JUNE’S POV
It had been nearly a week, and I had yet to venture out of my house or engage with the Lyons. To be frank, there was no real necessity for any confrontations. I owed them no explanations, and I was unsure if they were anticipating one.
I turned to the opposite side of my bed and buried my face in the pillow. This is the part in the movies or books where the best friend arrives and coaxes the girl out of the house because she had been confined indoors for too long. Unfortunately, I had no such confidante. I was entirely alone.
I let out a deep sigh into the pillow and lifted my head to check the time. Lily would be returning home from school shortly. I had informed her that I was not feeling well and instructed her to follow the bus until I felt better. It was not entirely false, as I was emotionally unwell and, truth be told, I wished to avoid any encounters with the Lyon brothers I might have while picking her up from school.
Just then, my phone rang, and I groaned in exasperation. It must be Miguel. He had been persistent with calls and texts throughout the past week, all of which I had successfully ignored. At one point, he even appeared at my doorstep unannounced, but I had refused to answer the door or let him in.
Sooner or later, I would have to inform him that the wedding and all the commotion needed to be called off. I desired no involvement with the Lyons or their melodrama any longer.
The phone rang again, multiple times, until I grew frustrated and answered.
"When someone does not pick up after the second ring, it signifies that they do not wish to engage in conversation. Please take the hint and desist from contacting me!" I shouted into the receiver.
"What has your dear old aunt done to warrant your reluctance to speak with her?" My aunt's voice echoed through the receiver, leaving me in stunned silence.
"Auntie!" I exclaimed. "I offer my sincerest apologies for my brusque tone. I mistook you for someone else."
"Believe me, I do not wish to be the intended recipient of that message," my aunt remarked, her voice tinged with amusement, causing a wide smile to spread across my face.
"How are you faring these days, auntie?" I inquired genuinely. It had been quite some time since I last heard from her.
"Reasonably well. I miss my niece. But tell me, what has you so agitated?" she asked, prompting me to sigh deeply and sit up on the bed.
"Nothing for you to concern yourself with. So, is good old Jack still tending to your lawn?" I asked, attempting to change the subject, which proved successful. We engaged in a lengthy conversation about various topics, and at the conclusion of our call, she inquired about Lily.
I promised to call her more frequently, although it seemed unlikely given my poor track record of keeping in touch with others.
"Mum!" Lily called out as soon as she entered the house.
"I'm upstairs!" I responded, hearing her footsteps thumping up the stairs as she entered my room.
"Hello, my dear," I greeted Lily, lifting her up and placing her gently on my lap, enveloping her in a warm embrace. She returned the gesture, planting a soft kiss on my cheek that elicited a fond smile from me.
"Please, tell me how your day went," I inquired as she shifted from my lap to the bed, her contented sigh forming an angelic silhouette with her body. She suddenly sat up, as if struck by a memory, and then turned to face me.
"Guess who surprised me with a visit today, Mom," she announced, causing my smile to falter.
"Who?" I asked, with a hint of dread in my voice.
"Uncle Miguel. He wanted me to convey his apologies and regrets for his previous actions. He also mentioned some things that slipped my mind, but he was thoughtful enough to write them down in case I forgot," Lily explained, as I struggled to find the right words in response. I watched as she rummaged through her school bag in search of the note.
"Ah, here it is!" she exclaimed triumphantly, handing me the note. I unfolded it slowly and read:
"I am acutely aware of the impact of my behavior on you. I deeply regret my actions and wish to have a conversation to resolve any issues. This was the only way I could reach out to you. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.
Apologies,
Miguel."
After reading the note, I let out a deep sigh and closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them, I found Lily staring at me.
"What?" I inquired with a shrug, perplexed by her intense gaze.
"I may be young, but I can see that you have been avoiding Uncle Miguel. Please consider talking to him. I would want you to talk to me if I ever upset you," Lily said, gazing at me earnestly.
"You're still a child," I replied simply, looking out the window. I shielded Lily from the burdens I faced, wanting to preserve her innocence.
"Exactly! I am a child, and frankly, I don't look forward to growing up. You don't make it seem appealing. I don't have many adults in my life who make me excited about adulthood. The one person who does is the one you're pushing away," Lily declared before grabbing her backpack and leaving the room, leaving me to ponder her words in silence.
"I should speak to her teacher about the books she reads. She seems too mature for her age," I mused to myself, making a mental note to do so. As I reflected on our conversation, I realized that I wasn't deliberately pushing Miguel away. While he was a good friend, his family issues were overwhelming for me to handle. I knew I had to address this with him soon.
A knot formed in my stomach at the thought of severing ties with Miguel. Over the past few months, he had become an indispensable presence in my life, offering invaluable support and companionship. I had even started to develop feelings for him, feelings that I knew had to be suppressed, as I doubted they were reciprocated.
