Risk it, Lose it (Remington Series 3)

Chapter 14 - Echoes of Truths

Rylee's POV

I followed Tyler Remington. He led me into a space that seemed to be both a library and an office. In the center was a portrait, presumably of him, and the resemblance to Tristan at the same age was undeniable.

Napalunok ako nang titigan ang portrait niya. This is the guy who angered my father and captured my mother's heart. Gusto kong malaman kung ano ba talaga ang namagitan sa kanila ni Mama bago siya pumanaw.

Naramdaman ko ang paninikip ng dibdib ko nang titigan ako ni Tyler. I know that stare all too well; I experienced it when my mother passed away. Sa titig pa lang niya ay para na akong nanliit. Ang kapal ng mukha niyang maawa sa akin.

He gestured for me to sit down, and I took a seat on the sofa far away from him. He settled on the single sofa in the middle.

"How are you doing?" tanong niya.

I gave him a forced smile. Anong karapatan niyang magtanong? How dare he talk to me casually as if nothing happened? Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magpipigil ng galit.

"Ayos lang, Sir"

Huminga siya nang malalim at ngumiti sa akin.

"I'm glad that you're doing fine. You know, after the tragic death of your mother, hindi na ako nagkaroon ng balita tungkol sa'yo. Your crazy father made sure I won't even—"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos magsalita. Para akong bomba na biglang sumabog. Tumayo ako upang sigawan siya. How dare he call my father crazy? Ang kapal ng mukha niya!

"You're the reason why my mother died," galit kong saad. "Anong karapatan mong tawaging baliw ang tatay ko?!"

Napatayo si Tyler sa gulat. Inangat niya ang kamay niya upang pakalmahin ako pero tinitigan ko lang siya nang masama.

"Calm down, Rylee. I thought you knew—"

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya kasabay ng pagtulo ng mga luha ko. I hate him, I'm sorry, Mama. I hate your first love. I hate him so much.

"Wala kang karapatang siraan ang tatay ko," matalim kong saad. "Kung may dapat sisihin dito, ikaw 'yon. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit lagi silang nag-aaway ni Mama!"

"Rylee, your father was abusive—"

"Tama na!" sigaw ko.

Pakiramdam ko sinisiraan niya ang tatay ko. Umiling ako sa kaniya.

"Rylee, I need you to listen to me," he said calmly. "Your mother was abused by your father, but all she did was wait for your father to change."

He paused to take a breath. Hindi tinatanggap ng sistema ko ang mga sinasabi niya. I didn't want to hear what he had to say.

"Anong relasyon mo sa Mama ko?!" galit kong sigaw. "Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit nasira ang pamilya ko."

Humagulgol na ako. Hindi ko na mapigilan, lahat ng galit na inipon ko mula nang bata ako ay parang kumakawala. All I want to do right now is to inflict pain. Gusto kong masaktan siya sa kung ano mang sasabihin ko.

"Ikaw ang bukang bibig ng Papa ko tuwing nag-iinom siya! Tyler, Tyler, Tyler!"

Hindi nagsalita si Tyler at pinanood lang akong sumisigaw. I despise how all I can discern in his eyes is sheer pity. Naaawa siya sa akin. Naaawa siya na ganito ang kinahinatnan ko.

"My mother was foolish to continue loving you while my father mourned the love they lost. Aminin mo sa akin, kabit ka ba ng Mama ko?"

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya pero pilit niyang kinalma ang sarili niya. Just like how Tristan stays composed with me, I broke down even more, realizing the large difference in the way Tristan and I were raised.