"When will the divorce be finalized?" I ask, eager to have her all to myself as soon as possible.
"I have an appointment with the judge tomorrow since Mason refuses to sign."
"The divorce will be finalized whether he likes it or not."
I nod. "Good."
We remain silent without separating.
///
Veronica leaves reluctantly, but I tell her she has to go.
She has to get ready for her appointment tomorrow. She told me that Eren is going to stay with her sister.
///
The next day
"Yes, Mom."
I listen to my mother asking myself if I need to tell her what happened and what is going on or not.
My parents are my confidants, along with Irene, so my choice is quickly made.
"Sweetheart, your father has had an accident."
I stop thinking, wondering if I heard wrong.
"What do you mean?" I ask, my voice trembling.
"He's had an accident and is currently in a coma, my love..." I hear her say, trying to stifle her tears.
"All right, I'm on my way," I say, trying to stay calm, my heart pounding in my ears.
"Send me the address," I say, my voice trembling. I hang up the phone.
Despite my best efforts, tears escape and my vision blurs.
Fortunately, Veronica brought me some clothes to wear outside.
After the nurse helps me remove the IV, I get dressed.
I quickly sign my discharge papers and pick up my prescription.
Then, I rush to the pharmacy to get my medication and head back to my hotel.
On the way, I buy some juice and a sandwich, which I eat quickly. Then, I take my medication and start packing my things.
///
I give the hotel room card back and go to find the taxi I booked to take me to the airport.
It would take too long to go by car or train, so I bought a plane ticket.
///
An hour later, the plane arrives at my city's airport.
After quickly collecting my suitcase, I notice Irene waiting for me.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been overjoyed to see her, but I'm too worried about my father.
My heartbeat hasn't slowed down yet. The wait is horrible.
Irene quickly takes me to her car, and we leave.
She knows I don't feel like talking. Without speaking, we understand each other.
We haven't exchanged a single word yet because we're both too worried.
///
15 minutes later, we finally arrive at the hospital.
I finally reach my mother and Irene's parents. My heart breaks when I see her condition.
"She looks so broken..." Tears stream down my face.
I take her in my arms and completely break down.
My father is our rock.
I start to feel pain, but I ignore my injury and continue to hug my mother.
///
The doctor came to see us. He said the surgery went well but that my father needed closer monitoring.
Complications could arise at any moment.
///
The next morning
The doctor told us that my father could wake up at any moment.
He wakes up shortly after. We are so happy.
My mother expresses her love for him by giving him several kisses.
I tell him that I missed him and that I love him. He tried not to cry.
I remember something and grab my phone.
"Dad, do you remember Veronica? The girl who left?"
He looks at me as if to say, "Of course."
"Look." I show him a photo of Veronica holding Eren.
I tell him about the situation, avoiding the upsetting details.
His expression tells me he's happy to have a grandson. He starts to cry when he sees the video I took of Eren.
He closes his eyes.
Suddenly, the situation changes again. The monitor beeps and the doctors rush over to resuscitate my father. My mother starts to sob, and the family tries to calm her down despite their own distress. Irene completely breaks down.
We are quickly ushered out. Despite all the movement around me, I stand frozen to the spot.
I can't move on my own. I feel like I'm going to collapse at any moment.
I—
///
They managed to revive him, but we were told that it wouldn't be for long.
"But you said the operation went well!" my mother shouted.
I remained impassive.
///
My father suddenly opens his eyes and it's as if he knows what's going on. He looks at us sadly and starts to cry.
He seems to be asking us for forgiveness. I leave the room for a moment and, with trembling hands, I take my phone and call my boss.
After several attempts, I convince her to put me through to Veronica's secretary, telling her that I requested the call.
I wait a few minutes, then the phone connects and I have the secretary on the line.
I explain that I want to speak to Ms. LaJolie, that it's urgent, and that she should say Hayley requested the call.
She tells me to wait a few moments, then picks up the phone again.
She informs me that Veronica doesn't want to talk to me. I feel a twinge of sadness.
I try to convince her to let me speak to her myself. Fortunately, she agrees.
I hear the line being connected.
"What?" I hear Veronica's abrupt voice.
I am speechless, but then I remember my purpose.
She interrupts me. "I don't want to see you or talk to you. You clearly don't understand human language or how it works," she says harshly.
"Don't call me again." The line goes dead.
