Chapter 72: Chapter 72

RYAN POV

Everyday kept reminding me of how urgent I needed to act fast, concerning my perfect plan. It would be perfect, that is, if Evelyn accepted.

It wasn't easy going ahead with this plan, but it was what seemed better to me at this point. I really hope this is the right thing to do, and most importantly, I hope it works out.

I stared at the documents in my hand, as I walked into Evelyn's apartment. She raised her head away from her phone, as her eyes met mine.

"Ryan. You are welcome.”

She stood, had a wide smile that was painted on her lips.

I sighed, requesting we talk in the dining area. She sat opposite me, her eyes not leaving me. I suddenly felt nervous.

'This is for you and Ariel. You can do this, Ryan' I changed the mantra in my head, trying to be courageous.

"So, what's up?”She touched the back of my palm, jolting me out of my reverie.

I adjusted, bringing out her personal copies of what I made out with my lawyer. I handed it to her, as her gaze lingered from the paperwork to me.

"That contains some properties you are entitled to, and most importantly an annulment for our past marriage.”

I let out, as I saw her hand shook slightly. She stared at the papers,scanning through it.

"Evelyn, all it takes is to sign the papers. You can tell me which of the clauses in the contract you don't understand, or you don't like. I can make necessary adjustments to it. I can…"

She raised her right hand, stopping me from speaking further.

"Why are you doing this?”She spoke calmly, as my throat dried instantly.

"You made me see myself as your wife, and then you want me out of your life. I still have amnesia, Ryan. Are you this heartless?”Tears brimmed down her face, as I facepalmed.

This was undoubtedly what I never wanted. The tears…. I suddenly felt guilty. It seemed Ariel had taken a turn in me having a conscience.

If it was in the past, I probably won't be moved to tears.

"Evelyn, this is the best thing for us. I can't be with you and Ariel.”I explained, trying to make her think.

"You love her, don't you?”She sniffed, letting out a humorless laugh.

Here we go again.

Can I just have peace of mind, most especially without that question? It makes my heart quite heavy, tight and probably full.

The thought of Ariel for the past days only brought guilt to me. I had been avoiding the innocent lady I liked a lot.

"Evelyn, please sign the paper.”I beckoned, bringing a pen forward.

"I'm sorry I can't. I am not in my normal self. Not only do I still have memory loss, I might also be mentally unstable. You cannot force me to do this, Ryan.”She stated, enunciating each words firmly.

My mouth twitched, bitterness clouding me.

"I am not interested, Ryan and I hope you understand.”She folded her hands.

I simply nodded, not ready to force her against her will.

I simply packed the papers, as I stood to leave.

"You are leaving already?" She asked, as I nodded.

Not waiting to hear her plead to stay, I left, each part of my body feeling heightened with weight. Emotionally, I wasn't okay.

My mind was going crazy, and somehow I just seemed to be confused at this point. I was always confused. Even right from childhood, I find it difficult to make personal decisions.

Even when the good one kept glaring at me in the face, there was always that greater feeling to go for the other.

I gripped harder to my steering wheel as I continued driving. I stopped, and parked few distances away from Evelyn's apartment. I texted the only person that could help me at the moment.

My head resting on the steering wheel, as I felt it. For the first time in many years, I let out the tears. I closed my eyes, trying to ease myself of the burden on my chest.

My mum's words flashed through my mind yet again: 'IF YOU LET ARIEL GO, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU'

I wasn't even thinking of letting her go. I can't live without her. But Evelyn was still there with amnesia and mental conditions. It would be cruel not to care about her.

After all, she was my first love. I am perplexed.

"Ariel, please forgive me.”I whispered, the past few days I had avoided her cutting through my imagination.

Even when I saw the look on her face, I ignored it. I wanted to be sure of something.

My phone beeped, jolting me out of my thoughts, as I raised my head. I unlocked the car, noticing Nick slightly bent as he looked at me.

