The Heart He Never Knew How To Love

From one of the cold hospital chairs, I watched Maya sit with her back bent forward. I drew in a deep breath and tried to calm myself, but even breathing felt difficult. Mom couldn't stop sobbing, and nothing could comfort her. Watching her grief broke my heart. How was anyone supposed to survive losing the person they loved so violently, without warning or even a moment to prepare?

I still couldn't escape the shock. Part of me had believed Dad would recover, but then he was suddenly gone. I couldn't tell whether I felt angry, numb, or simply unable to accept what had happened.

Dad and I had never gotten along. Even though he had resented me, I had still loved him because he was my father. How could I not love the man who had given me life?

"Are you holding up okay?" Harry asked after he took the seat beside me.

He had shown up an hour ago, yet those were the first words he had spoken to me. His unexpected concern lowered my guard and left me exposed. He had never cared about my feelings before, so why did they suddenly matter to him now?

"I'm fine," I murmured, though my strained voice barely sounded like my own.

Not a single tear had fallen since I learned Dad was dead. Maybe I was still in shock, or perhaps I had already cried every tear I had for him. I didn't know. For the moment, I only tried to remain standing because everyone else around me was breaking down.

Something shifted in front of me, and I looked up to find Stanley there. His face showed nothing, and his stone-cold eyes held no trace of affection. Nothing about that surprised me. Yes, I had made mistakes, but hadn't I spent all these years paying for them?

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"Mom called Maya after Dad was admitted to the hospital. She should arrive soon, but she still doesn't know he died," he replied.

Harry suddenly drew in a sharp breath. That small reaction showed just how deeply her name still affected him. Any warmth he had shown me disappeared at once, and the familiar barrier rose between us again. Once more, I was locked out of his world.

"I assumed she was coming," I muttered because I couldn't think of anything else to say.

Years had passed since Maya and I last spoke. Considering how much she hated me, I doubted she would even be able to stand being in the same room with me.

"When she gets here, I expect you to be civil and stay out of her way," my mother interjected as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Mom, you know you're asking me to do something nearly impossible."

"I don't care how difficult it is. You betrayed my daughter nine years ago and left her completely broken. I won't allow you to hurt her again, especially now that your father is gone and this family needs to stay together," she replied through clenched teeth.

I was sick of having my past mistakes thrown in my face. Hadn't I suffered enough for the foolish choices I made when I was younger? Still, they refused to stop judging me.

"Have you forgotten that I'm your daughter too? Or have you already decided I'm dead to you?"

I got to my feet and walked out before she could answer. All I wanted was fresh air and a moment of peace.

The chill outside burned my lungs. Tears gathered in my eyes, but I wouldn't allow myself to cry. Why had they bothered calling me when they treated me like a stranger who was only there because family duty demanded it? Part of me wanted to vanish and leave them alone in their perfect little world, since they had never truly made me part of it.

"Ma'am, are you Lester Evans' daughter?" A nurse approached and pulled me away from my thoughts.

I gave her a nod and tried to calm my uneven heartbeat.

"Everyone is waiting for you. They're examining his body now," she said gently, and sympathy softened her voice.

"Please give me a moment," I replied.

After she left, I was alone with my decision. Despite all his flaws, Dad had always made sure I had everything I needed. I owed him one final act of respect. I would arrange a proper funeral for him and finally close the door on everything that had happened before. After that, they could return to being the perfect family I had never belonged to.

By the time I entered the morgue, everyone else had already gone. I slowly made my way toward the cold metal table. Dad lay there without moving, and his peaceful face made him look like he was only asleep. But he would never open his eyes again. His soul was already gone.

"Goodbye, Dad," I whispered.

After taking one final look at him, I walked out of the freezing room. With every step away from his body, I also let go of the false belief that we had ever shared a real bond as a family.

Back in the waiting room, Mom was filling out documents while Stanley kept his eyes fixed on the wall. Harry was nowhere in sight. I chose a seat away from them and thought about what came next. Staying out of their lives wouldn't be easy, but I had to do it. It was the only way I could protect my peace because I was exhausted from letting them hurt me over and over again.

A noise drew my attention toward the entrance. Maya had arrived. She was still as stunning as I remembered, with golden hair, long legs, and a heart-shaped face. Her natural charm could easily capture everyone around her.

Stanley welcomed her with open arms and murmured gentle words to comfort her. Those words sounded like they came from a world where I had never belonged. Jealousy and pain rose inside me, but I forced both feelings down.

Soon after, Harry walked into the room. The second he saw her, his knees almost gave out, and his throat closed with emotion.

"Maya," he breathed, his voice rough with emotion.

She turned to face him. Once their eyes locked, everyone else seemed to disappear. A second later, they rushed into each other's arms as though the years between them had never happened.

Stanley's affection toward her had already hurt me, but watching Harry hold her destroyed what little strength I had left. In that moment, the truth became painfully clear. Even after all these years, he was still deeply in love with her.

Maya was back. And right before my eyes, the last pieces of hope I had held onto finally fell apart.