I don't understand what went wrong.
I go back into the room.
I turn to my father, who is looking at me, and shake my head.
He looks at me disappointedly. I am disappointed in myself, even though I know he knows I did my best.
///
We did our best to give my father a dignified send-off. But that wasn't enough, and it never will be.
I tried to stay as composed as possible. I signed the organ donation form.
///
Several days later,
The funeral was a few days ago.
At least he spent his last moments in peace, even though he wanted to talk to his grandson.
On that note, I still haven't heard from my son since my last message.
I was not furnished with any telephone numbers except for that of my superior, who endeavoured to the best of her ability.
///
The atmosphere in my family is not the same since my father passed away recently.
When I feel like crying, I hide away and cry in secret. I want to become the new pillar of the family.
One evening, however, I couldn't hold it in and cried my eyes out. Eventually, my mother and I started talking.
Unfortunately, I told her what had happened during that day's phone call. I didn't want to talk to her about it, but after breaking down in tears, I spilled everything.
I think the whole situation with Veronica has left a knot in my heart.
Despite wanting to be clear-headed, I am only human, and unfortunately, the pain can build up.
After my mistake, I tried to tell my mother that she's a good person, but I think it's a lost cause for now.
This is because we weren't able to fulfil my father's last wish. She's angry at Veronica simply because she blames herself for being unable to help the person she loved.
I'm glad I was there for my father, showing and telling him how much I loved him, and that his grandson would have loved him too.
I told him he was a wonderful father and recounted the little memories I had shared with him throughout my childhood, adolescence, and adult life.
"Tell me, Dad. In my current situation, is trust given or earned?"
"Because I feel like I've given so much of it..." I adds, looking up at the starry sky from my bedroom window.
///
For the past few days, a number has been calling me every day, several times a day.
It isn't hard to figure out who it is.
I simply didn't answer because I'm afraid of how I'll react when I talk to her.
I don't want to hurt her and, above all, I don't want to break down in tears when I hear my son's voice.
But I have to come out of hiding and face the world again.
My mother is still grieving, which I completely understand.
Fortunately, I'm leaving her in good hands.
"Take care of yourself," Irene says, hugging me.
"Take care of yourself and especially her," I whisper to her, then we part ways and I say goodbye to the other members of my family, especially my mother.
///
'Two weeks later and here I am back again...'
I head towards the exit and see a man in a suit holding a sign with my name written on it, looking disappointed.
I stop and a mocking smile forms on my lips.
'I was so stupid to think I'd have a day to myself. Of course she knows I'm back.'
I have no desire to resist, especially when I see the guard looking at me. He has surely recognized me.
I approach him and nod slightly.
He takes my suitcase and my bag and gestures for me to follow him respectfully.
I don't say anything and am too tired to think about anything.
I get into the car and look out the window. I feel so mentally exhausted. So I close my eyes.
///
I feel someone shaking me gently and open my eyes. I don't even know when I fell asleep.
I look at the person who shook me and my eyes widen slightly, but I quickly hide my surprise.
Rosalie is looking at me with a smile on her lips.
Faced with her enthusiasm, a smile forms on my face. She moves away from the door to let me out of the car.
I get out, stretch for a moment, then look around to see where I am.
I freeze.
I find myself in front of a large house. Well, it's more like a mansion.
'I'll take a look at it tomorrow, I'm too tired right now.'
The car has driven off with its driver, and Rosalie is watching my reaction to this huge house.
I then frown, and I think she frowns too.
I caress my head and take my phone out of my pocket.
Me: [ I arrived. Is she okay?]
I get a quick reply. 'They were probably waiting to hear from me.'
My wifey: [ We were waiting to hear from you. She was a little panicked because you were supposed to land thirty minutes ago.]
My wifey: [But we told her you were probably busy.]
Me: [Can you tell her I'll call a little later? I'm a little busy right now, I have to take care of something urgent.]
Me: [Tell her I'm fine, too.]
My wifey: [Okay. Bye bitch.]
Me: [Later] I send it and smile.
I look up and see Rosalie looking at me curiously, as if to ask who I'm talking to.
"My wifey," I say simply. She looks at me doubtfully.
I show her my phone.
Her eyebrows rise and her mouth forms an 'O'.
I turn off my phone and put it in my pocket.
"Let's go," I say, pulling her out of her stupor.
