Chapter 66: Chapter 66

I can't illustrate what more mistakes and loneliness should I deserve to finally welcome the healed version of me—or will I be able to heal from the things I don't speak?

I stared at them as if they were just waiting for what I had to say. I didn't notice until now— that every time I was in front of them, they were just waiting for me to speak. They don't have any intention to speak for themselves and tell me everything I should know. At first, he had no intention of telling me the things I should know about what really caused this commotion. They just want me to speak up. They never asked me anything. They just want me to answer the questions in my mind on my own.

How fucking funny.

"How are you? I'm sorry I only came to visit after what happened on that island," I began.

I heard Lolo Leoncio's tasting. Now I can see their real story.

"We're fine here, daughter. We know your condition so you don't have to worry," Lola Andrada said softly to me. I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes.

We were enveloped in silence for a few minutes. I gasped violently because my chest was heavy and I felt like I was being suffocated.

"I'm not going to hang around anymore. That day Ares and Damien Aragon brought me to that private island, I heard something about you. Damien Aragon said that day that you're not going to show up there to rescue me unless you want to ruin our family's name. I was thinking impossible things at that time. I almost believed until a day passed that you were still gone. I was losing hope yet you suddenly showed up and rained bullets at them. You are one of those who rained bullets on them...” I halted and looked at Lolo Leoncio. His expression is hard but there is a trace of strange emotion in his eyes.

"I'm so thankful you showed up. I am very happy because you are among those who saved me despite your condition. But then I realized something, what was the reason why Damien Aragon said that?" I asked him directly.

His expression did not change as if he had expected this question. And he seems ready to answer every question I throw at him.

Lola Andrada remained her soft look at me as if she didn't know what was happening. I can also tell that she has nothing to do with this. I feel that he is the neutral of all. And Lolo Leoncio is the fire of this burning home—raging.

Grandpa Leoncio tasted it. He removed his reading glasses and that's when I saw his true feelings. As if that was his weapon to hide his true feelings.

He was grieving.

"Damien did everything according to his plan after your mom died. He told me all his plans for the time you floated. Damien was one of your father's trusted and best friends back then. They are the best among all and that is the only thing your father can be proud of—being a good spy, while Damien is his treasure. He can put people into his palm and make fun of them, something your father doesn't know. Because your father is one of a kind and has the cleanest heart," he said.

I don't know how I will feel. I just kept listening to his every word.

"But as expected, happiness and contentment will come to an end when your father falls in love with Ariza. Something that Damien did not accept. He wanted to kill our daughter at that time but he couldn't do anything because of your father. Before your parents died, my son, Leandro who was dead a long time ago raped Damien's sister and they both died that night. But a recording was sent to me and it contained Leandro's confession. Damien found out but instead of betraying my son, he made a deal with me. His silence is in exchange for Ariza's life."

I gasped when I heard that. I didn't need another explanation to understand that because it was clear to me what happened.

"P-forgive me, Ana... I regret what I did before. I'm the reason why you didn't reach your mommy alive, grandson...” His voice started to shake so I completely exploded.

I tried to suppress my emotions as much as I could but I couldn't take it anymore. With a violent sigh, I immediately burst into tears. The next thing I heard was the entry of Leon and Vera who immediately attended to me because of my repeated beatings on my chest.

"Ana! There! What's happening? There! Hey! Fuck! Call an ambulance, Leon!” Vera yelled.

I don't understand what's happening anymore. My tears just keep on disappearing. I can't feel anything but that deadly pain in my heart. It's like I'm being squeezed. I feel like I'm being choked. I am slowly suffocating. I can't even breathe properly anymore. I wanted to throw up because I felt like no more air was coming into me. My heart hurts so much!

"Ana, stay with me! Damn it! What the hell is happening here?! Oh my gosh! There! Call Apollo! Now!”

"II... I can't... b-breath..." I said with difficulty. I was clinging to his clothes and crying again.

“H-Help... I can't... breathe...”

What happened to me and what I learned about my family's dark secret was so shocking that I fainted that day. When I woke up I was at home, I was in our room and I was resting. Hector told me that Grandpa and Grandma came back and forth with others to see me but I was unconscious for a long time.

