Chapter 44: Glimmer of Hope

I have always been so self-conscious when I cried but now I just gave way to the enormity of my grief. I sobbed into my hands and the tears dripped between my fingers, raining down onto the pavement. My breathing was ragged, gasping and the strength left my legs. I sank to my knees not caring about the grit that dug into it. I was noisy, my skin was blotched but I couldn’t care anymore. Everything has become too much for me to handle and it was difficult for me to continue to stay strong.

I grasped my chest, trying to calm myself down, but I couldn’t. Arthur wrapped his arms around me as my body trembled with each sob. The sound of my sobbing was the sound of a heart breaking. Hearts don't snap like brittle caramel or burst like an overfilled balloon. A heart breaks in the heaving waves of a new disturbing reality that has arrived uninvited.

These hurtful and threatening tweets, posts and messages have become too much for me to handle. Not to mention the terrible things those people did to me at the cafe. Who knows what else they could have done to me if Arthur weren’t there?

“I desperately wanted to stay strong, but why?” My voice cracked at the last word. As I sat there in Arthur’s arms, my shoulders were loose and my hands were hanging low as I made no attempt to conceal or even wipe away my own tears.

“Every time I pick myself up, he manages to bring me back down again and again.” I muttered in between each sob. I doubt Arthur was able to understand what I was even saying because he just hugged me tighter. I couldn’t even stop the tears from falling anymore as I recalled each hurtful thing someone said about me - it's a kind of crying that shows the child underneath, that the hurt has cut right back through the protective layers acquired in maturity.

It was hard to fight a losing battle.

“Maybe I shouldn't bother anymore.” I muttered wistfully as I leaned on Arthur’s shoulder. Arthur turned to look at me and opened his mouth to speak until his phone pinged, signaling that he had received a text message from someone. He pulled out his phone and his eyes widened in shock. “What’s up?” I asked, noticing his reaction.

A smile crept to his lips as he turned to look at me excitedly. “There is still hope, Sandra.” He said as he showed me the text that he received. It was from the man a while ago.

From: Unknown Number
I’ve finished retrieving the footage. I also gathered and compiled all the footage that has Kevin Butler in it.

My heart leaped with joy as I wiped my face with the back of my hands. I let out a soft chuckle, feeling embarrassed for breaking down a while ago. There is still hope. I can’t give up yet, especially when I have such an amazing support system around me.

“Let’s go.” Arthur said as he stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothing. He reached his hand out for me and I grabbed it excitedly.

As we made our way back to the apartment, there were still a lot of people glancing at us. Because of my excitement, I decided to ignore them. This glimmer of hope was enough to help me stay strong. It still hurts me that a lot of people have turned against me immediately without even finding out the truth but I’ll just be the bigger person and understand them since they were brainwashed by Kevin.

“Are you okay?” Arthur asked, making sure that I was fine with all the attention these people were giving me. I nodded at him to reassure him that I was fine. We walked in silence to the apartment complex. I held my head high despite the continuous dirty looks I got from different people.

I let out a sigh as we reached the building. This is it! I can finally clear my name and let Kevin pay for all his wrongdoings to me. My heart fluttered with excitement at the mere thought of it. As we made our way to the security room, I couldn’t contain the eagerness I was feeling so I hurriedly walked there.

Upon opening the door, I was immediately greeted by the guard earlier. “Here’s the footage you asked for.” The guard handed over the flash drive containing all the files we asked for. Arthur who followed closely behind me asked to check first the contents of the flash drive before we could leave. He obliged to his requests and showed us the videos inside the flash drive. A content smile made its way to my face as he navigated all through the files. I looked at Arthur, checking to see if he was satisfied with it. “That’s everything.” He muttered as the last video ended.

The guard handed the flash drive to Arthur. “Thank you.” He told him as we walked out of the room. Arthur stopped in his steps and looked at the guard seriously. “Do not mention any of this to anyone. This stays between us or else.” His voice was full of intimidation. The guard saluted at him in response.

As we walked back to Arthur’s car, numerous thoughts popped in my head. I need to think of a way to carefully execute my revenge on him. These security tapes are not enough. If I really want to end all of this, I must release every bit of proof that I have in order to clear my name completely. “You’re awfully quiet.” Arthur murmured. He must have felt the shift in my mood from the security room. “Were you not satisfied with it?” He asked curiously.

I shook my head at him. “No, it’s not that.” I replied, trying to push back the thoughts in my head. “I was just thinking about a plan on how I can get back at Kevin.” I added.

Arthur smiled at me before pulling me in for a hug. “You have me, right? We’ll think about it together.” He softly whispered, then he planted a light kiss on my forehead. My heart felt at ease with his reassuring words. I’m really glad to have Arthur in my life because I have someone to share my worries with. There is nothing wrong with asking for a little help from someone from time to time and I’m perpetually grateful that he is always there for me no matter what.

“Thank you for everything.” I said sincerely before we proceeded to walk again. He just nodded in response and interlocked his fingers with mine.

I can overcome this.