With a resolved mind, I dialed Miguel's number.
"Oh, June! I'm relieved you called. I want to express my deepest apologies for..."
"I'll be at your place in an hour," I interjected. I heard his breath catch over the phone before ending the call, finally exhaling the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Lily, please get dressed. We are going out," I declared.
"To where exactly?" She inquired.
"To handle some confrontations and perhaps get some chicken nuggets afterward," I remarked with a smile, observing as her grin widened. I couldn't discern whether she was more thrilled about the confrontations or the nuggets, but she was clearly content.
An hour later, as I navigated through the streets leading to the Lyons' residence with Lily in the back seat, my mind was occupied with a series of thoughts. I was at a loss regarding what to articulate. I was clueless about their potential responses to me. The Lyons had deeply wounded me, and I couldn't shake off that feeling.
"Alright, my dear. Mummy has to tend to some adult matters. I require you to remain in the car, and I will return shortly. Understood?" I conveyed, and she nodded in agreement. I hesitated for a moment, apprehensive about leaving her alone, but I didn't want her exposed to whatever was going transpire inside.
I left her in the car and exited the vehicle. I strolled gracefully towards the house, striving to maintain a composed demeanor.
"Remember to breathe, and you will be fine," I murmured in a feeble attempt to reassure myself.
I rang the doorbell and awaited what felt like an eternity, though it was merely a few seconds before Miguel opened the door. I scrutinized his appearance, noting his slightly disheveled state. His hair was unkempt, his beard appeared more unruly than usual, and his eyes were bloodshot with dark circles underneath, indicating lack of sleep. I mustered a faint smile as he ushered me inside.
Kathlyn greeted me with a hostile gaze, while Lolia avoided eye contact.
"How are you?" Miguel inquired, and I nodded, still lacking the courage to speak.
"Would you care for a drink?" He offered, to which I declined.
"Where is Bryan?" I questioned, and at that moment, Bryan emerged from within the house. He gazed at me, his eyes betraying a sense of anguish.
"Why is she here? Hasn't she wrecked enough havoc already?" Kathlyn erupted, rising from her seat.
"For heaven's sake, mother!" Miguel interjected.
"That is quite enough. I do not intend to prolong my stay," I replied calmly.
"Then proceed and depart promptly," Kathlyn retorted, glaring at me with disdain.
"Mum!" Miguel warned, his tone tinged with anger.
"Very well, I essentially came here to..." I began, but halted mid-sentence. I was unsure of what to say and why I had even come. Surveying their expectant gazes, I mustered the strength to reveal the truth.
"My sister's husband fled and abandoned her at the altar on their wedding day, unbeknownst to her that she was carrying his child. She gave birth to Lily, and a year later, she succumbed to an overdose. Her name was May, and she left a note entrusting Lily to my care. Lily is unaware of any of this. I am the only family she knows. I am her mother and father. I am her sister and brother. I am everything to her, and I have strived tirelessly to raise her single-handedly against all odds and adversities. I have managed it all independently!" I divulged, emotions welling within me. I paused, closing my eyes briefly. I had resolved not to break down in front of them, regardless of the outcome.
Opening my eyes, I noticed Lolia's glistening eyes, Kathlyn's scowl softening, Bryan averting his gaze, and Miguel locking eyes with me. Holding his gaze for a moment, I continued.
"I felt compelled to share this with you all to clarify Lily's background. Although she may not be my biological child, she is mine in every sense, and I will not tolerate any unruly remarks directed at my daughter," I declared, addressing Kathlyn in particular.
"We have heard your account, June. It appears that my sons are mesmerized by you. I urge you to make a choice between them," Kathlyn demanded.
Was she deranged? I had come to elucidate Lily's situation, yet she was pressuring me to select one of her sons. It was evident she did not want me to be part of their family to begin with.
Glancing between the two Lyons brothers, I offered a sardonic smile.
"Perhaps if you were more attentive to your children, they would be happier," I lamented.
Meeting Miguel's faint smile, my heart fluttered. I glanced at Bryan and only regarded him as a dear friend.
"I apologize, Kathlyn, but you presumed me to be a single mother and caused undue commotion as a result. Now you ask me to choose between the Lyons? Well, I choose neither. I choose myself and my daughter," I asserted.
"Even if it entails sacrificing my own happiness," I added, locking eyes with Miguel.
"June..."
"I want no part in this charade any longer, Miguel," I declared before departing from the Lyons' mansion. As I entered the car, I noticed that Lily had drifted off to sleep.
My lips quivered as tears streamed down my face. I yearned to wail, to scream at the top of my lungs, to pull at my hair, and to pound the steering wheel. I desired to unleash my frustrations upon the universe and question its cruelty and my misfortune.
But for Lily's sake, sleeping peacefully in the back seat, I wept silently until my eyes felt raw and I was reduced to a sobbing mess.