At Country C

The plane which Liam boarded along with Miley and their father, landed at country C in the morning. Their service was already waiting and sent them directly to the facility where their mother was being taken care of.

“How do you think she will react once she sees us?” Miley asked when they were inside the car as her eyes looked out the window of the car. She heard that her mother could not recognize anyone and would often talk to herself as if she was always with Tony.

“Maybe she won’t recognize us too,” Liam nonchalantly commented.

“I wonder if it is really love she feels towards Noah’s father. I feel like she’s obsessed with him more than love him…” Miley voiced out her thoughts. Even if their mother lost her sense, it was only Tony who remained in her mind after she turned out crazy.

“Loving a person too much love is not good for their mental health. It can be toxic. She probably loves him more than herself and that was why she lost herself when Tony died,” Ram commented with a sigh. Marlyn was a part of his life and he could not help but feel sad and pity her for her current condition.

She risked everything for Tony hence she was too devastated when Tony left her first. It was really sad that her world revolved only around Tony that she ended up losing her sanity.

“Loving someone is a privilege that everyone should enjoy but we must remember that it’s very important to keep a portion of that love for yourself. That’s what I did when your mother, Marlyn, left me. I kept telling myself that I had a normal life before she came into my life so when she left I continued to live for myself and most especially for my children…” Ram added and pulled Miley to give her a fatherly kiss on her head.

Miley hugged her father and whispered, “And we’re so proud of you father. You are the best father in the world not only for me and Liam but also for Jorge and now Lana as well. We are very blessed to have you as our father…”

Tears fell from Miley. Liam too, who was just listening to them sitting at the passenger seat, felt his tears rolling down his cheek. Indeed, he was very proud of their father and he was very happy that in the end, God showed His grace for their father, by rewarding him with a woman who loved him.

After a forty-five minutes ride from the airport, their car soon reached the institution. Liam’s secretary already made the necessary arrangements so they would just pick up their mother.

The director of the institution approached them and briefed them further on their mother’s condition.

“She’s in the garden now. That’s her favorite spot where she can paint… And talk to her late husband often. She’s very calm now and no longer harmful to others nor herself… It’s just that she still lingers in her past memories with her husband and will always talk as if he is still alive and always beside him…”

They were guided to the garden where they saw Marlyn on the bench smiling brightly and talking to herself. Ram stayed behind and talked about Marlyn’s discharge with the doctor.

Liam and Miley proceeded to walk towards their mother but halted when they were two meters away from her.

“Oh my God…” Miley gasped in shock. She already prepared herself to see her in this state of insanity. She was talking and laughing to herself and as the doctor said it was as if Noah’s father was beside her.

Marlyn’s gaze shifted on them and her eyes widened.

“Tony, look!!! Liam and Miley are here to visit us!” they heard their mother exclaim while she stood up from the bench and rushed towards them.

Miley and Liam both felt their bodies freeze as they stood rooted in their spots. Their mother hugged them both with her arms around both Liam and Miley.

“Oh… I knew it… I knew that you two would visit us. I am sorry that I left you on your own but you see… I felt like I would die if I were to lose Tony and let the opportunity to be with him pass by…”

Marlyn released the two and turned to her side saying, “Tony look at how beautiful and handsome my children had grown up. As I expected, Ram definitely took such good care of them that I didn’t have to worry about it while I stayed next to you.”

Miley bit her lower lip to try her best to control her tears but she failed.

Her mother saw it and she wiped those tears while she said, “Darling please don’t cry. Mommy is so sorry for leaving you. I know I was being too selfish but I couldn’t lose Tony… Even if I’m away I made sure to see and check up on you and your brother in the shadow and I’m really happy and grateful to your father who supported you and Liam well as a single parent…”

For a moment Liam thought their mother was completely fine and sane when she kept saying sorry to him and Miley who was now sobbing.

“Why are you crying, my daughter? Do you still hate me? I know what I did is unforgivable but I hope you and Liam won’t hate me too much…” she whispered.

She turned to Liam and cupped his face.

“You’ve grown up to be so handsome, son… Are you also mad at me?” Marlyn asked. She then turned and asked, “Tony, do you think they are still mad at me? I chose you instead of them so they probably still hate me a lot…”

Liam gulped when he saw her crazily smile and blush while she looked to the side as if Tony was there saying something to make her blush.

“Stop that… You are my everything so I will not leave you. No matter what happens we will always stay together…” they heard their mother utter.

Liam was speechless. He did not know what to say but he managed to whisper, “Please be at ease. I’m no longer mad at you. I forgive you…”

Miley said the same, making Marlyn tremendously happy as she once again hugged Miley and Liam tightly.

“You heard that Tony? I’m forgiven!!! I knew it… Ram definitely taught them well. Look at how they grew up so perfectly.” Marlyn proudly said, looking to her side.

Ram, who was at a distance from them, witnessed and heard everything. He heaved a long sigh. He was glad his children unloaded their grudge and resentment towards their mother because these resentments would not do them any good if they kept it for long. It was not healthy for them so it was time that they let go of it.