Chapter 04
Emily’s POV
My heart felt like it was being torn to pieces. Watching Keith and Lily together was more than I could bear. They didn’t kiss, but the way their foreheads touched, the way they exchanged words of longing–it was as if I was witnessing a scene meant for someone else. Someone who wasn’t me. The tenderness in Keith’s eyes, the gentle way he spoke to her, it was all too much. Without thinking, I turned and ran, the tears falling uncontrollably.
I stumbled outside, gasping for air, begging for the pain to stop. But it didn’t. It just kept coming in waves, each one more intense than the last. I felt like I was drowning, like I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted it to end, but there was no escape.
As I wiped my tears away, I saw Tyler approaching. He must have seen me run out. I knew better than to expect any sympathy from him. His expression was cold, almost cruel, as he looked at me.
“Why do you always run away when it is the time to face the truth? You really think you can take what doesn’t belong to you?” he sneered, his words dripping with contempt.
I fought to keep my composure, my voice trembling as I replied, “Get lost, Tyler.”
11
He didn’t back down. “Keith always belonged to Lily. It was your who came between them. And now, they’re finally going to be back together.”
His words were like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. But I refused to let him see how much it hurt. Instead, I forced a sarcastic smile, trying to mask the pain. “Don’t worry, I won’t bother anyone anymore. Just let Mom know that if she needs help, I’ll be at the funeral.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice. “What do you mean by that?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. The pain was too overwhelming, and I needed to get away. Without another word, I turned and walked off, leaving Tyler standing there. I knew he wouldn’t follow.
I made my way home, feeling more alone than ever. Zane was with Keith’s mother, and the thought of picking him up filled me with dread. She hated me, just like everyone else. But Zane was all I had, and I would pick him up tomorrow. Tonight, I needed to be alone.
Once I got home, the tears came again, harder this time. Before heading inside, I paused to look up at the sky. The full moon hung there, beautiful and serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging inside me. I cried in solitude, feeling the walls close in, the silence almost suffocating.
The next morning, I arrived at Keith’s house to pick up Zane. Keith
Chapter D
wasn’t there; only his mother was present, waiting for me in the living room.
“Good morning,” I greeted her, trying to keep my voice steady.
She glanced at me, her expression as cold as ever. “Morning, Emily. Zane’s upstairs, finishing his breakfast. He’ll be down in a moment.”
“Thank you,” I replied, forcing a polite smile. The tension between us was thick, but neither of us made an effort to bridge it.
After a moment of silence, she added, “Keith mentioned you’d be coming. I’ve packed Zane’s things.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, though we both knew there was little sincerity in the exchange.
We waited in awkward silence until Zane’s small footsteps echoed down the stairs. He ran up to me, his face lighting up when he saw me. “Mommy!”
I knelt down to his level, pulling him into a hug. “Hey, sweetheart. Are you ready to go?“.
Zane nodded but then turned to his grandmother. “Goodbye, Grandma,” he said softly, his voice tinged with sadness.
Chapter 04
11
His grandmother’s expression softened slightly as she bent down to hug him. “Goodbye, Zane. Come back whenever you feel like, okay?”
“I will, Grandma,” Zane promised, his little arms wrapping around her for a moment longer.
With that, I took his hand, and we headed out to the car. My father was gone, and with him, any chance of resolving the complicated feelings I had toward him. After we reach home, it would just be me and Zane, now.
It had been three days since my father passed away, and I hadn’t seen Keith since. His calls have gone unanswered–I just couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. In these past few days, the loneliness has felt sharper, more defined, but not because I missed anyone in particular. Zane is the only one who truly feels like family to me. Everyone else… they’ve always kept their distance, even when they were physically close.
Today was my father’s funeral and I began getting ready for it. I changed into a black dress, the fabric heavy and suffocating, much like the grief pressing down on me. I could feel the tears threatening to spill over, but I held them back. There would be time for tears later, but right now, I needed to be strong for Zane.
Zane sat quietly on the edge of his bed as I helped him into his small suit. His eyes were downcast, filled with a sadness that
1
Chapter 04
seemed too heavy for someone his age. “Mommy, is Grandpa really gone?” he asked, his voice trembling.
I pulled him into my arms, holding him close. “Yes, sweetheart, Grandpa is gone. But you know what? He loved you very much, and you have all those wonderful memories of him. Hold on to those, okay?”
Zane nodded, his small body shaking against mine. “I miss him, Mommy.”
“I know, baby. I miss him too,” I whispered, trying to keep my own tears at bay. “It’s okay to be sad, but remember, Grandpa wouldn’t want us to be too sad. He would want us to remember the good times we had with him.”
Zane sniffled and looked up at me, his eyes searching mine for comfort. “Okay, Mommy. I’ll try to remember the good times.”
I kissed the top of his head, a wave of bittersweet emotions washing over me. “That’s my brave boy,” I said, giving him a reassuring smile.
Together, we made our way to the funeral, the day feeling heavier with each passing moment. I held Zane’s hand tightly, both of us clinging to each other as we prepared to say our final goodbye.
