Chapter 19

Nathaniel could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he got angrier. They hadn't changed, and neither did they reflect on their actions. "A leopard cannot change its spots." They would say. A part of Nathaniel was glad they didn't change. He had no desire to pity or forgive them- or have them slowly work their way back into his life. Nathaniel had already decided that he didn't want them in his life. It would be the last time his presence would grace them. Though he made the decision long ago, he stood firm in his resolve now more than ever.

"Do you even know how much pain my husband is in," Charlotte spat. "He was unconscious for hours. He could've died."

"Stop being so dramatic," Nathaniel scoffed. A few punches wouldn't have killed Howard. Her words stir the pit of his stomach. Gina was in far worse pain: being attacked like that, no one believing her. It left a scar on her life. "Maybe he'll start repenting since his life flashed before his eyes. He lived such a disgusting life."

Nathaniel remembered reading somewhere that the reason why our lives flash before our eyes is because the brain is searching for life. He didn't know how factual it was, but it was an interesting perspective. Howard's life was anything but good. He married into the Beaumont family. A man who grew up not lacking anything, he remained unsatisfied, searching for something more. He was greedy, and Charlotte Beaumont was his ticket to a higher stage in life. Howard was a confident and self-proclaimed man. He kept a well-groomed appearance, emphasizing stylish outfits to fit into his wife's affluent social circle. Despite his polished exterior, he often engages in infidelity and frequently casts lingering glances at other women. Howard was an unethical man hungry for women. Gina became his victim, and it was uncertain to know if she was his first or last.

Charlotte was loyal to a fault to her husband and ignored his flaws. She cared more about gossiping, maintaining her image in her social circle, and collecting designer purses. Charlotte was both the subject of gossip and a gossiper herself. However, she tried to hide the flaws of her relationship, saying her pride wouldn't allow her to get a divorce. Nathaniel thought of her as a clown putting on a show when the audience could already see through her cheap tricks. Nathaniel believed she wasn't right in the head for devoting herself to such a husband.

"Nathaniel, I understand you're upset," Victoria spoke. It was that annoyingly nice tone that she spoke with that irritated Nathaniel. It was the same tone Victoria would use when setting up dates for him or orchestrating awkward encounters with girls, meddling in situations he had no interest in. She made it seem like she was doing it from a genuine place. But it was always her way or the highway. "Try as we may. There's no evidence pointing towards Howard."

"Emily saw it!" Nathaniel shouted. "She wouldn't make something like that up. You saw what the situation did to her. You should have believed me if not anyone else as my-" Nathaniel couldn't bring himself to call her "mother" at the moment. "As a woman," He continued, glancing between Charlotte and Victoria. "You should've believed her," Nathaniel remembered how Howard would not outright deny the allegations. He would always say, Gina threw herself at him. "You could have all the evidence in the world, and you would make sure he doesn't end up in prison because that's the type of person you are. Maintain the family reputation, right?"

"We're here because," Benjamin interjected. "It was difficult convincing Charlotte and Howard not to press charges. It's the last bit of kindness we can show you." It was Benjamin's subtle way of telling Nathaniel that he would be on his own from now on. The Beaumont would no longer help him. But Nathaniel had been on his own for a long time.

"No wonder Johnathan left this place and never looked back," Nathaniel remarked. They were visibly shocked by the mention of Johnathan's name. He up and left one day, never to return. No one knew where he went or what life had been for him. They acted as if he never existed. "Think of me as another Johnathan."

Nathaniel let out a heavy breath, knowing nothing would change. "Emily," He said. It was the last thing Nathaniel wanted to attempt at a discussion. He knew her parents would continue to make things difficult, especially after what happened. But Nathaniel knew he couldn't leave things as it was. Charlotte was already shifting in her seat, ready for the next rounds of her attack. The situation was a tough one. He had given in to Emily's pleas before, only for Howard to intervene forcefully. However, it didn't mean he wouldn't do it all again.

Ending on terms Nathaniel was satisfied with, he now had to discuss it with Emily. As he left, he felt the weight on his shoulders eased slightly. Yet, anger simmered within Nathaniel as the conversation replayed in his mind. Nathaniel pressed down on the gas pedal as he drove away from the house that was never home. The shameless words of his family kept repeating in his mind, and he struggled to push them aside. Nathaniel found himself grappling with anger, frustration, and hurt. Despite his attempts to maintain composure, tears threatened to blur his vision. He felt like he was navigating through a stormy sea, strong currents pulling him in different directions, teetering between rage and sorrow. Nathaniel acknowledged the validity of his emotions; after all, he was only human.

~~

Kanan felt indebted to Ayana and Kaelan for their unwavering support. The trip, intended to be filled with fun and excitement, took a dark turn. They found themselves confronted with a distressing situation and thrust into the role of a caregiver for Emily. Kanan couldn't shake the feeling of guilt despite their willingness to help. He knew they didn't mind, but he still felt sorry. Determined to repay their kindness, Kanan vouched to make the rest of their trip memorable. His gratitude lay mostly with Ayana, her presence bringing joy to Emily every moment. Without her, they didn't know what they would do.

