With closed eyes, Lucas selfishly wished not to see the truth. If he could, he would cover his ears as well.
Lucas would do anything to push away reality. The awareness that arose from Velia's cries and sobs created an indescribable guilt. Velia suffered because of him. She cried and fell into a pit of pain because of him.
Self-accusations pointed at himself. Accusations cornered him into one question. Was this truly love?
Love should not bring agony. Love should not create tears.
Lucas sobbed. Holding Velia tightly, he had no face to face the world.
How could Velia's source of misery be my own mother?
Velia sobbed. She kept crying and pouring out all the tears that had been held back for so long. Everything overflowed without anything left to conceal.
Both had reasons to mourn their fate. Their sobs intertwined. Piercing screams. They both blamed the past.
Ironically, their separation happened against their will. It was an intervention of misunderstanding or perhaps a meticulously planned scheme. If Sandra could orchestrate a tragic accident with such precision, what was stopping her from arranging something else?
I should have realized it from the beginning.
Everything had been arranged so meticulously. It was only natural that Lucas's search had always met failure when the person he sent was under Sandra's control.
Lucas felt even more suffocated. Guilt and regret were raging inside him. If only he had known from the beginning, Velia would not have suffered.
I should have protected you like I promised.
It was too late. One calamity after another had befallen them. Sorrows and pains followed their every step. For all that, Velia had only one request.
"I don't have anyone left. I'm alone. So please, let me live in peace."
Velia's sobs no longer contained fiery emotions. She was tired and weary of everything that had happened. She simply asked.
"I want to be free from all of this. From your mother's threats and everything. I can't take it anymore, Luc."
Velia had reached her breaking point. All her strength and defenses were no longer effective against the onslaught of reality.
"I beg you. Let me live in peace without any problems between us."
Lucas froze. Velia's plea hinted at something that made his blood run cold. He was afraid to accept the truth but still dared to ask.
"Y-you want to leave me?"
"There was never a future for us, Luc. You know that, don't you?"
Painful, but Lucas's common sense affirmed it. Velia already had many reasons to hate him without knowing Sandra's actions. And especially...
Lucas froze. His body instantly stiffened when he heard Velia's phone ringing.
The ringtone created a pause for them. Velia withdrew without noticing the change in Lucas's expression. She turned pale in her effort to strengthen herself.
Velia took the phone out of her pocket. Seeing an unknown number, she quickly wiped away her tears. She composed herself and answered the call.
"Halo."
"Hello. Good afternoon. Is this Velia Angelica Howell?"
Velia felt a sense of unease. "Yes, it's me. I'm sorry, but who is this?"
"Miss Howell, I am calling from the police. I need to ask for your home address to send you a summons as a witness."
"A... witness?"
The sense of unease grew stronger. Velia's body tensed with an unfamiliar feeling. Fear and dread mixed into one.
"Regarding the accident that happened about a year ago, which resulted in the... "
Velia collapsed instantly to the floor. Her phone slipped from her hand, and her vision became blurry.
Lucas quickly approached, unable to do anything. Tears streamed down Velia's cheeks, rendering her speechless.
"Ve."
Velia pushed Lucas away. She looked hurt and wounded.
"What is this, Luc? What is happening with all of this?!"
"V-Velia."
Velia rubbed her face repeatedly. She shook her head, clutched her hair, and then screamed loudly.
"Mom! Dad!"
"Velia," Lucas whispered, trying to reach out to her again. "I know my apologies will never be enough for you."
Velia roared with both hands raised. Her fists swung, repeatedly hitting.
"Tell me!"
"I should have known, Ve. It's all because of my mom."
Lucas could not bear to explain everything. He was too weak to admit the crimes committed by Sandra. Frustration overwhelmed him, and he felt insane.
"W-what did you say, Luc? It's all because of your mother?"
An unbelieving smile curved on Velia's face. A tear fell, followed by another.
"Your mother made me lose my parents?"
Lucas closed his eyes. He could not take it anymore. He could not bear to see Velia's helpless face. Full of tears. Full of dark sorrow.
"Look at me, Luc."
Velia reached for Lucas's upper arm. In a weak and powerless plea, she asked, "Answer my question."
Lucas remained still. "Forgive me, Ve. Forgive me."
"Don't say sorry!"
Velia's grip tightened. She shook him with a strength Lucas had never expected.
"I lost my parents, Luc! I lost my life! Y-you... you."
Everything converged. Everything merged and exploded.
"I lost everything because of your mother!"
Lucas nodded in regret. "If there's anyone who regrets the most, it's me. If I hadn't loved you so much, none of this would have happened."
Velia grimaced. She continued to hit in her blinded anger.
"You're the cause of all this, Luc!"
"Blame me, Ve. Blame me. It's all my fault."
Lucas would not defend himself. He even blamed himself for all the misfortunes that befell Velia.
If only Lucas had known all of this would happen, he would have avoided it. He would have tried to stay away from Velia, even if it meant tormenting himself.
Lucas could imagine it. His life would be colorless without Velia. Dark and bleak.
But no, Lucas could live in darkness. He could live in anguish and bloodshed. As long as it ensured Velia's happiness.
"Blame me because I wanted you so desperately."
Velia bit her lower lip. She shook her head and continued to hit.
"Blame me because I loved you so much."
Velia was taken aback. Dull and rusty, it tore her heart apart.
"Blame me for not realizing from the beginning," Lucas whispered painfully. It was too late to understand. "That our meeting wasn't meant for us to be together."
Velia let out a long howl. She released all her tears. She let out all the sadness that tore her heart. She let it all out until her body was no longer conscious.
*