Chapter 43: Chapter 43

ARIEL POV

Kathleen left early the next morning, as I was the only one awake at that time. It wasn't something she wanted to do. Our last words to each other were not really something to write home about.

"I will be back to end your relationship with my brother.”She had stated angrily.

"Before you are back, your lovely brother would have fallen in love with me. It would be too late.” I gave her my reply.

Even though I was confident about what I said, I still felt this unwavering feeling in the pit of my stomach, every time I remembered her words

I wonder what she was up to next. I really hope my relationship with Ryan works out.

"Ariel. Thinking?" The cologne of Ryan wafted through my nostrils, as I jeered back to reality.

"I'm sorry. Just thinking about something.” I smiled, trying to reassure him.

“Care to share.”He pressed on, as I felt nervous.

"It is about your sister. She doesn't like me.”I voiced out my innermost thoughts.

Ryan fondled me with his hand, as he drew me closer. We were sitting on the bed.

"Kathleen was my ex-wife best friend. I guess she isn't just happy to see someone else taking her best friend position in my life. I'm sorry for her behavior. She will come around, trust me…" Ryan assured me, prompting me to say a silent amen to that, as I really hope so.

"It is fine. I hope she will come around soon. She seemed like a lovely person.”I commented.

I never saw her as a person I hated. I was just taking proper precautions from allowing her to interfere in my relationship with Ryan.

"Yes, she is. She might look hard from the outside, but she is actually the softest if one gets to know her.”I smiled, trying to put that in mind.

"You know. I still blame myself for Evelyn's death. I was a fool.”

It was at this point I was lost for words. Either to comfort or remain silent, but I decided to talk though.

"Please don't say such. The past is the past. Life goes on. And you do not need to tell me now. You are not fully recovered”I explained, worrying crepting to my heart.

He paused, staring in space. He sighed, before turning to face me.

"The earlier I talk about it, the better.”I nodded, allowing him to continue.

"I had always been the typical playboy since high school. Just make a girl feel special and then ghost her. Nothing besides. This continued, not until I met Evelyn in our 3rd year in College. I fell for her deeply and would comply with whatever she said.”I tried imagining the whole scene as he spoke.

I still found myself imagining the kind of person Evelyn was.

"Our relationship was blissful. She set the rule of no sex during our courtship. I agreed instantly. Not that I had ever had sex before.”He chuckled lightly, as I held his palm softly.

It seemed we were getting to the part where things began having a plot twist. I'm still thinking of the perfect title to Evelyn and Ryan love story. She did a good job in trapping Ryan to her alone.

My mind flashed back to the picture of Evelyn I saw in Ryan's personal room. She looked elegant, with her pink lips and thick eyebrows. She definitely swept Ryan off his feet.

"And what was it like? Your first time in a real relationship.”I asked, as he cleared his throat.

"I felt like the happiest man ever. It was as if I were love struck. It got to a point where I neglected my friends and turned all my attention to Evelyn.”

Oh! That must have been … I wasn't sure the right word to use.

"And when she finally agreed to marry me, my joy knew no bounds. Everyone except my mum and dad were against our marriage. They later accepted.It was a quiet wedding. Just a few of us”He sighed, as he stared at me for a while.

"On the night of our wedding, she refused to make love with me. I was angry and left the house. On my arrival 30 minutes later, the house had caught fire.”

My body trembled at his words, as tears welled up in his eyes. He looked away, as he sniffed in. He tried to stop the tears, but it was too late. I simply hugged him, gently patting his back.

He breathed out gently, before locking eyes with me for a while.

"I couldn't rescue her. Her residues were almost ashes, just bones and a few stomach parts. It was terrifying and I almost went crazy. I couldn't believe she was dead. If I hadn't left her alone, the house wouldn't have burned down with her.”

I felt my stomach churn, as if it was strange for that to happen in one night.

"Investigation carried out showed that there was an electric circuit break, resulting in the fire. I guess she must have been in a deep sleep, as I made the biggest mistake of locking her inside our bedroom because I feared she would leave me that night.” I could not help but stifle a gasp, at Ryan's confession.

I wasn't sure what to call it, but I feel Ryan was obsessed with Evelyn. Maybe true or not.

"I was stupid, and should be blamed. I lost her because of my stupidity.”His voice was rising, as I felt lost on what to do.

"Calm down okay. We all make mistakes. You did a good thing by cherishing her the best way you think. You remained celibate because you loved her. You tried. Her death was never your fault. It is just an unforeseen event. You need to let go of the hurt and begin to see the best in yourself.”I paused, trying to see if my words were getting to him.

He nodded, as he broke free from my embrace. He moved to the other side of the bed.

"Thank you, Ariel. I want to rest.”

I wasn't sure I heard that right, but I think it was what it is.

I left the room with the thought of giving him a space.

Worry clouded my mind, making me feel more anxious. My mind made a flashback to Ryan's confession, and that was when it hit me.

What if Evelyn was still alive?