章節 6: Shattering News
I crossed the street absentmindedly, immersed in a storm of thoughts. The constant honking of cars as it joined force with the deafening screech of a tire coming to a halt snapped me out of my gloomy reverie.
I raised my head at the sound of an angry driver shouting and beheld a sight that sent shivers down my spine - a few steps away from me loomed a ten-wheeler truck.
If the driver hadn't hit the brakes in time, I would have been dead by now, all because I allowed my emotions to consume me.
The realization hit me like a lightning bolt. This near-death experience scared me back to my senses.
I hurried to the side of the road for safety and sank onto the nearest bench, my face drained of color and my legs trembling from the aftershock.
"What am I doing with my life?" I angrily asked myself. Mother needed me and my husband cheating is not reason enough to get myself killed.
It took me a while to regain my composure, and when I finally did, I hailed a cab and climbed inside.
"Westmore Mall," I directed the driver then reclined in my seat, attempting to erase the memory of the near miss with the truck.
Ten minutes later, the cab dropped me off at my destination, I entered the mall and located Mom's favorite cake shop.
The line stretched all the way to the counter. I was determined to purchase that specific cake and decided to patiently wait in the long queue.
However, the process was taking longer than anticipated due to one employee managing both the cash register and writing dedications on the cakes being purchased.
After taking forever, I manage to reach the counter. I ordered a medium sized chocolate cake. It was decorated with leaves and flowers.
The woman behind the counter placed the dedication 'Happy Birthday Mom' in red icing at the center of the cake.
I retraced my steps back to exit to wait for a cab. One pulled up in front of me, and I skillfully entered while balancing the cake box in one hand and my suitcase in the other.
The cab accelerated briskly, but we had barely exited the shopping district before we were brought to a standstill by traffic resulting from a car collision up ahead.
I can never catch a break with these unexpected delays.
Restlessly, I shifted in my seat. Mom had been sound asleep when I left, and she would undoubtedly be concerned once she awoke and discovered I'm not by her side.
In an attempt to quell my impatience, I glanced at the boutiques nearby to distract myself while waiting for the traffic to ease up and that's when I spotted a motorcycle pulling up in front of the upscale jewelry store, the largest store in town renowned for its exquisite wedding bands.
The woman behind the driver removed her helmet and to my surprise, I discovered it was Angela! She was wearing the same dress I saw her wearing when she was with Ace.
The man she was with was dressed in a different suit and tie, I couldn't recall my husband ever owning a motorcycle as he detested them, but I suspected it was Ace. For all I know, Angela had persuaded him to buy one without my knowledge. However, he did not remove his helmet for me to confirm.
My scumbag husband wrapped a protective arm around Angela's waist and she rested her head on his chest, like a newly married couple who couldn't get enough of each other as they walked into the jewelry shop.
Even after they disappeared from view, I remained gazing at the door in bewilderment. Could they be planning to marry soon after our divorce, buying a wedding ring in advance?
After a long while, the traffic hadn't eased. Eventually, the door of the jewelry store opened, and the couple emerged. This time, Angela was carrying a small shopping bag in her hand.
The man donned his helmet before I could catch a good glimpse of his face. I remained uncertain if it was Ace as he mounted the motorcycle, with Angela trailing closely behind him, her hands gripping tightly around his waist as they raced off down the motorcycle lane.
The traffic jam finally cleared and the cab moved smoothly forward. I sighed in relief.
Thirty minutes later I reached the hospital safely. I paid the driver and dashed to the entrance, excited to see my mom.
A gentle smile emerged from my lips as I ran to Mom's room with a cake in my hand and the heavy suitcase in the other. The overflowing excitement to greet her with a birthday cake made me reach her room in a short span of a minute.
For the first time, I wasn't scared to enter her room. I decided to leave my suitcase outside first, before opening the door with one hand and carrying the cake carefully with the other, making sure not to ruin the design.
I was greeted by the vacant bed. My brows furrowed and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Mom?" I searched the room, but she wasn't there, not even on the sofa. I was shaking, it was almost impossible to keep my composure.
"Where are you, Mom? Please, answer me!" I looked in the bathroom, but she wasn't there either. The room was vacant, with no sign of her.
The door opened violently with a loud bang, I spun around, and my panicky eyes landed on Ace who entered the room.
His stony eyes landed on my paper-white face.
I didn't get the chance to ask him why he was here after seeing him with Angela a short while ago. Instead, a different question sprung to mind. "Where's my Mom?" I demanded, a fist clenched tightly at my side.
I was consumed by a terrifying silence, with nothing but the violent pounding in my chest echoing in my ears.
"I'm sorry Phoenix," Ace said regretfully. "Mom's gone."
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