Chapter 14: Goodbyes

I slowly opened my eyes because of the heavyweight that I am feeling. I also felt pain in my cheek and head. 

When I finally opened my eyes I was so shocked. I was in an unfamiliar room. 

"Thanks God you're awake!" Michelle's worried face flashed at me. She also quickly poured water into the glass and handed it to me. 

"Drink this," I weakly took the glass, and as she wanted me to do, I drank its contents. I smiled at her after. I also handed her back the glass afterwards. 

"W-where am I?" I feel my weakness based on the tone of my voice. 

"I brought you in my condo." Her face was still worried. 

"Mich ... thank you for helping me." She smiled at me. She also took my hand and squeezed it slightly. 

"You're always welcome Syd. You're like a sister to me, and I'm willing to do all I might for you. Just don't hesitate to ask it ... coz I'm always here." She said while smiling genuinely. 

"Thanks again." I smiled back. Just as I was about to move to get off the bed, I suddenly felt a headache. 

"Ouch!" I screamed while holding my head. I was surprised when Michelle's mirror suddenly caught up with me. Hesitantly I picked it up and looked at myself there. I almost let go of the mirror I was holding because of how I could see how I looked. My face is full of bruises. Sh*t! This can't be! 

How do I answer Sunny when she asks about my bruises? How can I explain to her that my aunt did it herself? I don't want my daughter to worry about me.

"Your aunt is such a monster!" She said angrily. But I ignored that. Instead I asked her what time it was. 

"What time is it now?" I asked. 

"It's six in the morning." She replied. 

"What?" 

"Yes. Yesterday, while we were walking you suddenly fainted. Fortunately, Mang Bert was there so he helped me get you in my car. I've been so worried about you Sydney the whole night!" 

I rubbed my forehead at what I found out from Michelle. I quickly searched for my cellphone. When I found it I immediately opened it. 

'20 missed calls from Grace! '

I quickly dialed Grace's number, and she answered right away. I took a deep breath before signaling to Michelle that I just had someone to talk to. She nodded then said goodbye as she was just coming out of the room. 

"Grace, how's Sunny?" I asked nervously. 

"She's fine, ma'am. But last night she really didn't want to sleep until you came home. She was supposed to be asleep at 12 AM." Grace's long explanation on the other line. It was as if my heart was pounding at what I heard. 

"How is she now?" 

"She's still asleep, she didn't get enough sleep last night." I nodded as I bit my lip to stop the tears from forming in my eyes. 

"I'm sorry Grace, okay? There's just a problem. Maybe I can go home this afternoon. Take care of my daughter ... okay? Thank you." 

"All right, ma'am. Take care." 

I ended the call. At the same time my tears were falling. I quickly wiped it off.

Just a few minutes later, the door immediately opened. It threw Michelle and Andrew out. I was no longer surprised to be greeted by Drew's cold gaze. 

" How are you?" His eyes suddenly replaced by concerned. 

"I'll leave you first." It was Michelle. She also immediately left the room. 

"I'm sorry." I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me tightly. My heart seems to be squeezing with pain. 

"Why are you sorry?" I asked calmly. With what happened, I didn't have the strength to answer or even blame Drew. 

"I'm sorry, Sydney. This was one of my fears then. Your aunt Fely..." He let go of hugging me and faced me. 

"I'm only twenty-one that time when your aunt approached me. She threatened me of killing you, like what she did to your parents—" 

"Wait—what?" Drew nodded. 

"She's the reason why your parents had an accident. She admitted that to me herself." 

I felt cold to what I heard. It never occurred to me that my parents had that accident on purpose. 

"Why did—" 

"She hates your mother. She's adopted."

I know aunt Fely was adopted by mom's parents but I didn't know that aunt Fely hated my mom. 

"Why are you telling all of these to me?" Tears welled up as I asked him. I can't believe it ... that aunt Fely can do all of those shits! Is this the reason why he pretended to take care of me? To get revenge on mom? To torture me too? What the hell! 

"Because I want to fix us. I want us to fix this, Sydney." I let go of Drew because of what he said. 

"F-fix us? Are you insane? We can't be fixed anymore Drew! You're engaged with my cousin!"

"I don't love her!" He was right. But it's my aunt who decide, not him or Belle. 

"You know Auntie won't allow it. She loves Belle so much that she won't let you hurt her daughter... especially when I'm involved. My cousin loves you too Drew." 

"You know I can do something Sydney! I can fight your aunt ... just be with me." His eyes were telling me everything. I can see that he's serious and willing to do anything for me—for our daughter, but I'm afraid. 

"... I'm sorry Drew, but I can't." 

If my aunt was able to destroy us then, it is unlikely that she will destroy us again now. Especially since it's not just me or Drew that my aunt can involve ... Sunny is also in the matter. 

"Why? Don't you love me anymore? Sydney I know you still love me but you're just hardening your heart!" He said that he seemed so sure of how I felt. 

"You're dreaming Drew. I don't love you anymore. I can't be with you ... cause it wasn't you anymore." 

I pointed to my left chest where my heart was. 

"It's not beating you anymore." I lied. I could just feel Drew slowly letting go of my hands. He slowly stood up, at the same time his tears kept falling before he finally turned his back on me and walked out of Michelle's room. 

I'm sorry Drew...I'm doing this for our daughter. If I have to sacrifice my love for you, just for the safety of our child—then I'll do it over and over again.