Novel Palace
The visit
Chapter 97 The visit
MAUREEN’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.
It took a while for Darby to get a hold of her mother. When she stepped out of the restaurant, Emma was nowhere to be seen and she wouldn’t pick her calls. The police arrived and whisked Noah away from disrupting the peace of the restaurant. Since their lunch was ruined they had all practically lost their appetite. Unable to leave her mum wandering on the streets of LA, Darby pleaded with the rest to go back to the penthouse while she tries to find Emma.
She went to the hospital just incase Emma ran into the arms of Anthony but he didn’t see her either and has been trying to reach her. Since Darby didn’t come with a car, Anthony drove them to Maureen’s house. If Emma isn’t there then they would have no other choice but to report her missing to the police. They didn’t need to go to the police as she was found curled up on the porch bawling her eyes out.
Darby stared at her mother pitifully, wondering how hard it must be for her to take all of it in. For probably twenty-six years of her life, she trusted Noah and held him in high esteem all in a hid to have a sane marriage. What’s the essence of being with someone if it all ends up in so much pain and distrust? For years she watched her mother suck up to Noah and do whatever he asked of her. She was only good at pretending, the union never made sense from the beginning.
“You should go and talk to her.” Anthony advised interrupting her thoughts.
She turned to him, “I think she needs you more.”
“As much as we might be trying to be comfortable around each other, I’m still a stranger in this case. She needs someone who would understand how she really feels. She needs you more than anyone right now.”
Exhaling, she got down from the car and walked towards the house. Emma raised her head at the sound of Darby’s shoes against the hard floor. Wiping her tears hurriedly, she tried to hold up a weak smile.
“Oh, Darby. What are you doing here? I’m so sorry for startling you, I should have excused myself properly before leaving. Sorry.” She sniffed trying hard to smile.
Without a word, Darby sat next to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “It’s okay if all you want to do is cry. I promise not to stop you.” She whispered in her ears letting her cry freely.
Emma wailed bitterly, it felt like the entire space was closing up on her. She can’t seem to see anything comforting in front of her. Crying her heart out, her life in the past years flashed in front of her and it made her wonder if she chose the wrong fate.
“Maybe I never should have existed. I must have committed a gruesome act in my past life for me to deserve this.” She mumbled.
Darby caressed her hair. “No, mum. You don’t deserve any of this. Life is just so unpredictable, you can’t blame yourself that people like Noah exist. There are tons of them and being a good person doesn’t mean we would be free from such people. What you should be grateful for is that you have a chance to live the life that you want so bad. It isn’t too late after all. Now you have many more people who care about you. There is me, Aunt Maureen and Anthony. You know he loves you silly. Even though he is trying his hardest to not get in your way but he cares and you need to embrace someone like that because you deserve to be happy. I’m glad we don’t have to go back and forth dragging the case of your divorce from Noah. You should rejoice, mom. You are free from the shackles of the tyrant. That’s good news through and through. Come on, now. Wipe your face. You don’t look so attractive when you cry.”
Emma chuckled amidst tears, “I have no idea what I did to deserve you.”
“I am more than glad that I got to know you better and have a clearer view of how hard it was for you too. I’m so sorry for holding a grudge against you.”
“No, baby. I really did deserve it. Thank you for the second chance you gave me.” She said hugging her again.
“So, might I ask what it is you are doing out here?” Darby inquired with an amused grin on her face.
“Well, I realized I didn’t have the key to the house. I remember Maureen asking me to hold the spare just in case. But it seems like I locked it up in the house.” Emma mused biting her lower lip shyly.
Darby let out a hearty laugh, “I just knew there is no way you would be out here crying when you could have locked yourself in.”
“Don’t mind me.” She said staying quiet for a second. “Do you mind if I say something?”
“What’s that, mum?”
“I know I might sound like a broken record now but I think it’s time you give yourself a shot at love. You have never quite experienced it.”
“Of course, I have.” She tried to argue.
“No, you haven’t. You are too scared to take the leap. It might not necessarily be Leo. But I am just saying that you should choose to live freely.” Emma advised.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Darby rolled her eyes playfully. “Alright, ma. This was all about you, I have no idea how we switched up so fast.” She grinned.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything.” Anthony said in front of them with his hand folded behind him.
“I didn’t know Anthony was here.” Emma said standing up hurriedly with an embarrassed blush on her cheek.
“He drove me down here. I actually thought you probably went to the hospital. But you weren’t there and he offered to drive me down here.” Darby explained.
“I can’t believe you both had to leave all the important things you were doing to find me.” She muttered feeling guilty.
“That is because we wanted to mum. You shouldn’t feel bad for that.” Her daughter said. “I think it’s best for us to return to my place now. Aunt Maureen is probably having a fit at the moment.”
Emma stuttered a bit. “Can…can I ask for a favor?”
“What’s that mom?”
“I will like to visit Abigail that is if you don’t mind.”
“I definitely don’t mind. Do you mind driving us to the place please.” Darby turned to Anthony.
Anthony stood straight, “I don’t mind being your chauffeur for the day. Tell me wherever you want to go.”
They laughed at his joke making their way to the car. Silence reigned in the car all through the drive but it wasn’t an uncomfortable type. Emma insisted that Darby follows her to meet with her sister. The latter wasn’t too sure if she has the strength to say much to her at the moment but she followed anyway. When Abigail was brought to them, she looked haggard and pale. Whatever it is they are doing to her in the closed doors doesn’t seem too nice.
“Haven’t you been eating?” Emma asked as soon as they were seated.
“What are you both doing here?” Abigail queried with a cold look on her face. “Have you come here to mock me?”
“It’s such a shame that I can’t seem to forget about you. You are my child after all. One would think being locked up in here would shape your thoughts, but then you keep digging deeper to that bitter part of you with no remorse.” Her mother said.
She snickered. “Don’t try to give me any sermon, it’s obvious you have chosen your favorite daughter. Just don’t think this is over, I will get out of here and pay you back in your own coin.” She growled at Darby who seem to be in space unconcerned about the conversation.
“You are so out of your mind if you still think plotting against your sister is a right thing to do. You will only end up stretching your term. Why won’t you be reasonable, Abigail?”
“Were you reasonable when you left the house without looking back? All for a mere sickness. You just love attention don’t you?”
Darby seethed clenching her fist with the intention of blurting some colorful words at her but her mother held her back. Emma blinked sorrowfully at Abigail. “Until when will you keep whining and finding faults in others? When do you intend to see that there is more to life beyond that bubble you live in? I did my best to train you, Abigail. You are of age now and should seek to take care of yourself. Because when you finally leave this place, you won’t see me step foot in your father’s house ever again. I’m sure you have my contact, just incase you intend to reach me. I’m your mother after all, which means my door would always be open for you. But there is a clause to it, only if you act deserving of my affection. I have had enough putting up with Noah and his mini me. I just needed to update you on all that is going on now. Bye baby.”
Emma stood up motioning towards Darby for them to leave, tears filled up her eyes and she didn’t want to break down in front of Abigail.
“Fuck you both!” Abigail yelled tearfully behind them. “I’m going to get out of here stronger and better. You just wait and see.” She bickered as the warden dragged her away.