SABRINA’S POV
I am silently looking for the kids who are happily playing in the park where I am right now. I could not help but shed tears because this place is the same place where witnessed my wonderful story with Aiden. And I just can’t believe this will also be the witness to how our story will end. I could not understand why fate become unfair to me. Why did it let my path cross Aiden’s if we did not end up together?
“Love.” I hurriedly wiped away the tears in my eyes when I felt Aiden’s arms wrapped around my waist.
“Are you crying?” Aiden worriedly asked me, then he forced his way to make me look at him.
“N-nope, something just irritated my eyes,” I lied and faked a smile at him.
Aiden seemed like a thorn was pulled because of my answer, “I thought you were crying. By the way love, why do you want to talk to me? Are we fixing our relationship? Are we continuing to plan our wedding?” Aiden excitedly asked one after another.
I held his arms and signaled him to sit on the bench on our side. Then, I also sat down and faced him.
“Aiden, I am tired. Let’s end this,” I straightforwardly told him and looked at him directly in his eyes.
“What?” I can clearly see in his eyes how he got hurt because of what I said. “Sab, please let’s fix this,” he added and tried holding my hands. I just let him do whatever he wants because I know that I will be longing for his touch after today.
“Aiden, I am also from a broken family. I do not want your future child to experience the same way I did,” I said.
“No…” he replied and started kissing my hand. I could not help but gasp because I had been trying hard to control the tears forming in my eyes since earlier. “He will not experience that. We can still be a whole family, love,”
I shook my head, “he will surely look for the care of his true mother. Do you really think you can hide the truth to your child?” I asked him.
“ If that will secure our whole family, then yes. I will do everything to hide the truth. If ---”
“Just like how you hid the truth to me about you having an affair while abroad?” I sarcastically replied, cutting off his statement.
“Sab, please, that was a mistake,” he sincerely said. I took back my hands from his hold and then wiped away the tears in my eyes.
“You having an affair while abroad is a mistake. But you intentionally hide your mistake to me!” I firmly replied. Even if I said it softly, I made sure that I meant every single word I said.
“I did not want to hide it to you, love. I just have no choice,” he replied and held my cheeks. He was the one wiping the tears flowing there.
I closed my eyes because of the sensation I was feeling. No, Sab, don’t let it get to you. You have to end this no matter what, “ Aiden, I surrender. I actually don’t know if I can live with you for the rest of my life after what you did,” I remarked.
“Come on, Sab. We can fix this. We can delay the wedding and focus on rebuilding our relationship first,” he pleaded.
“There will be no wedding, Aiden. And if there is something you have to fix, it is not us but your child and Tiffany,” I replied and stood up. I was about to leave when he held my hands.
“Please, Sab. I love you so much. Please forgive me. I am already regretting what I did,” he stated and guided my hand to his face.
“And what will your parents say? What will people think? Aiden, please I am doing you a favor, so just cooperate,” I remarked and tried to get back my hands.
“ I don’t care what other people might think about me. I love you and that’s the only important thing to me. And my parents? I don’t care about their comments. I am a grown-up man, now. I can decide on my own,” he confidently stated. I could not help but smile. If we were not in this situation, I might be so proud because of what he said, but no, I have to end this.
“You are nothing without your money’s parents,” I coldly told him. I saw how his eyes became confused because of what I said. I am sorry, Aiden. But let those lies start now.
“What do you mean?” he confusedly asked.
“You are nothing without your surname, Aiden. You are a spoiled brat, trying to rebel against his parents. You will be nothing if that money will be taken away from you,” I angrily told him. I made sure each word that came out of my mouth was so painful, even if I knew deep inside I did not mean it.
“Is that how you see me? D- Do you love me because of my money,” Aiden asked hesitantly. That question is like a sharp knife that was stabbed directly in my heart.
“Yes,” I coldly replied at the same time with the loud sound of thunder in the sky. Maybe even if the sky was getting angry because of my lies right now.
“You’re lying,” he said and tried to hug me, but I immediately pushed him. He fell to the ground.
“What with the word I am done with this relationship is not clear with you?! I don’t love you anymore, so set me free,” I shouted. The rain started to fall. I was thankful that it started raining at the same time my tears started flowing again.
“No, Sab please, I love you so much to let you go,” he pleaded and hugged my thighs.
“Aiden do not make things harder for us,” I said and removed his hands on my thighs.
