Chapter 53-Audreys story II
Audrey's POV...
I couldn't breathe. I sat there watching him. What did he just say?
'I asked him to abandon you' the words rang for the millionth time in my ear.
The air around me felt hot and stuffy. It felt like my seat was on fire and the heat boiled within me and wanted to explode.
"You asked my father to abandon me?" I asked, my voice shaky.
"Yes I did," he affirmed.
I turned away, blinking several times, trying to stop the tears from falling.
"I understand how you feel..."
"No you don't," I snapped. "You ruined my life. You broke my family. You made my mom miserable. I had to go through a very rough childhood... all because of you," a tear slipped down from my eyes.
"You can't apportion all the blame to me. Your father was the one who came to me for advice and I gave him the best of my knowledge," he simply answered.
I felt like my whole world had come crumbling down. My chest rose and fell heavily as I tried containing my anger and hurt.
"I regret asking him to do that. I gave him that advice based on my experience.
At that time, Jonathan had been born. His mother and I didn't get married out of love, but duty.
It was the worst thing that could have ever happened to me.
She couldn't marry her first love because he eloped with a celebrity.
And because of that..." he shook his head. "We never gave the marriage a chance,"
I fisted my hands on the table as I tightened my jaw. It felt like something inside of me was being torn apart.
"I wasn't ready to be a father either, but I couldn't get away with it. My family were looking up to me and I couldn't fail them. I hated Jonathan because of that. I blamed him for coming into my life and believed he was the cause of my misfortune. I never loved him like a son. I was harsh on him,"
I bit my lips in anger.
"So when your father came to me and explained his situation, he was in a better position to escape his reality, so I asked him to leave you... to leave your mom and never look back,"
I couldn't listen to him anymore. My whole twenty-four years of existence seemed to have been a waste. He was the real villain behind my story and I had ended up hating and detesting the wrong man all my life.
"I regretted everything I did, the day Jonathan started his entrepreneurial journey at seventeen.
I was proud of him then. I always saw him as a burden waiting to be taken care of.
But he didn't let my hatred deter him, even when his mother developed a heart disease.
She was recovering from a severe illness when she took in and that was drastic for her health.
Doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused and that led to a hole in her heart,"
He paused as he closed his eyes and used a white handkerchief to dab his eyes.
"I realised that day that a child wasn't a liability, but an asset.
Whether ready or not, we are fully responsible for them.
They make us stronger, more independent and give us the will to strive harder for their sake.
It was a pity your father was long gone before I realised this.
Till today, I love my son, but I can't show him to his face, because I was never there for him when he needed me the most,"
"I'm sorry Ms Willows. I didn't know..."
"This isn't your story. It's mine," I cut in rudely, with gritted teeth. "Your family is at peace... you guys are a complete family. But mine... you broke it and you're telling me you're sorry?" I let the tears flow down freely.
"I made that mistake... Therefore I tried making amends.
I planned to bring you and Jonathan together.
I planned everything, I made his manager send that contract to you and convinced Jonathan that it was worth it.
I did all those things so you both can be together and amend the mistakes of your fathers in the past,"
I shook my head with my eyes closed. I opened my eyes and wiped my tears with my handkerchief. I sniffled silently.
I pushed myself up and glared at him. "Where's my father?"
"Ms Willows..."
"I said," I snarled. "Where is my father? Don't make me ask again,"
"Just calm down. Your father is safe..."
"Oh my God," I muttered as I closed my eyes, my hands fisted tightly. "Don't make me do something you'll regret," I threatened.
"Call this number," he said, bringing out a piece of paper from his pocket. "He'll take you to your father,"
I snatched the paper from him roughly. I carried my bag to go.
"I'm sorry Ms Willows,"
I didn't say anything to that. I walked away but stopped a few steps away from him. I turned around to face him.
"You know, if there's one thing I would do, if given the chance..." I chucked darkly. "It would be to take time back before any of my family met any Cavendish,"
"Including Jonathan?" He asked. I saw the look in his eyes. It was fear of what my response would be. But I couldn't care less.
"Jonathan the most," I said and turned and left. If Jonathan's father did this to my family... then I can't be with him.
I wrote this chapter twice so that every emotion will hit the way I want it to. What do you guys think about what Mr Cavendish said?