CHAPTER 22

 EVAN

"Thinking about Emerson and Gary makes me furious. Why on earth didn't she love me? Why did she used to love that jerk but not me? But this is all my fault. I have to confess my love for her. But before my confession, Gary came into our life and ruined everything. I punched my hand on the wall. I wanted to feel the same pain she felt today. But Emerson is breaking my heart. At first, I thought maybe she also found a spark of love in me. But now I realize that was only my fantasy. I don't know why I'm only attracted to her after so long. Then I remembered my memories with my mom and the connection of painting between us. She always reminds me of my mother. I think the only thing common between me and Emerson is that she started to paint and I ended up with my paints. Because many scars still left in my heart, I can't make them heal by applying paint over them. I got distracted by a call. It's from my father. 'Hi, Dad,' I answered. 'Hello, son. How are you doing?' he asked. 'Great,' I replied, trying to sound like I'm okay. But inner me is dying. 'I want you to meet me, so come home this weekend,' he told me. 'Ok, Dad,' I replied. I think I need some space to get rid of this trauma, and I don't even want to face Emerson right now. Because if I talk to her again, I will never leave her. She is already broken. I think I need to comfort her, but in the end, I'm nothing to her. And because of Gary, she is not going to trust anyone. And it's very hard to complete broken hearts. Sometimes in the way of fixing broken hearts, we also shatter many times. I went home. I usually avoid going home because the memories of my house haunt me a lot. And the myth about my dad, well, I don't believe any of them. I opened the door and entered the room. I heard the voice coming from the dining room. Dad was talking with someone on the phone. I could hear the fury in his voice. I eavesdropped on him. 'If he doesn't stop, you know what to do. I can't handle this anymore,' before he could make more hurdles in our way. 'Kill him!'"