A New Opportunity
Enrico
How could she avoid a conversation with me when we had so much to share, and at the same time, accept a visit from an almost stranger, being still so vulnerable? That was something I simply couldn't comprehend and accept in any way.
"Where are you going, Enrico?" Joseph asked just as I was about to open the door to leave the mansion. "We need to talk, don't you agree?"
That question seemed almost ironic. While Rachel was avoiding talking to me, I was considering doing the same with my father because I was sure the subject he wanted to discuss was something I wasn't prepared to deal with. Another complicated issue.
"This isn't the right time to talk about Mom," I responded immediately. "I'm dealing with many other things right now."
"She contacted me," Joseph said urgently. "She's coming here and wants to see you."
Unable to avoid it, I let out a loud laugh at the audacity of that woman, who, after twenty-eight years, decided she wanted to see her son after abandoning him for so long without any news.
"I have no interest in dealing with that woman, Father."
I didn't wait for my father's response; I simply completed the action I was about to take, opening the door and leaving the house as if I were being chased by mysterious creatures. Or would it be more appropriate to say "ghosts"? Because, after all these years of absence, my mother had become so enigmatic that I always believed she was dead.
At that moment, I stopped thinking about my mother and focused on Rachel's situation. The loss of the baby hadn't sunk into my mind yet, even though it wasn't my child, my heart ached as if it were.
Instead of returning to the hotel as I had said I would, I ended up going to Sarah's house. I needed to talk, and she was the perfect person to listen to me; after all, no one knew this story better than she did.
"Enrico, you need to make a decision," were Sarah's words, basically what I expected her to say. "You don't believe the children are yours, but you want to stay with Rachel, that's clear to everyone."
“I can't offer her what she wants, Sarah,” I said wearily. “She wants someone to deceive, someone who can provide the life she's accustomed to, and now take responsibility for her children…”
“Rachel has always made it clear she wants a marriage of convenience. Now, it's up to you to decide if that's what you want for your life and if it will bring you satisfaction.”
Sarah, my friend who had helped me on numerous occasions to win Rachel's love, knew better than anyone else that I was willing to offer her whatever she desired, including marriage. However, everything changed when I realized that Rachel wasn't just opportunistic and selfish, but also had a dubious character and many other flaws. It became difficult to overlook these issues and simply marry her.
“What do you think I should do?” I asked Sarah.
“I think you should first figure out what you truly feel for Rachel.”
But it wasn't Sarah who said that. Kael Graham walked into the room at that moment, interrupting our conversation and intruding into a matter that didn't concern him. I didn't hesitate to express this to him.
“It concerns me now that you're seeking help from my wife.”
“I thought you didn't want anything to do with Rachel's affairs.”
Kael responded calmly:
“We all make mistakes in our own ways, some with good intentions but still making errors. It turns out Ryan has just uncovered some new facts related to the turmoil that has affected our lives for years. Unfortunately, even after her death, Guilhermina continued to cause problems for all of us.”
“Guilhermina Mitchell?” I asked, confused by what Kael was saying. “What does Sarah and Rachel's mother have to do with all of this?”
Kael then explained the tumultuous relationship between Guilhermina and her daughters, revealing everything Guilhermina had done in the name of her love for Patrick, causing great damage in the process, including to her own daughter's mental health. Guilhermina used Rachel as a means to get Patrick's attention, her husband, who over the years also became involved in an extramarital affair with Kael's mother, his true love.
“What I'm trying to show you is that Rachel also deserves a second chance” he concluded. “Just as Sarah gave me the opportunity to show I can be a better person, I believe we should do the same and assess whether Rachel deserves our trust or not.”
“I've thought a lot about what happened to Rachel and how devastated she must be after losing her child” Sarah reinforced her partner's words. “And I've come to the same conclusion as Kael, Enrico.”
Though I wasn't exactly thrilled to receive advice from Kael Graham, given that we weren't friends and our only common bond was Sarah, perhaps he had a valid point.
“Maybe you're right, Graham” I ended up admitting aloud. “I just don't understand what your interest is in trying to show me the other side of the coin.”
I couldn't help but needle the man who had caused my friend so much pain before finally admitting his true feelings.
“There's nothing sinister in my intentions here. In fact, my interest is quite clear” Kael replied nonchalantly. “I would like you to set aside my wife and focus on taking care of Rachel. And her son.”
I thought about denying once again that the child was mine, but chose to ignore Kael's insinuation. After hugging Sarah for a while under Kael's watchful gaze, I decided to leave, determined to make a decision once and for all.
Initially, I considered immediately returning to my father's house and imposing my will on Rachel. However, I managed to calm myself enough to make a stop at the hotel first. After taking a long shower and having a decent meal, two things I hadn't done all day, I returned to talk to the woman who occupied my thoughts during sleepless nights.
However, it seemed I arrived too late. When I quietly entered the living room, hearing voices from the room, I ended up witnessing something completely unexpected, which deeply disturbed me.
“Are you proposing to me?” Rachel asked the man before her.
No matter what happened, Rachel wouldn't marry anyone but me.
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