Chapter 43
NOW
I forgot to breathe for a second, and my brain assessed everything to tell me what it all meant. I turned around and saw Ela had already picked him up in her hands, and all the emotions of compassion and love flooded her face.
He was her son.
Ela was the mother of this beautiful boy.
She didn’t say anything about having a child. I thought, then realised it wasn’t my business. She didn’t owe me the details of her personal life or affairs. She came for business, and she has remained in that position since then, despite my persuasions.
Watching them share a wholesome moment was priceless, but my heart burned, realising what this meant. My eyes blurred up, knowing that if everything had gone according to my plans, he would have
been ours.
I blinked back the tears and cleared my choked–up throat. “He’s yours.” It wasn’t a question; it was al statement of fact. He looked so much like her. They had the same eyes, the same nose, and the same smile.
This was what I thought our baby would look like after we got married.
She nodded, holding him close to herself and rocking him gently. “Yes, he is.” She answered with a pride–filled tone.
“He’s so beautiful.” I gushed helplessly, pressing the back of my hand against my mouth.
“Thank you.”
“What’s his name?” She didn’t owe me an answer, but I wanted to know more than anything. “If you don’t mind me asking.” It would be nice to know; Knowing a little of what I could have had would help my heavy heart.
“Ocean Garcia.” She answered.
“Si, mamá, ese es mi nombre (yes, mama, that’s my name).” The little boy said happily, and she nodded.
She smiled back at him and stroked his hair. “Si, say hello to Mr. Plane.”
“Eyo!” he grinned at me, waving his hand.
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She laughed. He isn’t fluent in English yet.”
I smiled and shook my head, but at this point, I couldn’t hide the pain that plagued my heart at this cuteness anymore. “It’s fine; I should go,” I said, and without turning back, I walked out of her office.
I hurried out of the building, into the parking lot, and over to my car. I entered, shut the door, and a tear
ran down my face. The single tear opened the floodgate, and more came pouring.
He was the most precious thing I’ve seen after Jesse, but it was a testament to Ela’s betrayal.
My heart burned within my chest, and I couldn’t stop it. It’s been more than four years, and I thought I
had finally moved on from it all, but as it turned out, I hadn’t. It seemed I had used a bandage to fix a bullet hole, and now it was all falling apart.
I searched in the drawer of my car for the pack of cigarettes and a lighter I had tossed in there days ago. I found it, pulled out a stick, and lit it up.
The “what ifs” killed me every time, and I played the question over and over again in my head.
What if Ela never cheated on me?
What if I never found out?
What if she took our vows more seriously?
What if Seth never stabbed me in the back?
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Seth began abusing immediately after the news of Ela’s disappearance broke, and he has not been the same ever since then. He had refused to seek help, which made everyone give up on him.
He checked into rehab six months ago to work out his addiction after he overdosed and barely escaped death; this was his plan for becoming a better person. The family supported him, and despite our differences, I also supported him. The family paid visits as much as we could, taking turns. It was my turn last week, but it wouldn’t hurt to visit him today.
I took a long drag of the cigar, puffed the air out, and slowly, my racing mind calmed. I relaxed and stayed there to take a few more drags before tossing it out.
I pulled up to the rehabilitation centre and got down. I didn’t want to be here, but I needed to do this. It meant I bore no bad blood with Seth over his betrayal. Despite my sadness and broken heart, Seth was a father, and he deserved to know the truth about his son. Seth wasn’t the best brother to me, but I had to
be the better man in this situation.
The nurse led Seth over to where I sat in the visitor’s room, waiting for him, and I thanked her as he sat. She took her leave, and we sat facing each other. His recovery was much faster than anyone would have expected. Whatever his reason for wanting to get cleaned, it was good.
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“Oliver.” He called, staring at me with guilt–filled eyes. This was his usual expression whenever I visited.
I didn’t come here for his pity or guilt. I forgave him for what he did, just as I forgave Imela. I could only hold onto unforgiveness for so long.
“Seth, the doctor said you would be out of here in a few more days,” I said, moving straight to something lively to speak about. “Are you excited?”
He laughed nervously. “I am, and I thank you for the love and support you have shown me even though I do not deserve it. You and Nina, especially.”
I shook my head, seeing it as nothing to be thanked for; it was my duty as a brother. He was still my blood. “We are family,” I replied.
When I came here a week ago, I didn’t tell him about Ela’s return. In truth, I didn’t owe him that, but now, with everything I knew, I had to tell him.
“Ela came back,” I said and watched as the expression on his face switched from confused to happy to sad
and remorseful.
“She’s alive?” He asked in a hollow voice, and his eyes were still sorrowful.
“Yes, she’s alive, and she’s also working with the Plane’s Enterprise to get us back on our feet.” I continued, and the more I spoke, the easier it became.
“Why?” he asked, looking more confused than sad now.
“Business.”
“Oh.”
I nodded before adding, “She also has a son. His name is Ocean. He’ll be yours according to my
calculation.”
Silence took over so that the voices heard were those of the people seated around us.
“Mine.” He said, and he didn’t look the happiest at the news. He looked devastated.
I nodded. “That means you are a father, Seth. Imela would be at the company’s anniversary party; you could get to meet her and have a talk. The two of you can reach a reasonable agreement about Ocean. You deserve to be in that boy’s life more than anything.”
Seth said no other word, and I didn’t know if he even heard my last words about the anniversary. The news had a completely different effect on him than I hoped.
I informed the nurse about his suddenly mute state, and he told me shock could have that effect but
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assured me that he would be fine.
After they took Seth back to his ward, I moved to the security post to sign out on the visitation note when my eyes caught sight of August Garcia on the list.
Ela was here. She came here to see Seth two days ago.
She came to meet her old lover, perhaps to tell him about her son.
If Seth had already seen Ela, why did he look so surprised when I told him she was back?
Was it all just an act with him?
Perhaps he didn’t change; he was still the deceiving snake he always was. I trusted him once, and I thought he could do no wrong.
I was a fool to them, and that will never happen again.
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