THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 120: VOW WITH THE TIDES

Chapter 120: VOW WITH THE TIDES

Mid-cry, Seth heard silent sobs and paused. Tilting his head towards Fay, his brow furrowed when he discovered she was also crying.

His pain turned into amusement as he watched her cry. She couldn’t possibly be crying because of a stranger’s story. Something had to have happened to her.

There was no one that was that empathetic towards a stranger.

Silently, he watched her cry. He could see a little of Carla, Rayce, his daughter-in-law and even himself in her.

If his granddaughter had survived the accident, she would be around her age. Because he never got to meet her, he satisfied his conscience and curiosity by imagining the redhead who was trying and failing to be discreet with her tears, as his own blood.

And the most fascinating part of that imagination was that he could see it. Didn’t his wife mention his daughter-in-law had freckles? Didn’t his own son have dimples?

She suddenly lifted her head, and he whipped his to the other side.

Twisting his toes as he felt her stare at him, he wondered if he was going crazy. He had done this before. Try to see his family in other people.

The guilt sometimes was too great to bear. One too many times, he had considered killing himself. He just was too much of a coward to go through with it.

"I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. It’s very difficult losing people you love. I wouldn’t wish that experience on my worst enemy," she said somberly, as she wiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand.

"Thank you. But I’m quite certain you’re not crying solely because of what I’ve told you. What is your story?" He asked, as he found the courage to look at her again.

She smiled through a sullen face. It was a bitter smile. It neither reached her eyes, nor stretched her cheeks.

"I was approached by a man about three months ago to be his wife. In return, he would give me a whole lot of money."

She watched his eyes lift a bit, but there was no other response following that.

"It was a huge amount of money, and my life was a mess. I had just found out my boyfriend thought of me as a burden. In my greed, I accepted," she continued.

"You did?"

"I know, right? I know I don’t look like the kind of person that would sell her soul for cash, but I did. I thought it would be a smooth journey. Marry into a filthy rich family, and get more money than even my soul costs. I wish I knew the day I signed that deal, would be the day my already tumultuous life would change forever." she sniffled, fighting back the fresh batch of tears threatening to spill.

"Why?" His pulse raced as he watched her closely. "Is the man you married abusive to you?"

"Him? No. Or maybe not physically. I can’t even blame him for the emotional abuse either. He didn’t tell me to fall for him. In fact, he made it known from the start he could never be attracted to me. But the heart is stubborn, you know?"

"Tell me about it. My son forfeited centuries worth of fortune for one woman. Love is a powerful tool. So I’m guessing you’re in love with your husband?"

"Love?" The word left her mouth like a hot air balloon. Internally, she chuckled at herself. "I don’t think I know what love is. At least not anymore. But I do know I have feelings for him. I have to. It would explain why every time he kisses me, my toes curl. And when he kisses his numerous blonde mistresses, my heart shatters. Right?"

She stared into his face, and her eyes were moist. It felt like her eyes were the windows to her soul. If he could see such raw pain in her eyes, then her soul must really be hurting.

"Do you want to tell me why you’re so hurt?" He asked.

"I wouldn’t. Naturally, I wouldn’t. But you’re a stranger I met in front of water. Maybe like the waves, I’ll never see you again. So I’ll tell you. His grandmother, the one I told you is about the same age as you are?" She paused, and only continued when he nodded.

"Well, she found out about the contract. Now she wants me to help her expel the arrogance from her grandson by making him fall in love with me. But how can I do that when he barely even likes me? He’s not even attracted to me. I don’t know if he is. He’s so wishy-washy. One second, he’s all over me, the next, he’s kissing another woman. Do you know a different woman, I mean his most recent ex girlfriend is probably pregnant for him? How am I supposed to deal with all of that? Then there’s the issue with his Aunt and my Aunt who even as much as I try to get them to like me, they just do not want to. His grandmother wants me to fix his heart. She also wants me to bring back her company. There’s just so ma—I don’t kno– I can’t—" she burst into tears all over again.

Reflexively, Seth pulled her into his arms, and hugged her. Grateful for the comfort of his arms, she just let the tears flow out.

She cried until she could no longer feel any moisture in her tear duct. Until her chest could no longer bear the ache. Only then did she pull away.

"Thank you for listening to me, and giving me a shoulder to cry on," she said shyly.

"It’s okay. You’re so young, but clearly going through a lot. You mentioned your aunt doesn’t like you. Isn’t she the one that raised you?"

"She is. It has taken me so long to finally admit it, but she doesn’t like me. I don’t know what else to do to change that. I’ve lived my entire life for her. I was barely a teen when I started working and remitting salary to her. I funded myself through community college. I worked and ensured the house always had food enough for her, and my cousins. In turn, she called me a demon. She said I had the spirit of lust and seduction in me. In the same breath, she called me ugly and unlovable," as she spoke with great bitterness in her voice, no tears dropped from her eyes. Her pain had been replaced with anger.

"I want to believe you’ve cut her off now that you’re married?"

"My husband tried to. She just finds a way to keep coming back. I can’t say no to her. She raised me, despite everything."

"No, you raised yourself. You don’t owe her anything. I don’t know what she has done to your self esteem, but I imagine it’s a lot. I just want you to know you’re a gorgeous girl. You’re kind, and resilient. Don’t sell yourself short, because you were made for great things, Miss Fay."

She giggled. "Do you want to hear something surprising?" She asked.

"Sure, tell me."

"Everyone keeps telling me the same thing you’ve just said. But for the first time ever, I actually believe it. Thank you."

"Anytime Fay. Anytime."

She smiled now, because she felt free. She had emptied out her heart to a stranger. A stranger who also had a barrage of guilt on his conscience.

They would never see each other again, but she would always cherish these memories.

"Oh, and if you ever get tired of the conditions in your husband’s house, and choose to walk away, you can come find me. I’m knocking at death’s door, and he’ll soon open. Before that, I would like to secure my fortune in the right hands. You look like someone who could manage my wealth."

"Me?" Her eyes widened as she pointed to her chest.

"Yes, you. Why are you so surprised?"

"Because in the real world, people just don’t offer their wealth to strangers. I couldn’t even accept that. You’re better off selling everything and giving the proceeds to charity."

He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, neither could he close his mouth. She had stunned him once more.

To outrightly reject such good fortune wasn’t something someone with greed would do. Because of that, he wanted to know her. His curiosity had been piqued. He wondered if the private investigator he used to locate his son was still in business.

Maybe he could tell him all he needed to know about this stranger.

"Fay," the word slipped out of his mouth.

"Seth," she replied and chuckled. "Do you want to see a really cool drawing?"

Before he could respond, she already picked up the stick, and began to make funny drawings on the ground.

She had finally gained clarity. Nothing was going to hold her back anymore.

Henceforth, she would do everything she could to make her way in this sick world. Starting from her plans with the matriarch.