Chapter 25
Megan’s tears felt endless as they continued to roll down her cheeks. She didn’t understand why she couldn’t hold on to the things that she wanted, like her family, her lover, the Staffords, and her baby. She couldn’t hold on to any of them at all.
She racked her brain for all sorts of ways to hold on to these things, but they were like grains of sand slipping through her fingers. No matter how hard she held on to them, they would ultimately disappear. She was just that helpless.
Megan placed a hand over her stomach and slowly curled her fingers into a fist. She still wasn’t strong enough. She couldn’t stay by anyone’s side for the time being, and she couldn’t rely on anyone to be her shelter.
She had to work hard. She had to take charge of her own career and restore the Stafford family to its former glory. She also had to find out the truth behind William’s death. She paused when she thought about Olivia and decided to push her to the back of her mind for now.
She had to pour her blood, sweat, and tears into achieving her goals; only then would she stop hurting.
Megan cried for a long time until there were no more tears left in her. The pain seemed to disappear at that moment as well, turning her entire body numb. It wasn’t too bad to be unable to experience neither joy nor sadness. Megan felt like she could continue persevering with that thought in mind.
She had regained her composure before Selena and Jimmy returned.
“Here, Meg. Have some soup,” Selena said as she opened the thermal container. “Have a taste and tell me if you like it or not,” she said with a smile.
Megan accepted the container from her and peeked inside. It was chicken soup, and it smelled good. She had a sip under Selena’s expectant gaze. It was delicious.
“It’s tasty,” she said.
“Have more if it tastes good,” Selena said as she took in Megan’s pallid complexion. “I hope you get well soon.”
Megan nodded, determined to get better soon too. Jimmy, who was standing to the side, told her about the things that he had learned after he left the ward. They discussed the new information among themselves.
Meanwhile, Howard was sprawled across the couch as he slowly peeled his eyes open. The blazer, he had been wearing yesterday was draped over his body. Sitting on the coffee table was an ashtray that was filled with stubbed–out cigarette butts.
He was in the apartment next to the company building. He would occasionally stay here when things were hectic at the company, but he had stopped doing that ever since he got married to Megan.
The lingering haze of sleep in his brain made him feel a little uncomfortable. Subconsciously, he reached for his phone. He scrolled through his messages, ignoring all the new notifications until he found his chat with Megan several pages later.
The last message was the one he had sent to her.
“I told Grandpa that you were feeling under the weather, which was why you didn’t drop by yesterday. You have to come with me to the Larson residence this weekend.”
Howard frowned and tossed his phone aside. He sat up and massaged the spot between his brows before getting up and padding to the bathroom on bare feet. He twisted the tap and splashed some cold water on his face, hoping to clear his mind.
Strangely, a memory from long ago flashed through his mind’s eye. He had felt the same dizziness after pulling several all–nighters to handle the company’s business. Megan had been by his side at the time, enduring the hardships of work with him as they experienced the company’s transformation together.
He remembered how he had also splashed water on his face to clear his mind. Megan had been standing by his side, holding a clean towel. When he turned around, she had wiped the water from his face and hair. When he frowned and took the towel from her, she had massaged his temples.
“Are you feeling better?” she had asked gently.
His exhausted heart had felt a little calmer just by listening to her voice.
“The results should be out today,” she had said at the time. “What do you want to eat, Howie? I’ll make it for you, as tonight’s dinner.”
Due to meetings with clients and other reasons, Howard had dined in Mitstar restaurants all across the globe, However, his favorite dishes were still Megan’s home–cooked food. They were simple dishes, but they were filled with her warmth.
That day, before Howard could answer her, he received a phone call.
