The Burning of Summer

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Four

I frowned on what he just said. Is he joking? Hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan ko siya.

"Break up? Reid, we don't need that!" I pushed him with all my strength, quickly standing up and stepping away from him. "When you announced to the public that you're engaged to that woman named Vivienne, that relationship you're talking about vanished!" My voice shook as I said it, surprising even myself.

I couldn't believe he was using that card. How could he be so bold?

He looked at me with those sorrowful eyes, and my heart twisted painfully.

"I just really wish you wouldn't be so harsh, Summer," he said quietly before standing up and leaving the room, leaving me in stunned silence.

As soon as he was gone, I broke down in tears. I couldn't hold it in anymore. This was the first time I'd cried about him since that long, exhausting day when I felt everything collapse around me.

Why did it feel like I was the one at fault? Why did seeing him hurt so much?

Was it true? The more pain I tried to inflict on him, the more it boomeranged back to me, hitting harder than anything I could give.

I covered my eyes, trying to hide my tears even though I was alone in the room, feeling embarrassed for crying again just because he was in pain too.

Which felt so incredibly unfair.

Suddenly, I wiped my face with the back of my hand when I heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked, trying to calm myself.

It was the old lady again, but this time she was with Lianne, who was holding a tray of food. My brow furrowed as I took in the sight.

"Hindi ka pa kumain ng almusal, nakalimutan mo yatang kailangan mong uminom ng gamot." masungit na sabi ng matanda.

"Im here." nakangiting sabi ni Lianne sa matanda kaya naman umalis ito at iniwan kaming dalawa. "Nay Cora said that you sprained your ankle last night so you have to take some meds.." sabi nito bago umupo nang mailapag ang hawak na tray.

"Get me out of here, Lianne," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady, but she only raised an eyebrow at me.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I don't want to be here."

"I heard you already met our family," she said, ignoring my plea. "How was it?"

"They're more welcoming than I expected," I replied honestly.

"Surely. My mother is very fond of you, Summer... I assume you already know that."

How would I know that? For all I knew, it could all be an act. Her brother is married to a woman who's right here. How could it be genuine?

"But what about Vivienne?" I asked, feeling the tension in the air.

"What about her?" she shot back, but I stayed quiet. "I never asked my brother what really happened between you two, and I'm sure even if I did, he wouldn't answer me anyway..."

"He lied to me, that's all you need to know," I said bitterly.

She fell silent, clearly pondering her response. "About what?"

"About everything. Everything I knew about him was a lie." I shook my head, frustration bubbling up.

"But did you love him?" she asked, looking directly at me. "My brother."

Her question hit me hard, a sharp pang in my chest. I didn't know how to respond. Should I say yes? Or no? What was the right answer?

"Why do you want to know?" I managed to ask.