A Pact Of Tainted Hearts

THE GRADUATION

And just like that, in the blink of an eye, graduation day arrived with a suddenness that felt almost unreal to everyone who had waited years for it….

The university campus buzzed with excitement, carrying nervous laughter and proud whispers that drifted through the air like soft confetti….

Students hurried past one another in a colorful stream, adjusting their graduation gowns, fixing their caps, smoothing their clothes, and clutching their phones as though capturing every last second might somehow stop time from moving forward….

Parents stood proudly on the sidelines with their hearts swelling, eyes shining with memories of tiny fingers, first school uniforms, first report cards, and the long journey that had led to this moment….

Inside the grand auditorium, everything shimmered with celebration under the glow of warm lights and elegant drapery that covered the walls like a royal tapestry….

On one side of the vast seat rows, proud parents sat with eager anticipation, their clothes immaculate, their smiles radiant, their eyes filled with unshed tears of pride….

On the other side, students dressed in crisp black gowns and perfectly positioned caps sat in orderly rows, trying to look composed despite the excitement pulsing beneath their skin….

At the front, the university president sat among esteemed dignitaries and prominent figures from the community, all dressed in tailored suits and gowns that spoke of status and respect….

The hall quieted as the first speaker stepped to the microphone with a measured breath that silenced the crowd instantly….

Names began to echo through the hall one by one, accompanied by claps that rose like waves and faded gently before the next name followed….

The applause grew louder when excellence was mentioned, echoing with pride and admiration….

“Mr. Mc-Knight Samuel, First Class Honours in International Business Administration!” the announcer declared with enthusiasm….

Samuel rose from his seat with quiet confidence, his steps steady and graceful as he walked toward the stage bathed in golden light….

The president stood up, extending a firm handshake that spoke of praise and recognition, congratulating him before handing him the official certificate wrapped in a dignified embossed folder….

Samuel’s smile flickered with nervous pride, a rare softness slipping into his expression as the flash of cameras captured the moment….

Soon after, Vivian, Cecilia, and the other first-class graduates followed, their gowns swaying as they walked, their eyes bright as they shook hands with dignitaries and posed for photographs that captured triumph frozen in time….

The ceremony unfolded beautifully, a perfect tapestry of celebration woven from hard work, sacrifice, and dreams finally realized….

Outside the hall, laughter filled the open air and camera flashes flickered like tiny fireworks….

The two families…Dary and other top-families mingled gracefully, exchanging warm words and joyful embraces as proud parents hugged their children tightly….

“We are so proud of you guys!” all of the parents exclaimed in unison, surprising themselves before bursting into a heartfelt laughter that wrapped the moment in pure joy….

Cecilia tugged Vivian’s arm eagerly, pulling her toward the rows of professional photographers waiting to immortalize the graduates….

“Come on, Vivian!…. let’s get more pictures,” Cecilia insisted in a playful, almost childlike tone that reflected pure excitement….

But Vivian’s steps were slow and her smile faint, her eyes lingering elsewhere with an emptiness Cecilia felt like a cold breeze brushing past her skin….

“What’s wrong with you?…. aren’t you happy?…. what’s going on?” Cecilia asked, her voice filling with confusion and concern as she studied her best friend’s distant expression….

Vivian lowered her head slowly, her voice cracking as a trembling whisper escaped her lips. “I just wish Vic…. Victor…. was here…. I’m not okay…. nothing feels right without him….”

Cecilia sucked her teeth sharply, irritation bursting through her patience like flames licking dry wood….

“Mtchwwww…. seriously?” she muttered before turning and walking away with frustrated steps that echoed her disappointment….

Vivian dragged herself after her, reaching weakly. “Oh Cecilia…. listen to me…. please…. this is how I feel…. just hear me out….”

Before Cecilia could reply, a calm yet strong voice called from behind them like a gentle interruption.

“Miss Dary….”

Vivian turned, lifting her tear-glossed eyes to see Samuel approaching with a confident yet warm stride, his expression gentle and composed….

He reached out his hand with a soft smile. “Congratulations, Miss Dary….”

Vivian forced a polite smile as she shook his hand lightly. “Same to you, Mr. Mc-Knight….”

Samuel exhaled slowly, the memory of their last encounter lingering like a bruise. “Our last encounter didn’t end well…. I thought maybe today we could start fresh…. enjoy the day together….”

Vivian hesitated, her face tightening with internal conflict she couldn’t hide. “I’m sorry, Samuel…. something urgent came up…. maybe another time….”

She hurried away without waiting for his response, leaving Samuel standing with the weight of disappointment sinking into his chest like a heavy stone….

He muttered under his breath as he turned toward the crowd. “f**k….”

