Isla De Fuego Series 3: Attention (EROTIC-ROMANCE)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Annulment Papers

Chapter Twenty-Two: Annulment Papers

Subject: Debt

...and you need to help me, Raizen. I couldn't think I would be able to be happy with her while she still lives in fear for her life and for our future.

And to your silly question whether I love her or only cared for her. Honestly, I don't know. I haven't been in love. If you believe that I'm in love, then maybe it's true. Otherwise, why am I willing to be her spear and shield? Why am I so invested in our future? Why do I wake up every morning and search for her on my bed?

The truth is she filled up something in my life that I didn't know was empty. You know what I mean, right? You've been fascinated with your fair share of women before, Zen. I know you know what I mean.

(Nick to Attorney Raizen Levinthal via email)

NICK never spoke to his parents as soon as he heard that Elle ran away as soon as he regained consciousness.

Rachel blamed herself for triggering Elle's guilt for what happened to Nick. And Nick, too, blamed his mother for Elle's departure.

"Are you okay, my baby?"

Nick ignored his mother's presence and looked outside the window. He doesnt even want to speak because he know he will hurt her with his words.

"Your mom was harsh, I know. But she's only worried for your safety that time—"

"You might as well have killed me for letting her run away and face the lion's den herself."

Rachel clenched her fists. "I tried to apologize to her but she seemed to have already embraced the thought that ot was her fault."

"And you agreed."

"No. I agreed with Elle's plans and there's  nothing wrong with it. We offered her protection while she stays in one of our houses while working with Raizen to file a case against Marco. Andre stays with us for the meantime. I agreed with her plans but I didn't agree with her when she blamed herself. God, Nick! Did you know how hurt I am to see her crying?"

"I know you tried but she'll never want me back. Now that she blames herself for what had happened to me."

Silence filled the hospital room that they could only hear the beeping of the monitor.

"You can't blame her, Nick. She loves you so much."

"I know that. But, even after Marco receives a guilty verdict, she'll never want me again in her life."

A lump formed in his throat. Just the thought of Elle rejecting him in her life crushed him and his soul like a boulder squashing a pebble.

Is it really for the best? Letting her be on her own? Accepting the fact that she wanted to nullify their marriage for his sake?

He scoffed. She didn't even bother to wait for him to regain his consciousness.

What about him? Didn't she think of how he would feel about their marriage? About her?

"I admit I was so upset by what happened to you. I blamed Elle at first, but I've soon realized that you wanted to meddle with her business. You're the one who invaded into her life and offered. It was too late because I was consumed by my fears. I—" Rachel held Nick's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"Is she okay?" Sinubukan ni Nick na ibahin ang usapan para mapakalma ang nanay nito. Rachel's expressions are full of regrets. Augustus and Nick could sense it.

"Yes, she is. Raizen is with her right now working with the investigation team of NBI. Marco will be arrested sooner because some of his goons confessed about Mr. Reiling being the mastermind of what happened to you. It's a secret to the media, though. Now that they began linking Marco with what happened to you. And media can be quite annoying."

"Good."

Rachel nodded and excused herself to go to the ladies' comfort room. Nagmadali itong lumabas ng hospital room at iniwan ang mag-amang Augustus at Nick.

August sighed when he realized why his wife ran-off and cried. Nakita siguro nito ang brown na folder na nakalagay sa bed side table ni Nick.

Nick noticed his father's distress while staring at the brown envelope on his bed side table so he reached for it, curious of what's inside.

"No, son. Not now. You're not yet feeling well."

He didn't listen, anyway. Nang buksan niya ang envelope at inilabas ang mga papeles na naroon ay kaagad niyang ikinuyom ang kamao.

The envelope contains annulment papers.

He gritted his teeth.

"Your mother regretted blaming Elle, Nick. You knew that. She loved Elle so much, too, but you're her child. Her own flesh and blood. Of course, she'd worry and panic."

"There will be a chance that I'll loose her completely. She wouldn't want me to risk my life for her because she loves me so much, Dad. I cannot duel with her love for me. I might be fond of her but her love is greater than anything I can offer." Nick looked up to his father and met his father's gaze. "She will leave me. She's willing to leave me for that stupid guilt, and I'll blame Mom for it."

His took a sharp breath. "I understand."

Nick diverted his gaze to the transparent glass pane near the door of his room to check if Elle is outside, which, of course, is impossible.

"Your Mom used to pack her bags and leave me whenever we had an argument. We seldom fight but it can always be remedied by a thorough conversation about our issues. After that, I'll be taking her to Switzerland or Paris... Japan...just to give her some special attention and love."

Nick listened to what his father was saying.

"Compromise, Nick. It's a part of the marriage. Sacrifices, Honesty, Loyalty, and such. Those are pillars that served as the foundation of love and marriage. Without those, everything will crumble."

"So, what are you implying?"

"Talk to her and ask if she really wanted an annulment."

"Believe me, she wanted the annumment, Dad. You have no idea."

"Of course, she wanted it for your sake. But what about her? Because she loves you so much, she'll never want to part with you."

Nick nodded. His father's got a point.

"You know why she wanted it in the first place, right? It's all for you...because she's guilty for dragging you into her mess. And you know what's the root of all that?"

Nick shook his head.

"Because she thought you never loved her back and it's okay to nullify the marriagw if you don't feel the same. She thought herself as a burden not as someone you will need for eternity. She thought she's below you and you're above. She thought it would be a waste of your time and resources to be with her and deal with her business—."

"I don't regret being with her, Dad—"

"Then give her assurance. Make her feel loved and cherished. Make her feel like she's your equal."

"But that's just it. I don't love her—"

"You do."

Nick threw a puzzled glare at his Dad.

"You love her. You didn't realize it because of how great her love is for you. It's like comparing an ant with a buffalo—"

"No, I didn't love her. It was lust and selfishness and I used her for my own gain—"

"You want her to marry another man?"

Nick nearly killed his father for that. Naikuyom ni Nick ang kamao.

Just the thought of Elle smiling at another male specie triggers his killer instincts. Makakapatay siya ng tao sa lagay ng emosyon niya ngayon.

Augustus smirked in satisfaction as soin as he heard the answer he wanted from his son. "That's what I thought."