I woke to the sound of frantic voices and hurried footsteps. To my horror, I discovered I was lying on a stretcher. I tried to get up, but my whole body hurt like hell. I could only lay limply on the stretcher in panic.
"Vien! Where is Vien! My baby!" I scread hysterically, trying to crane my head to look for her despite the terrible ache from my injuries.
"A child is still in the backseat of the car, trapped in her seatbelt. Please save her." A bystander shouted and I realized she was talking about Vien.
At the thought of Vien being still trapped in my car, I mustered the strength to rise from the stretcher. I had to get to my daughter! But my shaky legs couldn't hold up, causing to fall right on my broken knee.
I collapsed, screaming desperately for my daughter.
"Vien! Vien! Save her! Please!"
Soone was going to the back seat to help her. I held my breath. Surely Vien would be saved!
BOOM!
An ear-shattering explosion deafened my ears. Bystanders gasped as they saw the car on fire flying through the air, spinning around before it slamd on the ground further away, bursting into bigger flas that devoured the entire car.
I scread, and the sound that escaped was not human. My beloved daughter Vien was still in that car!
I could do nothing, but watch my daughter burn to death right in front of my eyes.
"Phoenix?" Ace's voice interrupted my painful trip down mory lane.
I lifted my eyes to Ace and stared at him with defeated eyes. I was surprised to find him still kneeling on the floor.
The car accident happened a year ago, and the pain that laced through my heart still remained fresh. A mother should be buried by her children when she dies, but it was the opposite for . I watched my daughter die. And no words could describe how it killed inside.
"If you did not cheat on that night, Vien, our daughter would still be alive," I said out loud in a surprisingly calm manner despite the rage that burned inside . "She would have turned three this year."
Ace stared back at unblinkingly, anguish and desolation in his deep-set eyes.
"I swear Phoenix, it was not you saw that night." He whispered. Tears fell down his cheeks.
"More lies! Even now, you're still lying! Just leave!!" I snapped in response, furious at his words. "Get out!! I don't want to see or hear from you again! I'll drag you out if I have to!"
He looked at worriedly and stood up from his position on the floor. "I'm leaving now, but in case you change your mind and decide to talk to , I will be waiting outside."
His eyes still burned with determination, while mine burned with hatred.
He walked out of the door then closed it behind him.
***
It took a long mont to calm myself after Ace was gone. I wiped away the tears on my cheek and put on a clean t-shirt and shorts. As I was brushing my hair on the bed, Ace's words rang in my ears.
'I swear Phoenix, it was not you saw that night.'
I didn't know if he was telling the truth, but I definitely wasn't trusting the words of a man who hooked up with his secretary and got her pregnant.
I had just finished brushing my hair when a knock sounded on the door, cutting my train of thought. I got to my feet and opened the door. Alie was outside, carrying a tray of food in her hands.
"Phoenix? Can I co in?" Alie politely asked.
Despite my foul mood, I smiled at her. She was a good person after all. Not like my husband.
"Please co in." I replied, inviting her in and making sure to close the door after she entered.
"I cooked so many dishes today because I thought my sister was coming for her regular Sunday visit. Unfortunately, she had an important appointnt last-minute, so she texted and said she won't be coming. I don't want the food to go to waste, so I want to give you so since you haven't eaten lunch yet." She carefully placed the tray on the table and smiled at .
Touched by her concern and generosity, I thanked her. The enticing scent of food perated my nostrils, and my stomach growled at the sight of food.
I sat on the chair and my mouth watered at all the dishes Alie brought with her. There was mushroom soup, spring rolls, grilled pork, chicken salad, and chocolate mousse. She brought so much food that I didn't believe that I could finish all of it, even if I was hungry.
"I'm embarrassed that you bothered to bring lunch." I mumbled, reaching to try the mushroom soup first with a cautious sip. "
Wow! This tastes so good." I exclaid, and I continued to drink it more greedily, even though it was still hot.
"Well, soup was my expertise when I worked in a first class restaurant." Alie responded with a smile, delighted that I was enjoying the food she cooked.
"You're a chef?" I asked.
"Yes," Alie nodded. "But that was a year ago. After working as a chef for twenty straight years, I decided to quit and focus on myself and on the family business my parents left ."
"I'm glad to have the opportunity to taste your wonderful cooking." I told her. My head still bowed over the empty bowl.
I was reaching for the spring roll when I noticed Alie had fallen silent. I raised my head and caught her intently looking at . "I'm sorry, did I say sothing wrong?'' I asked, worrying that I offended her.
"No, you said nothing wrong. But I have to tell you sothing." She said anxiously.
I dropped the spring roll back on the plate and focused my attention on her.
"Please don't think I'm trying to pry into your private life, but your husband is still outside. He has been kneeling there for a while now. Are you going to leave him outside? Will the both of you be okay?"
"We're never going to be okay, Alie." I replied, looking away. "My daughter is dead because of him. My husband asked for a divorce, and he got another woman pregnant. I can't - I won't fix such a broken relationship. I don't want to hurt myself anymore."
Alie fell silent. When she finally spoke, she did not say anything more about getting back together with my husband. As a woman, she understood my feelings.
"I see, next ti if he continues to bother you, let know," Alie said. "I'll help you chase him away! We can even report him to the police if he refuses to leave."
"Thank you," I replied, touched by her words. I was happy to know that I had support, and her suggestion was good.
"I'll leave now so you can enjoy your lunch. I haven't eaten too," Alie continued, the smile was back on her face.
"Thank you for the food, Alie." I thanked her again as she left the room. I closed the door behind her, and now I was alone in the room, wondering if I should call the police to arrest my ex-husband.
Reviews
All reviews (0)