Forsaken Bonds

Three days after Tara Smith passed away, Nicky West called me.

"Do you admit your mistake, Jensen Smith?"

I held Tara's ashes, feeling numb with grief, and mumbled, "Yes. I was wrong, incredibly wrong."

If I had not insisted on marrying Nicky, Tara would not have been born, and she would not have suffered so much from the start.

Since Tara was born, Nicky had only focused on her career and ignored her. I was the one who took care of Tara.

When Tara was barely a year old, she was diagnosed with a rare disease. From that point on, the hospital became our second home.

After five years of treatment, we finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, just because I refused to accept her childhood best guy friend's mocking toast, she stopped Tara's treatment and demanded I kneel and apologize to him.

It was absurd.

Her daughter's life mattered less to her than a glass of wine.

As I admitted my fault, Nicky's voice turned smug. "We have a reservation at Moonlight Hotel tonight. Come apologize to Ryan, and we'll consider it settled."

As if doing me a favor, she added, "Ryan is kind. You don't need to kneel, just a few drinks as punishment will do."

"In your dreams," I replied coldly.

Nicky replied angrily, "Don't push your luck, Jensen. Haven't you learned your lesson?"

I laughed bitterly and replied, "What lesson could you possibly teach me now?"

I used to give in to everything for Tara's sake, but since she was gone, Nicky had no more leverage over me.

Nicky snorted and responded, "A medical lab overseas has developed a special medicine to treat Tara's illness. Apologize to Ryan if you want it."

Indeed, Nicky was telling the truth. When I heard the news from her doctor, I hugged Tara and cried joyfully, grateful that fate finally showed us mercy.

However, Tara never got the medicine. Instead, her mother stopped her treatment.

Tara died in agony.

All I felt was bitterness.

It had been three days, and Nicky did not even know that Tara was dead.

She must have just gotten off her flight, eager to call and demand I apologize to Ryan Morrison, her childhood best friend.

I spoke through clenched teeth. "No need, Nicky. Tara is already—"

Before I could finish, I heard a smooth male voice on the line. "Let it go, Nicky. Don't force him. As long as you're by my side, that's enough."

Nicky's voice instantly softened. "Ryan, I know you're understanding, but he humiliated you in front of so many people that day. I can't let you suffer like that."

Tara had been burning with fever that day, and I had not slept for a full day and night taking care of her.

Nicky suddenly called to meet her at the hotel. I thought it was urgent, but I was met with mocking and curious stares.

Ryan walked over with two glasses of wine in hand.

"Jensen, I haven't been around these past years. Thanks for taking care of Nicky. Here's a toast to you."