"I know how difficult all this must be for you Jake, I am sorry. I wish there were any other way. "She hugged me from the side, her arms circling me, as I lay my head on her shoulder. She kissed my forehead and just sat in silence after that.
I don't know how long we sat like that. She held me and didn't move an inch. I let it all come out in her warm embrace.
After a long time, Emma broke the silence again, "You know, I am there for you always, but right now, I will have to give you some space. It's a very personal matter. Your mom will be back tomorrow morning too."
She cupped my face, and continued, "I will just be a call away, always. But you need time to process all this and talk to your mom."
My vision was a blur, and honestly, Emma's words seemed like whispers coming from the far corner of the room. I was not able to hear or see anything now. My mind was in a deadlock.
She gave me a peck on my lips, her forehead leaned on mine, "I love you, Jake. I am sorry it had to be this way. Dad is here. Call me if you need me."
I just nodded.
It pained to let her go, but part of me didn't want her to witness the ugly face-off and the repulsive secrets that may unfold after I face my mom. I felt ashamed.
She got up and eventually left. I sat there convinced, that my happiness was truly jinxed, and blamed God and destiny for everything evil transpired in my life.
Gradually my tormenting sadness turned into rage and fury.
How could my mother do this to me? Panic struck me, and I started tossing around everything that came my way. I grabbed the pen drive and headed straight to the study. I wanted answers.
Chapter 43
Ultimate Truth
Jake
I wasn't upset that my mother lied to me. I was upset that I would never be able to believe her again.
Today, I lost both my parents. I felt like an orphan who had nobody to depend on, nobody to look up to.
All through the night, I kept revisiting the evidence that Emma had gathered.
My mother killed my father. I don't think I will ever be able to live with this. She killed every fond memory that I ever had in the name of family.
I screamed, I cried, I flipped, and I broke down, but nothing was subsiding my pain, nothing was helping to make it go away. The feeling of immense loss and suffering just kept building inside me. Every passing minute felt like a lifetime.
Soon it was dawn; the first few rays were now illuminating the sky as the morning twilight herald the beginning of a new day.
Unlike before, unfortunately enough, it didn't bring me new hope, it didn't re-instill my faith, and it didn't assure me of better days.
The door of the study swung open. I heard footsteps. I knew who it could be. My back was facing the entrance as I held dad's picture in my hand.
"Jake?"
I closed my eyes, controlling my anger, as this was indeed the moment of truth. The ultimate truth.
"Jake? What happened?"
"Mother! Should I still be calling you that?" I retorted in a sharp tone. My back was still facing her; I could not summon the courage to turn around and look at her sinful face.
"What happened, son? The living room was a mess, and Olivia told me that you were locked in the study all night." I could hear her approaching closer, and seconds later, she reached out to touch my shoulder from behind, in an attempt to turn me around.
"Don't you dare touch me. Remove your murderous hands off me." I yelled while jerking her hand off as I turned around. The surrounding walls threw back my voice, as my loud echo jolted her in shock.
"Murder? What are you talking about Jake?" She stuttered, and the nervousness in her voice confirmed my doubts all the more.
"Don't play innocent. What did you want? Money? Fame? He was letting you go, and you still killed him. How could you??" I was screaming like a mad man; I jerked her shoulders and pushed her before breaking every single thing that I could put my hand on.
"Jake! Jake! Jacob! Stop it! For heaven's sake, stop it! What the hell is wrong with you? Calm down, will you?" She screamed back as she attempted to stop me from spiraling down on the vengeful road that I thought I had left for good.
I took deep breathes, my pulse was racing, and I felt excruciating pain in my head. I just couldn't contain it anymore.
"You want calm? Fine, I can give you calm. Let's talk. Sit. Come, let's have a chat. Where do you want me to begin?" I attempted to channel my energy in finally getting my answers. I wanted to hear her say it in her own words. I wanted her to confess.
"What are you saying, Jake? Be clear." Her lips were quivering. Was it the fear of the madness I just displayed? Or the fact that she knew in her guts that I now knew what she did?
There was only one way to find out.
"Ok. I will be clear mother. Please answer me. Why did you kill my father?" I spat it out, loud and clear, looking straight in her eyes.
"Jake! Do you even know what you are saying?"
"Cut the bullshit. And answer me, damn it! Why?" I yelled, emphasizing the why, as I just did not have the patience for her drama.
"How could you even think that I
