Chapter 24
When Roy came to, he found himself in a hospital bed, the sharp smell of antiseptic stinging his nose, and the harsh fluorescent lights above making his eyes hurt. He tried to move, but it felt like his whole body had been run over, the pain forcing him to gasp.
“Awake?” Shelly’s voice came from beside him, a mix of coldness and frustration in her tone.”
Roy saw Shelly sitting next to the bed, her face dark with anger and disappointment. “Roy, how did I end up with a brother like you? You almost got yourself crippled! Now that you’re awake, don’t even think about resting. You need to get back to Northtown and stay out of LA.”
Roy didn’t bother with her scolding. “What about Emma? Has she been here?“}}
Shelly’s face darkened even more. She opened her mouth to speak, but the door swung open before she could.
Emma walked in, holding Fred’s hand.
Roy’s eyes lit up, a spark of hope flickering inside him. He tried to sit up, but the pain was too much.”
Ignoring the pain, he looked at Emma, desperation in his eyes. “Emma… you’re here… can I talk to you? Just once…”
Emma stared at him, her gaze icy and distant.”
Fred gave a small smile, his voice calm. “It’s okay, just once. Clear things up.”
Emma nodded and stepped closer to the bed, her eyes steady on Roy. “What do you want to say?“}]
Roy’s throat felt tight, his voice barely a whisper. “Emma… I know I messed up… I really do… can you forgive me? I can’t live without you…” Emma shook her head, her voice firm. “Roy, I’ve moved on. How do you feel now?“>
Roy paused, then laughed bitterly. “Like I’m dying inside… Emma.“}]
Emma nodded, her tone even. “That’s how I felt when I heard those things at the club. But now, I’m at peace. Roy, I’ve moved on. You should too.“%
Roy’s face went pale, his heart felt like it was being crushed. He shook his head, panic in his voice. “No… Emma, I can’t let go… I can’t imagine my life without you…“)
Emma cut him off, her voice cold. “That’s your problem. I’m with Fred now, we’re going to have a life together. Your life has nothing to do with me. I told you, the best part about being with me is that I can let go. Roy, let’s not see each other again.”
Tears streamed down Roy’s face, an overwhelming despair taking over. He closed his eyes, remembering that day at the club–Emma asking about marriage.
How had he responded?
He did with lies and dodges. He never thought he’d end up begging for her forgiveness like this.
He shut his eyes, slipping into a daydream.”
That day, Emma held his hand again, hope in her eyes. “Roy, I’m turning thirty next year, my family keeps pushing me to marry. I didn’t tell them about you because you wanted to keep it quiet. They’ve lined up potential matches for me, what do you think?”
This time, he held her hand, slipped a ring on her finger, and kissed it, love in his eyes. “What do I think? I think no more dates, no arranged marriages. Marry me, Emma.
“Emma, you’re mine and only mine.”
If he had proposed that day, if he had held onto his chance, would things be different?}}
But now, it was all just a dream.”
He knew he’d spend his life clinging to these memories.
-The End.