Chapter 205: Difficulties
But man, the water was way too deep. Folks passing by would stir it up, making it all murky. We were standing in front of the apartment entrance, and the knee-deep water was a real pain to move through.
It was almost eight. Mia pushed me back. "You head upstairs. I'll wade through on my own, or I'll be late."
"No way, you're already feeling crappy. I'll help you across, be careful." I wasn't about to let her go alone.
"Seriously, go back. I got this."
Before she could take a step, Yancy, dressed head to toe in black, waded through the water and stood at the apartment entrance.
He didn't have an umbrella, and the heavy rain had soaked him to the bone. But he didn't look like a mess; his eyes were shining bright.
Mia and I were both stunned. In this crazy rain and deep water, how did he get here? How long had he been waiting for us to show up?
Mia's eyes went wide, and she tightened her grip on my wrist.
Yancy wiped the water off his face, grinning. He pulled an umbrella out of his bag, opened it, and handed it to Mia. Then he turned around, bent down, and said, "Mia, hop on. I'll carry you out."
Mia just stood there, head down, not moving or saying a word.
Yancy got a bit anxious, half-turning his head and extending his hands. "Mia, hurry up, or we'll be late. Don't you want that perfect attendance award? I won't let you fall, come on."
I suddenly felt my eyes get all warm, like I was about to cry.
I reached out and pushed Mia. What was she waiting for?
A guy willing to humble himself for you is rare. What was there to hesitate about?
"Yeah, Mia, come on." I pushed her onto Yancy's back. She struggled and shot me a warning look, but I ignored it and pressed her down firmly. "Yancy, I'm trusting you with her. If you can't protect her, you're done."
"Don't worry, Jane, unless I die."
With strong hands, he hoisted Mia up. "Mia, hold onto my neck. Here we go."
Yancy walked forward firmly, bravely cutting through the water, and Mia looked back at me. The ice in her eyes was melting.
Yancy walked slowly but steadily, carrying Mia like she was his whole world, cherishing her, gradually disappearing from my sight.
With tears in my eyes, I ran upstairs and leaned against the window, searching for them in the crowd.
After passing the neighborhood entrance and a bit further, Yancy put Mia down. There was still water, but it was much shallower, not even reaching the calves. Yancy held an umbrella in one hand and wrapped his other arm around Mia's shoulder, keeping her safe.
I cried for a while, deeply moved. I really hoped that Mia's life from now on would be filled with sunshine and warmth, and that Yancy would be the one to give her that.
But Benjamin? He's such a control freak. Would he let go that easily? It had been over a month, and he hadn't said a word. Had he really given up on Mia, or did he have some plan? If it was the former, Mia would eventually move on. But if it was the latter, what would Mia, who had no one to rely on, do?
Things needed to be resolved. Benjamin dragging it out in silence would only hurt Mia in the end.
Maybe I should give it a nudge.
I whipped out my phone and posted the pics I just snapped of Yancy and Mia on my feed, captioning it, "Meeting the right person turns bitterness into sweetness."
Not even five minutes later, Benjamin messaged me for the first time in years: [Is she with you?]
I left him on read.
A minute later, he called. I hesitated but picked up, my voice icy, "Hello, who is this?"
"It's Benjamin. Jane, why didn't you tell me she was with you? Do you know I've been going nuts looking for her?" He yelled, his voice making my ears ring.
"Benjamin, right? Chill with the attitude. I don't owe you anything, and I won't take your crap. You have a kid with another woman, so why do you still care about her? Who are you trying to fool with this act of deep affection? Benjamin, are you sick? Why do you treat Mia like trash and then come blaming others? Do you even deserve to? How did I not see it before, that you're just a jerk!"
Benjamin seemed thrown by my outburst. After a pause, his voice softened. "I had my reasons for that. I'll explain it to her properly, and she'll understand. Jane, tell me where you are. I need to find her and bring her back."
"Benjamin, have you ever thought about it? Put yourself in her shoes. If Mia had a kid with another guy and then explained it to you, would you understand? Would you act like nothing happened, accept her, and love her kid as your own, just like before?"
Benjamin was silent.
"Of course not. So what makes you think that if you explain, she'll understand, forgive you, and continue living that miserable life with you? Do you think you are worth her sacrifices? You're just a cowardly jerk, Benjamin. I despise you. And Mia's whereabouts are none of your business. After you slept with another woman and got her pregnant, Mia's life has nothing to do with you. Benjamin, if you have any decency, for the sake of her once loving you so deeply, please don't disturb her anymore. She's had a hard time these years.Benjamin, just show some mercy and let her go."
After saying all this, I couldn't stop my tears. Thinking of the crap Mia had gone through over the years, I truly felt it wasn't worth it for her.
Benjamin wanted to say something, but I didn't want to hear it and hung up.
At this point, whatever he said would just be an excuse. The facts were clear: he had betrayed love and promises, and he had betrayed Mia.
Betrayal was the most hurtful and unforgivable act in the world.
Half an hour later, Brad called me.
The limited view of the call showed a beat-up wall, part of a wooden blackboard, and a kid flashed by in the corner of a worn-out desk.
It must be the school in the mountains Brad mentioned last time. There was a familiar figure moving back and forth, tidying up. I couldn't place who it was at the moment.
After hearing about the heavy rain, Brad was worried. "When we get back, let's find a new place. The water is so deep, it's dangerous."
"We'll talk about it when you get back. Anyway, I don't go out, and the water can't possibly reach upstairs."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
