Emerald

2.1

Emerald's POV

"I... I just want to start off by saying that I never wanted to hurt her. And I'm so thankful that she's found it in her heart to forgive me because I didn't forgive myself. And I still don't forgive myself today. It's something I'm not proud of at all and something that taunts me still today. My parents both died in a car crash and all I had left was my little brother, Lucas. God, I loved that kid so much. He was my best friend and I loved taking him to the park. We would run together. Have races. Play on the playground set.

I was watching him run around and he said 'I bet I can run the whole park in less than a minute!' The Park wasn't really big and so I challenged him. 'Alright, Lucas. Let's see what you got.' He ran and I counted a minute. He didn't show up yet but then again, I expected it to take 5 minutes. I waited. And waited. And waited. A good 15 minutes passed and I was starting to freak out. I shouted his name so many times and then I saw a woman take him. I shouted after her and started running as fast as I could to her. I didn't catch up to her. She shoved him in her car and locked him in.

She let me catch up to her and I started screaming at her to give me back my little brother. And I could hear his little hands hitting against the windows, calling out to me. I pushed her away to get him but her car doors were locked. I was about to break the window with a rock until she grabbed me.

And she made a deal with me. 'I'll return your brother to you if you do something for me. If you disagree I won't hesitate to hurt him. Or even kill him.' She was a terrible person, Emerald. The deal was to... abuse a girl that she hated. And I did it. I did it because I wanted my brother back. I kicked, punched, cut, raped the girl. And I was really hoping it was for that one day. But she had me do it again and again and I didn't see anything of my brother. And I haven't seen my brother since that day. I was caught finally and sent to jail. I know going to jail is bad but I was so grateful. I felt like I was finally free. And when I got out, your mother found it in her heart to forgive me. But I still couldn't forgive myself. What I did was awful and selfish. I almost ended my life until Nathalina caught me and I am so happy she did because I wouldn't have found out that the love of my life is her.

Emerald, I'm so sorry I did that to your mother. She never deserved that."

I stayed silent. I was lost for words but I found that I was crying. I leaned over to hug Lynn.

After a while. I found enough courage to ask Lynn about his past with my mom.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Thank you for telling me the truth. Both of you shouldn't have gone through that. And I know your brother is happy where he is now."

"I just hope he's proud."

"I know he is."

~*~

I put my right leg first on the top stair and put all my weight on that leg, then brought my left foot down as well.

I took a deep breath and Mrs. Humfers clapped.

"Great progress!"

I smiled at myself and did it again. After a while I was going up and down the stairs.

I reached the bottom steps and grinned at myself. I can't believe it. I just did that.

"I did it!"

A pair of arms came from behind me and wrapped around my waist. I yelped until I realized it was Liam.

He breathed on my neck and I smiled.

"I'm so proud." He kisses my cheek and I blushed.

"I'm hungry." I say smiling.

"Let's go out to eat!!"