His hope for something more…something soft, something real…crumbled quietly beneath the noise of celebration around him….

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A FEW DAYS LATER tension brewed inside Regina’s living room like a storm waiting to break….

Regina stood with her arms folded tightly, frustration wrinkling her usually gentle face. “You could have at least told me you were going on vacation with Vivian…. you can’t just get up and leave without letting me know!”

Her daughter held her hands gently, trying to ease the anger twisting her mother’s voice. “Mom…. I’m not twelve anymore…. I’m a grown woman…. please give me some space…. I can handle things now….”

Regina exhaled sharply, still unsure but slowly letting go. “Fine…. so it’s a Dubai trip with Vivian like you said?…. no problems?”

“Exactly…. nothing to worry about,” the daughter assured her, kissing her goodbye before dragging her suitcase out the door with excitement swirling around her like wind….

Inside the imposing Dary family mansion, something darker simmered under the polished floors and crystal chandeliers like an unseen fire….

Mrs. Dary’s voice cracked sharply through the quiet halls with the authority of someone who had lost her patience.

“How many times do I have to remind you?…. all the maids’ chores must be finished before 5 a.m. every single day!”

The elderly butler, a man who had served the family for decades, stood trembling with fear that shook his aging bones. “I’m sorry, ma’am…. it won’t happen again….”

Mrs. Dary’s eyes narrowed with cold precision. “It better not…. because if it does, you’re no longer a worker here….”

Fear gripped him like a vise, tightening his throat until his voice trembled uncontrollably….

For the first time in sixty-five years, the old man stammered like a frightened child instead of a seasoned butler….

Cecilia approached the massive gates of the Dary mansion, worry tightening every breath she took….

The moment she entered the Mansion… she saw Emilia…ordering people around. “Mom…Mrs. Dary?…. good morning….”

“Good morning, my sweet daughter,” Mrs. Dary replied warmly, wrapping Cecilia in an embrace the moment she stepped inside. “Why are you back?…. did your private jet have problems?”

“No, Mom…. actually, it’s Vivian who’s delaying…. we were supposed to leave in the next hour….”

Mrs. Dary stopped instantly, her face turning rigid with confusion and growing alarm. “Wait…. wait…. you said next hour?…. Vivian left four hours ago…. what do you mean?”

Cecilia’s world spun as shock slammed into her with full force….

Before she could form words, Mr. Dary stepped into the room, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “What’s going on here?”

Mrs. Dary filled him in quickly, her worry unraveling with each word she spoke. “Our daughter…Vivian…left without Cecilia…. even though she told Cecilia the flight was in an hour….”

Mr. Dary’s expression hardened instantly, anger searing through his features. “What?”

He pulled out his phone with trembling hands and made a call that stretched into a heavy silence….

When he returned, his face was darkened by betrayal and boiling frustration.

“Vivian went with a man…. her boyfriend,” he said bitterly, trying to hold himself together but failing….

His voice cut deeper as he looked at them. “Did any of you know about this?”

Meanwhile, on the highway, Cecilia’s emotions ignited into a storm as she gripped the steering wheel tightly….

“How dare you, Vivian?…. how could you embarrass me like this?…. lie about taking me along and leave me behind?”

Her voice cracked with fury as her rant filled the closed space of the car. “You took that stupid boyfriend of yours but left me in the dark…. you’re so unpredictable…. you’ll pay for this….”

Her anger grew so intense she barely noticed her speed rising and the road blurring before her….

Suddenly…BANG!…. the car jolted violently, jerking her forward as she slammed the brakes with a scream….

She stumbled out of the car, her heart pounding in her ears like thunder….

Her eyes widened as she stared at the ground with trembling horror.

“Oh my God!…. is that a person?…. help!…. somebody, please!”

Back at the mansion, silence wrapped itself around the walls like a ghost as the family’s fractures deepened….

Mr. Dary’s voice trembled with betrayal so raw it shook the air around him. “How long were you planning on hiding this from me?”

Mrs. Dary lowered her gaze, guilt spilling through her voice. “My husband…. trust me…. I didn’t think it through…. I would have told you, I swear….”

Mr. Dary shook his head slowly, disbelief filling every inch of his expression. “How could you?…. is it because you weren’t the one who carried her for nine months?…. because she’s a surrogate baby?”

Mrs. Dary’s eyes flared instantly with pain and indignation. “It’s not like that…. even though she was born through surrogacy, she is my daughter…my blood…. I love her and want the best for her….”

Mr. Dary didn’t respond right away…he simply turned away, shaking his head with grief and frustration twisting inside him.

“Unbelievable….” he muttered before walking out of the room, leaving behind a silence filled with wounds that no one knew how to heal….