"Oh, right."
She starts walking ahead of me. I look around a little before following her.
'Where did they take my things?'
The mansion door opens and I go in. Rosalie turns around and looks at me. I raise an eyebrow and then ignore her completely.
'She's such a kid, I swear. I wonder why she enjoys seeing my reactions.'
I look around me a little, 'Everything looks so luxurious. Well, of course it's luxurious.'
I feel like I'm in some kind of movie or TV series about a rich family with a big mansion.
It's so shiny that it's giving me a headache, to be honest.
I lower my gaze, feeling a little tired.
I sigh. And I nod to Rosalie to keep going.
As I walk a little further into the hall, I see a maid in front of me, and there's a slightly raised area of floor next to her, like a kind of step.
I see Rosalie taking off her shoes. I take off my shoes without hesitation.
'Luckily, my feet don't stink.'
The maid then gives us slippers. "Hm... they're comfortable."
I continue to follow Rosalie.
"The ground floor is for parties and other occasions. The first living room is on the first floor. So is the kitchen. And the other things for the family's use. The bedrooms start on the second floor, and the second living room is also there..."
Rosalie begins to explain where each room is located, while pointing to the stairs.
'Wouldn't it be better to have some kind of floor plan for each floor and signs to indicate the important areas?'
'Maybe it's a silly idea?'
'I wonder what they do in the second and third living rooms?'
'What's the point of having several?'
'Whatever, it's not my problem.'
I don't really want to listen to what she has to say because I know that by the time I get used to this place, I'm bound to get lost.
While Rosalie continues her explanations, something catches my attention.
I see a maid from behind, a feather duster in her hand, going I don't know where.
Something deep inside me urges me to follow her.
And that's what I do. I know Rosalie is too absorbed in her explanations to notice my absence right away.
And I make sure that's the case.
The girl enters a room and I follow her. I enter the room without necessarily hiding my presence; that's not my intention.
She pays no attention. I know she has sensed my presence.
I look around a little. 'It looks like an office?'
"What is this room used for?" I hear myself ask as I continue to look around.
"It's the tea room." I hear a voice say to me. Her voice is very soft.
I smile and say, "Hi, my name is Hayley Marshall. Tell me, why are there desks in this tea room?"
"Surely there are other tea rooms."
She stops and turns to me, gives me a slight smile, and says, "I don't really know, I've only been here a short time. And hi, my name is Nifah Sylver."
"Nice to meet you, Nifah Sylver. May I call you by your first name?"
"Nice to meet you, and yes, you can call me by my first name."
I smile again. She raises an eyebrow, probably wondering why I'm smiling like that.
"I hope you'll let me be your friend, Nifah."
There's something about her that makes me want to get closer to her. 'It's like with Irene,'I notice.
She opens her mouth to answer me, but we are interrupted when the door to the room opens.
I think to myself that they must have found me, so I say to Nifah with a smile, "Goodbye."
I turn around and my smile freezes when I see that it's Veronica, then disappears completely.
I know she notices this, but I really don't want to worry about it.
I leave the room, avoiding her, and to prevent her from bothering Nifah, I whisper to her as I pass by. "Let's go."
I don't really want to look at her because I know how much her gaze can weaken my resolve.
She has that kind of effect on me no matter how angry I am.
Even having her by my side is complicated. I am completely whipped.
I slow down so she can pass me and take me where she wants me to go.
///
We're in some kind of office. Well, it looks a bit like the tea room from earlier.
I sit down in one of the armchairs. I place my index finger on my lips and my thumb on my chin, with my other fingers slightly bent, and remain lost in thought. I don't really know what to think at this moment, but hey, it's no big deal.
My eyes regain focus and I look up. Veronica is sitting across from me, watching me.
Her gaze is full of curiosity and questions.
I adjust my position in the armchair so that my back is straight. Then I place my right ankle on top of my left knee.
I don't want to cross my legs completely. "Are you done with what you had to do?"
I ask.
She quickly hides her surprise and replies, "Yes."
I nod, "Hmm..."
"Your family didn't give you too much trouble, I hope?" Then I quickly add, "You can answer that question later."
But then I quickly catch myself, "I have another question, a little more urgent, that's been bothering me."
I look her straight in the eyes again, "Why did you answer so rudely on the phone the day I called?"
She frowns, and I continue.
