Chapter 4

    Young Caleb's P. O. V.

    

    

    

          I find my trembling hands going over my reddened eyes multiple times to wipe out the tears so I could see clearly. So I wouldn't miss how my father killed my mother. So I wouldn't miss him pull that trigger.

          

          Loving her was a mistake. Now she has ruined his marriage because of me. Because I was a mistake. I was never supposed to be born. I was the evidence of a reckless night with a whore. 

          

          "Please, don't hurt my son," my mother's voice is breaking, and it felt like every single piece was stinging my heart "he doesn't deserve any of this. He's just an innocent sweet boy, Russ."

          

          Whack! He slaps her again, the intensity causing me to shudder with a loud gasp.

          

          "You should've done as I said!" He roared at my mother. She should have gotten rid of me.

          

          "Mama...." I could barely hear myself. I want to run over and shield her from that monster but before I could open the door wider, a hand is covering my mouth, the other one pulling me away by my stomach.

          

          Then I heard the gun firing behind me as I disappeared through the darkness.

          

          I scream hard but the palm over my mouth muffles my scream.

          

          I was only eight.

          

          And I have never been able to move on from that day.

          

          A child isn't supposed to suffer like that.

          

          

          

              Mabel's P. O. V.

              

              

              I sit on the train, trying to navigate my way back to my side of the city, my mind completely occupied by thoughts and flashbacks of what had just happened a few hours ago.

              

              

              I just had a night stand with a stranger who turned out not to be a stranger after all.

              

             I shake my head as I try to push the thoughts away. I have more important things to worry about.

             

             Like my mom dieing at the hospital....

             

             Shit. The doctor had called last night but I never showed up. Now he thinks I'm an irresponsible person. 

             

             I panick instantly, my hands frantically going over my jeans pockets to find my phone and call the hospital line, but surprisingly, I don't find it. 

             

             What was I thinking? I'd woken up on that bed butt naked and pulled on my clothes in a hurry. If my phone was still on my pockets then perhaps it fell off at that moment. Everything that happened last night is still not clear to me yet and I cannot pin point where I'd left my phone..

             

             Deep inside, I hoped I hadn't left it at Caleb's room. I wouldn't want to ever see him again. I don't think I can go through that pain again.

             

             I sink into my seat, realization hitting me like a firing ball. I've once again belittled myself in front of him.

             

             

             Caleb Da Stephano. The disgustingly rich, handsome, drop dead gorgeous grandson of a prosperous family. 

             Caleb had been the second reason for my depression growing up. I'd only known him for three years in elementary school and those had been the worst days of my life. Well..... Before Michaela Featherstone.

             Caleb had been the bane of my existence, the only agony I'd known as a young girl. At such a tender age, no one should ever have to be subjected to the cruelties he'd subjected me to.

             

             I can still remember everything. The way he would make faces at me, the way he would call me names. Called me a slum and constantly asked how I'm able to afford to go to a school like his.

             

             After he left, I realized why he had been so bitter. I heard about his mother's suicide, why he had to leave and I started to pity him, but I still prayed I never had to cross paths with him again.

             

             Worse, I never expected we'd be meeting on his bed, drunk and having sex.

             

             As a child, I was completely terrified of him. And it turned out he still had that power over me. 

             

             The automated voice announcement of the next train stop over the train forces me out of my thoughts. That's my cue.

             

             I leap off my seat as the train comes to a stop and I hurried out. I navigate my way through the conjested busy streets and found a cab. I don't have any money but I knew I needed to be at the hospital.

             

             As soon as the cab came to a stop, I run out and dashed into the hospital before he could stop me.

             

             As I run towards my mother's ward room, I'm forced into an abrupt stop as I heard the call of my name from behind.

             

             "Mabel." I turn around to find the doctor standing there, disappointment evident in his face. 

             The disappointment quickly changes into pity as he approached me.

             

             "How's my mom, doc? I'm sorry I should've been here last night but I got so messed up. I lost all my money but please can I get a little bit more time to get the money? I promise I will."

             

             My heart is hammering inside my chest as he just watched me without stop.

             When he reached a hand down to hold my shoulder, I knew what was to come.

             

             "Mabel..... I'm sorry.... We did all we could."

             

             At first, all I heard after that was a very thin and disturbing sound inside my ear. He continues to talk but I was lost after catching a few of his later words. But I cannot pay any attention. 

             

             All I'm feeling at that moment was this strange ache exploding throughout my chest. The pain in my head. The weakness in my legs as I felt my world crumble down.

             

             His words shattered me. I didn't even say goodbye. What kind of a daughter am I? My mom did everything for me, she shielded me the best way she could from this cruel world but I couldn't be there for her on her last day. This is on me. She died because of me. 

             

             I try to hold my tears back but I couldn't even try.

             

             "Can I see her?" I needed to be away from him before he sees me break down.

             

             "Sure. I'll show you." 

             

             I follow him into the morgue and couldn't believe I was looking at my mother. The cancer has taken over body. She's so skinny and pale now. 

             

             I must've stood there staring at her, and crying for hours. 

             Suddenly, I'm hit with this strange anger for Dicken. He had also caused this too. He took my money and on top of all the chaos happening in my life, he cheated on me with fucking Betty.

             

             I'm going to show Betty too.

             

             I run out of the hospital but just before I could make it onto the pavement outside, a huge black car dashed in front of me, coming into an abrupt stop with a screeching sound.

             

             The tinted glass slides down and I don't believe the face that's behind it.

             

             Caleb.

             

             He has a tinted eyeglass on and he's grinning mischievously at me. My heart must've stopped a million times just in that few seconds of seeing him.

             

             "Did I get you pregnant already that you run to the hospital the first chance you get?" He says mockingly, not even shaken by the scowl on my face.