𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 67. ~~

"Although then, Granddad was constantly getting sick. She had to stop schooling because of it and also to take care of me. She did want to help the family. But Grams told me the main reason why she went to work at that house was that she wanted to know what had happened to Lawrence, why he never called or wrote to her. And if he happened to be back, she wanted him to know she was still waiting." He chuckled lightly. But there was no humor in it.

"Lawrence returned after three years that she had been working in his family villa. But he returned with the greatest shock of her life. Something that changed her. He was now married with a son and an unborn child with his legal wife." He paused and swallowed hard. Lola wanted to say something but he went on almost immediately. "Grams told me she never felt sorry for her daughter for being so foolish and getting pregnant at such a young age, ruining all their dreams for her and humiliating them in society. But that faithful day when she returned home, she did. She knew she was broken and betrayed. She knew her daughter's young heart had been betrayed. Grams always said Mom was very secretive in her younger days. She was an introvert and she never did open up about things very personal to her. Although, she admitted that it was because she was a bit harsh to her as a child. So she never told them about Lawrence. Granddad was only able to get words out of his daughter shortly before Lawrence returned. And that was when they knew all about her secret relationship with Lawrence, the feelings, and the promises she was holding unto. Grams had always been the blunt one but at that time, she couldn't even tell her that she was holding unto something that might not be there. She knew she had not always been easy with her since the pregnancy. And she didn't want to hurt her any further. She wanted her to learn on her own. What they didn't know was that she wouldn't be the same after learning the truth on her own. The reality that Lawrence had left her to marry another woman was a big hit." He balled his hand into a fist like saying the words alone was getting him mad.

And yes it was. Knowing about his mother going through all that still pained him so much.

"But do you know she never gave up?" He said glancing at Lola briefly before he went back to staring at thin air.

"She still went back to the hell hole and keep working for the family. Just because she loves him. But he never acknowledges her. He acted like he never knew her. He didn't feel any remorse about what he had done. She even confessed her feelings when she got the chance to. My stupidly in love mother still confessed her love for the man who had forgotten her and was now married." He repeated and he laughed wryly. He fisted his hand and opened it again. "She told him about the child they had together... me and the promises. The false promises. He denied ever being with her. She even took me with her to meet him, hoping it would change something in him. Thinking it might trigger something."

"She had told me that fateful night before I slept that I will finally meet my father and we would be okay and be able to live in one of those big houses. But she didn't know it was hopeless. I watched the man who is my father... looked me in the face with disgust and said to my mother's face that she is just a whore and a gold digger who is finding a rich man to take care of her bastard son. And I was just seven. Seven. Years. Old and I watched and listened to my supposed father insult my mother in front of me like she was some beggar and a fool. And I never did forget those words. It took years for me to get those words out of my head. Even in my dreams. My mother was called a gold digger. A whore. In front of me. And I am her bastard son." He fisted his hand tightly into a ball. Lola stared at them and she was sure he was drawing blood with the force and anger he was using.

She felt for him. She knew what he said that day did a lot to him. It left a scar. That's the power of words. Those words had a huge effect on him.

She moved closer to him, rubbing and patting his shoulder softly. That was just what she could do to help him stay calm. She can't start comprehending going through that.