Free Web NovelChapter 146: Painful Truth
Vivian’s POV
The latest unwanted gift from Bryce was once again flowers and a box of chocolates.
It came with a note, she knew better than to read it. A very big part of her was begging her to just bin it. But her curiosity got the best of her, and before she could stop herself she was opening up the card and reading the text.
As expected it was not anything good.
[Piggy, I know that this will be hard but eat just one and share the rest. Do not needlessly stuff your face]. Staring at the message, Vivian wondered if Bryce thought the hearts that he put in the end somehow softened the blow. Knowing him, he most probably did. Not even bothering to open up the box of chocolates. Vivian got up from her couch and went to bin them. In the past she would have felt bad about doing that to a gift and would have been feeling very guilty because she was throwing away food.
But she’d gotten immune to feeling bad after all of the times that she had thrown away the things that Bryce had gifted her.
The only reason that she was feeling bad as she looked at her trash can’s latest acquisition was because the gifts were easily visible due to her having not taken out the trash yet. Looking at them soured her mood.
She was busy trying to work up the energy to take out the trash when her front door opened and Amy let herself in. Before Vivian could even say anything, her friend was moving forward and enveloping her in a hug. Returning the gesture, Vivian held her friend and when they broke apart, she stared at the other woman in worry.
"Are you all right Amy?" She asked.
Giving her a watery smile her friend nodded as she began wiping away her unexplained tears. "I’m perfectly fine. I just want you to know that I tried and I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?"
Not knowing what Amy was on about at all. But realizing that she would not be getting any straight answers from the woman. The stubborn set of her friend’s jaw told her as much. Vivian simply nodded.
"Of course I forgive you. You are my best friend," She told her as she came in for another hug. They embraced for a bit. When they parted, Vivian realized that her friend’s eyes were on the trash can just behind Vivian.
"Did Bryce send those?" She asked, looking directly at the discarded gifts and Vivian nodded.
"Let’s take out the trash and then watch a movie," Amy said. The woman suggesting the very thing that Vivian had been just about to do reminded the preschool teacher just why Amy was her best friend.
***
After they had gotten rid of the trash containing Bryce’s gift, treating it as though they were dumping a dead body, ( if it were not illegal, Vivian would have set the entire thing alight).
The two of them had headed back to Vivian’s apartment. Now they were in front of the TV watching a movie, a plate of snacks before them. Eyes glued to the screen, the two of them slowly made their way through the plate. Enjoying both the treats and what they were watching. Vivian had just reached for another snack when Amy spoke. Making her pause her hand mid-air without taking anything.
"You do not need to keep going back to that scumbag. You know that, right?"
Lowering her hand, Vivian left the food alone. Instead she picked up the remote, and paused the movie as she and Amy faced each other.
"Whether or not I keep him around is my business Amy," Turning her gaze upwards like someone looking for strength from the heavens. Her friend took a deep breath, then she looked directly at Vivian. She had a look on her face that said she had a lot to say and was about to let it all out. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"You are way too good for that man. He is nothing more than a foul parasite that has attached itself to you. He will keep draining and sucking you dry until there’s nothing left. Why can’t you see that?" Amy said it all like it was supposed to be news to Vivian. Like she could not feel her soul dying a little every times she was in contact with the man, and she suddenly felt herself getting angry.
"I am well aware of that!" Vivian found herself yelling before she could stop herself. The sudden increase in volume scared Amy into being silent and trying to burrow deeper into the couch.
Vivian, realizing what she had done immediately slapped her palm over her mouth, looking at her friend apologetically. She moved a little closer to Amy. Glad when her friend did not back away.
"I am sorry for yelling at you, Amy," She whispered. The other woman reached out, taking Amy’s hand in her hands and squeezing tightly.
"I know and I forgive you. But I do not take back everything that I have just said about Bryce. You are strong, brave, and kind. Things that that man has never felt a day in his life. I hate watching what that leech is doing to you," It was not what was being said, but the quiet certainty with which Amy said it all, that finally got to Vivian.
The next thing she knew, she was trembling badly as tears flowed down her face. Struggling to breathe as she sobbed. She had no idea when Amy had moved, but she suddenly found herself being held in a crushing embrace. The other woman holding her close and rocking her gently. As her friend continued to hold her, Vivian cried and cried, unable to do anything else. It felt as though she had created her own personal hell with Bryce as her torturer, and she had no idea what to do to break out of the cycle.
