Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 29

{JACKSON}

A WIDE smile slowly crept onto my lips. She's finally here. I immediately stood up from my seat, but instead of walking outside the cafe to greet her, I waited for Victoria to enter. I was taken aback when I saw her walking towards the letterbox, dropping a letter into it that she took from her sling bag.

I sank back into my seat, overwhelmed by a profound sense of despondency. My heart started pounding rapidly and forcefully. I couldn't fathom why I was so anxious. Why indeed? At least Victoria showed up. Her act of dropping the letter into the box might indicate she's not ready to face me yet. Perhaps she needs space, and I'm willing to give her that. I'll patiently wait for her.

I just watched her until she stopped and boarded a taxi to leave. I sighed. I cursed to myself. Why did I let her go? She's right in front of me, without Liam beside her. I can talk to her freely. All I need to do is leave this cafe and meet her outside.

Why didn't I do anything? Maybe because I respect her every decision. And what about me? This is getting unfair for me. I'm the one who was fooled, yet I am respecting her lame decision that's hurting me. And now, I'm realizing that I am not respecting myself by respecting her.

After a while, I stood up from my seat. I exited the cafe and headed straight to the letterbox. I stared at it for a moment, contemplating whether I should retrieve Victoria's letter for me. I'm nervous about what I might read.

I carefully retrieved her letter from the letterbox— the same envelope I used for my letter to her. I didn't open the letter right away. I headed to the cafe's parking lot and sat in the passenger seat inside of my car.

"Take me to the sea. Anywhere as long as it's by the sea," I instructed my driver.

He promptly started the car. I gazed at the violet envelope in my hands before looking out the window. A pang of pain gripped my senses. When will this headache stop? s**t!

I recalled Victoria's appearance earlier. I miss her so much. I wanted to grab her and pull her into a tight hug. Why can't I do it when she's just in front of my eyes? Why does it feel like something is blocking us? Why does it seem like she's so far away, even though she's actually close to me?

After an hour, my car came to a stop beside the boulevard at the beach. I didn't know the name of this beach.

"Just wait for me here in the car. It might take a while before I come back. I need to catch some fresh air," I told my driver.

"Copy, Sir," he quickly responded.

I stepped out of my car. It wasn't too hot here as it was already late afternoon. I walked down the stairs toward the shore. There weren't many people around, probably because this beach is secluded, and it's a weekday.

As I got close to the sea, I stopped. I embraced the cool breeze and the gentle sound of the waves. Somehow, it managed to calm me. I didn't know what drama I was creating for myself, choosing to read Victoria's letter by the sea. It felt like a primitive act, reminiscent of ancient times when people communicated through written letters.

I opened the envelope I held, revealing Victoria's brief letter.

I'm sorry, Jackson, but I love Liam more than you. He's the father of my daughter, and he's still my husband. Now that we're together again, I plan on staying with him as a complete family. I will fulfill my promise to him as his lawful wife. Please, move on from me. Find another woman who can love you back. I hope this is the last time we talk with each other. I don't want us to cross paths again because I don't want to ruin my relationship with Liam as his wife. I am now cutting ties with you.

After reading the letter, my mouth fell open. Soon, I found myself laughing uncontrollably until I screamed in anger. I crumpled the letter in my hand, my eyes narrowing as I stared at it. Slowly, my eyes welled up, and tears began to fall.

I tossed the crumpled letter behind me. I knelt on the sand, crying with my head bowed.

"Victoria," I whispered her name softly. But I can feel my veins showing up on my neck and forehead. I'm torn between getting angry and becoming hopelessly broken.

"How could you do this to me?" I added, a question that only the wind seemed to hear.

I WATCHED her draw an eternity symbol on the sticky note, inscribing our initials, J and V, on each circle. Afterward, she affixed the sticky note along with many others.

When she turned to face me, I gently held both sides of her cheeks, examining every angle of her face with a wide smile forming on my lips. I still couldn't believe I could hold her like this now. I thought it would take an eternity to tame this woman. But I'm glad that God softened her cold heart to me so easily. Now, I don't have anything to ask for.

"What made you change your heart? I just couldn't believe it until now," I suddenly said, looking deep into her eyes.

I recalled the day we first met in the cafeteria's coffee dining area. I saw her walking to the counter, and my hands seemed to have a mind of their own. I immediately took the bunch of yellow tulips from the vase on the table in front of me and quietly approached her.

When I saw her, I knew she was the one. Call me cliché, but I instantly saw my future with her. I used to think love at first sight wasn't real, but in that moment, I felt everything that a person experiencing love at first sight would.

Even though she scowled at me immediately, it didn't change my mind. I told myself I would pursue this woman no matter what. And as time goes by, I'm falling harder for her.

"I love you, and that's what made me change my heart," she sweetly answered my question. If I could jump for joy right now, I would.

My forehead wrinkled as I saw her tearing up. I gently wiped her tears.

"Thank you for accepting everything about me. I promise I won't hurt you. I'll cherish you and your love for me for the rest of my life," she said emotionally. I thought there was a serious reason behind her tears.

I sighed in relief, smiling at her. Slowly leaning closer, I planted a soft kiss on her forehead. It felt amazing. She's officially my girlfriend now, and I couldn't believe it. I promised her and Demi that I would cherish them for my entire life and wouldn't do anything to hurt them.

I FEEL the slow, agonizing shattering of my heart. Our sweet memories are too much for me to handle. I can barely breathe. I lift my gaze to the sea in front of me. My mind starts to go blank. I'm losing myself, yet I'm still begging the heavens above to bring Victoria back to me. I can't! I just can't let go. I don't want to lose her. But still, in the end, I lose her.

Victoria doesn't love me, and she wants me completely out of her life. Now, how can I move on with my life? What's the point of my existence if I'll be hurt every day because of her leaving me? What is the point of living in this world without her? I don't know anymore. I have no reason to live. Right, I should end my suffering. After all, she wants me out of her life, and I will fulfill her wish. After this, there will be no Jackson loving her and pleading for her love in return. There would be no lover who could mess up and break up their family.

I stood up slowly, my sobs intensifying as I began to step towards the sea. I felt the trembling and weakness in my knees. My true self was screaming inside, telling me I shouldn't do this. But at the same time, I couldn't control myself. All I wanted right now was to sleep peacefully forever. I want to escape from this pain right now.

I stared blankly as I walked steadily towards the middle of the sea, away from the shore. I know how to swim, but I'm not a good enough swimmer to survive in these strong waves. It doesn't matter. That's what I want to happen. I closed my eyes as the waves carried me away. I felt no more pain. I was completely numb because I had poured out all my emotions.