Tears Of A Wife novel Chapter 25

We ate in silence and it was fine with me. We already finished everything and I already gave my present to my mother-in-law but we were still silent. We watched the fireworks from the village's party. I didn't attend that party because I knew I would just end up sitting stiffly there.

"I'll go home tomorrow. You'll have your time alone. Atlas, you don't have to drive me back," she said. We were at the veranda, silently sitting at a chair and table while having a little chat.

"That can't be, Ma!" Atlas complained.

"Atlas is right. We don't want you to meet unfortunate accidents while going home," I seconded.

"Why do you think that you know better than me? When I say don't drive me home. Don't."

That was what happened. The day after, my mother-in-law went home. Even if Atlas convinced her, she never stumbled. Her decision was final and irrevocable. We ended up watching her get inside the taxi that Atlas booked. She was carrying a bag that contained her clothes, while the other bag that contained gifts and food was placed inside the compartment.

"Take care," I said.

"Of course," she replied when she sat down in the passenger seat. "Remember what I said," she turned to Atlas.

"Yes," he answered.

Atlas and I watched the taxi vanish from our sight. We stood in front of our gate for a long time even after the taxi disappeared. When I got tired, I decided to head in first. Eventually, Atlas followed.

We were both silent. Our arrangement before my mother-in-law went here came back. The only audible sound was the twitters of Atlas' birds and the clashing of the wind chimes outside the door.

I stopped walking when I arrived in the middle of the hallway that leads to our room. I turned around and faced Atlas. His hands were in his pockets as he walked, his eyes were drafted into the marbled floor.

"Atlas," I called him after mustering up my courage.

He stopped on his tracks and lifted his gaze to me. His forehead was wrinkled as his eyes were filled with questions. "What?" he asked.

I made myself strong. I walked a few steps until the Christmas tree. I picked up an envelope underneath it and walked back to Atlas with my head held high.

"I haven't given you my gift yet." I handed out the envelope to him while observing his reaction. He was confused but he still accepted it. "Open it," I ordered.

"If this is part of your--"

"Just open it, Atlas," I enunciated.

"Yes!" I said, emotionless. "It's been ten years, Atlas. Ten years of hurting each other. I'm tired of everything," I added.

"You're impossible, Olive."

"Why?" I asked.

Atlas didn't answer my question. He only stared at me as if I was the most complicated puzzle he had ever encountered in his life.

"If you have nothing left to say, can you let me go now?" I uttered.

Atlas loosened his grip. I took that opportunity to get off of his grip and take a step backwards. I looked at him again and confusion took over me. I saw how his expression softened. I saw how his eyes flashed emotions. Emotions that I should not believe because it will only hurt me. And, I'm tired. I am tired of hurting myself.

I left Atlas and headed to my room. I heaved a sigh and sat on the soft mattress of the bed. Even if I tried to ignore it, reality just screams pain.

It's painful because I love Atlas. I'm hurt because I had to let him go. I had to set my love free. To live at peace and to heal my heart.