As the clock struck 5pm, Jared wrapped up his work for the day, his mind finally free to focus on the one person he couldn't shake off - Beatrice. He reached for his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen before dialing her number. The phone rang twice, but Beatrice didn't pick up. Jared's eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of disappointment and frustration. He typed out a message, the words flowing onto the screen with a hint of sadness and resignation. 'I thought my silence would change you, but I see you're still the same. You can never change, and I know you don't want to take my calls. It's okay. Goodbye.' With a deep breath, Jared hit send, the message disappearing into cyberspace, leaving him with a sense of finality and uncertainty.
Beatrice's eyes blazed with fury as she read Jared's message. 'How dare he!' she fumed, her mind racing with indignation. 'He didn't even bother to ask why I didn't answer his calls, and now he's sending me such a hurtful text? Who does he think he is?' She felt a surge of anger and betrayal, her thoughts swirling with memories of Jared's three-week silence. 'And he claims to love me?' she scoffed, her voice barely above a whisper. As she sat in the taxi, headed to her therapy session, her phone rang again, shrill in the silence. Beatrice's heart skipped a beat as she saw Jared's name flashing on the screen. A mix of emotions - excitement, nervousness, and lingering anger - swirled inside her. But as she pressed the call receive button, she took a deep breath and composed herself, adopting a neutral tone. 'Hello?'
"Hi," Beatrice said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello, Beatrice. How are you?" Jared asked, his tone gentle. "I'm fine," she replied, her words brief. Jared paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again. "I'm sorry about the text message. I was feeling desperate and just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you," he admitted, his voice calm and sincere. Beatrice fell silent, her emotions swirling. Finally, she spoke up, her voice low and thoughtful. "Your message hurt me deeply. I wasn't ignoring your calls, Jared. In fact, I've been trying to reach you for weeks, but you weren't answering." She paused, her words taking on a softer tone. "Is this how you feel when I wrongly accuse you? Does it hurt you as much as your message hurt me?" Jared reflected on her words, wondering if Beatrice had truly changed. "Yes, it hurts me terribly when you make those false accusations," he said, his voice filled with emotion. Beatrice's voice cracked as she spoke, her words a heartfelt plea. "I'm so sorry, Jared. Please forgive me."
Beatrice's apology struck a chord in Jared's heart, but he didn't let his emotions show. He was taken aback when Beatrice mentioned she was on her way to see her therapist. 'Are you there right now?' Jared asked, curiosity getting the better of him. 'Yes, I'm waiting for my session to start,' Beatrice replied. 'Why do you ask?' Jared's tone was casual, but his mind was racing. 'It's nothing,' he said calmly, not wanting to pry. With that, they wrapped up their conversation and hung up the phone.
As Beatrice waited for her cab at the reception, she was absorbed in her phone. Suddenly, the door swung open and Keith walked in. His eyes scanned the room, locking onto Beatrice's figure. She looked up, startled, as Keith approached her. His presence made her heart skip a beat. As he drew closer, Beatrice's expression turned icy. 'What do you want?' she demanded, her voice firm and harsh. 'Leave me alone! Why are you ruining my life? Stay away from me!' She spat out the words, her eyes blazing with anger and frustration.
"Keith stood firm, his expression unwavering. 'I know I was a terrible person, but something has changed inside me,' he said, his voice filled with conviction. 'Maybe this chance meeting is a second chance for me. I'm not leaving until we talk and you forgive me. Your forgiveness will lift a weight off my shoulders.' Beatrice's response was immediate and venomous. 'Who says I'll forgive you? You'll never find peace. Your life will be filled with regret and hardship.' Keith was stunned, his eyes wide with shock. He couldn't believe Beatrice still harbored so much anger and bitterness after three years. He began to panic, his mind racing with doubts. Should he open up to her, or would it make things worse?"
"'Keith, please leave!' Beatrice snapped, her voice sharp as a knife. But Keith didn't budge, his face set in determination. 'Beatrice, please forgive me,' he pleaded, his eyes locked on hers. 'I know I don't deserve it, but just hear me out once. I promise I'll leave you alone after today.' He spoke with conviction, his voice calm and steady. As he sat down beside her, Beatrice realized he wouldn't give up easily. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, creating some distance between them. With a deep breath, she steeled herself to listen to what Keith had to say, her eyes fixed warily on his face
Keith sat silently, his eyes fixed on Beatrice's face. The air was thick with tension. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. 'I'm deeply sorry for everything I put you through,' he said, his eyes locked on hers, filled with regret. Beatrice was taken aback, her mind reeling. She stared at him, unable to speak, her thoughts consumed by the pain of the past. Five long minutes ticked by, the silence between them oppressive. Beatrice struggled to come to terms with her decision to talk to Keith, the man who had shattered her heart and humiliated her.
Since the day I hurt you, my life has been a disaster," Keith said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I don't know what came over me. I threw away our love, our beautiful relationship, for someone like Amanda. But I never married her. The wedding was called off just days before, when I caught her cheating on me with another man. She lied to me about being pregnant with my child. I was blinded by my feelings and fell into her trap. When the truth came out, I lost my mind. My world turned upside down, and I've been living in chaos ever since. I believe God is punishing me for what I did to you, for how I treated you. I'm so, so sorry, Beatrice. Please, forgive me," Keith begged, his body shaking with sobs.
Before Keith could finish speaking, Beatrice's eyes welled up with tears. She was overcome with emotion, but as Keith reached out to wipe away her tears, she recoiled in anger. 'Don't touch me!' she spat, her voice venomous. 'Do you think I'm a fool? That I'll just forgive you and run back into your arms because your wedding to Amanda fell apart? You're heartless, Keith. You shattered my heart into a million pieces. You left me for someone else, betraying the love I gave you. You deserve every bad thing that's happened to you, and more. You turned my life upside down, and now you'll face the consequences. My God will judge you,' Beatrice hissed, her eyes blazing with fury.