Five years too late

Author POV

Five years later

The plane touched down on the runway, and Electra's face lit up with a warm smile as she gazed at her precious child, Little Gladys. The young girl was a miniature version of Electra, with the same sharp features and intelligent eyes. The only distinguishing feature was her bright blue eyes, which sparkled like her father's.

"Let's go, baby girl!" Electra exclaimed, reaching out to take Gladys' hand.

But Gladys winced, her tiny voice protesting, "Ow, Mommy, you're hurting me! You don't know how to hold me carefully like my nanny does." Her small tone was laced with a hint of scolding, and Electra's smile faltered for a moment before she relaxed her grip.

"Sorry, sweetie," Electra said, crouching down to Gladys' level. "Mommy didn't mean to hurt you. Let me try again, okay?" She gently took Gladys' hand, making sure to hold it softly this time. Gladys nodded, her eyes sparkling with forgiveness, and together they walked out of the airport, a picture of love and tenderness.

As they waited at the airport, Electra's anxiety grew, wondering how her mother would react after their argument. But when her father's car finally arrived, she was surprised to see her mother step out, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.

Electra's heart raced as she approached her mother, Gladys by her side. She could sense her mother's lingering anger and felt a pang of guilt. But as they drew closer, her mother's gaze softened, and she couldn't help but smile at Gladys.

"Come closer, baby," Mr. Scofield said, opening his arms for a hug. Electra hesitated, feeling a mix of emotions. But her mother's attention was focused on Gladys, who was gazing up at her with wide eyes.

"My granddaughter looks so pretty, she looks so much like me," Mrs. Scofield cooed, bending down to Gladys' level. Gladys giggled and wrapped her arms around her grandmother's neck. "And you're a beautiful lady, Grandma," she said, her tiny voice full of admiration.

Mrs. Scofield's face lit up with a warm smile as she scooped up Gladys, cradling her in her arms. Electra watched, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, her mother was willing to put their differences aside, at least for Gladys' sake.

Electra's eyes met her mother's, and she saw a glimmer of understanding and forgiveness in her gaze. "Get home and explain why you refused to take the family's private plane and decided to go public instead," Mrs. Scofield said, her voice firm but gentle.

Electra's smile spread wide, relief and gratitude washing over her. She knew in that moment that her mother had forgiven her, and that their argument was truly behind them.

****

Knoxville's eyes narrowed as his father, a stern expression on his face, strode into his office without knocking. "Dad, what are you doing here?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

His father's eyes flashed with frustration. "Why wouldn't I come to see my own son? You're my eldest, my heir. I have two sons, and neither of you is taking life seriously. Your younger brother is chasing after some crush, and you... you left home six years ago to find a wife, but you've returned empty-handed. I told you I had a suitable match for you, but you keep refusing. What do you want me to do? Die without a grandchild to carry on our legacy?"

Knoxville's jaw clenched as his father's words pierced his calm demeanor. He knew his father's expectations, but he wasn't ready to settle down yet. The weight of his family's legacy and his father's demands felt suffocating. He sighed, rubbing his temples, and began to explain, "Dad, I—".

Mr. Richardo's voice rose, his face reddening with anger. "You what? Are you going to raise your voice now when you're not listening to me?" he thundered, his words echoing off the office walls.

Knoxville's expression softened, his tone calming. "I'm sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to raise my voice. I'm just trying to explain. I have someone I love, and I need time to figure things out." His words were laced with a sense of longing and vulnerability.

He took a deep breath, his eyes pleading for understanding. "Please, Dad, just listen to me. I'm not trying to disobey you, but I can't rush into a marriage I don't want. I need time to make things right with the person I care about." His voice was filled with a quiet desperation, hoping his father would finally understand his perspective.

"Mr. Richardo's expression was stern, his voice firm. "I'll give you time, Knoxville. Just a month to figure things out. I don't know how you do it, but I'll give you a month. But let me ask you, why did you leave home six years ago, pretending to be a poor guy, when you knew you wouldn't be bringing someone home?"

With that, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Knoxville feeling frustrated and anxious. Knoxville's eyes dropped to his phone, and he quickly dialed a number. The person on the other end answered on the first ring.

"Is there no news of her? It's been five years already?" Knoxville asked, his voice laced with concern and longing.

The person on the other end replied, "Nothing yet, Knoxville. But we're still searching. We'll find her, don't worry."

Knoxville's eyes closed, his mind racing with thoughts of Electra. He hoped that his father's deadline wouldn't expire before he could reunite with her.

"Not at all. We didn't even see any traces of her" The private investigator said..

"Please do anything possible, to make sure to get her. I need her back in my life" He said, as he hanged up the call.

Knoxville's eyes flashed with anger and regret as he recalled the night Electra caught him with Helena. He remembered the intense argument they had, and the painful words that were exchanged, and how he had fought Helena after she left.

"Why did you have to lie and say I was your boyfriend before I met her?" he yelled at Helena, his voice echoing through the room. "Why did you have to say we planned to dump her together? You know you forced me into having sex with you, and now you're just lying against me?"

His words were laced with bitterness and resentment, as he confronted Helena about her deceit and manipulation. He couldn't believe she had betrayed him like that, and that he had let his weaknesses get the better of him.

Helena's words were laced with venom and manipulation, as she twisted the truth to suit her own agenda. "Why are you so pained, haven't you divorced her? You wanted her to hate you, didn't you? You wanted to hide the secret I know from her, so she wouldn't be hurt. You wanted her to see you as a betrayer and hate you, so she wouldn't be pained. So, I helped you. And I didn't blackmail you, I only said that if I had to keep quiet, you'd have to sleep with me three times. This is the third time, and I'm freaking done with you, coward!"

Her words stung Knoxville like a slap in the face, as he realized the extent of her manipulation. He had been blinded by his own guilt and shame, and she had taken advantage of that to exploit him. The weight of his mistakes crushed him, and he felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret.

The memory of that night still haunted him, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and shame that lingered.