They were in the middle of a late-morning breakfast when Kanan arrived. As Kanan recounted the events at the hospital following their departure, he realized that Emily had taken the initiative to explain the circumstances to Ayana and Kaelan the previous night. Kanan was surprised by Kaelan's silence, only speaking on short occasions considering his usual outspoken demeanor, especially given the gravity of the situation. It soon became clear to Kanan that Kaelan's restraint was deliberate. His efforts to control his temper and quell the urge to unleash his fist was a silent act aimed to minimize Emily's distress.

Kanan retreated into his room, exhaustion bearing down on him. He barely slept last night and was worried about how Nathaniel was doing. Witnessing the way Nathaniel's family treated him heightened his concerns. As Kanan lay on his bed, he constantly checked his phone for any signs of communication from Nathaniel. Suddenly, a noise outside his room broke the silence, pulling him from his restless thoughts. Kanan exited, seeing Emily in a rush to leave.

"What's happening?" He asked.

"Emily called Nathaniel and," Ayana said.

"Nathaniel," Emily said. For some reason, Kanan's heart started racing. "He met in a car accident. He said-"

Kanan heard nothing Emily said afterward. In his mind, memories flooded back- a haunting reminder of a similar tragedy. He felt a sudden surge of panic take hold. His breath grew shallow and rapid, struggling to draw air into his lungs. The room spun around him, his vision blurring, and dizziness washed over him. His heart hammered in his chest, sweat on his forehead, and his hands trembling. Kanan's legs felt like jelly. He stumbled backward, falling to the floor. Unable to focus on anything but the overwhelming sensation of fear, gasping for air, he pressed his hands against his chest. At that moment, Kanan felt helpless, trapped by his mind.

A gentle voice broke through the panic. "Kanan," Kaelan called his name with soothing reassurance. "It's going to be okay," He wrapped his arms around Kanan, offering a sense of security. "It's okay, I'm here for you," Kaelan said, offering comfort and guiding Kanan through breathing techniques. As the waves of panic subsided, a sense of calm settled over him.

Kaelan guided Kanan to the couch. Ayana offered him a bottle of water. He thought of all the times his family had to help weather similar storms. Kanan recalled how he had to move back home after Maria met in a car accident. The devastating news made him unable to drive and plagued by frequent panic attacks. It had been a while since his last episode. The news left Kanan with a heavy heart. He had already lost someone he deeply cared about, and the thought of losing another was unbearable. Kanan couldn't bear the thought of enduring that kind of heartache again.

"What happened?" Kanan asked, his voice trembling. "Where's Nathan?"

"He said he's at the hospital," Emily replied. "He said it was nothing serious, but just in case. Even if he says that I can't help but worry."

"Are you okay?" Ayana asked, her voice laced with worry.

"I'm fine. I'm going to the hospital." Kanan insisted, pushing himself to stand. "Where's my phone?"

"Do you think you're in any condition to go anywhere?" Kaelan said, concern evident in his voice.

"Kaelan," Kanan said softly, determination in his eyes. "I have to go,"

Kaelan recognized the resolve in Kanan's voice, knowing that trying to convince him would be futile. He understood all too well what Kanan had to endure after Maria's accident. He had been there for every moment of it. While he shared a bond with Maria, it paled compared to the connection between her and Kanan. Hearing Nathaniel being in a car accident triggered those memories.

"Fine," Kaelan gave in. "But I'm driving."

Kanan quickly grabbed his phone and dialed Nathaniel's number, but it went straight to voicemail. With a sense of urgency, they all rushed to the hospital. Upon seeing Nathaniel, Kanan ran into his arms, embracing him tightly without hesitation. The warmth of Nathaniel's embrace reassured Kanan that he was still here, safe and sound. He embraced him, feeling his warmth, the fact that he was still with him, safe and sound. Feeling relieved, Kanan felt the tension released from his body. Nathaniel explained the events leading up to the accident. He explained how another driver acted recklessly, forcing him to swerve to avoid a collision, which unfortunately led to a minor accident.

"Thank God you're safe," Kanan said, sighing in relief. "I was so scared," He admitted.

"Sorry for scaring you, but I'm okay. Nothing major." Nathaniel reassured him.

"Don't scare me like that," Emily added.

"Are you okay?" Nathaniel asked.

"I'm fine," Emily replied. "I have the best people around me, after all."

After leaving the hospital, Kanan and Nathaniel decided to head to Nathaniel's house instead, recognizing that Kanan's apartment was too small to accommodate everyone. As they stepped through the door, meeting them was the chaos from the day of the altercation and Emily's photoshoot that they had yet to clean up. They set to clean up, working to restore order to the living room. Once they finished tidying up, they opted to order takeout. They showered as they waited for the food to arrive. When the food finally arrived, they savored each bite. With the day fading into the background, they allowed themselves to relax and unwind, knowing they had each other to lean on.