Chapter 03
1114 Words
DURING THE entire ride, Minah didn’t bother to speak. There was too much on her mind for her to even think about adding Asher to the mix. He had been out of her life for so long, and she kept reminding herself of that fact.
She had already accepted that she no longer had a place in his heart—or his life.
But the pain he caused her remained etched in her heart and mind. Even after five years, it hadn’t faded. That was why she had no desire to set foot in Townsville again; the memories of the past were still too fresh.
It still hurt too much.
And now that her parents were gone, she had no idea how to start over. Losing them was unbearable.
While she was in America, she felt secure knowing her parents were there. She had taken their presence for granted.
But life had a way of proving that complacency was a mistake. You never knew how long someone would be in this world. If you were lucky, they wouldn’t be taken away suddenly.
Now, she couldn’t blame herself for the regret eating away at her.
She wanted to take out all her anger on the man sitting beside her in the backseat of the luxury car.
If not for him, she wouldn’t have had to leave, wouldn’t have had to endure being apart from her parents.
If only she could turn back time.
Minah quickly wiped away the tears spilling from her eyes. She turned her face toward the window beside her, trying to steady herself.
They went straight to her parents’ house. As soon as the car stopped in front of the grand entrance, she got out, refusing to let Asher help her. Determined, she forced herself to walk on her own.
The massive front doors were open, allowing her to enter freely. But as she stepped into the house, her pace slowed upon seeing the state of the large living room.
It was brimming with Christmas decorations. Vibrant and lively. A tall Christmas tree stood near the grand staircase, surrounded by neatly placed presents.
Christmas had always been her favorite season because she and her parents would decorate the house together. She was certain her parents had been the ones to painstakingly put up all these decorations.
Her chest tightened painfully. It felt as if her heart was being squeezed.
Tears streamed steadily down her face as she approached the Christmas tree. She sank to the floor beside it, feeling as though her strength had been drained.
Her trembling hands picked up a card attached to one of the gifts, curious to see for whom it was intended.
To my dearest Minah...
The handwriting was her mother’s.
Despite biting her lower lip to hold it in, a sob escaped from her lips as she read on.
I hope you like this gift, my Minah. I love you so much, Minah!
Mommy...
Nearly all the gifts beneath the tree were addressed to her, from her parents. The realization shattered her completely.
They would never be able to hand her these gifts personally. She would never get to thank them for all their love and effort. She would never speak to them again.
Clutching two of the presents tightly to her chest, Minah cried uncontrollably. Her heart felt as though it was breaking into pieces.
She couldn’t accept it.
If she fell asleep, she wished she wouldn’t wake up again.
There was no reason to live anymore.
“Minah, I think you should head to your room and rest,” came Asher Moore’s voice.
Hearing him only heightened the anger and pain etched on her face.
“What are you still doing here?” she snapped angrily at him. “Leave!”
“Minah—”
“I said leave!” Minah shouted hysterically.
She desperately wanted to throw something at Asher, but since the gifts in her arms were from her parents, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Carefully, she set the presents down and struggled to stand, her knees weak and her body trembling.
“Are you deaf? I said leave!” Minah repeated, glaring at Asher, who didn’t seem inclined to budge from where he stood.
“You’re tired. You need proper rest. If you’re hungry—”
“Stop it, Asher. That role of yours, acting like you care so much about me, doesn’t suit you. What do you think? That I’d be happy you’re here? You know full well that you’re the last person I’d ever want to see in this lifetime. And now you’re acting as if nothing happened?”
She let her tears fall freely, relentless in their flow, while keeping her glare fixed on Asher, filled with nothing but anger and resentment.
“Leave before I forget who you are.”
She spared him one last glare before turning her back on him.
Her eyes landed on a large portrait in the living room, one of her with her parents. It was a recent photo taken right after her graduation.
Her parents’ smiles in the photo were so full of life.
Who would have thought that it would be the last photo they’d ever take together?
Her heart broke even further as she stared at the portrait. She couldn’t stop the sob that escaped her lips.
“Mom… Dad,” she whimpered through her tears.
Her entire body suddenly felt even weaker, especially her knees. She tried to take another step toward the portrait, but her balance gave out completely.
Before she could collapse, Asher was quick to catch her.
“I told you, you need to rest, Minah,” Asher said firmly, lifting her into his arms despite her protests.
“Put me down,” she weakly pleaded.
“Stop being stubborn,” he replied, carrying her up to the second floor of the house.
How could she resist when he held her so firmly?
Asher brought her to her old room and gently laid her down on the bed.
“Get some rest. Your body needs it,” he told her softly.
Minah was too drained and weak to argue any further. The moment her tired body sank into the mattress, she felt utterly spent.
“I hate you,” she managed to whisper to Asher before closing her eyes.
A tear slid down each of her cheeks, and she let them fall, too weak to wipe them away. Even her eyelids felt too heavy to lift.
She was home. She could feel it in every fiber of her being.
Perhaps that’s why her body surrendered to the exhaustion, letting sleep envelop her entirely.
- Writer
