"This can't be real." Neva shook her head and closed the album.
Rhett frowned. "Why would you think so?"
She looked up at him with rosy eyes, her lips trembling.
"Because the girl in the picture would remember."
His eyes softened. "Remember what Angel?"
"Love."
She opened the album again, on the same page, for she had inserted a thumb to not forget.
"This love." She showed him the picture.
Rhett smiled and he took it from her. "Of course. She would remember."
He wiped the droplets over the smooth glossy paper, pores soaking in her tears.
And he shrivelled up the storm in the life of the newly married in the wildflower meadows; and it didn't remain stained.
Neva was in pain because of him. "Then she's not me."
Her own affirmation silently shattered her.
"Who said it's not you?" He tilted his head.
"You meant it that way." She accused.
Rhett shook his head. "She's you; because you remember."
"I don't." Neva weakly said.
Rhett closed the album. "Then how can you stand being near me? Why would you allow me a chance to reason myself?"
"Why did you not forbid me in the garden?
Why did you even feel protective over me?"
Neva couldn't hold his gaze anymore.
He wasn't wrong.
Why had she done that?
Her gaze was on the hands placed in her lap, fingers fidgeting with the plain gold wedding band on the left hand of her ring finger.
"No matter what he had done. He would never be able to erase you; or us."
"He said photos didn't matter as long as the marriage was in written. I never saw a picture of our marriage, or anything like you showed me."
Rhett's frown deepened. "From when was it that you couldn't remember?"
Neva glanced up at him. "I was already married and six months pregnant with the twins."
His face darkened.
Neva didn't like his grieving look.
"He told you he was your only family?"
She frowned, and nodded.
"You were never alone Angel. You are never alone. Even if I, Rhean, your aunt and uncle weren't there, you weren't really alone." He seized her hands.
And Neva didn't really know what he meant by that.
"This is a band of liability." His gaze pierced the ring.
"No it is not." She harshly brought her hand back.
"He said he had many enemies. And he did it all to make sure we were protected." Neva firmly declared.
Rhett didn't know what to say; or how much he could say.
"You're just one of them. All of you want to harm us." Salty water bubbled in her eyes.
"No we don't."
"You do!" She abruptly stood up.
"Angel," he arose, slightly panicked.
Neva raised her hand and seized his steps. "So everything I had ever known was a lie? Why would he ever do this to me?"
"Because he is selfish." Rhett returned flatly.
"No," Neva harshly shook her head.
"He loves me. He will never even think of hurting me."
"He's only pretending—" "He's not!"
Big drop of tears streamed down her face. "I love him. And I'm his wife, he'll never do that to me."
This was paralyzing.
He perhaps saw it coming; but still a flaying of skin to hear it from her own lips.
He reached for Neva again as she stumbled and held the edge of nightstand for support, but he could only, merely graze her arm.
"He wouldn't leave me void of something so precious." Neva felt her knees weaken. Rhett carefully gripped her shoulders. "You should get some rest."
She shook him away. "I'm fine,"
She glared at him. "It's your love that is a lie!"
There, she had hit a nerve. His eyes turned cold.
"How is it a lie?"
"No one would have loved someone like me. You wouldn't have wanted me now that you knew my truth."
She bit her bottom lip to stop her jaw from quivering further.
"Which truth?"
"The truth that I'm empty!"
"That I don't even have an identity! That I'm nothing but a burden,"
Neva wept.
Lamenting, pouring out all her grief.
All her deepest fears surfacing.
Her night terror that she could not ever bring herself to relief by sharing with Ishmael. Here; she lightened her heart by telling this stranger.
In a dizzying moment, she found herself wrapped in his embrace.
This time; she didn't fight anymore. There wasn't any strength left in her anymore. She just let him hold her.
For it just felt right for the soul.
---
Rhett walked out the room and softly closed the door behind.
He had achieved to put her to sleep. He sighed and ruffled the back of his head. He couldn't wait to get off of this stinking, measly greased black shirt worn by that guard. It was folded up to his elbow, and two buttons in the top loosened.
