Goodbye Dear Exes, I have moved on

I was standing at the top of the staircase, having a minor argument with my cousin, Emily. Her heels slipped on the polished marble, and she tumbled down the stairs. I gasped as I was horrified seeing her fall. Darek and Mike rushed to Emily’s side.

"Emily, oh my god!" Darek exclaimed while helping her up.

Mike glared at me, asking coldly,"What did you do?"

Darek's eyes narrowed as he accused me, "Janette, did you push her?"

My face turned pale as I explained,"No, Darek! I didn't touch her!"

Emily, looking dazed, pointed at me before responding,"You...you were standing right there. You must have..."

Mike stepped forward, saying,"We saw you arguing earlier. You're always jealous of Emily."

I suppressed my tears while saying, "That's not true! I would never hurt Emily."

Darek’s expression remained skeptical as he said,"We'll discuss this later, Janette."

I asked in a trembling voice, "Darek, how can you believe this? You know me, don't you? I would never harm anyone."

“Enough,” Darek’s eyes turned dark as he asked Emily in a gentle voice, “Emily, are you alright?"

Emily nodded. Her eyes were still locked on me. She further added,"I'm fine, thanks to you two. But I want answers, Janette."

My heart sank. I looked up at them. Hoping they would believe me, I said, "Please believe me. I didn't do it.”

***

It was my father's death Anniversary today. Two years ago, on this day my father left me forever. I got ready to go out and visit his grave. It had always been hard to see him in a graveyard. No one would like to meet their loved ones in the graveyards. Fortunately, I had two friends, Darek and Mike who always accompanied me there and never let me cry. I always wonder how difficult it would have been if I hadn't had them with me.

They used to come pick me up from my home and then go with me to the cemetery, offer flowers to my Dad along with me and tell him that they will always take care of me. However, I was getting late and they hadn't arrived yet. I wondered if they forgot the death anniversary of my father. But, how could that be possible? They never forgot anything related to me until Emily arrived.

I dismissed the adverse thought coming to my mind and came out of my room. I was just going to dial Darek’ number to ask him if he still remembered what day today was and suddenly Emily came before me, looking very excited.

“Janette,” She yelled from the door of her room, “Where are you going, all dressed up?” She asked while staring at me from top to bottom.

Emily was my cousin from my father's side. Two years ago, she offended the Alpha of a very sinister pack. Her mother asked help from my father, the Alpha of Silver wing pack. Though not being powerful and influential enough, my father went to save Emily. He managed to save her life but in that process, he couldn't save his own life and left me in this world all alone.

My Dad and Mom had taken divorce years ago. My mother left father's pack and settled down abroad. I lived with my father and now he was gone.

I couldn't help remembering how my father died saving Emily’s life by seeing her face in front of my eyes. I couldn't help feeling remorseful. I walked up to her and asked, “Have you seen Darek and Mike? Did they ask for me?”

Emily had been living with me for six months as her mother needed to go abroad and she couldn't leave Emily alone in her pack. She asked me to stay with her. Despite not being so fond of her, I couldn't refuse.

“Yeah! They came early in the morning but they didn't ask for you, my dear. They came to wish me.” She said while stroking her hair backward.

“To wish you? For what?” I raised my eyebrows.

“How can you forget, Janette? It's my Birthday, today. You should have wished me too.” She pouted.

“Oh, I didn't remember that. Have a great day, Emily. I wish you luck.” I wished her for her birthday before asking, “Where are they now? I’m getting late for my Dad’s cemetery.”

“They are decorating the hall for my birthday celebration. Do you know they brought a beautiful gown for me to wear to the party? It will look really pretty on me. Anyways, what are you going to wear in the celebration?” She asked excitedly, I chuckled. How could Darek and Mike forget my Dad's death anniversary and busied themselves in decorating the home for Emily's birthday celebration that was going to be held in the night.

I ignored Emily's question and walked past her while saying, “I’m getting late, Emily. I’ll talk to you after visiting my Dad’s grave.”

I didn't expect Emily to be full of herself as she came before me and kept asking me to stay and help her in preparing her birthday party. In annoyance I brushed her hands off. But, to my shock, she pretended to be pushed and rolled from the second floor down to the first, immediately drawing the attention of my two friends, Darek Collins and Mike Jones who just emerged from the main door.

Their eyes grew dark as they rushed to help Emily. After getting up, Emily looked up at me with pitiful eyes. She pretended as if I pushed her, even causing my friends to believe her.

The two of my friends looked at me with a pair of accusing eyes.

Despite my desperate plea, they didn't believe me and turned to Emily.

“We should immediately take her to the hospital.” Mike blurted out.

Darek went out to start the car while Mike carried Emily in his arms to bring her to the hospital, completely forgetting that today was the anniversary of my father's death.

I couldn't help recalling my childhood. When my father got divorced, he invited his friends, Daniel Collins and William Jones who were the Alphas of their respective pack. He had entrusted my care to Collins and Jones.

At that time their sons who were older than me, liked me very much and became my friends. Due to my congenital heart condition, Darek and Mike always took good care of me.

If anyone at pack school mocked me for not having a mother, they would stand up for me and beat the shit out of them. I was often envied for having two Alphas as my protector.

Soon, we grew older. I completed my graduation. Darek became a lawyer and Mike became a doctor—Mike’s choice motivated by the wish to one day perform surgery on me himself.

However, after my father’s death, Emily appeared and everything had changed. I shook my head and decided not to think about the past anymore.

I went to my father’s grave to say goodbye, deciding to leave this painful place and let the three of them be.