Part 54

54

"I swear I had no intentions with Vano back then."

For the umpteenth time, Amber uttered those words to Celine, but she still refused to believe what her cousin was saying.

"If it wasn't true, why did you both undress like that back then?"

"We were both unaware, Celine. We were both influenced by that cursed drink," Vano muttered, suddenly regretting even trying that drink. It had nearly led him to sleep with Chelsea despite his mother's pleas and her refusal.

Unfortunately, Vano had only become more eager when he realized that underneath Chelsea's hoodie and skirt, she was wearing nothing. Vano's remorse stemmed from his actions toward Chelsea, not Amber, who seemed to have been a willing participant. His regret was intensified because of Chelsea.

Vano couldn't imagine what would have happened if Margareth hadn't arrived in time that day. He would have definitely forced Chelsea to do it with him. And shortly after Margareth's anger, Carlos also showed up to intervene in their quarrel.

Of course, his father would have been deeply hurt and held a grudge against him for touching his wife.

"Now you can say those cursed drinks, but yesterday you seemed to enjoy them and even seemed to enjoy everything with Amber. Or maybe you actually have feelings for Amber all along?" Celine was getting emotional because Vano had not shown any intention of apologizing like Amber did.

"I've told you repeatedly that this is your perspective on me and Amber, well, it's as you think it is. What we've said together represents my words as well. Why would we both say the same thing if you still insist we did it on purpose?"

"If either of you had refused, it wouldn't have gone that far yesterday. The fact is, you both gave in, and it nearly happened!"

"I've already said that if that's how you think of me and Amber, then yes, it is. I accept it. No matter how much Amber and I explain it to you, you stick to your own opinion, your own judgment. So, I accept it. If you think it's true, then it is."

"Are you admitting to this?"

"It depends on you, Celine. If you believe Amber's words, then it's not what you just said. It all depends on how you choose to interpret what happened that day. Amber and I truly had no reason to do it. No more, no less, simply because we were both under the influence of that drink."

"But, Van."

"But what, Celine? I'm tired of having to explain this over and over again. If you keep pressing me like this, seeking an explanation when Amber has already given one, and I've confirmed it, it's better if we end our relationship. Like I told you yesterday, we should both introspect and figure out what we need to fix to get our relationship back to how it used to be. It might be painful to part ways when we still have feelings for each other. But at least this way, we won't hurt each other in the midst of the love that's still there."

"No, I don't want this relationship to end!"

"If you don't want this relationship to end, you also have to accept all the reasons Amber has given, unless you find us doing it consciously, then it's a different story, and you have every right to demand an explanation from me. But when you found us in an impaired state, it's unfair for you to judge us like this."

Celine took a deep breath and let it out roughly, realizing that continuing the argument was futile as Vano had made his final decision. Unfortunately, her boyfriend had threatened to end the relationship if she insisted on more explanations.

"This time, I won't bring this up anymore as long as you don't end our relationship," Celine finally said, although she found it difficult to utter those words. Losing Vano would be devastating for her.

"Alright, then. All the issues are settled, and I can take my leave," Vano signaled to Amber to follow him.

"No, I still have something to discuss with Amber," Celine held back Amber, who wanted to follow.

"Fine, as far as I'm concerned, it's settled. And please, never bring this up again when you're with me."

Once again, Vano emphasized their conversation today, and Celine could only nod resignedly. She couldn't press him any further for an explanation. Now, Amber was the only one left who could provide answers about what had actually happened after she left the apartment that day.

Margareth struggled to hold back her tears as she entered the public cemetery and made her way to Tomas's resting place. Her steps were heavy as she approached his grave. She knelt there.

"How are you today? Are you doing okay?" Margareth laughed but wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why has my life turned out like this, Carlos?" she asked. "My life has been adrift in sin ever since our financial downfall. But one thing you should know, even up to this moment, I still love you dearly, my husband." She spoke softly, squeezing the stone marker on Tomas's grave.

All the beautiful memories flooded Margareth's mind, remembering how perfect and harmonious their marriage had been, even though they had never been blessed with a child. Tomas had given her all the perfection she needed. Unable to contain herself, Margareth sobbed and cried, begging Tomas to return, even if just for a moment.

She missed him terribly. "Do you know that when you were sedated by the painkiller Chelsea gave you, I would always hold you close? Did you ever feel how much I loved you, even though my pride was too big to admit it and allowed myself to be lost in my arrogance and selfishness?" Margareth held back her words. "I loved you both so much, but I became selfish and indifferent, so I could live freely out there. But no one ever knew how hurt I was living this life. How I wish you could come back, so I could hold you in silence, release my troubles and fatigue when facing life. I wish I could stop, but the environment I've already immersed myself in is a gathering of socialites. I'd be ashamed to be laughed at if they knew I had nothing left. I didn't want you to be laughed at because you couldn't provide me with luxury like before. But they don't know how great your love was for me, Carlos. And now, you know my life is getting darker, depending on some college student who always demands something in return from me. If I could, I'd turn back time so that now, time wouldn't hurt and destroy my life." Margareth continued to lie down on the mound of earth that had swallowed Tomas's body. No one knew how often she had visited there just to release her frustrations and anxieties.

"Carlos, I regret what I did to you that day. If only I hadn't been so foolish, your body would still be here for me to release all my exhaustion and weariness from living this life. But this regret is useless because when you were still here with me, I had no desire to show my love to you. Instead, I passed all my responsibilities onto Chelsea, when it should have been me protecting and caring for you, not our daughter."