"Two days after I left here, I arrived in my city. I asked the secretary to put you on the phone, but you refused to talk to me. When you finally picked up, you told me to leave you alone."
As I explained this, I could see her eyebrows furrowing more and more.
"Was that you?"
"You shouldn't be surprised, since I gave my name to the secretary to tell you who was on the line."
'I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention to what she was saying…' She bows her head in remorse.
"Judging by your reaction, someone must have been harassing you on the phone. Who is it?"
I ask firmly.
Seeing her reaction, I understand that this was indeed the case. I suddenly feel a deep animosity towards this person.
"It was... Mason."
"What about the divorce?"
She shakes her head, "He didn't like me going to court. So he started calling me nonstop. Every day. So I didn't want to answer any non-work calls."
"Where's Eren?" I ask suddenly, closing the subject for now as far as I'm concerned.
"He's with his grandparents." I'm disappointed I can't see him, but it can wait.
"So, what was your family's reaction?" I'm really curious about that.
She stands up and I look up at her. We stare at each other for a few seconds. I think she's trying to make up her mind about something.
Finally, she moves closer to me, as if she has found her answer.
She takes my ankle off my leg, turns slightly, and prepares to sit on my lap. I act quickly to make it as comfortable as possible for her.
Once she's sat down, she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head in the crook of my neck.
"Her family must have reacted badly."
I pull her closer to me. I want her to feel safe in my arms.
Several minutes pass, and I notice a change in her breathing. I realize she must have fallen asleep.
I softly call her name, but she doesn't answer.
'If I stay in this position, I'm going to lose feeling in my legs.'
I slowly get up with her in my arms. She reacts to my movement, but she quickly calms down when I whisper soothingly to her.
I don't know where her room is, but there's a sofa nearby. I consider laying her down on it, but I quickly give up on my first attempts. She doesn't want to let go of me.
I sit down gently on the sofa and whisper what I'm doing, just in case she can hear or understand me.
I lie down on my back and bring her with me, continuing to explain what I'm doing.
I think she can hear and understand me because sometimes she hums as if answering me.
Once lay down with her on top of me, she naturally finds a comfortable position by stretching her legs out on top of me.
I start to gently stroke her back.
///
I turn my head to see her face. 'Cute.'
'Hm...either I'm like a very strong, cuddly bear or she's tired from everything she's had to deal with.'
For now, I can only show her this kind of support.
///
Third person
"Seriously, Hayley, calm down," Irene says to her best friend.
"You think I haven't been trying to do that for a long time!"
Irene hears Hayley's voice coming from the dressing room.
"Okay, okay. No need to get worked up over nothing."
"Get dressed quickly."
Hayley looked at herself in the mirror in front of her and didn't know how to react. "Who would have thought I'd get married one day?"
She hears someone enter the room and then hears her mother say to Irene.
"She's still not out yet?"
"She's too stressed," Irene replies.
"Hayley?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Open the door," she orders.
Hayley freezes and looks at herself. Then she sighs and opens the door.
When she comes out, her mother and Irene are completely shocked.
Her mother covers her mouth, tears threatening to escape from her eyes.
With a big smile on her face, Irene quickly wipes away a tear that has managed to escape from her eye.
"You look so beautiful."
Then she starts fanning herself to hold back her tears.
"Your father would be so proud of you if he could see you," says her mother, bursting into tears.
Hayley tries her best not to cry so as not to ruin her makeup.
Irene and her mother, seeing that tears are about to spill from her eyes, move closer to her.
And they embrace each other. Another person joins them, Irene looks up to see who it is and sees that it is her mother smiling at her.
After calming down with the hug, Irene's father arrives to tell them that the ceremony is about to begin.
Irene quickly touches up her makeup and gets ready to go.
"Okay, let's go, moms. The best maid of honor is ready."
The others smile and the two moms follow Irene.
Irene's father holds out his arm and Hayley takes it. He whispers, sniffling, "You look beautiful, my daughter."
Hayley pats his arm lightly to calm him down.
He regains his composure and says, "Let's go."
///
The ceremony takes place in an enormous, magnificent hall.
The first piece of music begins. The bridesmaids and groomsmen arrive.
Each girl is paired with a boy in a way that ensures they all match without having the same color.
They take turns walking down the long aisle to the podium at the end.
They take their places.
