Buried past

Susan's POV

I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions when I saw Patrick. I was at a loss as to what to say or do. The pain and agony from five years ago suddenly flashed in my mind, and I flared up.

"What do you want, Patrick, and how did you find me?"

"Suzy, it's nice to..."

"Don't call me Suzy, I don't go by that name anymore. Call me Susan, and you still haven't answered my question!" I questioned.

Patrick was the only one I knew who called me  'Suzy'. When I met new friends and they tried shortening my name to 'suzy', I warned them against it because it reminded me of Patrick.

Okay, Susan, please hear me out. I know I am the last person you want to see, but can we talk? There are a lot of things we need to discuss," he said.

"We have nothing to talk about, Patrick. Please leave this instant and never come back!" I shouted angrily.

"Susan, I am truly sorry for what I did to you and for destroying the love and trust we once shared, but give me the chance to talk with you," he requested again.

I got angry and told him, "Is that it? So, you think you can waltz in here after five years, and then one apology would make things right?"

"Suzy, if you can just..."

"I said don't call me that! No one does anymore! I am Susan." That name brought back memories that I was trying so hard to forget. Can't he just stop?

"Allow me to speak, Susan."

"About what, exactly? Haven't you created enough of a mess in my life? Haven't you seen me damaged enough? What more do you want from me?"

"Susan…"

"Do you think an apology changes anything? You tore my heart apart, Patrick. I loved you, and you shattered everything we had. Why would I want to revisit that pain?"

Patrick took a step closer and gazed at me. He said, I spent these years reflecting on my actions. I have learned from my mistakes, and I want you back."

My eyes were filled with unshed tears, but I quickly brushed them away, unwilling to show any weakness.

"So, it took you five years to realize your mistakes? Why are you here, Patrick?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you that a lot has happened all these years, but they are all in the past now," he said.

"But I can't forget the pain you caused me. I spent years trying to heal and move on. I don't want to be dragged back into that darkness again," I told him.

Patrick moved closer to me, closing the space between us. He touched my cheeks affectionately and whispered silently, "Oh, Suzy, you don't know how much I missed you."

Without realizing it, I leaned closer to him, recalling how much his touch had soothed me in the past. He touched my lips and kissed me softly.

I moaned as past memories of how much I enjoyed his light, feathered kisses flooded my mind.

However, just when I had lost myself in him, my phone rang, jolting me back to my senses. My eyes widened when I realized that I had just kissed Patrick.

What had I just done? Without hesitating, I slapped him. He looked at me silently but didn't utter a word.

I felt bad and regretted kissing Patrick. Did I really regret it? I felt anger and hurt towards Patrick, and yet... something more. I quickly turned around to steady myself and mask my feelings.

I had to remind myself of the beautiful life I had now with George and Isabella, who were the only family I had now.

With a resolved heart, I turned to Patrick and coldly said, " Get out of my house."

He looked sternly at me with a determined gaze and said, "I understand, Suzy. I will leave for now, but I won't give up on you. I will do whatever it takes to get you back into my life."

"Just remember that you are mine and will always be," he said possessively and left.

I watched him leave, and immediately I shut the door. I could no longer control my tears.

I sat on the floor for hours as I remembered the sweet memories we once shared together, until the waves of betrayal crashed in.

How could something as beautiful as what we shared be destroyed like that?

I remembered five years ago when I left and went to my grandmother's place to sort out my emotions. I stayed there, and throughout the night, I wept bitterly.

The next morning, I decided to go back to Patrick. Despite all he did to me, I still loved him and wanted our marriage to work.

However, to my greatest surprise, I opened the door to our home and saw the same bartender I caught with Patrick in my home, drying her body with my towel.

"What are you doing in my house? Where is Patrick? Get out of my house this instant!"

She sneered at me and said, "Do you honestly think Patrick still wants you? Immediately after you left, he called me, and we spent a passionate night together. He has moved on, you should too."

I was speechless and hurt when she uttered those words. "Where is he?" I shouted.

"Oh, he went to buy a pack of condoms, we exhausted the last one last night," she said, smiling in a mocking way.

I couldn't bear to remain in the same place with her. I went inside and packed my remaining belongings. Since Patrick had made his choice, then so be it.

I wept uncontrollably as I kept packing, and when I was done, I left our apartment and went back to my grandmother's place.

Patrick neither called nor asked about me. It finally dawned on me that he had moved on. In a state of anger, I went to a lawyer and filed for divorce.

Sebastian, our family friend, came to see me, and I handed over the divorce papers to him. He appeared shocked and consoled me. He tried to make me reconsider, but my mind was set.

A few days later, he came back with the divorce papers, and my worst fears were confirmed. Patrick signed them!

I thought he would come rushing to see me when he saw the divorce papers. Rather, he sent Sebastian with a signed paper.

My whole life fell apart. I couldn't even bear to stay there anymore. I packed a few of my bags and took the train to a town I don't even know.

I just wanted to get as far away as I could from the city. I wanted to be alone to nurse my pain.

I arrived in a rural town and settled there. I met George there, who came to see his old distant relative.

He tried coming close to me, but I had decided never to love again. It took me a long time before I finally opened up my heart to him, and he healed it with his love.

After spending two years in that town, I felt healed and married George, who finally convinced me to come back to the city with him.

My gaze wandered to the family portrait that hung on the wall—a picture of me, George, and Isabella. I traced my finger along the edge of the frame, staring at the lovely family I had now.

"Patrick has moved on, and so have I. Our lives have taken different paths." I kept chanting this like a mantra.

I was well aware of Patrick's persistent nature. When he sets his attention on something, he pursues it relentlessly.

It made me anxious and scared of his next moves. I dreaded the idea of Patrick's presence disrupting the harmony of my perfect family.

I paused and thought about the havoc he could cause if he were to uncover the truth I had kept hidden from him five years ago.