“I’ll stop the car as soon as we pass by a pharmacy, okay?” Another question to which I simply nod.
After a few minutes, Lexi slowed the car down probably because she saw a pharmacy. She rushed out of the car quickly, made her way to the entrance, probably to get me something to ease the pain. While I was sitting here in my car, I kept thinking of everything that happened inside the house, and as I did, now that I was finally alone in the car, I couldn’t help stop the escaping sobs vibrating from my chest.
“Where were you? What the hell were you thinking cancelling off the wedding and running away like that? Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Do you think that it’s easy planning these kind of events? Do you know how much we’ve paid? Do you know how many millions your little act cost? Do you know how humiliated we were, apologizing to all the guests? Do you know that the news is spreading all over England that Evangeline Williams, daughter of George Williams: the owner of Williams Incorporation, ran away from her wedding? Do you know that people- strangers- are writing theories of why you did what you did? Some say you suffer from Gamophobia- fear of commitment; some say you have a Philophobia- fear of love, and others say you have a Gynophobia- fear of men. Do you know that the little stunt that you pulled spoiled the name of your famil—”
My father couldn’t stop yelling at me since the minute I stepped foot into the house that I could no longer handle listening, for my purpose of coming here wasn’t to get yelled at yet do the yelling part myself. I didn’t come here to have someone blame me, rub it in my face how I’m such a ‘disgrace’, and I certainly didn’t come here to be humiliated by my parents in front of my ex; I came here to say what I want to say and give a chance to my parents to explain themselves- if they can even do that.
“Well, I wouldn’t have done it if you haven’t lied to me in the first place!” My face illustrates a juxtaposition of betrayal and hurt.
My heart’s beats were rapidly rising with each second passing by. I’ve never raised my voice on anyone in my family- certainly not my father. Expectedly, my father’s confident act falters. Even though it was for two seconds only, it still did, and I didn’t know whether it’s because of his surprise at my tone or because of my confession on how I know that they lied. Whatever the reason, all I knew is that this was further proof that they did –in fact- hide something from me. I don’t know what my parents, Trevor and Adrien thought they were doing trying to change the subject. All they did ever since I came through the front door was set the spotlights on me and my psychotic ‘runaway bride’ act.
“Don’t raise your voice at your father young lady.” These were my mom’s first words to me- shocker.
“What the hell did that bitch tell you?” Trevor’s voice was laced in fury as he directs his question at me.
I bite my tongue, not wanting to give in to the desire of talking back so as not to fuel the already chaotic atmosphere with more chaos. After all what Lexi’s done, I can’t believe they have the audacity to call her that. She was there for me at all times, and she revealed the black box of truth my family has buried away from me.
“Did she fill your head with lies just to turn you against us? Don’t tell me you would choose your bestfriend’s word over your family’—”
“Don’t talk Trevor- save it! The sound of your voice is making me sick. Stop trying to pull your way out of this.” I spin around in my place- my eyes finding Mom’s and dad’s. “I saw the photos; I saw enough evidence that I’m Evelyn. Whatever you say won’t change the fact that I know what happened to me, and I know what you did; your secret is no longer a secret you have to carry the burden of hiding.” Never have I ever been as serious as I am right now with my family- if they even deserve the label.
My parents’ eyes widen in shock and so does Adrien’s, which makes me believe that maybe he knew about that too. About the accident. About the memory loss. Trevor as well as my parents look like they weren’t expecting this kind of outburst at all which makes me think that maybe- just maybe- they weren’t taking Lexi’s words seriously. Maybe they thought she was bluffing, but here it is now: the truth- spoken by me.
“How could you?” I take advantage of their silence and voice out my thoughts, not being capable of stopping myself from questioning their motives. “How could you take my memory loss for granted and turn me into a new person? How could you stand yourselves everyday knowing your lying straight to my face? Was it okay? Did lying to me suddenly become as easy as breathing in oxygen? How could you wake up every day and call me Evangeline not Evelyn?” I spit out, ashamed of my own family.
My parents’ and Trevor’s expressions demonstrate that of being not in their minds right now. They didn’t know what to say. Maybe because they were too shocked; maybe because they didn’t have something to say or maybe because they didn’t want to believe that their dark secret is right in the palm of my hand. I don’t know, and I honestly didn’t care.
