Unsure
1273 Words
Rowan's POV
I sat on my bed, staring blankly at the walls of my bedroom. The door was left ajar, inviting an eerie silence into the room. Beside my bed, a safe beckoned to me. I input the code and pulled open the drawer, revealing the divorce files that Sia and I had signed. I tried to catch a whiff of Sia's scent, but all I could conjure was a faint image—one that hurt deeply because I never truly knew her.
Knock! Knock!
"You miss her, don't you?" Rose's voice cut through the silence.
I quickly tried to hide the file and wipe my tears, but Rose had already caught me. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Are you regretting the divorce?" Rose asked.
"I'm not really sure if I do," I replied, trying to sound indifferent. "I think she's better off without me."
"And why do you think so?" Rose inquired, sitting beside me on the bed.
"Because I couldn't give her what she wanted," I admitted.
"What does she want?" Rose pressed.
"She wants what any woman would want," I replied vaguely.
"Which is?" Rose asked again.
I sighed and sat in silence, speechless.
Rose placed her hand on mine and said, "Rowan, it has been 25 years, and still, you won't let anyone in. Your heart is probably beyond melting point, yet I believe there is still hope for you."
"You know," I said, looking into her eyes, "you've always understood me, even back in high school, before we knew we were related."
I leaned in to kiss her. Rose moved closer too, but suddenly, she retracted and stood up. We both acted awkwardly, avoiding each other's gaze.
"Rowan, let's be frank," Rose said, trying to regain her composure. "Everyone has their baggage, but we still have the right to be sane and not act insane."
"Okay, I get it—boundaries. I was just caught up in the moment. I promise it won't happen again," I apologized sincerely.
Meanwhile, Rose, who had harbored feelings for me since high school, felt her heart race uncontrollably. She quickly walked out of my room to avoid doing something she might regret.
I sat back on my bed, staring at my clothes and wondering if I viewed love as disposable as clothing. Lost in thought, I barely noticed when my mother knocked on the door.
"Rowan, what happened with Rose? I saw her rush out of your room in tears when I was coming up the stairs," she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Mother, don't worry about that. So, what brings you here?" I replied, trying to deflect.
Mother, not satisfied with my answer, pressed further, but I ignored her.
"Fine, if you won't tell me, at least join the family for dinner—especially Edward, your step-cousin, who just had a baby boy. Not that you care to give me one," she said, her tone a mix of sarcasm and disappointment. "Not that I'm complaining or saying you should marry Sasha, especially since you just recovered from a coma. But, Rowan, every family member has been staying with us since your accident, especially Sasha, who spent day and night by your side. So do me a favor and get up from that attitude of yours and come for dinner."
I kept silent for a moment before replying, "I’ll be on my way, Mother."
"Good. I'll have Allen prepare the table," she said, sounding satisfied.
"Are you happy now?" I asked.
"Yes, but not fully," she replied.
"Mother," I called after her as she was about to leave.
"Fine, I understand—one step at a time," she conceded.
"Good," I sighed.
As Mother was exiting, her dress caught on the door knob. After freeing herself, she turned back and said, "Oh! I almost forgot to inform you—Sasha's parents stopped by."
As soon as I heard that, my fury began to rise, but I bit my tongue and asked, "Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'? They came to drop off gifts for the wedding. Unlike someone who keeps wasting time to propose to their daughter, at least you divorced that riff-raff, didn't you?" Mom said, pushing my buttons.
I was livid, barely holding back my anger. "Mother!" I shouted.
"I never agreed to marriage or any gift collection. To avoid me doing something crazy, you are going to return their gifts and even compensate them if you have to. Apologize to them, saying, 'My son is not getting married to your daughter. All actions were taken impulsively.'"
"Well..." Mother stuttered.
"Mother, what did you do?" I demanded.
"I might have given them something I’m afraid can't be taken back," she confessed.
I stood up and walked toward her. "Mother, answer me truthfully—what was the gift?"
"It might have been the merger of Chandler Enterprises with Stone Global," she admitted, her voice trembling.
I fell to the floor, laughing hysterically. "Mother, when did you make this decision?"
"One month after you fell into a coma," she replied, her eyes avoiding mine.
"I knew it. Mother, all your tears and sweet words were false. At the end of the day, you only see yourself, and now you’ve just sacrificed your son and our family’s heritage—all because you want me to get married!" I accused, my voice rising with every word.
"Don't blame me! If you had listened to Nana when she was alive and gotten married, I wouldn't have had to make such a decision. Besides, it wasn't easy—the board was on my neck, and I refused to hand it over to Mercy, your half-sister, or Rose. You are your father's true blood, and only you deserve the company!" Mother defended herself.
I clapped slowly. "Wow, bravo, Mother. You outdid yourself. I must say, I am impressed."
"Thank you! You finally see it my way," Mother said, smiling.
I smashed my phone against the wall, tossing everything in my room as I screamed in rage. Mother, not comprehending the consequences of her actions, walked out of my room. But I chased after her in anger.
"Mother! You have made a huge mess—worse than all your whoring and drinking!"
"Don't you dare insult me!" Mother scolded as she reached the stairs.
"You just exposed the family company to the cops! You gave the enemy our company! You would rather entrust our lives to a stranger than to your own family. I wish Father had killed you on that Christmas night because you keep repeating the same s**t over and over again!" I shouted, my fury consuming me.
"What is wrong with a mother doing what she thinks is best for her son?" Mother screamed back.
"Did you really do it for me, or was it for you? You know what? I think I've heard enough."
Sasha ran toward me, trying to calm the situation. "Row, don't speak to Mother like that!"
"At least I wish she were my daughter rather than your pathetic self," Mother sneered.
I laughed bitterly and replied, "You know what? Why don't you marry her yourself, Mother? I’m such a w***e like you, divorced from eight husbands. You two would be perfect for each other. Thanks to l***q rights, you're free to do so. In fact, you have my damn blessing!"
"Rowan, please forgive your mother," Sasha pleaded, holding my hand, but I shook her off. As I did, she stumbled and fell against Mother, who tumbled down the stairs.
I turned back, rushed down the stairs, and when I saw the pool of blood, all I could cry was, "Mother!"
- Writer
