Author POV
Confusion. BEWILDERED... Oblivious..
Amy wasn't sure what had been happening with her. She felt lost; her once clever, cunning brain would stop at her dear husband. One thing she knew for sure was that the man had cast a witch spell to make her nuts. She felt like a wazzock trying to figure out her silly sparkle of feelings for him. She knew she was attracted to him.
He had underlying features, which made it difficult for her to not be possessive or obsessive about him. He had become a habit for her. His everyday habit of gathering her in his embrace as if she meant the world to him and sleeping without a single worry made it hard for her to even think of parting ways with him.
But she had caused enough damage to him and his family. The day when she finally faced her past memories, she realized she was the sole reason for Jay's misery. She knew the therapies Jay had gone through after he lost his grandmother. While her brain had worked its defense on making her forget such a traumatic incident, she couldn't bring herself to tell him about the bitter past. She didn't want him to hate her. But at the same time, it was important to push him away.
She was guilty; it had eaten her on the inside, and since that day, she had started maintaining a distance from him. As she knew he was confused, he approached and confronted her at times, and each time all she could do was give excuses for her being busy and exhausted; she wouldn't come back home on time and would stay in the office. The interaction between both of them was at minimum. She still held on to the memories she had of him.
Hell, he worked even better on her than the sleeping pills; he discarded every single medicine of her, calling it unreasonable ever since Dr. Ren visited that day. He rather believed in therapy and he was helping her heal. But now leaving him felt like a crime. She already felt miserable at the thought of leaving him and couldn't even imagine the day she would actually have to leave him. She had a clear plan before and she knew what she wanted but now things were a mess.
She had clear reasons for wanting to leave him. Because he never deserved such an ugly persona as hers to be a part of his life. Because of her, his grandma was dead. And now his life was at stake.
Never had she hated being a part of the underworld so badly. At first, her goal was only money and power; that was all she wanted. But within this cruel, gruesome life, she always wished for a normal one. She could spend her life with her loved ones and be carefree but fate had made other choices for her and now she was left in a do-or-die situation.
Her life was always at risk, and also for the people around her, there were people behind her wanting to hunt her down, and not some small shit nemesis but a damn collection of powerful clans having sworn rivalry with hers.
A week ago, it was revealed that the former mafia king had claimed his position to Amy aka Ash. The shocking part was that her late boss knew she was a girl from the start, and he used that duality of hers to cleverly doom other clans who were more focused on finding a man who didn't exist. Mr. Brown had made Amy, the next heir instead of his own son.
Truth. She couldn't stay hidden for long and her rivals now had somewhat of an idea about her being the heir. She didn't care about her dying; she never feared death; all she cared about was taking revenge but now her dear husband seemed to whip up every intention of her plan. She can't let her rivals use him as bait. Or threaten him or anyone from the family. Life was harsh and still is.
She looked at her ring before bringing her hand to her face. A tired sigh left her lips after overthinking the same thing for the nth time. It was really silent until a voice boomed, cutting through the air.
" Why are you sleeping on the bench of the garden? Did you get kicked out of your house?"
Her eyes craned to the little guy, who seemed taller but was a lot smaller than her height. She stood up, making her back rise away from the bench.
Amy: Ugh...Charlie. What about you? What are you doing in the garden? Did your parents kick you out, huh? You don't sleep at home.
Amy asked as a matter of fact. She had always noticed that this kid would stay
in the hospital, and no one would pick him up rather than his nanny. She never found her parents visiting with him. However, she didn't care at first because she didn't wanted to meddle and another reason was that she hated kids. Once Jay handed her a 2-year-old, and the kid cried until she almost turned deaf. She wondered how parents even endure such things let alone planning to have kids.
But now being with Charlie each day had became a habit. He would visit her every night in the hospital as a routine. Their talking and playing games late in the night felt comforting after a hectic day in the office. And now the fact that she never saw his parents bugged her. And never in these few months had Charlie spent a night sleeping at home. He always stayed in the child's care center in the hospital, even though he didn't have any checkups or appointments at night.
Her gaze was now directed towards Charlie who silently sat on the bench next to her.
Charlie: I feel happy here.
