Indomitable Heart

CHAPTER TWELVE — DILEMMA

Wilson looked around the room to check whether there was another person apart from the two of them that Olive was addressing. The statement made him think outside the box, as if presiding over a case in court.

"Are you on a phone call, or addressing someone else? Because I don't think that declaration was meant for me," he told Olive, staring at her incessantly.

Olive kept quiet, ignoring the anxious, desperate man looking for answers like someone who went for divination.

"Babe, please say something and eliminate this confusion eating me up. What do you mean—you're no longer interested? No longer interested in what exactly?" He poured out the water soaking his heart, hoping the answer wasn't what he anticipated.

"I don't see anything unfathomable in what I said. I just told you I'm no longer seeing any future together with you." Olive finally opened up.

This statement served as an arrow piercing Wilson's heart. He sat helplessly and hopelessly. His head went blank; his lips glued together like someone mourning his whole family.

"I don't mean to hurt you. I just realized we're not meant to be together." She tried to comfort him, seeing how dejected he looked—but unknowingly, she added fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, Wilson was disappointed—it ended up being what he anticipated. He held himself together and asked in a very low tone: "Why are you suddenly changing your mind, babe?"

"My king, you know, I love you unconditionally. On the other hand, your mother is also correct in her judgment. I can't appear suddenly and start acting as a bridge between you and your family." She paused, shifting close to Wilson and holding his hands. Then she continued:

"It's true I was conceived through p**********n—that's a fact that cannot be changed. Your mother cannot disown you, and you shouldn't go contrary to her wishes just because of me. I'll never be comfortable if that happens—my conscience will be guilty forever."

"Did I not make myself clear? I don't care how anybody views you. I'm the one getting married to you, not my mother. Forget about her and focus on me, babe. You know my life will be miserable without you, Olive." Wilson tried to alter her mind, frustrated.

"This is a dilemma facing both of us. I myself won't remain stable if I leave you, but I have no other choice. Your family is more important than I." She defended her decision.

"Babe, I promise I'll find a solution. Please don't make any hasty decision—let's work together toward our success," Wilson assured her.

"We're cultured, not barbaric, Wilson. Let's do what's right between man and God. Thank you so much for all the love and care you showered on me. Living with you was the happiest moment of my life," she uttered, gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, and left the room.

The whole earth became null and void to Wilson. He thought of what to do, but ideas ran away from him. The next day, he set out to seek any means to handle the situation.

In the course of his journey, he returned to his parents and staged a new conversation concerning the same topic. But he was dumbfounded when all efforts to convince his mother were like pouring water on stone. After that, he resorted to seeking his father's help.

"The main thing I want you to know is that your mother isn't doing this with a clear eye. You know it's unlike her to behave this way," Mr. Geoffrey told his son.

"Of course I know, Dad—and that's why this appears a mystery. Why would Mum act this way?" Wilson lamented.

"Her friends are negatively influencing her. They disseminated the information and advised her not to acknowledge Olive as her daughter-in-law. She trusts them completely, not knowing they're envious of her success and working to ensure her downfall." Mr. Geoffrey revealed the uncertainty to Wilson.

"So that was the stepping stone to her irresponsibility," Wilson stated, nodding his head.

"If you're sure Olive is endowed with qualities convenient for you as a husband, go home and think of a way to get her back by winning your mother over. As for me, she's already your wife," Mr. Geoffrey advised, then went to his room to rest. Wilson took his advice seriously.

Meanwhile, Wilson went home and found Olive had packed all her clothes and belongings out of the house. After one week alone and love-sick, Sonia came home for the Easter holiday. Immediately after greeting her father, she asked:

"Dad, where's Mum? Why isn't she in the house? Why do you look sad and helpless?"

"Nothing, my sweetheart." He tried to deceive her.

"Don't tell me that, Dad. I'm mature enough to know when the situation is awkward in our family." She stood her ground, demanding an explanation.

Seeing his daughter determined to know the truth, he revealed everything. Unexpectedly, Sonia fell to the ground—and to crown it all, she ceased to breathe.

"Sonia! Sonia! Sonia!" Wilson called, making efforts to wake her—all to no avail.