A few seconds later, another piece of music begins, and Hayley's mother's heart skips a beat. It is their first dance song, their favorite song.
Seeing her daughter arrive brings tears to her eyes.
She sees the smiling shadow of her husband through Irene's father, who brought her daughter to the podium.
Even when they part, her husband does not leave her daughter's side. He stands and accompanies her. He looks up ahead and his eyes soften with hint of tears.
Her face turns toward Eren, the flower boy who leaves petals in his path. And she smiles.
Veronica finally arrives with her father. When Hayley sees her, she begins to cry uncontrollably. She feels someone patting her on the shoulder and looks down.
"Mommy, don't cry," he says sadly. "Mom told me to give you this."
He hands her a handkerchief. Hayley kisses him on the forehead, thanks him, and takes it. She wipes away each tear that falls from her eyes.
Veronica looks at her and smiles helplessly. She finally arrives in front of her fiancé, who still hasn't calmed down.
"Take care of my daughter and make her happy," says Veronica's father in a serious voice.
Hayley nods quickly, panicking, and says, "Yes, sir."
Veronica's father smiles at her reaction, hugs her and says, "Calm down, girl." Then, he gently pats her and goes to sit in his seat after giving his daughter's hand to his daughter-in-law.
Veronica took a handkerchief and wiped Hayley's tears away. "Calm down, sweetheart."
"You look so beautiful," Hayley whispers. Veronica can't help but kiss her.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary friends, thank you for being here today. Welcome to the union of these two soulmates." Henry begins, "In addition to being the master of ceremonies, I was fortunate enough to witness the first meeting of these two..."
After the vows and the "I do's," the ceremony proceeds as planned.
"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife."
Everyone stands and applauds.
///
The party ends, and the newlyweds leave for their honeymoon.
Irene sits on a bench in the garden and looks up at the starry sky.
"This is where Hayley and Eren were while we were desperately searching for Eren."
Irene hears Rosalie say.
"Oh, really..." Irene says with a smile, remembering her best friend's story.
Then her smile freezes as she remembers that it's also the year they lost their fathers.
"Thank goodness your father finally allowed them to marry," Irene says softly.
"But Mason had to kidnap his grandson to finally open his eyes. And he finally gave in. He regrets his actions so much," Rosalie adds.
"They were about to break up... Even after finding Eren, Hayley didn't want to see Veronica again."
"Why? I never understood her reason."
"She knows what it's like to lose a father. She didn't want to cause discord between you and your sister."
"In the end, she called her back after almost a week of silence. Why?"
"Her mother forced her to because she saw how much it was changing Hayley for the worse. Above all, she wanted to see her grandson again."
"Ultimately, your mother had to take charge and talk to my father. Even my sister was in bad shape."
"When she showed up at our house that day, it was like a storm. I was so scared."
Irene laughs. "Honestly, no one wanted to be on her bad side that day. She was scary, a true mama bear."
She laughed as she remembered the moment, then stopped. "Afterwards, I remember that Veronica really wanted to get closer to Hayley, but she didn't know if she could since Hayley wouldn't even look at her."
"Eren had to intervene by running over to Hayley..."
"He was so happy to see her again, and not just on the phone when I'm around."
"Your sister had a hard time getting close to her that day. But luckily, Hayley was the one who reached out to her and apologized."
"That day was the first time in years that I saw my usually stoic sister cry so much. And my father, who witnessed this scene, knew that his daughter's happiness no longer depended on him." She lets out a sigh.
///
That day, Veronica had taken Hayley and never let her go, even when she was asleep. At the slightest movement from Hayley, she would wake up, and Hayley understood how selfish she had been to believe that Veronica would be fine without her and that she was doing it for her own good.
///
"Hayley!" Veronica calls softly.
"I'm here, sweetheart," Hayley says, moving closer to Veronica. She takes her in her arms and strokes her back.
"Did you have a bad dream?" Veronica moves closer to her, nodding. Hayley covers her with the blanket that has slipped off.
Veronica tilts her head slightly toward Hayley, who understands.
She plants a light kiss on her lips, then another, and another. The kisses quickly become passionate.
Despite her refusal, Hayley pulls away from Veronica and says, holding the hem of her T-shirt, "Now, baby?"
Veronica nods and quickly presses her lips to Hayley's again.
It looks like Eren will soon have a sibling on the way.