I also removed the engagement ring on my finger and put it on his hand, “ I am returning this to you. I do not deserve that anymore. Besides, I am not the one you will be marrying. Goodbye, Aiden,” I remarked. Then I started running away from him in the middle of the storm
I did not try to look back at Aiden, but I knew he was chasing after me. I immediately entered the taxi I rented and signaled the driver to start driving the car. I could clearly hear how Aiden shouted my name. However, I know this is the end of the story for us. I love him so much, but it was not enough reason for me to fight for him. I let the tears flow in my eyes while I am on my way to the airport. I don’t care anymore if the driver thinks bad things about me. The only thing that matters to me right now Is the fact that I am in pain because of doing the right thing. I sacrificed us to save Aiden.
*** FLASHBACK ***
“Break up with Aiden, Sab,” Aiden’s mother straightforwardly replied.
“W-what?” I uttered with unbelief. Her words couldn’t sink into my mind.
“Sab, I knew that what I am asking you is so hard. But I am doing this for Aiden’s sake," she pleaded.
“I love your son so much. I can’t do what you are asking from me,” I replied.
“But I heard you are asking for space away from him,” she commented.
“That’s true. I am asking for some space from your son, but I know deep inside I could not live without Aiden by my side. “ I bitterly smiled at her, “that even if what he did is so painful. Even if he will be having a child with Tiffany. It did not change a single portion of my love towards your son,” I continued.
“Sab, if I can only follow my perspective, I will let you and Aiden sort things out in your relationship. But Sab, I want to be honest with you, our company is at stake of bankruptcy. Only the Hudson can save us,” Aiden’s mother confessed. Shocked was written all over my face. That is impossible. Aiden will not let what she said happen.
“How did it happen? I saw all the financial reports of the management and everything is all right,” I politely asked her.
“Those are fabricated documents for the company’s public image. It is used to hide the possible bankruptcy of the company. If you noticed, Aiden was so busy the last few weeks. He is trying his best to save the company, but the only way to do that is in your hand, Sab,” she explained. I could see through her eyes that she was telling the truth. I looked at her with confusion and unbelief in my eyes.
“The only way? With all due respect, it will never be an answer. You are taking away Aiden’s happiness to save your company,” I stated amidst the confusion I was feeling.
“Sab, you don’t understand the business world. Aiden will be in a bad situation if ever the company falls since he was the one managing it. Then what? We will be poor. Do you really think Aiden can live in that kind of situation?” she asked. I could see how she felt bad just thinking about it.
“But auntie, Aiden will only be the one deciding about who he will marry,” I remarked.
Aiden’s mother held my hand and massaged it, “Sab, you are the only reason why Aiden doesn’t want to marry Tiffany. He knew about that engagement way back highschool. But everything changed when you came into his life.” I don’t know if what I am feeling right now is right, but I could not help but feel butterflies in my stomach because of what she said.
“I know what I am asking is difficult and painful. But I am a mother, Sabrina. I would not take it if I saw Aiden fail. So, I am begging you, please set him free,” Aiden’s mother pleaded with teary eyes.
“But I love him so much, I’m sorry but I just can’t,” I replied and looked at her eyes.
“Sometimes love is not everything. You should be intelligent enough for your future,” she advised. “You are still young, Sab. There are a lot of things ahead of you. You will meet other men, not just Aiden. You will go to Canada, am I right? Pursue your dreams,” she added.
“I can still pursue my dreams without leaving Aiden, I am sorry, but I can’t do what you asked me to do, “ I replied and took back my hand.
“Enjoy your meal. I will go ahead,” I politely said and stood up. I was about to leave when I stopped when I heard what she said.
“The Hudson's family wants to sue Aiden for rape if he will not marry Tiffany.” I instantly looked at her.
She stood up and approached me, “Like what I’ve said, love is not everything. Ending your relationship will give way to other opportunities for you and a new life for Aiden. Think about what I am offering to you. If you've made up your mind, give me a call, and I'll assist you in getting whatever you need to move to Canada," she said, squeezing my shoulder.
After she said those words, she left the place first. She left me with confusion about what I should do next.
***END OF FLASHBACK ***
I could not help but look out the window to see the outside view here on the airplane when I remembered how I made my decision. I am hoping that Aiden will forgive me and understand my decision. Also, if he loves me so much, this is the best time to prove it by searching for me. I will wait for you, Aiden, no matter how long it takes.
TO BE CONTINUED!