After that, he didn't speak any further and it definitely made Amy suspicious. He was a bubbly and chirpy kid who wouldn't keep silent, even for a second. He would randomly talk about facts or about dinosaurs. His nonstop talking made her annoyed. But today, his silence bothered her. He sat in silence, looking down at his lap while his arms clenched his favourite plushie.
Amy: What's wrong?
Charlie: After an hour, it would be my birthday.
Amy glanced at her watch to see the clock clicking 11.
Amy: Shouldn't you be happy? You could celebrate tomorrow with your friends at school and your parents.
She said, as a matter of fact, she did not have any softness in her tone. But Charlie was used to it. At least she didn't look at him with pity like others did.
Charlie: I don't have any friends at school; they all are bad. They say I'm a weakling and a loser because they all have mom and dad visiting on family day. And Dada is always busy with work.
He ranted with a sob escaping his lips while Amy cursed under her breath that she had successfully made the kid cry. And handling a crying kid wasn't her core strength. Maybe money could make the difference.
Amy: Uh..How about we get a birthday cake and celebrate?
She suggested plainly while lightly patting his head to make him stop crying.
After a while, he looked up at her as his eyes sparkled with hope.
Charlie: Would you celebrate with me?
Amy: Yeah, I guess...
Charlie hugged her the next moment, his small arms holding the minimum of her waist as he squished the plushie together.
Charlie: Thank you so much!
He exclaimed, as his once teary face was now filled with joy. He clung onto her as they both left the garden to purchase a birthday cake for the birthday boy.
Amy drove through the trails while the kid in the passenger seat couldn't stop gawking at the twinkling lights through the window. She looked at him weirdly.
Amy: What are you even looking up there?
Charlie: The stars...they are so colorful and beautiful..
He spoke with amusement while Amy's brows frowned. How can one see stars in the city when it's so polluted?
Amy: Where?
Charlie: Everywhere! Oh Look! It's you!
He pointed in the front at the decorated lights around the shops, dazzling billboards. One of them was hers, posing for a brand.
Amy: You remind me of Doctor. We have reached the shop.
She spoke before halting the car near a luxurious bakery. As soon as they entered, everyone froze. The people inside stared at Amy as if they had seen a ghost. But Amy didn't bother to look at them and went to the counter while holding Charlie's little hand. Since he was too short in height to see the cakes on the glass shelf, Amy lifted him in her arms.
Amy: Which one?
His eyes sparkled with such different and exotic varieties of cakes that he couldn't figure out which would be better.
Charlie: I like chocolate and please make it gluten-free. Senorita, can we have some more cakes? I want to celebrate with my friends at the hospital.
Amy: Your wish.
The lady standing behind took a note and asked them to wait for a while until they prepared a cake.
Lady: Is there anything you want to write on the cake?
Charlie: It's my birthday and my name is Charlie.
The lady laughed at his cuteness and made him wear a birthday cap.
Lady: Your son is cute.
Charlie: She is my aunt.
Amy: Rich Aunt.
Amy snickered while he giggled.
For the next few minutes, no one in the bakery dared to ask any question since Amy's personal life had always been mysterious and away from newspaper headlines. She had a dark aura that made others feel that she was untouchable in terms of power and authority.
After Charlie'd eaten Amy's ears for the next 20 minutes, the cakes were ready. They both left the shop and returned to the hospital. Making their way to the 1st floor, where the children's centre was located, they heard loud yells as they reached the hallways.
"Sir, please calm down!"
It was a nurse.
"I'll screw up your damn hospital if I don't get my son back!"
A man screamed with pure rage. A few inches away, Amy spotted Jay, who seemed surprised due to such a ruckus being created.
"For how many days has he been visiting here?"
He fumed.
Amy and Charlie slowly went nearer as the yells only became louder.
"For -few months.."
It was Charlie's nanny.
" I paid you to look after him; I swear if something happens to him,"
He continued to fume in rage.
"Please believe me, I had seen him in the garden and then he went missing!"
His nanny stated.
Amy and Charlie stood a few steps away.
Charlie slowly tugged at Amy's blazer as she looked down at him.
Charlie: Dadda!
To her surprise, Charlie's small whisper caught the man's attention as he spun around to see Charlie and took rapid steps toward the kid. The shocking thing was that the man was none other than Mr. Joe. Her secretary. Never had she seen this man lose his patience, even in the harshest of circumstances, as if he had split himself from the current one.