Margareth's tears flowed uncontrollably as she imagined how her life used to be with Tomas. If only she hadn't been tempted by the promises of her own friend, she would still be living well today, and Tomas would have provided her with luxury.

"I also came here to apologize because I couldn't take care of our daughter properly. Indri told me that Chelsea sold herself to a man. I don't know who or exactly where our daughter could get such thoughts, but I've truly failed in educating her.

I hope for your forgiveness. I did consider the terrible idea of selling Chelsea, but I quickly dismissed it, remembering that she was your beloved daughter. I also..." Margareth raised her hands, feeling the raindrops starting to moisten the ground.

That meant she needed to leave and say goodbye to Tomas. "I must go now. If there are no obstacles or urgent matters, I'll definitely come to visit you here," she said before getting up from her seat and leaving the cemetery.

She didn't want to get soaked in the rain before catching the taxi she had arranged earlier. She had asked the driver to wait on the edge of the cemetery. Before closing the taxi door, Margareth looked back at Tomas's grave. She missed her husband terribly and needed his support.

Suddenly, she longed for how Tomas used to scold and nag at her. Since Tomas's passing, there was no one to argue with her anymore, even though Carlos had persistently pushed for a divorce when he seriously asked her to marry him.

It was her fault for accepting Carlos's proposal back then. Margareth also glanced at the diamond-studded ring still on her finger, the ring Carlos had given her when he asked her to be his wife. If only that day Carlos hadn't asked her to marry him, she wouldn't have been so insistent on doing something terrible to Tomas.

Indeed, wealth had blinded her, causing her to lose her soulmate forever. She couldn't find her way back, but because she still felt a connection with Carlos, and Chelsea was still living in his house, she naturally went there.

Slowly, she entered the house, trying to put on a bold face. She was ready to talk to Chelsea after the events of yesterday, and her destination was Chelsea's room. She wanted to check on her daughter's condition.

Margareth hoped she could talk to the girl, discuss their relationship if possible. She was truly afraid that her daughter would hate her, especially since she had made accusations and caused trouble. In this situation, Margareth didn't want to think badly of Chelsea, but the one who informed her about this was Kevin.

Kevin had also received this information from Indri. Margareth was very familiar with Indri because she was Chelsea's only friend and considered her as family. Naturally, Margareth trusted what Indri told Kevin.

"Why are you here, Carlos?" Margareth asked as she opened Chelsea's bedroom door. The first thing she saw was Carlos, who had just covered Chelsea with a blanket and had been kissing her forehead.

"Chelsea's body temperature is a little high, and she just finished crying. I don't know what's bothering her; I have no idea," Carlos explained before leaving Margareth. He passed by her without saying a word.

Carlos felt tired of seeing Margareth in the house, but he couldn't chase her away because Chelsea hadn't made that decision yet. However, he knew that no matter how wicked and sinful Margareth was, she also had her good side for Chelsea. Carlos would leave all the decisions regarding whether to kick her out or not to Chelsea.

Approaching Chelsea to check if Carlos was telling the truth, she gently touched Chelsea's forehead with the back of her hand. It turned out that her daughter wasn't feeling well.

Margareth could also see that Chelsea's eyes were slightly swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time.

Tension filled the dining room now as Margareth followed Carlos to get some food.

Usually, in that dining room, they could still make jokes even if it was just a show for Chelsea. However, today everything had changed. Chelsea was now lying in her room with a high fever, and Carlos had called the doctor to examine her. If Chelsea's condition turned out to be worse than expected, Carlos would reluctantly have to take her to the hospital.

Carlos was worried about his wife's health, so he was focused on taking care of Chelsea. He forgot about Margareth and Vano, not knowing that Vano already knew about his marriage to Chelsea.

Carlos didn't seem to care about Margareth and Vano anymore. He wanted to take care of his wife alone without any help from anyone else.

"Carlos, can I talk to you?" Margareth grabbed Carlos's wrist when he was about to carry the food tray.

Since earlier, Margareth had been gathering her courage to ask Carlos a question. She realized that she was a sinner and not worthy to be with him. However, she wanted to know what her relationship with Carlos would be like, where it would go.

"I don't have time to talk to you now; maybe later when I have some free time," Carlos said, releasing Margareth's grip on his wrist.

Only then did Carlos continue walking to Chelsea's room. "But you don't need to worry about our relationship. It's already strained, and I intend to end the relationship we once had. It doesn't mean I'll kick you out of here. You can still stay here as Chelsea's mother, and..." Carlos paused for a moment, a bit unsure about whether he should reveal the secret he and Chelsea had been hiding for so long. However, considering Chelsea's current condition, he decided to stop the conversation. He didn't want his candor to hurt Chelsea and worsen her condition.

"And what? Why did you stop talking as if there's some big secret that you and Chelsea are hiding from me? What's going on, Carlos? Are you in a relationship with her, or perhaps..."

"Don't think small-minded like that. Chelsea is not like you, cheap," Carlos retorted.

"Carlos," Margareth protested. "Can't we discuss this for a moment? Just because I'm Chelsea's adoptive mother, can't you show some tolerance for me as a human with feelings? Of course, it feels uncomfortable to stay in someone's house when they no longer want us."

Carlos turned to her. "Do whatever you want. If you want to stay here, fine, if you want to leave, it's also okay, as long as you don't take Chelsea because I care about her," Carlos concluded, no longer wanting to prolong the discussion. He had said everything he needed to say about his relationship with Chelsea.