And now that I'm awake, I seem to want to go back to sleep and never wake up again.

I slowly stood up. I entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. I just stood there, staring at the wall tiles while getting wet with cold water. I feel the sting of that cold water on my body.

After a while, I could feel the warm liquid coming from my eyes. My hands and lips started shaking so I closed my eyes tightly.

I want to cry. I want to scream so loud! I want to hurt myself because I can't feel the emotional pain anymore. I can feel the heavy thing in my chest. It's so heavy and disturbing. I feel like it's slowly drowning me. That... the more I suppress what I feel, the more I feel like choking. I feel like I'm suffocating. I feel like I'm drowning. I don't know what that means. One by one, the things that Grandpa said to me flooded into my mind, and on many occasions, I felt my heart slowly dying again.

I stood there for a few minutes when I felt a presence behind me. Only then did I notice that the shower was turned off. When I looked up, I saw Hector's worried face.

I bit my lower lip when I saw his eyes.

"What's wrong? Why are you here?” He asked me pleadingly.

I didn't answer. My mouth opened but no words came out. His voice triggered my feelings and suddenly, I burst into tears. I fell weakly on his chest and let out an accented cry.

One by one, these shattered bits of who I was turned to ash and fell to my feet, making room for fresh skin to breathe. And I take my past with tender and trembling hands, placing these memories behind me so I can look over my shoulder and never forget. But little did I know they would take root and grow with the tears I've spilled over them.

I felt his hand on my back.

A few minutes later, he turned on the shower again. It does not speak. He quietly bathed me and I just let him. I feel weak. Everything hurts me. I just watched him do what he wanted to do to me.

He took care of me. After he bathed me, he dressed me and guided me to lie down on our bed. He smiled at me and sat next to me. He didn't say anything. When I looked up at him, he just kept looking at me. He seemed to want to speak but was restrained.

I cried all night that night. No one says anything. Hector was quiet the whole time and only heard my sobs. He kept stroking my hair. He didn't talk but he makes sure he's here with me. He made sure I felt his presence. I don't know why he does this.

When I looked up at him, I saw his tired look. His head was leaning against the headboard and he closed his eyes. I moved a little as I was trying to reach his face but he suddenly opened his eyes. His wide eyes met mine.

"Aren't you asleep..." he uttered in his husky voice.

I smiled. He laid down and hugged me tightly. My face hit his chest.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

"I'm fine, Hector. Why are you still awake?" I asked him.

He didn't answer. I can feel his heavy breathing.

"I don't want you to feel alone. I want to hold you while you were crashing," he softly replied to me in that still hoarse voice.

I bit my bottom lip. I know that. I know that's what he wanted to convey to me, so he didn't speak all night. He just waited for me to stop. Until I want to stop.

I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly. "I'm fine. I just needed to—”

"Baby..." he uttered, cutting me off.

I looked up to look at him. His gaze focused on me. There is still a trace of concern and pleading in his eyes.

"You're still the best when it comes to hiding your real feelings. You make me feel what you're feeling and I hate it. I hate it but that's a part of you that I want to accept. That silent battle in your heart, let's fight it together," he continued.

I feel his gentle caress on my face. His eyes widened even more.

“You're broken. You're tearing apart, I can feel it. I want to take all the pain and carry it for you. I want to tell you not to cry because I'm here but that's absurd. It's okay to cry. Cry all you want. Cry all your burden. Cry all your agony and pain, I will fucking accept it but please... don't ever try to hide it from me. Stop hiding your sorrow from me, baby, please...” he begged while looking at me directly.

His eyes sparkled because of the tears there.

I was about to utter a word when he immediately silenced me by kissing me passionately. I still felt her tears falling on my cheeks.

"I destroyed everything... anyone that came my way while I was trying to take you back. I will never allow you to be destroyed while I have you. I can't. That's fucking unacceptable. I am madly in love with you, Solei. Words aren't enough to describe it," he whispered to me and hugged me tightly.