He crouched down to his son's level and harshly gripped Charlie's shoulders.
Mr. Joe: Where were you? Didn't I ask you to be with Nanna? What if something had happened to you? Why are you so careless?
He yelled.
Though the words were out of concern, his strict tone and rash voice made the kid cry. Charlie couldn't hold back his tears as he burst out crying.
Charlie: I hate you!
With that, he ran to his allotted room.
Mr. Joe sighed, rubbing his temples, as he regretted venting his anger on his son.
Meanwhile, Amy cleared her throat, gaining Mr. Joe's attention and making him rise up from the crouched position.
Amy: Um..I think we should talk outside.
Once again, they were in the same garden aligned with the hospital. Having a seat on the bench, Mr.Joe sighed.
Amy: I never knew you had a son. Well, Charlie was with me all the time.
Mr.Joe stayed silent and finally spoke.
Mr.Joe: All these months, Charlie has been with you. I am grateful that you took care of him, ma'am.
Amy: Drop the honorifics; we aren't in the workplace. And you need to make it up with that kiddo.
Mr.Joe smiled a bit upon hearing her words; all he knew was that Amy was ruthless and a workaholic in professional life. And seeing her being warm and soft for his son swelled his heart with joy.
Mr. Joe: You know, sometimes I feel like a failure. To give Charlie a successful future, I really failed to understand him. He longed for me and his mom. My wife passed away in an accident when he was just 2. And I couldn't give him time. It feels like my sacrifices have just gone in vain.
His voice felt heavy, as Amy could only stand and hear his secretary sniff and control his sobs.
Amy: Your son is an understanding person, more than his age suggests; don't worry.
Mr. Joe: I hope he doesn't hate me.
Amy: He doesn't hate you. Just visit his school on family gathering day. Celebrate and play with him; he'll be happy. And yeah, you just have 15 minutes left to make it up to him; it's his birthday.
So we went to get cakes.
She handed him a handkerchief as he wiped his uncontrollable tears and nose.
Mr.Joe: Sorry, I was being too emotional. but thanks!
He stood up from the bench heading back to the hospital.
Amy: You're taking a leave tomorrow. Spend your day with him.
She spoke, making him gasp in shock. She wouldn't even offer leaves to the employees, even if they were about to die.
Mr.Joe: My goodness! I'm doubting if my actual boss got kidnapped.
He playfully stated this while Amy gave him a glare as he hurriedly rushed inside.
The clock had struck 12 and soon Charlie appeared, with his dad all happy and jolly like before. With the help of a few staff, the table was set with cakes on display with candles. The children who had been admitted there had become true friends of Charlie.
Though living a painful life made them feel miserable, a few moments of happiness was something that meant the most to them, and Charlie was a boon to them. Everyone sang in chorus, wishing Charlie a happy birthday as he cut the cakes and the time passed by.
Amy had finally left with Jay. The drive had been silent until Jay started to speak.
Jay: You finally had time to pick me up today?
Amy stayed silent.
Jay: Are you ignoring me? What did I even do? You have been doing this for 1 month and four days.
No matter how tired he was after work, he wanted her attention and desperately wanted to know the reason behind her sudden change of behavior.
Amy: It's nothing. I'm just-
Jay: You are tired, Exhausted. Don't wanna talk about it now...Anything Else!
I want to talk to you once we reach back home, and I want to clear every darn misconception from your mind. Don't you dare slam that damn door on my face after we reach!
He nearly raised his tone but Amy knew she deserved it.
Amy knew she couldn't avoid him any longer. For a month, she had stopped sharing the bed with him and left whenever he would persuade her. It was pure torture for her to avoid her lovely husband like this. She craved his warmth and embrace. She would sneak into his room once he was asleep and leave before he was even awake. But she knew, the time had come.
Silence hung in the air of the drawing room while Amy and Jay sat against each other on the dining table, just like the day after they had married. This time, it was Amy who was bound to answer his questions.
Jay: What's wrong? Did I do something to upset you?
Amy's heart felt heavy, sinking into the pit of her stomach. She didn't want this. But it's for the better.
Amy: I don't want to continue this marriage. Let's divorce.
And hell broke loose...
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Hope you guys enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for further updates on the story 😀
Thank you 😊
Peace 🕊️
