Chapter 28
Carter’s POV
“Sit, Carter, we need to talk.”
I swallowed thickly and turned with a sigh, “You need to rest grandfather. You just finished surgery. You need enough rest.”
“What was Veronica talking about?” He went on to ask, ignoring the fact that I just brought up his health.
I didn’t really want to talk about Veronica now. It made my heart ache.
“Carter!”
“Grandfather, please. Just rest, we can talk about this later, please,” I pleaded. The last thing I wanted was to trigger his hypertension and watch him slump again.
“I heard you two say a lot of things, and it seemed like you were having issues. I only want you to explain to me so I can help you talk to her. Veronica is a very sweet woman and I wouldn’t want to lose her as a daughter–in–law because of your recklessness,” he went on.
For a second, I was in utter shock. Seriously?
“Let me get this straight, grandfather. Veronica and I are having issues. and you automatically assume I am the one at fault?” I asked incredulously.
Even if it was my fault, he didn’t know that. The least he could have done. was put some faith in me.
“For the last three years, you have been nothing but a thorn in her flesh. I have seen the way you treat and I know for a fact that while she is ready. to worship the ground you walk on, you have never hesitated to walk over her and stomp on her.
The words hit me even harder. Have I been such a terrible husband that everyone noticed? Did my actions really affect her that much?
I know I have been indifferent towards her but I am ready to change. I just can’t afford to lose her. I love her.
“What do you advise I do, Grandpa?” I asked.
“You haven’t even told me what you did yet. I know she wouldn’t just get angry at you like that unless you did something terrible,” he said plainly. “So tell me what else you did, Carter, aside from what I already know.
Guilt and shame washed over me. I couldn’t tell him. I was even more terrified about his reaction than Veronica’s and knowing I would put his life at stake made it even more scary.
“I’ll tell you when you’re better, Grandpa,” I assured him. He would find out eventually, especially when he was discharged, but I was certain I would figure out something before then or even a way to get back with her as soon as possible.
He didn’t probe me further and I finally left the ward. Meghan and mother had long left for a change of clothes and food.
I thought of going to Orthon’s apartment to see Veronica but then a call came in, completely distracting me. It was from my mother.
“Hello, mom?”
“Where are you, Carter?” Her voice was heavy and panicking. Conniption gripped me as I feared the worst.
“What’s wrong, mother?” I asked and she struggled to speak. My heart was pounding against my chest.
“Come home now, please! You have to hurry!” She said with urgency and hung up before I could say anything else.
I hurried out of the hospital to the car, fearing the worst. As I drove down the dark street, I kept trying to reach her but she didn’t answer the phone.
I sped across the street, fearing the worst, and I arrived home; I prayed I was not too late to stop whatever was happening.
“Mom!” I called, rushing towards the door but when I pushed it open, I was met with darkness. I paused in my tracks, confused and unsure.
“Mom?” I called again, reaching for the switch on the wall. I flicked it on and the sight before me knocked me out of breath for seconds.
I stared at the decorations, the rose petals on the floor and I immediately caught an idea of what was going on.
No way in hell!
I followed the petals upstairs till I got to my room. I paused at the door, shutting the door and praying to God for the strength to control my temper because someone was definitely about to die! –
I opened the door and met with darkness again. Only that this time, there was an insane amount of decorative candles on the floor.
Oh God help me!
flicked on the lights and as expected, there was Meghan, sprawled on the bed with nothing but a lingerie.
“Surprise!” She grinned, climbing off the bed. My fists clenched so hard that they began to hurt.
“Don’t tell me that the reason you almost gave me a heart attack was to seduce me?” I seethed as she stopped in front of me.
She wrapped her arms around me, her lips curling into a seductive smile.
“So what if I did?” She muttered, reaching for my lips but I flinched away, slapping her hands off me.
“Have you lost your goddamn mind?! Are you aware you almost drove me to a heart attack? I was speeding across the fucking street, all for this?!” I yelled and she shivered, unable to speak.
“Where is my mother? Where the fuck is she?!” I demanded and she took a shaky step back, her eyes watering.
“I just wanted to surprise you. Why are you yelling at me like…”
“Why the fuck wouldn’t I yell at you?” I fired. “What if I had a fucking accident trying to get to you?”
“I… I don’t know why you’re getting angry. Is it a crime to want to be with my man?” She sniffled and I shot her a thick glare.
“I. Am. Not. Your. Man.” I articulated the words so she could get it in her fucking head. “I am married for goodness sake! When are you going to fucking get that?” I snapped.
“But she is dead! Dead and gone! Why can’t you move on? She even left you for another man. Why would you want to be with a woman as shameless as Veronica…”
“That’s enough!” I cut her short. “I won’t have you speak about my wife in that manner! She is worth more than everything you will be!”
I could see the hurt flash in her eyes but I was too angry to care.
“Really?” She chuckled bitterly. “Well guess who’s carrying your child!
10 M
Me! Whether you admit it or not, we had something together and this beautiful thing came from it! Veronica couldn’t even give you a child after three years of marriage, you should be grateful to me!”
I scoffed. If only she knew that the reason Veronica never got pregnant was because I never touched her. I was so angry with her that I made her feel like she disgusted me. And the one night we did have something, I made it feel worthless the next morning.
My chest was heavy with guilt. With the things I have done to her, she had every right to hate me forever.
Megan didn’t give up. She came to me again.
“Don’t let ruin us, Carter. She is dead and gone. I am your present now. I will be your wife…” she said and I shoved her away from me.
“In your fucking dreams! I will only ever be with one woman and that isn’t you!” I spat.
“But she is dead!” Meghan yelled. “You have to move the fuck on!”
“No, she’s not!” I yelled back before I even realised it.
Fuck!
