Chapter 14: Chapter 14

I cracked a small smile as I placed the cake, teddy bear, and flower on the grave in front of me. I haven't been here in two years. Despite the passage of time, the hurt and remorse was still deeply embedded in my heart.

"Hi," I greeted weakly and caressed the marble tombstone where my baby's name was engraved.

Angele Dei . . .

"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy took a while to come back." I let out a genuine smile. "How are you, baby? Are you playing well with the other kids? I hope you're always happy."

I started to open the box of the cake I brought and took it out. I stuck the small candle on top of it and then lit it. After that, I stared back at my baby again.

"Happy birthday to you. H-Happy birthday to you..." I paused when my voice started trembling. "Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you."

My due date was supposed to be April 26, 2021. The happiest day of my life would have been that one. But that opportunity was stolen from me.

"Happy birthday, baby. I love you so much." My words are loaded with feelings; a lone tear fell on my cheek.

I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying. Forcing a laugh, I looked up and fanned my eyes with my hands. I tried to calm myself down.

"You'll not hate me, right?" I said it softly. "You won't be angry with me, baby, if..." I trailed off. "I can't forgive them for what they did to you, can I?"

My voice cracked when I tried to laugh. "I know the Lord is teaching you forgiveness right there. I'm sorry if Mommy can't give that to them, baby."

I took a deep breath and wiped the tears that fell from my cheeks. I tried to smile and caress the tombstone one last time. Later, I closed my eyes and prayed with all my heart.

I hope that in our next life, you will still choose me to be your mother. I promise, I won't let you get hurt again, Angele Dei.

I was about to blow out the candle when it died of its own accord due to the wind. Not even a few seconds later, I felt something soft touch my foot. A kitten suddenly appeared, meowing sweetly at me.

I don't know why I started crying and sobbing at that moment. I feel like my baby has given me the answer to my request. Trembling, I picked up the white kitten and placed it on my legs.

I caressed it while crying loudly. I don't know, but the presence of the kitten made me feel better, especially when it seemed to caress my lap. I laughed involuntarily.

"Are you alone?" I talked to the kitten.

She responded with a meow.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Just like before, she just meowed again. I finally stopped crying and just smiled, staring at her. I continued stroking her fur and looked at the tombstone next to my baby.

"Mom..." I greeted.

Like my baby, I also talked to her, even though I didn't receive any response. I was in high school when Mom died of cancer. At that time, I felt bad for Daddy because he didn't even show up at my mother's house. He was on vacation with Aunt Ayna and Eunice, and he didn't even think of going home right away to see Mama. I know it's bad to hold a grudge against your parents, but will they blame me?

"Mama, thank you for taking care of my child. Please give my baby a kiss and hug for me. I miss you both. I love you so much."

I sat in front of their graves for a few hours before walking out. I made my way out of the cemetery carrying the kitten that came to me earlier. She is alone. I tried to find out if she had other cats with her, but I didn't find any, so I decided to adopt.

It was like a heaven-sent gift for me.

I checked my watch when I deposited myself in the car. I smiled emotionlessly when I saw that it was six in the afternoon. It's still a perfect time for the event I'm going to today.

I put the kitten in the passenger seat and made sure she was properly seated before I started the car. She meowed at me one more time and then started to lay there. I just smiled and caressed her for a while.

"Angel. That's your name from now on," I said, then started maneuvering my car.

It's been a month since I last saw Zachary. During that time, I heard that he was suspended from school and from his job. It is also being discussed whether his license as a doctor will be revoked. In other words, he's slowly losing everything.

I am aware of how awful what I did was. But the hell do I care? They started this sh*t. He freaking made his own karma. It's unfair that while they sleep soundly at night, I'm recovering from traumas that I didn't cause.

I smirked and shook my head while laughing sarcastically. "Let's see if you can still smile after today," I said while keeping my eyes on the road.

