Chapter 166
"I've met that guy's mother. She's an old woman and she adopted three little angels. She's a great woman who's struggling to provide for those three kids. Her sons, that guy and his brother, has been trying to help her with that."
This time, Adam remained silent, letting me continue on with my story.
"Those two guys joined the competition to help their mother provide for their adopted siblings. I could relate to their desperation, joining the competition for the sole purpose of helping someone you love. When I found out their reason, I understood his anger because, even if I didn't do it purposely, I've basically ruined his brother's life. They didn't want in just for the heck of it, Adam, they were fighting for the people they love; just like I am."
I was overwhelmed by the end of relaying everything I knew and all I wanted was to do was to go sleep it off.
"I can't just walk away after putting that family through everything that had happened. I can't let him to have suffered through all this for nothing. I need to help them." I looked Adam straight in the eye, willing him to understand that this was something I had to do for my sanity.
Adam reached out and grabbed my hand in his. I looked at our linked hands, marveling at how familiar the feeling was before looking back into his eyes. He squeezed my hand lightly.
"I can't believe I believed that you could have murdered my mom." Adam said softly, his eyes lowering in what looked like shame, before he looked back up into my eyes again. "You're something else, Cassandra Johnson."
I felt the edges of my mouth lift up to form a smile and I could feel the tears brimming in my eyes.
I was grateful that I had at least one person on God's green Earth supporting me. To tell me that I wasn't entirely losing my mind for wanting to help Cole's family.
"Thank you," I whispered softly to Adam and he nodded once, letting go of my hand.
I averted my gaze to the night sky, breathing in the night air.
When I looked away from the sky, Adam was still watching me, a look of wonder and amazement still evident in his eyes.
I felt my heart swell a bit more, thinking that maybe - just maybe - my Adam was in there somewhere and I'll be able to see him again one day.
That night, I slept as peacefully as I could with all the aching bruises I was sporting from the fight. My mind was as peaceful as it could get.
I had clear thoughts of what I wanted - needed - to do and I had no worries about Adam hating me or thinking horribly of me again.
I'm going to fight my way out of this competition and I'll win it for all the people I love and care about. Because that's all there is to life.
You simply have to fight through life. You always have a choice.
You can roll over and die,
Or you can keep fighting. And I choose the latter. Because to me?
To live - is to fight.
