I'm Married To Pain

Chapter 26

Zach's POV

I tried to move but I can't. I can't move, I can't speak, I can't feel anything. I have to wake myself up. I have to. But this isn't a dream. It's real. It is.

"Buddy. Let me take care of this. You have to go to school, okay?" Dad tried to take my mind away.

I heard mom was rushed to the hospital this morning that's why I ran from school to here. She's in a room called ICU. Whatever that means.

"I'll take you--" Dad held my arm but I stopped him.

"No! I'll lose her if I do. I just want to be here. Seeing her in every second."

With that, he let me in the room. Dad looked very formal today. Like a very rich man. But I didn't have the luxury of time to care. I want to see mom.

"I told you not to take him--" Mom said weakly.

"He insisted. You know I couldn't say no when it comes to this kind of situation." Dad explained himself.

She looked less healthy than when I left her this morning. "Am I going to lose you?" I asked her.

She smiled at me in her most reassuring smile. "Never. I'll stay with you. I will never leave you and you know that."

And that was her last words. She lost her consciousness few hours ago and she was rushed to the hospital's operating room. I saw her coughing blood before everyone just slowed down and began talking to my Dad. I may be a child but I know what just happened. She died. But I didn't lose her.

She's still here. In my heart.

Ashley's POV

I helped Becca and Ben milk their cows this morning and fed their dogs. It wasn't so bad but it was tiring. Ben continued with the crops but he refused my offer to help him saying ladies like me will only make trouble when it comes to that kind of job. With that, I helped Becca to bake some cookies and make some meals for us.

"You seem to know more things than an ordinary Wills know." She laughed at me.

I smiled. "Well, may be because I was raised in a simplier family named Carlson."

"I remember when they were younger, Jcee and Jared used to stay in the garage. They sleep there, they eat there as if it was their home. Kids like them don't know how much life there is outside their mansions." She laughed. I laughed with her a little. I am more amazed on how she called them 'kids' when they looked so manly now.

I wonder how Jared was when he was younger. I wish I had seen him when he was still an innocent, sweet boy like his son. I sobbed at the thought. Why do I have to meet him anyway?

"I'm not going to ask you questions, dear but I've seen the four of them grow. Sure thing they are a bunch of jerks but..." She laughed at that. "... there's more to them than we know." She looked at me. "You can hide from all these but remember, you cannot run away."

"I don't think I can ever run away from everything. I just needed to breathe so I can face it." A tear fell down to my cheeks and I wiped it as fast as I could.

"Come with me." I heard Ben from my back. He was leaning against the door frame while taking his gloves off.

With his pick up truck, he took me somewhere near a lake. The water is blue and clean reflecting the beautiful landscape of nature.

"You can basically do whatever you wanna do here. You can cry, or shout or commit suicide here. No one going to hear you. I'll be on my truck with my..." He showed me playfully. "... earplugs."

*******

Ben's POV

Once I jumped in my car, she started crying. Since the car was parked facing the opposite side of the lake, she thought I can't see her but I could in my rear view mirror. I didn't even use my earplugs because they are so irritating in the ears. I just listened to the music of her curses and cry echoing in the woods near the lake.

I know this kid cannot do this in a place like Cali or all their neighbors will sue her. But I know she needs this. Like I needed it when my ex girlfriend died years ago. From then on, I never looked for any other girl.

However, I have to watch this girl. She might commit suicide like I suggested. I'll be in trouble if that will be the case.

She shouted and cried for minutes now. I didn't dare go to her until I saw her on her knees crying. That's the cue that she's already tried and ready to go home.

"Feel any better." I asked while handing her my handkerchief.

"No curse or shout will make me feel better, Ben. His explanations and assurance will."

"Well, if that's the case, this is not the place for you. You should fly back to Cali and slap him hard in the face. Ask him everything and don't stop until he gives you what you want."

"That's what I'm scared of, his answers to my questions. I already lost someone before and I no longer want to go through the same thing."

It hurt me hearing this. The sole reason why I never looked for another girl. Cowardliness.

"Why did you love him if you don't want to get hurt? Everyone can leave you, so why did you take the risk?" I asked.

She stared at me, waiting for an answer to my own question. "Only the brave ones can love, kiddo. Only the brave ones." I smiled at her.

******

Jared's POV

"Is she home?" I asked Laura in the simpliest way I can.

She smiled at me. "You're trying to look unconcerned but you are not a good actor Jared." She mocked as she prepared me dinner.

"I'm not. But my son--"

"Your son is fine. He's with your father. What's wrong?" She smiled at me again.

I raised my hands in defeat. I know what she's doing but I won't her do this to me. "Stop it. Just tell her she can pack her bags when she's here." I stood. Upset but not with Laura. And I know that. I just can't admit it to myself.

"What about dinner?"

"Save it for breakfast. Or just eat it. I'm tired as fck." Then went to my room.

I stared at the bed. She's not here. And that's my fault. I wanted this, didn't I? So why am I feeling this emptiness? I'm not used to it.

What happened? I don't know. It happened so fast that I lost track. One thing's for sure, I fcked up!

A knock disturbed my thoughts. "Come in."

"They say, when the cat is away... Stacy comes to play." She entered OUR room. Woah. This is not good.

"Who let you in? You can't come here, Stacy."

She removed her trench coat. She's wearing nothing but her shoes. This is not good, I fcking swear.

"My shower broke. Can I use yours?" She took a peek at the bathroom.

Oh well.