Secrets I've Held in My Heart

Chapter 7 : Jonas

I know everyone hates me. They hate me for what "they think" I did to Ava. Well, I can understand their rage, but I also want them to understand that their point of view was incomplete. They missed the part that only I've experienced.

In the tapestry of my life, I've often felt like the overlooked thread, the illegitimate child sidelined by a world that didn't deem me worthy of its love. The halls of my school were haunted by taunts and jeers, a relentless storm of bullying that forced me to forge armor, becoming a defender of my own honor. I morphed into the embodiment of defiance, the bad boy who stared down adversity with unyielding determination, a force to be reckoned with.

Amid the tempest, an unexpected beacon appeared. A light radiated in the form of my father, stepping into the narrative of my existence and uniting with my mother. Their union should be a reason for joy, a celebration of love, and yet, it casts shadows of uncertainty upon my path.

While happiness for them courses through my veins, a symphony of questions orchestrates my thoughts. What role do I play in this newly composed family? What identity do I hold in their shared story? Answers remain elusive, tangled in the intricate threads of emotions that weave the fabric of my heart.

In the past, I often felt burdened by the way others projected my mother's perceived flaws onto me. But as time moved forward, the lens through which I'm seen shifted, focusing on my father's wealth instead. Amid these shifting perceptions, there exists Ava—an extraordinary exception. She's the only one who has ever glimpsed the real me, beyond the distortions.

Ava's presence in my life is akin to stumbling upon a hidden treasure. Her ability to see through my exterior and connect with the essence of who I am is a source of immeasurable comfort. She's not just special; she's unique in the profound understanding she brings.

The mere thought of causing Ava any pain or heartbreak is unbearable. The idea of marriage with her feels like a divine blessing, a union that transcends the mundane. Her love is a core part of my being, guiding my actions and shaping my decisions.

My feelings for Ava run deep and unwavering. I would move mountains, defy fate, and reshape reality itself to be with her. In a world populated by seven billion souls, she stands as the one who truly matters. Amid the vastness of humanity, she's the singular individual who makes my world complete, reminding me that true connection is rare and invaluable.

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Ava was like Medusa Huston's biggest fan ever. She totally adored Medusa, and her poems were like her second BFF. First place went to Christian, but let's keep him on the sideline and just focus on Ava.

So, for our wedding, I had this crazy idea to surprise Ava big time. I thought, why not get Medusa to be the star guest? It took me weeks of hustling to score an appointment with Medusa, but finally, I nailed it.

The day of our wedding, just an hour before the whole thing, guess what? Medusa lands at the airport. I could've sent a driver, but nope, I wanted to give Ava the shock of her life. Me and Lucy, my secretary, decided to go pick up Medusa ourselves.

But, life had other plans. Our ride took an unexpected turn—literally—and we got into an accident. The plans went sideways, reminding me that sometimes life throws curveballs, and all you can do is roll with the punches.

Lucy and I spent weeks in the hospital – I was in a coma, and Lucy had some fractures.

But the instant I finally woke up, I wasn't about to waste any time. I jumped up and was ready to make my exit. I even got into a bit of a tiff with the doctors because they didn't want me to leave. However, without a single moment of hesitation, I made my escape from there.

The only thing on my mind was getting to Ava. I could just picture how worried she must have been during all this. It did strike me as odd that she wasn't right there by my side when I first woke up, but I decided not to dwell on that. All that mattered was getting to her. I wanted to run to her, dry her tears, and bring that radiant smile back to her face.

But I was wrong. There were no tears in her eyes, and she didn't need me to bring that radiant smile to her face. She was happy. Happily marrying Christian. What the heck? Marrying Christian, my stepbrother?

No. This gotta be a dream. Yeah. Yeah, Jonas. This is a dream. Just close your eyes and... Just close your eyes. You are still in a coma. You haven't gotten out of a coma. This can't be true. Ava can't betray you.

I was just one week apart from her. Come on, we were so close, so connected. How could she move on so quickly?

It's… it's impossible, right? If our roles were reversed, I would have loved her for eternity.

"You may kiss the bride," I heard the voice of the wedding officiant, and my attention snapped to his smug face. How could that despicable man have the audacity to give my girl permission to kiss someone else? The anger in me surged to a boiling point, and I felt a burning desire to tear that guy apart and use his own tongue to strangle him. What a damn jerk!

Despite the rage coursing through me, a glimmer of hope clung on. I turned my gaze back to Ava and Christian, desperately wishing for a flicker of doubt in her eyes, a moment of hesitation. But no, there she stood, a smile on her lips, closing the gap between them, all set to share that damn kiss.

"Ava? Christian? What the hell is going on here?" I blurted out, desperation lacing my words. It was my final, feeble attempt to halt that impending kiss. Ava might have found her way to Christian's arms, but my heart hadn't followed suit. The thought of witnessing her lips on someone else's was tearing me apart. "I can't believe this!" I choked out, tears mingling with my disbelief as they rolled down my cheeks.

Our love was an all-encompassing force, a fire that burned fiercely between us. It was a love that defied logic, a connection that felt as natural as breathing. Our souls seemed to resonate on a wavelength that only we could hear, a rhythm that danced to its own tune. Our laughter was infectious, our arguments passionate, and our moments of tenderness etched into memory like delicate brushstrokes on a canvas.

The depth of our love was such that we were ready to take the plunge into marriage, convinced that our bond was unbreakable. Our dreams intertwined seamlessly, a tapestry of shared aspirations and hopes. It was the kind of love that inspired songs, poems, and stories; a love that made us believe we were invincible.

I'm still grappling with the why behind all of this. What in the world shifted to flip our story completely upside down? Does this have something to do with me being in a coma? Did she lose all hope on me because of that? It's a puzzle I can't seem to solve.

"Jonas!" Her voice calling my name felt like a sudden surge of relief, a momentary balm to the agony I was experiencing. But then, as I looked closer, I noticed her hand tightly clutching Christian's arm. The words were soothing, yet her actions revealed a truth I wasn't ready to face.

I couldn't bear to stick around for her reply. Waiting felt impossible. Without even a moment's hesitation, I turned away, my hand offering a half-hearted wave, and I started moving. My steps were hurried, almost unsteady in my rush to escape. The pain was overwhelming, watching Ava with someone else. The eyes that had once looked at me with a sense of safety were now fixed on another, and the sight was an unbearable weight on my heart.

"Jonas, wait," her voice called out, and I could hear her leaving Christian behind on the wedding stage, her steps echoing after me. My name on her lips was a tug at my heart, but I chose to feign deafness, my anger so fiery that uttering a word might spark a blaze of emotions beyond control. I pretended not to acknowledge her because speaking then could only unleash a torrent of pain I wasn't ready to confront.

Her feelings for me might have gone out the window, but that didn't change the fact that I had a whole lot of care left for her. Even after she pulled the rug from under my feet, revenge or hurting her wasn't on my radar.

Call me stupid, but even though my heart is bleeding, all I care about is not hurting her.

Leaving was the sole refuge left. Staying would only result in either causing her more pain or inflicting more pain upon myself.

It was a heartbreaking realisation. Never thought, loving Ava Rinehart would be a losing game.

To be continued…