your love? Maybe because you don’t have time? Or maybe it’s because we’re both unhappy.” She looked at me while smiling.

“No—”

I didn’t finish what I was going to say. What is the truth? I’m not sure what the reasons were, given the number of roadblocks in this relationship. I don’t have any of Thea’s assets. I’ve lost my yearning for her since her family doesn’t like me, but I know I love her.

Was it so outrageous that she already knew our love was over since I left her on the air?

When did everything start to change? I just knew that when she introduced me to her parents, they didn’t like me because I wasn’t deserving of Winter, in their opinion.

I devoted all of my time to studying. Thea had no friends when I met her. At the time, Megan was also not her friend. We thought everything will be fine as long as we love each other. However, I had no idea that love had to be purchased. Because I love Thea, I took advantage of several possibilities. I worked hard to be a top student so that her parents wouldn’t look down on me, but when we didn’t talk every day, her feelings changed. She is now giving to the other person—a person who was like my brother.

“We don’t have any more room for each other, and we need to—.” She straightened her stance before taking a big breath. “It’s time for us to part ways.”

Her words shattered me. Is it possible for me to be selfish for the first time? Everything I do is in dedication to her. There’s a part of me that wants to agree, but there’s also a part of me that doesn’t because, who knows, I may be throwing away a chance.

“No.” I sat down in front of the computer, looked away from her, and re-entered the code. As I typed, I wondered why she wasn’t speaking. I glanced around and found her on her knees, tears in her eyes. Fuck.

“You love Craig so much to the point you can kneel for him. Even your tears now are hard to guess if they are for me or him.” It’s like my heart is burning. Why is destiny voracious? We still had happiness then.

But I didn’t say what was running through my head. I don’t want her to think that she has stepped on anything just because of the love she has for Craig. Maybe that’s just the way it is. No matter how much we want them to stay, when they’re the ones begging for freedom, you have no choice but to give it up.

“Stand there,” I told her. Even though the essence of what she was asking was vague, I chuckled. “Do I have any other option except to give you what you desire?” I turned back and returned my gaze to the monitor. She got to her feet and heard her say thank you. I talked even though I turned my back when she opened the door.

“Be happy.”

I attempted to focus as I heard the door close, but my brain was not working. This is how love passes away. You’ll be in excruciating pain and remember how your once-happy relationship died in an instant.

I never spoke to Thea again, but my relationship with Craig has not changed. He’s still my friend and that won’t change because of Thea. I knew Thea was avoiding me too, so I didn’t force myself to be friends with her anymore because we would both get hurt. —I guess it’s just me now.

“Good morning, class! Today I want to tell you to give your congratulations to Wayne for him passing the ‘Advanced Computer Course. We will station him in America to have training on data and encoding. So starting next month, you won’t be able to be with him.” My classmates applauded loudly when our teacher said that while I was stunned. They did not inform me about it.

I glanced at Thea’s seat and saw her smiling as she looked at her phone. I smiled bitterly.

What was I expecting? Will she stop me from leaving? Maybe this is also God’s way for me to forget her. To find others. I’m still grateful to Thea because she’s the one who molded me. She is the reason I strive harder than anyone else. She looks happy. I’m happy too.

Days, weeks passed quickly. I became especially busy and didn’t notice how much Craig and Thea were. I am still young, so I know there are still many opportunities waiting for me. I was unaware that the day I had been waiting for had arrived.

All my classmates left the room while Thea was still sitting. I closed the door immediately before she could get out. She looked at me curiously as I sneered at him.

“Won’t you tell me anything before I leave?” I faked my laugh while she was irritated. She glanced at the phone and outside so I blocked her eyes.

“Well. Good luck on your journey.” She averted her gaze, then continued. “I know you can do it because I was the first person to believe you.” Now she is smiling genuinely at me. No resentment, bitterness, or whatever. Because of that, I have decided.

When I peeked out the window, I saw Craig coming, so I quickly leaned against the back of the door and kissed her. She pushed me away and glowered at me.

“What are you doing ?!”

“Goodbye kiss?” I made my expression blank to show that I didn’t care about her reaction.

When she touched the doorknob I spoke again. “If he hurts you, I’ll take the plane back immediately to get you back.”

That was the last thing I told her, but it was vague that it would happen because she was already wearing the wedding dress that she promised she would only wear if I was her groom.

Thea's Point of View

Strong winds are blowing in Andalusia, Spain. The air is not so fresh, but very refreshing. I looked at the land because I was now at the height of the rocks. I opened both my hands, then savored every stroke in my hair.

Well, two years ago. It’s been two years since I’ve been able to rest. Two years but my heart is still beating for one person. It seems that in those two years, nothing has changed. The world went round, but I was left behind. I didn’t even take a step once. Every day my heart is still crying for him. For two years, my memory kept coming back. That’s also probably the reason I can’t forget him.

--- Flashback 2 years ago ---

“Are your things ready? Won’t you change your mind?” I am now sitting on the bed where I used to live — my parents’ mansion.

Megan’s eyes that you thought her boyfriend would leave her. I couldn’t figure out if I would laugh or be sad because I would be separated from her. My decision will not be a joke either.

“I won’t stop and get back to my words because everything I’m done preparing everything.” I laughed even though it was fake. I try to be strong because I don’t want them to see me in this situation. The doctor also told me I needed to go to a comfortable environment.

While we were talking, a maid knocked, so we stopped the conversation. We waited for her to speak, but she was quiet, so I got up to open it. My eyes lit up when I saw it was Wayne. I opened the door wide then ask him to come inside.

“Why did you come here?” I quickly put the clothes in the suitcase so he could sit down. I also cleaned and arranged the things I would leave behind.

“Nothing, is it bad to visit a sick FRIEND now?” he emphasized the word “friend.” So we laughed.

I have had no news of Craig since I got out of the hospital. He followed what I said, that I didn’t want to see him anymore. For me, that was okay. I can no longer feel the happiness and butterflies every time we talk. I just hope he is happy. That’s what I will pray for every day wherever he is.

“Miss Thea, Ray is here. He said he is your friend.” As we joked, Ray came in next. He just smirked and looked at Megan first. Megan averted her gaze and stood up. She approached my tables there and pretended to put on make-up. Ray ignored her again as he spoke.

“Won’t you talk to him?” Even if he didn’t mention it, I knew who he was referring to. I don’t know if I still need it. It’s good that we’re just like this. We hurt no one with the feelings of. Maybe when we just meet, we will have a rebuke and we can tell each other’s drawbacks.

That afternoon ended with us just talking. Wayne and I never opened the topic of being lovers back then. All we talked about was Megan and I’s college days. Funny things we did. Until they left. The room became quiet again, darkness and silence were my friends again. It once again engulfed me as it recounted the bitter things that had happened to me.

As I came to down the kitchen, I saw Aunt Joana and Mason eating. I ignored them and just sat. I was not surprised that they still stayed at my parents' mansion. I don't bother thinking about that because I have more important things to deal with. They had been talking before, but since I came, no one had spoken to us. I just kept quiet and let the cutlery make the noise. Maybe Aunt Joana could not take it any longer and she spoke.

“Thea, when are you leaving the country?”

I knew she had no intention of her question, but I put down the cutlery, then looked at her blankly.

I stopped chewing then looked at Mason who was also earnestly looking at me and seemed to be waiting for my answer. They will get nothing from my answer because they will just see that I am no longer at home and I will surprise them I have returned.

“Why? Are you excited about managing this house and my company?”