Chapter 268: Forgive him

Back to the present.

Braelyn stared at Genny in stunned silence. Her lips parted then closed. She was lost for words. Genny couldn’t meet Braelyn’s eyes. She felt embarrassed, but coming out with the truth removed a weight from her shoulders.

“I found out weeks later that I was pregnant,” Genny said softly. “And you know the rest. My family… they made it clear Alora had to stay hidden. They even considered putting Alora up for adoption, but luckily they changed their mind.”

“Mum was beyond upset, saying how much of a disappointment I was. They couldn’t afford the scandal. I was forbidden from letting anyone know.” Her mind drifted. Those were her darkest times and she couldn’t even tell Braelyn.

“Luckily when Alora was born, Mum grew to adore her even more than me.” Genny sighed and Braelyn just quietly listened. “A few months after Alora was born, I returned for your wedding.”

Braelyn’s eyes flickered. She remembered the wedding period. She had gone through the preparations without Genny. She and Raphael had gotten married as soon as she was done with uni. There was no need to postpone something already written in stone any longer.

Besides, her father’s health had started failing around that period. She didn’t want to get married without him walking her down the aisle.

The waiter returned, placing their items down gently, oblivious to the weight at the table.

“And when we met again,” Genny continued, her voice hollow now, “he didn’t even recognise me. I didn’t know what to expect, but it irritated me. He even came to my place once… crying about Amber. About how she confessed to Lucien.” Genny laughed.

Braelyn felt something twist sharply at Lucien’s name. Amber. That name struck her. She remembered overhearing Amber’s confrontation with Lucien. Amber loved Lucien, but Joey loved Amber. That was messed up. Braelyn sighed at the thought.

“I listened to him cry over another woman while carrying his child.” Genny laughed softly, but it broke midway.

“I was foolish, Lynn. So foolish.” Her hand reached across the table, trembling as she took Braelyn’s.

“I should have told you. I was ashamed. I was scared. My family threatened me. And I didn’t want you to look at me like I was weak.” Tears spilled freely now. Braelyn held her hand and just let her feel her warmth.

“I’m sorry. I was a horrible friend.” Her voice cracked. “Please forgive me.”

A small smile curled on her lips. “Don’t cry, Genny,” she said, giving her a hankie. “It is fine. I forgave you long ago. No need for the tears.” Lynn laughed awkwardly.

Genny accepted the hankie. She sniffed, trying to keep her emotions together. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cry,” she replied.

Braelyn nodded. “We all get emotional from time to time.”

Genny nodded. “Yeah…” She sighed, her gaze steadying on Braelyn. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked, and Braelyn glanced away, playing with her fingers. She was pretty nervous. The milkshake remained on the table. She had barely taken a sip.

Lynn’s voice was low as she spoke. “I think…” she started, finding the words hard to say. “Things aren’t as simple as I imagined with Lucien.”

Genny’s brows furrowed. Her lips parted with a gasp. “Don’t tell me…” she blurted. She recognised that look on Braelyn’s face. Braelyn nodded subtly and Genny drew in a deep breath like she couldn’t believe it.

“Since when?” she quietly asked.

Braelyn glanced down at the table. Her mind was a complete mess.

“I don’t know when exactly, but the feeling is suffocating,” Braelyn replied. “This wasn’t the plan and now I feel trapped.”

Genny’s gaze dulled. “Oh Braelyn. What are you going to do? I know he is handsome and everything, but he spells trouble. Will you be happy with that?” she asked.

A lump formed in her throat. “And besides, what will people say?”

Braelyn drew in a deep breath. She understood what Genny meant. Lucien was Raphael’s uncle. People would talk. The woman is always the target.

They would ignore a man being promiscuous, but the moment it is a woman, that’s another case.

“I have thought of it and honestly I don’t think Lucien and I will work. Like hell, I don’t even understand his intentions, and I need to secure my inheritance first,” Braelyn said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Genny’s heart squeezed at the sight. “So what are you going to do? You are not happy in this marriage anymore.” Her soft tone struck something in Lynn’s heart.

“That’s not all,” she said. “You remember that night Raph came to your place.”

Genny’s face instantly changed.

Her hold on Lynn tightened. Genny remembered that night, although she had no idea what Raphael said to Lynn, but it was the reason Braelyn fell into a coma.

“What did he say that night?” she asked calmly, with a voice that made Lynn’s eyes widen.

She sniffed. “He told me why he did what he did, and honestly that’s a long story.”

Genny’s eyes went wide.

Braelyn drew in a deep breath before narrating the story. She didn’t involve the part about the threat against Avelina or the part Lucien was Killian. Not all secrets should be shared. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Genny, but at times it was better not knowing.

She told Genny everything else. The manipulation that made Raphael think she was cheating, the mysterious doppelganger, Amelia blackmailing Raphael after forcing herself on him. Then her recent troubles, how Raphael has been trying to fix things and how he collapsed from overworking. Genny listened without interrupting.

“Honestly he has been trying, but it doesn’t feel the same. It feels more like a burden,” Braelyn said. “It was like it is too late.”

A beat of silence passed. Genny sighed. Things were complicated. She didn’t expect this.

“Raphael hurt you and honestly we both know what you risk to leave him,” she said quietly.

Braelyn’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying I should forgive him?” Her chest tightened.

Genny shook her head. “You know life isn’t black and white every time. I am not saying you should definitely forgive him, but…” her voice dropped.

“Is Lucien worth the risk? What if he doesn’t love you and this was just a sick game to him?” The words knocked the air from Lynn’s chest.

“Maybe, just maybe, you can forgive Raphael. I hate to say this, but you never stopped loving him and Lucien might just be a fleeting moment.” She was right, but my feelings for Raphael were complicated and twisted now.

“Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d tell you to tell them both to fuck off, grab a ridiculous amount of cash, and disappear somewhere far away.” She exclaimed and they both laughed.

“One is the man that will burn for you. The other is the unpredictable storm that can burn it all for you, and he can also burn you…” she sighed. “This is just a twisted situation. I never understood why a man who loved you so fiercely suddenly changed. Now I know…”

The table message was final. There was the safe option, a second chance, and the risky card that might destroy her.

Footsteps approached. A familiar scent of jasmine and sandalwood hit her before she heard his voice.

“Hi ladies.”

Her head jerked up to meet Lucien’s gaze.

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