Regrets

Part 14.

Aaron was very happy with Marissa. She was like a forbidden fruit but now in his reach. Rose and Zach never contacted him. He missed his children. He was hopeless about Zach, but Rose was his baby, his princess. He was determined to mend his relationship with her first. He was calling her every day and leaving voicemails. He was sure that she would respond to him.

Rose ignored her father's calls, but her heart was itching to speak to him. She asked Zach for his advice.

" Zach, Dad calls me every day. What should I do?"

" Are you asking for my permission ?"

"Advice"

" Rose, I do not want to have contact with him. "

"Zach, he is our dad. Many people get divorced but have good relationships with their children. I do not know. I don't want to betray Mum, but I love Dad as well."

" Rose, when I saw Dad with Marissa he lost my respect. I agree people do divorce but do not get back with their spouses' step-sisters".

Rose was crying. " I will call Mum."

They knew she was doing fine. They spoke to her daily. Zach was in the background when Rose called Heather.

" Mum, I am confused."

" What happened darling?"

" Mum, Dad calls me every day. He wants to meet me."

It would be a lie if Heather said that it did not hurt, but she was a very rational woman.

"What is the confusion" she asked politely.

" Mum, I do not want to betray you. I do not want you to feel that I am a bad daughter"

Heather laughed.

" Rose, he did not betray you. I know you love your dad, and it was not easy for you. I would never ask you to choose between us.

I do not have any objection to you being in touch with him. You will always be my daughter. "

" I love you, Mum". Rose knew that her mother was very kind and would never put her in a difficult situation. After a long pause Heather spoke.

" Rose, just do me two favors if you can. I won't ask much."

" Yes, anything for you Mum."

" Do not discuss me with your dad and vice versa. I do not want to know anything about him. He is dead to me."

Heather's voice was already breaking, she composed herself for a second and replied in a normal voice.

"Please. Do not call Marissa Mum"

Zach was very angry at Rose but controlled his emotions and snatched the phone from Rose.

" Mum, nobody on earth can replace you, and you will always be our mum. I do not want to have any contact with my sperm donor. It is just Rose."

Heather would never burden Zach. She wanted her children to live happily and have a healthy relationship with both parents.

"Zach, I will never speak in favor of Aaron, but you can never deny that he is your father. He did everything for you that a good father does. What kind of relationship you have with him is your choice, but do not judge him based on what he did to me."

Heather dreaded that this discussion would come up and she was mentally preparing herself. She thanked her star that Aaron was wise enough to wait till the children were legally adults. She could never imagine sharing custody with him and Marissa.

"Zach and Rose, is there anything else you want to discuss?"

"Mum, are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, Albert has a business proposition he wants to discuss with me."

They were unaware that Heather wanted to end this call and take out her emotions and frustration. Heather cried a lot afterward. She wanted to stop Rose but deep down knew that was not morally correct. She can never think of moving on and falling in love again after this betrayal.

There was a knock on the door. When she was drinking her sorrows. It was Albert and Caroline at the door. They were horrified to see Heather in that state. She was never drunk, and they had never seen her crying. Caroline thought that Heather was a strong woman who faced betrayal bravely.

" Is everything OK Heather? "

" Yes, yes"

" Albert, it is you" she spoke, slurred.

"Albert, it hurts. Please never break your family up"

"Anne,, what happened?"

" nothing. I was just thinking that I would be due alone"

"You are not alone. Put your past behind you and move on.". He comforted her and made her sit while Caroline rushed into the kitchen to get her some water.

"Tell me how I get on. I wish there was a restart button in life.I could delete everything and have a fresh start."

Caroline then gave water to Heather.

"Look, Albert, how nice Caroline is. She loves you like I loved that Bastard Aaron. Please do not break her. I will chop your balls". She was laughing and crying at the same time.

" I wish I died along with my mother"

"Heather, you will find someone who loves you." Carol gave her shoulder to cry on.

"Look at me, my hair has turned gray. I am old. Nobody will look at me. I will die alone."

Heather passed out after that and Albert and Carol put her to bed.

"I feel sorry for your sister. She needs Therapy"

"She looks strong but is very weak"

" I wish her step-sister and that scumbag die."

"Carol, should we send Jenifer to live with my sister?"

"I will ask Jen. I think Anne needs therapy, and she needs to start dating. What do you think of Raymond?"

"Ray? The owner of the pub?"

"Yes, he wanted to ask Anne out, but he was scared."

"Come on Caroline, his first wife left him. He has 4 children with three different women."

"Well, he is not young anymore and wants to settle down, and he is loaded."

"Anne is not short of money"

"I know. Ray is genuinely interested in her. Let her go out. If it doesn't work, then she can decline him. At least Anne should know that she is wanted."