He didn't bother changing before as he wanted to be assured she was alright. Glancing at the lit screen of his phone: it showed 11:12 p.m.
Shoving the phone back in his trouser pocket, he started towards the last room in the end of the horizontal hallway.
He creaked the door open and earned himself a glance from the child who shared alike eyes with him.
"Still not asleep?" Rhett asked.
Rhean only shook his lowered head. He was crouched down on the grey carpet with crayons spluttered around, his coloured hand drawing something in a sketchbook.
Rhett sat next to him.
He peeked over to have a look. He raised his brows, amused at the half–finished art of a scenery.
He got the skill from his mother. Neva was quite good in painting.
She was always great with her hands.
He sighed realising the boy was ignoring him.
"Are you angry at me?" He carefully asked.
He shook his head, his head dipped and focused on the art still.
"Did you have dinner?" He asked again, and he nodded.
Rhett sighed. "Look at me Rhean."
He didn't reply. Rhett was about to say something when he saw droplets on the coloured paper.
Rhean wiped them with the back of his fingers. But the rueful tears didn't cease.
Rhett frowned. Now he regretted not showing up for him before, but he felt he was alright after he seeked him and found him feeding and spending time with Zoro.
Rhett immediately picked him up by the under of his arms and placed him on his lap. "Did something happen?" He peeled his little hands rubbing his eyes.
"What happened my boy?'' He searched his eyes.
Rhean just whimpered, little form trembling. And Rhett instantly brought him to his chest, circling his arms around him.
"Shh... It's alright." He softly rocked him.
"Did someone bully you? Tell me; I'll catch them and show them who they are messing with." He firmly guaranteed.
Rhean shook his head, a sharp sob whipping his chest.
"Then are you in pain?"
Rhean lifted his head and looked at him. His puckered lips down–turned.
"No," he replied.
"Then?" The crumpled lines of his forehead deepened.
"It's mama."
"Mama?"
Rhean nodded and a sob broke out his lips. "Mama—mama doesn't want me anymore." Woefully his tears fell.
"They were right. I belong to garbage!" He exclaimed, crying harder, his face buried in Rhett's chest.
Rhett was greatly concerned.
"Who told mama doesn't want you? Who told you belonged to garbage?'' He felt his heart ache at his choking cries.
He knew he was bullied in his former school. Sure he took care of the kids and their parents. But now he felt like he failed him again.
"Is it the kids in your new school?" He should have been a more present parent.
"No. It's Archer and his friends." Rhean returned.
Rhett was relieved. But still, he should have been careful and listened more of his story. The brats still deeply troubled him.
He sighed and caressed his head covered in soft fluffy hair.
"I'm sorry Rhean. You don't have to keep it all in anymore." He patted his back, and it brought memories of when he was baby.
How did he get big so soon?
"And your mama loves you. She loves you more than anyone would in the world." He uttered truthfully.
"She does?" He raised his head up and sniffed. His cries had now mollified. Rhett smiled. "Of course."
"Then why did she not look for me?" His lips trembled. "I was waiting for her."
Rhett's eyes dimmed.
God. His pitiful son.
He wiped his tears. "You see Rhean. Mama is in pain right now."
And he saw great worry in his eyes.
"You know how a bad guy had stolen her? He hurt her and made her forget us." At this, Rhean's almond eyes widened.
"She needs some time and comfort from us. But mama would be fine again. I promise. Will you please help me this time?" He asked and dipped his head to level their eyes.
Rhean nodded and rubbed his eyes. A little hiccup leaving his chest.
"I want to see."
"You want to see her?"
Rhean nodded, and Rhett puckered his brows in thought.
Then he shrugged. "Okay."
And that bloomed a beautiful smile in his handsome son's face.
He chuckled and stood up with Rhean in his arms.
"We can't wake her up though. We need to be hush." He said, putting a finger over his lips. Rhean giggled, placing his own finger over his lips.
Rhett smiled and walked out with Rhean still in his arms, and towards the door in the middle of the hallway. Quietly, the father and son sneaked into Neva's room.