10
The security guard told me that after Maria was dragged out of the venue, she sat on the ground for a long time, unable to get up, looking like she had completely lost her sanity.
Her three children stood around her in stunned silence.
It was her father, Tristan, who eventually came to take her home.
When I heard this, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me.
One evening after work, as I headed to the parking garage to get my car, someone called my name just as I opened the door.
Turning around, I was surprised to see Tristan.
I
Unlike Maria, I couldn’t bring myself to treat him with the same indifference. Tristan had always been someone I respected.
Back when I first got married, my company was on the brink of bankruptcy. It was Tristan
who swallowed his pride and reached out to an old friend to secure a critical investment for us.
In truth, I owed much of my overseas success to him.
“Ryan,” he began, his voice weary and his eyes clouded with age, “can you spare some time
to come with me to the hospital?”
“Maria is hospitalized, isn’t she?” I asked.
He didn’t respond directly, but his silence spoke volumes.
I followed him to the hospital and saw Maria lying on a bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.
Tristan, upon seeing his daughter in such a state, broke down into sobs right in front of me.
Unable to ignore his pain, I handed him a tissue, only to be caught completely off guard when he suddenly fell to his knees before me.
“Ryan,” he choked, “I’ve never begged anyone for anything in my life. But today, I’m begging
you. Please don’t leave Maria all alone..”
Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to catch his breath. “I only just found out
about what Maria did to you. I never imagined she could treat you that way… I’m here to offer you my sincerest apologies.”
I tried to help him up, but he refused, bowing deeply instead.
“I know you’re disappointed in her,” he said, “but she truly knows she was wrong. And she
genuinely loves you. Can’t you give her one more chance? For my sake…”
“No.”
I cut him off before he could finish.
“You know as well as I do that Maria’s actions are beyond forgiveness. She didn’t just betray
our marriage; she caused immense harm to both of us. This isn’t something a simple apology
can fix.”
Tristan cried even harder as he pleaded, “Ryan, I’m begging you. She’s lying here, so pitiful
and alone, without anyone to talk to…
I understand your pain,” I said, keeping my tone as gentle as possible, “but please don’t try to
Dark circles shadowed her eyes, evidence of countless sleepless nights.
Tristan, upon seeing his daughter in such a state, broke down into sobs right in front of me.
Unable to ignore his pain, I handed him a tissue, only to be caught completely off guard. when he suddenly fell to his knees before me.
“Ryan,” he choked, I’ve never begged anyone for anything in my life. But today, I’m begging you. Please don’t leave Marla all alone….
Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to catch his breath. “I only just found out
about what Maria did to you. I never imagined she could treat you that way… I’m here to offer you My sincerest apologies.”
I tried to help him up, but he refused, bowing deeply instead.
“I know you’re disappointed in her,” he said, “but she truly knows she was wrong. And she genuinely loves you. Can’t you give her one more chance? For my sake…”
*No.
I cut him off before he could finish.
“You know as well as I do that Maria’s actions are beyond forgiveness. She didn’t just betray our marriage; she caused immense harm to both of us. This isn’t something a simple apology
can fix.”
Tristan cried even harder as he pleaded, “Ryan, I’m begging you. She’s lying here, so pitiful
and alone, without anyone to talk to…
“I understand your pain,” I said, keeping my tone as gentle as possible, “but please don’t try to guilt me into this.”
“Maria made her choices, and now she has to face the consequences. I have my own life to live; and I can’t throw away my happiness because of her mistakes.”
Tristan stared at me, stunned by my resolute tone.
“I know you love her, and I’m sure you want to protect her,” I continued, “but what she truly needs is to reflect on her actions and grow from them, not rely on others for endless forgiveness.
If she’s sincere in wanting to change, I believe she’ll find her own happiness someday.” Tristan lowered his head, defeated, and didn’t say another word.
After that encounter, Tristan and I maintained occasional contact.
He later informed me that Maria had been admitted to a mental health facility and would require several months of treatment before being able to rejoin society.
As for Hector, I heard he had somehow lost a leg and, in a surprising twist, decided to return to Maria and the children, even offering to take full responsibility for raising them.
Their life wasn’t glamorous, but it was stable enough.
As for me, six months later, I married Elena.
Not long after, we welcomed our first child into the world.
Our little family embraced a quiet, simple happiness, leaving the chaos of the past far
behind.
The End
