Lost Me Gained Regret

What was that supposed to mean? He thought I cheated on him before we even split?

He was exactly that type of guy.

I couldn't be bothered to explain, so I just said indifferently, "Just friends."

"What friends?"

"Bryant," I couldn't help but smile softly, "Dead men don't pry."

If he wanted to be a ghost from my past, then he might as well vanish for good.

Bryant almost laughed out of irritation, his tongue clicking against his cheek in scorn, "Fine."

When we got to the cemetery, I stepped out of the car and started climbing the steps up the hill.

Seeing he wasn't following. I turned back to wait for him.

As I did, I noticed him carrying some flowers he must have prepared at some point, which caught me off guard.

I bit my lip, then said, "Thank you."

"For what? It's the least I could do," he said flatly.

As he caught up, we walked side by side toward my parents' gravestone.

This was for the best, I guess. Even if it was just for appearances, at least my parents would be at peace, knowing this much.

The gravesite was well-kept, with only a bit of dust on the tombstone.

It was strange. My parents had been gone for years, and I didn't think about them all that often.

Not like when I was a kid, crying into my pillow night after night.

But seeing their photos on the gravestone now tears just started falling uncontrollably.

Bryant, always so dignified and reserved, knelt down beside me..

"I'm sorry it took me so long to bring Jane to see you."

His voice was gentle, serious as he bowed his head three times, and on the last one, murmured, "I was wrong before, and I'll try to learn..."

I couldn't hear the rest of what he said Not that it mattered he Chapter 37Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

We didn't have a future together anymore.

"Mom, Dad..."

As I touched their photos on the gravestone, my tears flowed even more, and all the things. I wanted to say were reduced to a simple, "I miss you so much." So very much.

I missed feeling like I belonged to a family.

After they left, I never really had a home again. Marrying Bryant, I thought I'd finally have a family, but it was just a fantasy.

I cleaned my tears, overwhelmed with sadness, yet I forced a smile.

"Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant, two months now! In a few months, the baby will be here. I don't know I'm so happy, Mom, if it's a boy or a girl, but either way, you'll be thrilled, won't you Dad. I'm going to have family again. I'll take great care of my baby, just like you did for me, giving my baby all my love. I'll bring my child here to see you."

I looked at the gravestone, speaking to it in silence.

I wondered if they could hear me.

They say families have a way of sensing each other, so maybe they could.

"Dummy."

Suddenly, a warm, deep voice. sounded above me, and the next second was enveloped in a broad, solid embrace.

Bryant stroked my hair, "Why cry? Those who've passed only wish for you to be happy.

Instinctively, I wanted to push him away, but then I paused.

Maybe, in this respect, we shared a common pain.

He'd also lost his mom, even before I had. And his father, always com m

preoccupied with Toor indulging in his own pleasures, was never really a good father.

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