Chapter 14
Micah wasn’t entirely drunk. He had heard Laris‘ question but couldn’t find the words to answer her. He looked at the tiny body still floating in formalin on the table and gently lifted it into his arms.
“I’m sorry, my baby. I’m so sorry.”
The apology hung in the air. No one knew if it was for the child or Lena.
“Micah, why don’t we give the child a proper burial?” Laris‘ voice cut through the silence as she stood in Micah’s home, watching him stare blankly at the tiny figure. She couldn’t bring herself to look at it.
Micah stayed silent for a long time before giving a slow nod.
At Kiermont’s most expensive cemetery, Micah bought a plot for the child. He didn’t hire anyone to help. Instead, he placed the small urn into the ground himself.
The headstone bore no photo and name. There was only a simple engraving that read, “Micah and Lena’s Beloved Child.”
After the burial, he knelt before the grave, his fingers tracing Lena’s name on the stone. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Meanwhile, Laris stood off to the side, her face a mask of disgust and impatience. However, when Micah glanced her way, she quickly feigned grief. That poor child,” she murmured.
But Micah ignored and brushed past her without a word.
Laris hurried after him, calling out, “Micah, slow down! I can’t keep up!”
Suddenly, she let out a sharp gasp.
Micah turned around, irritation etched on his face.
“My heels are rubbing my feet raw,” she whined, wincing.
Once, he would’ve swept her up, carried her down the path, and bought bandages and flats. But now, he just stood there, his gaze cold and unmoved.
“Micah, my feet hurt. Can you carry me?” Laris pressed, her tone growing desperate when he didn’t budge.
“I didn’t ask you to come today,” Micah snapped. “But you showed up anyway. So why’d you wear those shoes, knowing the path would be rough?”
Laris froze and stared at him in disbelief. “Micah, you were never like this before!”
But her accusation didn’t faze him. “The past is gone, Laris. Whatever we had ended when you walked out without a word.”
Panic seized her. Ignoring her sore feet, she rushed to Micah and reached for his hand. “Micah, you’re just saying this to hurt me, right?”
He shook her off. “Laris, I love Lena. We’re over.”
But she refused to believe him. “Micah, Lena’s gone. Why can’t we be together? You still love me, don’t you?”
His response was icy. “Laris, I’ve thought it through. I’d cared for you once, but that was a lifetime ago. I only helped you when you returned because of what we used to be. It wasn’t because of love. I love Lena, and I want to be with her.”
He then turned and walked away, not sparing Laris one glance.
Only one thought burned in his mind–he had to find Lena, beg her forgiveness, and win her back.
