Finale 8

The familiar smell of disinfectants and medicines irritates my nose as I stand at the foot of the bed, where my ex- husband's frail body rests. Beside me is my son, Leonard charting his patient's vitals.

I stare at his scrawny face, the dark circles around his sunken eyes and the scars, making him unrecognizable.

"Leonard... he signed a DNR. Are you aware of that?"

He nods. I pivot to face him then I say, "You know the risk. If the police find out about how you try to prolong his life, it may lead to lawsuits."

"Are you suggesting that..."

"Yes. Let him die!"

"But... I want him to suffer. Just like how he made you suffer!"

"I understand. However, Leonard... we both know that with his current condition, he doesn't feel the pain that you want him to feel."

He clenches his hands as he stares at his estranged father. I tap his shoulder and rub his back. He inhales deeply and harshly exhales. I can feel the pain... the weight on his chest causing him to think irrationally.

"Let him go and set yourself free," I whisper after hugging him tightly.

Funny how the universe toys with our fragile emotions. The anguish and rage that once filled my hearts are taken over by forgiveness and love. The worries that I once had... the fears, they're all gone.

Six days after my visit to the hospital, Anthony has another cardiac arrest. His sons witness his final moments. I am so proud of how they handle the situation maturely. With no one to claim his body, his sons hold an intimate funeral rite.

Days after the funeral, I arrange a holiday trip to Lebanon. Not really a vacation, but more of volunteer work. But before that... there's one more thing that I have to settle.

"Hey, attorney Jason Kian McKnight. How the biz?" I exclaim as I see him approaching.

"Drop it, professor MeriBeast!" he replies.

"How's the firm?"

"Quite busy. Especially now, I don't know. Seems like May is the season of divorce."

I chuckle.

"What brings you here, sis?"

I clear my throat as I show the wedding invitation. He stares at it for a long time. Then, he gets up to make some coffee.

"Want some?"

I shake my head.

"Aren't you gonna stop her?"

"Merideth, it's over now. Get over it!"

"Don't you love, Arabelle?!"

"I do. That's why... I am not going there."

"If you love her, then why are you not doing anything to stop this? Why ain't you fighting? You have to fight for your love, Jason!"

He stares at me in desperation. He slams the counter, clearly irritated by my words and insistence. The black coffee from the machine starts to exude its aroma, calming us down. We both exhale.

"Sorry. All I wanted is your happiness!"

"I am grateful for the thoughtfulness, sis. But... there are things that we just have to let it be!"

"Even if it hurts you a lot?"

"Yes! Loving isn't just about fighting. Sometimes, it's about letting go. If you know... if you're honest enough and acknowledge that you can't make the person happy... let go!"

For a long time, I just look at my brother. His words seeping through the depths of my brain. I nod. He's damn right! I smile, making him confused.

"What?"

"Nothing." I tilt my head. "I just can't believe how much you've grown! I am so proud of you."

He chuckles.

"Too shallow to be proud of, MeriBeast!" he simpers.

"You even persuaded the Earl to use McKnight as your last name! I'd say... I am amazed by your charisma!"

"Something that none of you possess!"

"Oh... the overconfidence!"

We share a burst of hearty laughter as we chat a little longer. If my phone hasn't rung, I would have forgotten my rendezvous.

"Is that a date?"

"She wishes to see me."

"Are you talking about Carmen? I heard her condition worsens day by day."

"Yeah. However, she always utters my name during her lucid intervals!"

"I wonder what she's gonna say!"

"I just hope that she's sane when I see her today! Do you wanna come?"

"Nope. I have a date. Just keep me updated!"

I already understand what he meant. He's going to play polo--- a date with his horse. I drive straight to the mental hospital where Carmen is being treated.

"Professor Spencer, she has mentioned your name a couple of times today, but we are not sure about her real intentions yet. So, please be careful," the psychiatric doctor says as I open the door to a simple room with a table, two chairs on either side.

The stench coming from the woman sitting nervously, speaking gibberish to herself. I walk slowly towards her. Recognizing my presence, she jolts and hugs her bended knees and buries her head in between them.

"Carmen... it's me...Merideth!" I utter softly. But, she still ignores me. I sit opposite her and patiently waits for her to get accustomed to my presence.

"Hey~ it's okay. It's me... Merideth!"

Seemingly recognizing my voice, she slowly lifts her face. Her eyes rounded in surprise.

"Merideth... it's... it's you~" she whispers as she extends her hands to me. I hold them tight. Her calloused hands and long fingernails make her bony hands even more terrifying.

"Oh my god. It's really you," she says warmly. "I am sorry... for everything!"

"It's~"

"Ssshhhhhh!" she says while looking around anxiously. "Sssshhhh! The monster will hear us! I have to tell you the truth before he comes..." She leans in and whispers, "I buried the gun beside Gibson's grave. It will match the bullet fired at you."

My head is spinning as she speaks, waking the nightmare from the past. As she becomes agitated, her voice becomes inaudible. Therefore, I have to listen carefully to every sound her mouth makes.

"That poor girl... we used her. It was me who fired the gun!"

"What are you saying?" I ask, but she starts babbling. She bangs her head on the table and keeps saying, "Sorry, master!"

My stomach churns as my head spins. The piece of the puzzle is solved. It wasn't Sophia, who shot me after all. With this information, I go out while medical personnel get in with a sedative to calm Carmen down.

My hands are trembling as I call my brother.

"R-rob! It wasn't Sophia... it was Carmen!"

"What?!"

"Meet me at dad's grave!"

I hold my breath when the police dig the site and uncover a rusting gun. Tears flow from my eyes as I look at my brother. He gives me a hopeful smile.

After a thorough test, finally... we have a match. Now, Sophia can live freely, free from the dark past. All that's left is to move forward--- to a brighter tomorrow!