Chapter Twenty-five

What am I doing?

With all the strength she had, Hyacinth pushed Nikolai hard. Her weakness became only evident when a single push was not enough to make him back off. Anyone would melt with that stare of longing.

It felt so wrong to know that that wasn’t for her. The kiss was for someone who looked like her. The longing, the love, all those emotion… it was all not for her.

 He kissed her, or was she the one who kissed him? Never mind. It didn’t matter. She let that happen, that was the only thing that counts. Including the shameful fact that she kissed him back. She did a series of things no sane married woman who is in love with her husband would do. It was simply unforgivable no matter how stupid or unexplainable the situation was.

The best thing to do was to stay away from Nikolai as far as possible. Whatever he had to say, she didn’t need to hear it. For the second time that day, she walked away.

“Elias, let’s go.” She whispered at her son who was already forming his little group of three friends which included Liam. After everything that happened today, Hyacinth could not bring herself to even look at the kid without loathing herself deeply.

It isn’t Liam’s fault. If anything, he had been nothing but a bundle of joy for her.

Everything that is happening is getting way out of hand. They are the adults in this situation. Hyacinth needs to prioritize and protect her own family. Kissing another person that is not her husband is not helping. She should keep her distance.

“Where, Mom?”

“We need to go home.” She was trying to keep her voice lowered so the other friends “Let’s go now.”

“You’re going, Teacher Hya?” Liam asked.

He wasn’t stopping her. He was simply asking and yet, Hyacinth is already consumed with guilt. 

“I’m sorry, Liam. There’s an emergency. We have to go home.”

“What’s the emergency, Mom?” Elias asked. 

Think, Hyacinth. Think. 

Of all the time that she would become speechless, it happened to be that moment.

“Your father is looking for us.”

“Nah, Daddy can wait.” Elias ignored and continued to speak with the other two kids. They’ve gotten closer in a short amount of time. On the other hand, she should be proud. 

Even before Elias and Liam met, she knew they’d get along. These two share the same interests and at times, even attitude. Liam reminded her of Elias when they first met. When she first met Elias, she was a stranger who was suddenly introduced as her mother. He may be innocent and young, but he wasn’t clueless. All that Hyacinth did was show her pure intention and sincerity. 

“Miss Hya, can you stay for my birthday party? Please?”

There was an endless list of why she should say no. There are also a million ways to say it… but she can’t. She found herself nodding at Liam’s request. Hyacinth brushed her thumb against Liam’s cheek.

“Of course. Happy birthday, Liam.”

Trying not to get anyone’s attention at the party, Hyacinth found the most perfect spot in the far end of the crowd. She was invisible to the guests and kids who were mesmerized by the sea creatures and the magic tricks performed during the party.

There are two particular people that she wanted to avoid- Nikolai and that man who hugged her earlier. If she remembers it clearly, Liam called that man Preston. She was once again called Isobelle. 

Seems like every grand change in her former quiet and calm life is because of that Isobelle.

It will most likely make sense if Hyacinth sees a picture of her and confirms their resemblance. Maybe, deny and point out differences too. That way, they can all accept what is happening, move on, and if possible, try to co-exist without causing trouble to each other.

The problem is, it was a fearful thing to find out the truth.

“What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here.” An older lady, obviously dressed in expensive clothing, tugged her elbows. She was raising her eyebrows, eyes wide in shock.

Oh, for crying out loud. Her drained energy was stopping her from politely dealing with the situation. Without saying anything, she pulled her arm back and walked away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The woman followed her and was even raising her voice.

Hyacinth’s remaining strength was hanging by a thread, about to be gone any moment now.

“Mom.” Nikolai stopped her.

“Why is that woman here, Nikolai? She’s supposed to be dead!”

What kind of life did that woman Isobelle even live? People around her are either getting angry or crying hysterically. She began to ask questions and become curious about her. She sounded like a pandora box that Hyacinth didn’t want to know more about.

Her life sounded like trouble. The kind of trouble that she doesn’t want to bring into her own.

“Please fix this, Mr. Laurent.” The coldness in her voice was a warning to Nikolai. “I hope in the future, nothing like this or any unfortunate event that happened today, will never happen again.”

She needs her safe space. The day felt like a lifetime, and all she wanted was to join Jack in his bed and melt in his embrace. He’s the calm breeze that makes her feel secure. Before meeting him, her life was a roller coaster ride with an uncertain destination.

The best decision she made in her life was to say yes when Jack proposed and promised to give her peace.

“Hun, are you home?” She asked on the phone. The traffic light turned red.

“Ah, no. I’m in the office. There was an emergency, but I’ll be home soon. Are you coming home?”

“Yes. I’ll see you there?”

“See you, hun. Take care.” Jack’s voice was soothing. Hyacinth badly needs his comfort.

Instead of waiting for her husband at their house, she took a turn when the light turned green.

“Where are we going, Mommy?” Elias asked when he noticed that they were taking a different path.

“Let’s surprise, Daddy.”

“Yey! Let’s surprise Daddy!”

They drove to his office, all ready to catch him off-guard. To Hyacinth’s surprise, it was her who got played. She stood frozen outside the glass door. Instinctively, she covered Elias’ eyes while her own was locked on Jack who was french kissing another woman in the empty lobby of their office. Her secretary was straddled on top of him with exposed breasts.