The Price of a Secret

16 | BITTER REVELATION

Having a burn on her leg and a bump on her head didn't hurt as much as her heart. Seeing her two worlds collide was unbearably painful. Elizabeth was confronted with what could have been and what actually was. She thought she wouldn't be able to bear such pain.

After Mason's flamboyant entrance, Simon hurriedly fled from the hospital. There was no moment to exchange a single word. But what surprised her the most was Mason's coldness.

"Well, you didn't get hurt that much compared to the state of the motorcycle. By the way, you'll be without it for quite some time. I won't pay for the repair anytime soon".

"Don't worry about that, Mason. I don't plan on riding it anytime soon", Elizabeth said, too tired to argue. Her head ached, and her leg burned too much.

"Where's Lia?"

"With your mother. Roselyn is coming here with Charles. Wow, you're quite a handful".

Those words didn't hurt her anymore. She had learned a long time ago that only those who deluded themselves could be disappointed. And with Mason, there were no illusions.

"Mason, I'm tired. I need to rest".

"Great, because I need to go out. I hope you recover soon. Graduation is in a month. You need your diploma".

"Sure, Mason. I promise I'll walk across the graduation stage", she said, being ironic, and closed her eyes to sleep.

She needed to escape that conversation. Only dreams could save her from him.

Now, recovering at her mother's house, Elizabeth thought about Simon. It was true. He was there. How could this have happened? How would she deal with her two worlds without destroying them? Mason could never know about Simon, and Simon should stay away. As painful as it was.

Oh, he was still so handsome. In fact, he was even more beautiful. His body was more athletic, and the signs of age gave him a special charm. How could she resist that?

Spending the recovery period at her mother's house was revitalizing. She didn't have to worry about the tension caused by Mason, and Lia was safe. She never thought she would feel better in that house than in her own. But she had discovered that her house wasn't her home; it was her prison.

The bruises had already disappeared, the burn was healing nicely, and the concussion had passed. She was almost fine just in time for graduation. She managed to negotiate with some professors who assigned projects to make up for the final exams she missed. Finally, she had graduated, and she had never felt so accomplished in her life. Now, it was time to roll up her sleeves and start saving money for her meager escape plan.

While recovering, to her luck and misfortune, she didn't see Simon. Luck because she didn't want to face him, misfortune because she desperately wanted to. This duality that dominated her being was driving her crazy. How could she want something so badly that she couldn't have?

The day of graduation finally arrived. She didn't need to dress up the dress because the gown would cover it, but she beautified Lia. She would be the highlight of the night, for it was for her that Elizabeth had fought so hard to graduate.

Waiting for Mason, both mother and daughter were sitting in the living room, chatting with Roselyn and Charles. Although they didn't show it, the parents were proud of her.

When patience was running out, Elizabeth's phone rang, indicating a call from Mason.

"Hello?"

"Darling, I won't be able to pick you up there. I'll meet you at the University".

"That's fine. You could have let me know earlier, Mason".

"I couldn't. I have some issues here. Simon will accompany you until I arrive. See you".