Chapter 9
Angel, remembering, trembled.
“Cecilia, I know you hate me. You think I stole your father. But I never. I never did anything to hurt your mother.”
“You didn’t hurt her directly. You just manipulated my father. He was the one who hurt her. And I hate him, Angel. So why would I save his son?”
I turned to leave.
“He’s just a baby! He’s innocent!” Angel cried, clinging to my leg. “You wanted me to apologize to your mother, right? I’ll do it! I’ll get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness! Just please… save my son!”
I stopped, looking down at her.
Fine. Do it.”
It had been years since I’d visited Mom’s grave. I’d never been able to face it. That’s why I’d chosen to go to college on the other side of the country.
The sky darkened as Angel knelt before my mother’s headstone. Rain started pouring down.
She kowtowed, repeating the words “I’m sorry” over and over.
Then she looked up at me, her lips pale.
“Cecilia.”
I’ve already transferred the money to your account, Angel. Whether your son lives or dies… it’s not my problem.
anymore.”
She got to her feet and walked away, disappearing into the rain.
I looked at my mother’s grave, my voice a whisper.
“Mom, I came to see you. Are you mad at me for staying away so long?”
“Dad’s dead, Mom. He died saving Hazel. Don’t be too angry… But he called me before he died.”
I hadn’t expected that. He should have been calling 911, but he’d called me instead.
He’d apologized. He’d said he’d been wrong-
Maybe when you’re facing death, you remember everything you’ve done wrong.
I’d been ready to hang up, but then he’d said he’d finally seen Angel for who she really was
He’d rushed into the fire to save Hazel, but he’d gotten trapped. He’d seen Hazel escape. He’d called out to her.
22:2
Reborn, My Family Tried to Bury Me, So1 Burned It All Down!
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But she hadn’t looked back.
If she’d just turned around. If she’d done anything…
Ihadn’t felt anything, hearing his story. I’d just said four words:
“Then you can die.”
He’d stopped being my father a long time ago.
He always chosen Hazel over me…
I’d been a straight A student, but he’d never attended a parent–teacher meeting. One request from Hazel, and he’d rushed over, beaming.
I’d seen the tears my mother had cried, the pain she’d endured. She’d been sick, and Angel had complained about feeling “unwelcome” in our home. He’d kicked Mom out.
I couldn’t imagine what Hazel and Angel would gone through.
But they are bitches.
I talked to Mom for a long time. When I was finished, the rain had stopped.
I sold everything I owned in LA – the house, the cars, everything.
I moved back to Chicago, where I’d gone to college.
I heard Hazel was arrested for prostitution. She ended up in prison. We never even went to court.
The baby didn’t make it. He died during surgery.
Angel had a breakdown. She lost everything, even her mind. She tried to go back to her ex–husband, but his new wife disagreed of course. She also hired some thugs to beat Angel up.
I graduated in June.
While my friends were scrambling to find jobs or apply to grad school, I was accepted into a prestigious PhD.
program
And I started my own company.
My future was bright.
Reborn, My Family Tried to Bury Me. So I Burned It All Down!
