We didn’t fly to Minnesota right away. According to Erik, he’d give me time to mourn Darius. He wanted me to be there for him one last time, and I didn’t argue.
We returned to the same hotel, and when we learned where Darius’s wake was being held, we went straight there. No one stopped us. Even Darius’s mother thanked me for visiting her son, telling me it was probably one of his last wishes, that I’d be the one to send him
off.
“Why isn’t Sasha’s child taking the position once he’s of age?” I asked my father–in–law even when I knew about it. I want to ask him whether it’s the truth or if he did something about the child because he never liked Sasha.
His expression soured. He looked like a man carrying regret and sleepless nights. Darius’s funeral would only last for three days before we laid him to rest.
“That woman tricked him,” he answered coldly. “The child she’s carrying isn’t my son’s. Shel thought that once she told him and your marriage was annulled, she’d finally win him over.”
I looked around for the woman whose face had been all over the news lately, Serenal Wilson. She was labeled a twice–widowed bride, left by her groom just two days into their marriage.
It’s acceptable to me that Darius married someone else when our marriage was already void. But to find out the child wasn’t even his? That Sasha used him?
“How did you know the child isn’t his? Did Darius know?”
He nodded. “Her parents admitted it. Sasha and the baby were both in critical condition. Darius had to choose which one to save. That’s when they confessed. That vile woman tried to ruin your marriage, to take your position.”
“You banned her?” I asked. “She’s not here.”
I hadn’t seen even a shadow of Sasha since we arrived. That could only mean she wasn’t allowed inside. I didn’t think she’d miss Darius’s wake, no matter how twisted she was, I
knew she loved him deeply, obsessively.
After my former father–in–law left, I sat beside the woman named Serena Wilson.
You wouldn’t be able to tell she was grieving. Her expression was calm. Understandable, since it seemed they never shared any emotional connection aside from the marriage forced upon them.
“I hope you’re okay,” I told her. “My condolences.”
“Thanks…” she said softly. “I’m not mourning his death. But I’m thankful to him. That’s why I stayed until the very end. Because he freed me from my family.”
I frowned, confused. She offered me a shy smile.
“Maybe he was a bad husband to you. But he tried his best not to be like that to me. Maybe he wanted to make up for the mistakes he made with you. He made sure my family would never force me to marry again. He saved me.”
100.0%
I couldn’t find the right words. My eyes drifted back to Darius’s casket.
“He knew that after his death, my parents would try to sell me off again. But he made it his last wish to the council, to leave me alone, send me abroad, and let me live. That was his final request. So even if I didn’t know him well, and even if he earned a bad name from your failed marriage… to me, he was my savior.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” I said, managing a small smile.
When Erik picked me up, I told him everything.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not jealous,” I said. “But I’m so glad that, in the end, he learned. He did something right. Not for power or pride, but for someone else’s freedom.”
Erik handed me a cup of coffee and nodded, wrapping his arms around me from behind.
“I’ll come with you tomorrow,” he said. “I’d be honored to send him off, knowing that he chose peace and took responsibility one last time.”
And the next day, we were there, standing beside Serena Wilson De Laro. Darius’s mother vept loudly while his father cried quietly, still carrying regret over everything that had nappened.
As the casket was lowered, I whispered my final thanks to him. For all the days we had. For letting me go. For freeing me from anger and hatred. I prayed for his soul to rest.
After the burial, I caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance, Sasha, crying on the ground, staring at the place where we laid Darius to rest. I could see her regret.
I shook my head. Erik and I locked eyes.
“I hate to say it, but I think Sasha played a big part in all this chaos. And what is she feeling now? That’s her punishment,” I said.
Erik took my hand and led me to the car,
“We’re heading straight to the airport for Minnesota. Is that okay with you?”
I nodded. Outside the window, I stared blankly at where he’s buried. I hope in his next life, he’d choose to live a better life.
I learned that everything has consequences. Everything ends in different ways. But one thing’s for sure, thousands of chances are offered to us. It’s up to us whether we take them to change our lives… or destroy them.
Darius and I were very different. But in the end, I’m happy. I’m free. And I hope he is too.
“Goodbye, Darius,” I whispered to the wind. “Thank you for what we shared, and rest in peace.”
Chapter 31
2/2 10.
