Merged By Fate

CHAPTER 3

"No!" I screamed, my fists clenched as I ripped the papers into shreds. It can't be true. How? Why would he do this to me?

Tears streamed down my face as memories of our time together flooded my mind.

“I cursed the day I met you, Jason," I shouted, my voice filled with anger and hurt. "You damn bastard."

With those words echoing in the air, I stormed out of the apartment.

************

Mia slammed her hands on the dining table in disbelief.

“I can't believe you let him handle your father's property when you knew he was a fraud," she exclaimed.

“I thought maybe he could change," I started to say, but Mia interrupted me.

"Change?" she scoffed.

“After all the rumors? I can't believe you had such high hopes for him."

I nodded, feeling foolish.

“I thought he loved me," I admitted, my gaze fixed on the floor.

"But I guess I was wrong. That bastard only loves himself. I'm so stupid... I shouldn't have..." My words trailed off, but Mia stepped closer, placing a finger on my lips.

"Shh! It's not your fault," she reassured me, squeezing my hands.

“You were just in love, and he took advantage of that. He's gone now, and he'll never hurt you again," she added.

"But what about my dad's land? How do I help Grandma? Where do I even start?" I blurted out, the questions pouring out of me.

“We'll figure it out, trust me," Mia reassured, pulling me into a comforting embrace as my tears soaked her shirt.

**********

"Can you handle this?" a woman asked, eyeing me skeptically as I approached her car, lugging her heavy suitcase.

"Of course," I replied confidently, loading it into the trunk. Her surprise was evident, and when she offered me a tip, it was more than I expected.

"Thank you, but this is too much," I tried to protest, but she insisted.

"Keep it," she insisted, her voice filled with conviction. "You've got a strength in you that's hard to come by. Hold on to that."

Her words lifted my spirits, a rare occurrence in the midst of my daily struggles to support my grandmother.

Today had been particularly fruitful, and with a sense of accomplishment, I hailed a cab to take me home.

Grandma had been discharged from the hospital a few days ago, but the financial burden still loomed over us.

The doctor had assured us that she was on the mend, but the mounting bills were a constant reminder of the challenges we faced.

It was a tough decision, but bringing her home was the best option while I worked out how to cover the cost of her surgery.

Mia had been helping me find out some important information at Jason's place and she already got the location of the company that had purchased the land.

However, as I arrived at our apartment, chaos welcomed me. Our belongings were being carelessly tossed out by the landlord, his voice filled with anger.

"I can't have you here anymore," he barked. "You're owing!”

I pleaded with him, promising to settle everything by the weekend, even though I had no idea how I would manage it.

Inside, Grandma's eyes welled up with tears. "How will you find the money?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Don't worry, Grandma," I reassured her, holding her close. "I'll find a way. I won't let us lose our home."

*************

The fear of losing our home kept me up all night, restless and anxious.

I was determined to track down the person who bought the land property from Jason.

Mia had given me some leads on where to start looking.

"Please stay safe, my dear. You're all I have. Promise me you won't get into any trouble," Grandma pleaded as I fed her.

"I promise, grandma. Don't worry about me. Just focus on eating," I replied, scooping spoonfuls of food into her mouth.

After making sure Grandma had eaten and taken her morning medicine, I headed to the location Mia had sent me earlier.

I berated myself for being so foolish to trust Jason, despite everything he had done to me.

I couldn't believe I let him not only deceive me but also take away the only property my father had left me before he passed away.

"Be cautious, girlfriend," Mia's voice came through the phone, tinged with concern.

"Appreciate it, Mia. I'm tracking the path you shared. Seems like I'm almost there" I replied, my gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

"Call me up once you arrive. Grandma's fretting over you," she instructed.

"Will do just that," I assured her, ending the call.

Lifting my gaze to navigate the road's crossing, the sudden screech of tires pierced the air.

An unseen force from a speeding car sent a shudder through me, plunging my world into darkness.

Slowly regaining consciousness, I was met with the cacophony of an ongoing dispute.

My vision, still hazy, made out a figure looming over me.

“Are you alright?" a deep voice broke through as a hand reached out.

Grasping for support, my hand was abruptly intercepted by a slender, elegantly dressed woman.

“Leave him alone!” The lady yelled and that's when I realized I had been in an accident.

"Ally, that's enough," the man said, turning to help me up.

"I'm really sorry about this. Do you need to see a doctor?" His eyebrows furrowed.

"No, I'm okay," I replied, brushing off my clothes.

"You sure?" he asked.

The woman with him yelled, "She's fine, let's go!" and walked to the car.

"Sorry about her; she can be like that. You sure you're alright?" he asked again, coming closer.

My heart skipped a beat, and I didn't understand why. Put yourself together, Isa, I told myself.

“No, I'm fine. Go to your girlfriend," I insisted. "What?" he said, titling his eyebrows.

“I'm fine, just leave me alone," I raised my voice, surprising both of us.

I couldn't explain it, but something about his gaze was different, something I'd never experienced.

Who could he be and why does he make me feel this way?