Cracks In The Foundation
1485 Words
The following morning, Gemma felt a great burden in her chest. She could still clearly and vividly recall what had happened the night before. Her eyes burned from crying, and her body ached from the tension. It didn't feel like a fresh day as she gazed at the ceiling while the morning light came through the blinds. It was like repeating the same nightmare.
Her flat was filled with the sweet scent of coffee brewing. Sarah had demanded to spend the night. There was no space for disagreement as she dragged her overnight bag into Gemma's flat and remarked,
"You shouldn't be alone."
Gemma got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, where Sarah was standing at the counter, pouring two mugs of coffee and singing to herself.
“Sliding a mug over the counter, Sarah grinned and said,
"Good morning, sunshine."
“Or, perhaps more accurately, storm clouds?" Gemma forced a thin smile.
"I feel like a tornado more now."
Sarah softened her expression as she leaned on the counter.
"You also have that appearance. Seriously, how are you doing, Gem?”
Gemma encircled the warm mug with her hands, allowing the warmth to permeate her fingers.
"I'm not sure. I get a dull feeling that this isn't real. The other portion makes me feel as though my chest is giving way. I feel like I can't breathe whenever I think of Marcus and Aurora.”
Sarah’s eyes darkened.
“They’re garbage, both of them. You deserve so much better.”
Gemma's voice cracked as she murmured,
"I thought Marcus loved me. Aurora, on the other hand, is my sister. How could they harm me like this?”
Sarah took a while to respond. She grabbed Gemma's hand as she reached across the counter.
"Some people are merely self-centred. No matter how much you care or how much you offer them, it makes no difference. Without hesitation, they will take what they desire.”
Gemma nodded, but the words didn’t bring her much comfort.
“Anyway,” Sarah remarked, changing the subject.
“What's planned for today? Are we destroying everything Marcus owns? Egging Aurora's vehicle? Whatever it is, I'm game.”
Gemma let out a little laugh. Even when her life was collapsing, Sarah was the only one who could make her laugh. Even if it seems alluring,
“I have to visit my folks later. I received one of my mother's beautiful ‘requests’."
Sarah wrinkled her nose.
“Yikes. What does the Ice Queen want now?”
Gemma gave a shrug.
"Probably to give me a lecture about how I made them feel uncomfortable last night. You are aware of her nature… image is everything.”
Sarah's eyes rolled.
“Your mum needs something to do. Anyway, if you need backup, give me a call. I'll have bells on when I get there.”
The journey to her parents' house seemed to take longer than usual, and each mile increased the tightness in her chest. It was difficult for Gemma to decide which she feared more, her father's lack of interest or her mother's criticism.
When she did arrive, the large property stood out in front of her, its beautiful exterior standing in sharp contrast to the chaos in her life. Before getting out of the car, she inhaled deeply after parking in the circular driveway.
Her mother met her in the lobby, looking at Gemma from head to toe with her keen eyes.
"You appear worn out," she said in a neutral but somewhat critical tone.
“Thank you, Mom. Gemma answered icily.
“I'm glad to see you as well."
Her mother pointed to the sitting room, ignoring the sarcasm.
"Your dad is waiting."
Gemma followed her mother into the room where her father was sitting in his normal chair, enjoying a glass of scotch despite the early hour. As she walked in, he looked up slightly but remained silent.
“Sit down, Gemma,” her mum said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Gemma sat with her hands locked in her lap and her spine stiff on the edge of the couch.
"We must discuss last night," her mother said in a cold tone.
"Your behavior was totally inappropriate."
Gemma blinked, stunned.
“My behavior? Are you serious right now?”
Her mother’s expression hardened.
“You stormed out of dinner in front of our guests. Do you have any idea how humiliating and embarrassing that was for your father and me?”
"I walked in on Aurora and Marcus," Gemma added, raising her voice.
“What was expected of me? Act like I didn't notice anything?”
Her father put down his glass and sighed.
"Everything was explained by Aurora. It was a misunderstanding, she claimed.”
Gemma chuckled bitterly.
“A misunderstanding? Dad, I saw them. There’s no misunderstanding about what I saw.”
Cynthia dismissed her and said,
"You always did have a flair for the dramatic. Aurora said..”
“I don’t care what Aurora said!” Gemma shouted, standing up.
“She’s lying! And you’re taking her side, just like you always do!”
Her father responded sharply,
"lower your voice. We won't tolerate you making a scene again."
Gemma's hands shook with anger.
"You're unbelievable. You two. You care more about looks than the fact that your daughter's own sister and her fiancé betrayed her.”
“Enough," yelled her mum.
“This discussion has ended. You'll put this behind you and apologise to Marcus and Aurora. Gemma, family comes first. Always.”
Gemma stared at her parents in disbelief , her heart sinking. They weren’t going to listen. They never did.
“I’m done,” she said quietly.
“I’m done trying to make you care,I’m done putting up with all of this .”
She turned and left the room without waiting for a response .
Once more, Gemma was driving without direction while struggling to breathe due to the well-known pain in her chest. The one place she always felt comfortable was her grandmother's house, where she finally found herself.
Helena, her slender body covered in a thick shawl, smiled warmly as she opened the door.
"Gemma, my child. Enter.”
As soon as Gemma entered, her grandmother gave her a lingering hug. It was the kind of hug that made her feel like a child again, loved and protected.She remained in her arms for a while
“What’s the matter ,sweetheart ?” Her grandmother asked, guiding Gemma to the couch.
Gemma opened up about everything, including the betrayal, her parents' response, and her intense loneliness. Tears were running down her face by the time she was done.
With love and understanding in her eyes, Miss Helena wiped her face in her hands.
"Oh, my dear child. You've experienced a lot”.
Gemma nodded, her throat tight with emotion.
Her grandma continued,
"Listen to me," in a quiet but firm voice.
"You’re stronger than you think. Do not allow them to shatter you. What they have given you is far less than what you deserve.”
Gemma's grandmother's words were like a remedy to her wounded spirit.
“Thank you, Granny,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Miss Helena brushed a strand of hair away from Gemma's face and grinned.
“My dear, you'll overcome this. You will, I'm sure,I’ve known you to be a strong girl.”
That night, Gemma kept thinking about her grandmother's words as she drove back to her flat. She felt a flash of strength for the first time in days.
She had no idea how she was going to get over all this, but she knew one thing for certain, she wouldn’t let all of this break her.
She went directly to the couch as soon as she entered the flat. All of her parents' words and their nonchalant reply for her suffering were replayed in her head. Although her grandmother's support had been consoling, the feeling of betrayal still lingers in her heart .
Her phone rang on the bedside table just as she was starting to have restless thoughts. With a groan, she grabbed it, expecting another pointless text from Aurora or Marcus.
But it wasn’t them.
It was her mother.
“We need to speak again. There’s something you don’t know about Marcus.” Mrs. Alexandra spoke.
Gemma's breath caught in her chest as her heart fell. She typed back with trembling hands.
“What is it again?” Gemma asked
The typing bubbles appeared fast just immediately after she replied. Then it disappeared. Then reappeared.
Finally, she sent a reply
“Tomorrow, stop by the house. Then I'll explain everything.” her mother replied.
Gemma stared at the television, having a worried look . What could her mother possibly have to say about Marcus now?
And why hadn’t she said it before?
- Writer
