Chapter 2
Crystal had wanted to come clean so many times, that she wasn't some party girl but actually an heiress from Kranmont.
But whenever she saw the way Cyril's parents looked at her, she couldn't say it.
Crystal always thought she wasn't good enough, but now she realized it was never about her.
She heard Cyril and his friend's voices again.
"Cyril, Judith's coming back to the country. Are you going to do anything about it?" his friend asked.
Cyril slowly opened his eyes. "My marriage to Crystal is a sham. Splitting up is just a matter of saying it. What's there to prepare for?
"My parents have never liked me risking my neck with Crystal's crazy stunts. They've been wanting me to divorce her since forever."
His friend pressed on, "Aren't you worried Crystal will go nuts? Crystal's crazy about you, after all."
Cyril gripped the clear glass, his knuckles prominent and his hold strong. His voice was calm, almost cruel.
"She's tainted," he sneered.
Crystal closed her eyes, her ears humming as tears slipped down her cheeks.
She used to think she was lucky, that she happened to meet someone who shared her passion for extreme sports.
But in the end, she realized she was merely fooling herself all along.
Crystal tore up the marriage certificate and walked straight to the hospital.
"I want an abortion," she said.
The nurse looked up, surprised to see the woman who had just registered. "Are you sure?" she asked.
She glanced behind Crystal, noticing Crystal was alone. "Is your husband not with you?"
"I don't need him," Crystal replied, slowly raising her hand to touch her belly. "I'm sure. Is it possible to do the procedure today?"
Once she got confirmation, Crystal lay down on the hospital bed.
She watched as the anesthesia was slowly injected, tears sliding down her cheeks.
When she woke up, there was no trace of life left inside her, as if nothing had ever been there.
Her whole body trembled, pain wracking her so badly she wished she could just vanish.
Baby, go find parents who would truly love you.
Crystal curled up in agony, sobbing in the silent hospital room.
This was a dream she'd wished for over and over again.
She used to believe she and Cyril could have a happy future together.
Suddenly, she felt like laughing, and as she did, her eyes grew bloodshot.
Crystal dialed a number she could recite in her sleep, her own voice shaking as she spoke.
"Dad, Mom, I'm coming home. I agree to the marriage alliance," she said.
"The marriage can wait, sweetheart. We're just happy you're coming back," her parents replied.
Their voices sounded so much older than she remembered. They said, "Crystal, we never should've forced you. Once you're home, we'll talk everything through. We'll send someone to pick you up in seven days."
Crystal gripped the phone tighter, her voice choked as she tried not to cry.
"Alright. You're right, Mom, Dad. I promise I'll stay away from extreme sports," she said.
From now on, she'd put herself first, loving herself more than anyone else ever could.
After spending a few days in the hospital and finally feeling better, Crystal made her way home. The lively sounds of people and activity grew louder as she approached.
In a blur, Crystal spotted a figure standing on the villa's rooftop, one foot already hanging over the edge.
"Cyril, aren't you into extreme sports?" Judith's eyes were splashed with tears. "I'll join you. Will that be enough for you?"
Cyril pleaded, "Please, Judith, don't risk your life like this. You mean more to me than my own life. How could I ever let you do something so reckless?"
Crystal stood at the doorway, her heart aching.
So that was why Cyril never stopped me from doing extreme sports. I didn't matter to him at all.
To Cyril, she was nothing, just dust in his world.
Judith took another step forward. "Am I really important to you?"
"You're everything to me. Even if it means my life, I'd never let you get hurt," Cyril pleaded, dignity be damned. "Be good. Come over here."
Judith wavered, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
As she started to step back, her foot slipped and she lost her balance, nearly toppling over the edge.
Crystal dashed forward and caught Judith, but the momentum yanked her along, pulling them both down together.
Just when they were about to go over the edge, two strong hands caught them both.
Cyril clung desperately to Crystal and Judith, sweat breaking out across his forehead.
"Cyril, I'm scared," Judith said, her voice shaking as she looked down. "Cyril, I'm terrified of losing you."
Cyril was pulled down with them, gritting his teeth. "I know, I really do."
Such devotion from him.
Suddenly, Crystal remembered those three days she was kidnapped, days so awful they left her with real trauma.
When she totally lost it, Cyril ignored the mess and broken glass everywhere, wrapping her up in his arms.
"Don't be scared, Crystal. I'm here. I'll always be here," he said softly.
Those hands brought her back from the edge of darkness.