He hopped in, as I tried to clean the tears off my face. I felt weak. I shouldn't have cried. I am a man, not a lady.

"We can't always be strong, Ryan. It's alright to cry. It's alright to let tears drop from the eyes. That way, we can ease the burdens we are feeling in our heart, the frustration that comes with it.”He counseled, as I stared side way, not meeting his eyes.

"I could still remember the day you knew about my relationship with Kathleen. I broke up with her.”

I turned abruptly. He sighed, as my stare cut to his.

"I cried like a baby. It was relieving, actually. I felt light.Just because you are a man does not make you immune to tears. Remember that tears are 99% of emotions. It relieves the heartache. Just let it out, bro. That doesn't mean you are weak.”

His words of consolation were enough to touch the deepest part of me. I felt instant goosebumps, and then I cried, too. He hugged me, for quite a long time.

No one had ever seen this side of me, not even Ariel. I felt comforted, and just like his words, it was as if my heart lightened. I felt my body less tense, my heart less heavy.

“Thank you Nick. You are truly a friend in times of distress.”He chuckled, as I pulled away from the hug.

"Anytime bro. And please keep in mind that crying does not make you weak as a man, it means you are human.”

I gave him a thumbs up, a tight smile on my lips.

"It seems Kathleen has been getting into your head these days. She is the great counselor of our family.”

Nick burst into laughter, as I smiled.

"So, what's up?”His gaze met mine, making me shudder at the thoughts in my mind.

"I messed up in different ways. I've been avoiding Ariel. I wanted to annul my marriage with Evelyn, but she refused. I do not want to hurt Ariel. She loves me.”I felt my tongue bitter, as I swallowed.

"Avoiding sister-in-law isn't the solution, so please work on that.”

"I know right. I'm a confused fellow. Every so often the right thing might be considered the wrong in my standpoint.”My shoulders sagged, as I breathed out.

Nick rested his hand on my shoulder, as I sat upright.

"It's fine. Recognizing your mistake makes it much better. Just try not to go back to it.”

I nodded firmly at his words. Nick's words always found a way of getting to me. Always soothing and refreshing. Words at the proper time.

Nick adjusted himself, as his gaze lingered. My brows creased, as it seemed he had something in mind, but was nervous to tell me.

"Nick, what is it?”I asked, as his fingers brushed through his hair.

He placed his hands on his laps, as his eyes cut to mine.

"What has been happening to you, do you think it was just a coincidence? Evelyn's appearance? Does she even have amnesia?”

I shook my head, trying not to think too much about it.

"Someone must have planned Evelyn's death, but her memory loss is true. I have all the necessary medical documents that prove it. And she has a mental illness too. It's just too much to take in”I rested my head on the headrest, my left hand stroking my head gently.

I was tired.

"I will advise you to make necessary investigation? What do you think?”

I nodded. I have been too carried away by work lately, that I didn't even think of it.

Mr Martin crossed my mind, and even while he kept begging for a second chance, I didn't respond. His last message was that he was investigating about Evelyn's past.

Then it struck me… Maybe I should give him a second chance.

I picked my phone, as I called. He picked instantly on the second ring.

“So nice to know you called Mr. Ryan.”His voice reached my ears, as the urge to roll my eyes came.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel thinking of my next set of words.

"I'm giving you a second chance. Within just a month, I want to know every detail of the past.''I enunciate each word.

I could feel Nick's gaze on me, as he had a smile on.

"Roger that sir. Meanwhile I am heading towards a discovery.Should I spill it?"My breath hitched at his words, as I glanced at Nick.

I placed the call on the loudspeaker, as I cleared my throat.

"I have leads to two people that might be behind the planned fire accident that happened to Miss Evelyn. They are people very close to you. Only one of them was behind it. I will be revealing more about it when we meet."

I felt my heart skip a bit, a swarm of emotions crashing on me. Something squeezed in my chest as a shaky breath left my lips.