It took me half an hour before I reached our family's mansion. The front house was already dazzled with light because of the lights. There are also a number of visitors who come inside.

It's their engagement party tonight. I don't know if they love each other so much that they are still able to continue this or if their faces are just really thick, so it's useless to look at them, or if other people will talk ill to them. I just shrugged it off and looked at myself in the rear mirror. I retouched for a while and then organized my things. I took a moment to peek at the kitten, who was still sleeping soundly in her seat, before finally getting out of the car. I left the car window half open so the kitten inside wouldn't suffocate.

Carrying the gift I had prepared for the wedding, I walked into the mansion without emotion. The event hasn't started yet, but Zachary and Eunice are already mingling with the guests. The corner of my lips raised spontaneously when my sister's face changed to disgust as soon as her eyes focused on me. Just like before, Zachary showed no emotion when he saw me.

"Congratulations!" I greeted them with a smile as I finally got closer.

"Atasha," Daddy said threateningly when he got close to us. He simply held me by my arm so that the guests wouldn't notice.

"How dare you show yourself here?" said Tita Ayna in a low tone.

I laughed at their reactions. "Chill. I'm just here to give my present." I waved the box I was holding for a moment.

"We don't need you here, Atasha. I'll thank you even more if you don't show up until Zachary and I get married," Eunice stated, almost stabbing me with the blade of her gaze.]

"If you're going to disrupt the fun tonight, leave, Atasha," said Daddy.

I let out a laugh again. "Oh, don't worry, Dad. I have no intention of ruining your party. The truth is, I still want to give you a reason to celebrate more."

I turned my attention to Zachary. His face still had no reaction. He was just looking at me, watching my every move, and I would say.

I grinned at him. "Sorry for ruining your name, Zach." I made sure that sounded sarcastic. "Like I promised, here's my gift for you. I'm sorry for what I did." I handed him the box I was carrying.

He took it without saying a word and then opened it completely. I smiled when Eunice's eyes widened at the same time the box fell to the floor because Zachary dropped it. Aunt Ayna's breathing and Daddy's grip on my arm didn't escape from me either.

"Congratulations, Zachary!  I'm pregnant."  I giggled.

He didn't answer me. He just kept his head down while staring at the pregnancy test in the box. Two red lines He's a doctor; he's not stupid enough to not understand that result.

I winced when Daddy pulled me closer to him.

"What game are you playing again, Atasha? Won't you stop?" he said. "Aren't you ashamed of the child you abandoned before?" he whispered in my ear. "Did you get pregnant again only to miscarry again after annoying your sister?" he added.

My jaw automatically tensed at what I heard. My palms clenched tightly. I looked at him coldly and smiled emotionlessly.

"Guess what, Dad? I heard from somewhere that you have illegal slush funds."

"W-What?" He was shocked by my question, and then let go of me weakly. "Where did you hear that?"

I just shrugged my shoulders and looked back at the couple again. Eunice's eyes were red and filled with tears as she looked at me sharply. Zachary was still in the same position, not moving or speaking.

I smirked at her. "Goodluck to your wedding day. I hope you like my gift, my beloved sister."

Without saying a word, I turned my back on them and started walking out of the mansion. I even passed a visitor who was lighting a cigarette outside. Without hesitation, I took the lighter he was holding and then took out my alcohol from the bag.

I walked around to the side of the mansion and picked up a rock. I hit it against the window, causing the window to break. It's one of our guest rooms, I'm sure of it.

I pulled the end of the curtain hanging from the broken window and poured alcohol on it. After that, I took out the lighter I got from the passing guest. I distanced myself slightly, enough to not be affected by what I was about to do.

My lips curled into a smirk as I started igniting the curtain. The fire spread quickly. I stared at it for a moment before I finally walked to my car.

"Shit!"  I heard the lighter's owner and run towards the mansion, informing everyone to get out.

I just smiled before depositing myself inside the car.

I told you, never mess up with a demon.