06 I Need Space

Ronan

Two week passed, and Leah completely blocked me. I wondered how she could stay mad at me for so long, knowing what happened wasn't my fault and that I was a victim, too. I just didn't get it. 

Mira kept calling to check on me, and she even tried to convince her sister to speak to me, but Leah wouldn't. I began to suspect she didn't want the marriage after all. But why? I honestly thought she loved me.

I sat in the bar of the house with a vodka in my hand. I knew I shouldn't touch this stuff again since it was what was used to ruin me, but I found myself drowning in it, trying to forget the problems I was facing.

Suddenly, being on leave didn't seem nice, and I wished the Defense Department would send me to head a battalion anywhere. Anywhere but here.

My mother walked in and sat directly opposite me. I could see concern and sorrow in her eyes.

"I told your father not to take that woman in. Look what her daughter did to you," she said. I shook my head, even though I was slightly drunk.

"No, mother. This isn't Camila's fault. Someone wanted to stop my wedding, and they succeeded," I said, without telling her that it was Glenda who actually drugged the drink. Honestly, that was the only explanation since she was likely the one who handed the drink to Camila. 

The fact that Camila took full responsibility for preparing the drink meant it was her mother. Her mother was the only person Camila would dare to protect with her life. As much as I hated everything, I held it in to protect the woman from my mother’s wrath.

"Mother, I want to ask you a question," I finally said, and she nodded eagerly.

"If you love someone with all your heart, and the person made a mistake, would you hear them out, especially if it wasn't their fault?" I asked her, and she looked at me thoughtfully.

"I want you to be honest with me," I said, knowing she might try to say something to make me feel better.

"Truth be told, I would give your father the benefit of the doubt and hear him out. I think Leah is too young to understand her emotions," my mother said quickly, but she had given me the response I needed. 

I decided to give Leah six weeks to come to her senses. I loved her, but if she wasn't willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and hear me out, then maybe her love for me was conditional, inferior and fickle. I needed someone loyal and true. 

I planned to become head of state one day, and if the woman I wanted to spend my life with couldn't hear me out, then I needed to rethink my choice.

I looked at my mother, gulped down the rest of my drink, and then got up.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To my villa. I need to clear my head," I said, and she looked worried.

"You said you would move there after your wedding…" she started, and I looked at her.

"It doesn't seem like a wedding will take place now, does it?" I said, and she fell silent.

"Leah poured a lot of love into that place. Going to live there without her would be wrong. Give her time to come around," she said, and I looked at her.

"What about me, Mom? I am hurting, too. I am hurting so badly. I need to be alone," I told her, and tears streamed down her cheeks. I could see that she was hurting, too. 

It wasn't supposed to be like this. But so far, it's been two weeks, and with each passing day, I am beginning to suspect that maybe Leah didn't love me enough.

My mother sighed and walked to me. She gently put her hand on mine. "I know you're in pain. Just remember that sometimes people need time to process their feelings. Give Leah that time, but don't lose hope."

I nodded, appreciating her words but still feeling a deep ache inside. "I just need some space to think," I said, gently pulling away.