The Love That Passed

Ingrid’s POV

I wanted to pity Jared for being mad about everything. I didn’t want that to happen and I knew mom as well. When I found out that he was in our library, I gathered myself and went to see him and had a little chat with him.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

As I entered the room, I saw him seated on the couch beside the shelf where his favorite author’s books were properly lined up according to their date of publication. Yes, from the oldest to latest.

She knew how much Jared liked to read when he was still a kid. I had a feeling that reading calmed him and made him think rationally. That’s why I asked mom and dad to put a library at home. I love my little brother so much. Although it was a bit awkward to call him little brother when he was way taller than me and he even passed as my big brother.

He was overprotective of me. You think because I’m older than him, that made me domineer over him. But I wasn’t. He was dominating me and our entire family. He is really fit to be the CEO of our multi-billion dollar company which was started by both our parents.

I think Jared took after our mother. Unknown to others, mom was behind the success of our company. She just let our dad handle it so people wouldn’t think less of my dad. That’s how much mom loves dad. And that’s why Jared was furious. He wanted to have a marriage like our parents. And telling him to marry someone he doesn’t love or know, at least destroys his idea of marriage.

He asked me what I wanted and I wished I could tell him everything. It was difficult for me as well, keeping secrets from him. I only told him what I wanted to say, especially about Colleen and how he should have treated her during their marriage. I just hope that he will understand and accept everything calmly. I know it was easier said than done, but I still hope.

Knowing Jared, I knew our conversation would go nowhere, so I decided to leave him in peace. I knew it was hard for him already and I decided not to add salt to his wound.

After I left Jared alone, I went to mom’s room. I knocked on the door but heard no reply from her. I decided to open the door and look inside. I didn’t see her on her bed so I opened the door wider and went in as I roamed my eyes around her room. I noticed the door going to her balcony was open, so I decided to look for her there.

“See to it that you have filed those properly. I didn’t want that woman to get near my son again, so make sure you gather all the evidence.” I heard her talking to someone over the phone. I leaned on the door and waited for her to finish her conversation. I think I knew who she was talking with.

As if she felt my presence, she looked around and her eyes widened after seeing me. I smirked at her and she just gave me a sweet smile. How can I get mad at this beauty? I waited for her to finish her business with the investigator before I went to her and gave her a kiss on her cheeks, then hugged her.

She did the same after I told her, “Come inside, it’s called here.” I offered her my hands and she took them, so I led her inside her room.

“You know you don’t need to do that anymore, they have broken up already.” I told her as I guided her to sit on her bed with her.

“I can’t just sit here and watch how that cunning woman plays your little brother,” she said angrily. I know why she was like that. It was because of that pretentious woman, Stacey.

I understand mom, we knew that Stacey doesn’t love or even like Jared at all. She was just using him for money. I wonder why Jared was so dense that he couldn’t feel how fake Stacey was.

“I told you that I would take care of everything,” I told her loudly. She told me to keep it low, afraid that Jared might hear us.

Still, I scolded her using my sweet voice and reminded her about her health, which Jared overheard.

He was asking why he didn’t know that mom had been sick. Yes, we keep it a secret from him so he doesn’t need to worry. And as I said, mom was OK now and just needed a lot of rest to fully recover.

“It was nothing, I just got dizzy and your sister was there, overreacted. I am already old, so I guess it was natural to feel that way. The doctor had already told me to rest but Ingrid found out that I was doing something on my own.” mom explained. It was so convincing that even I, who knew the truth, almost believed her.

I rolled my eyes and mom and looked at Jared, “Please talk to her, she was so hardheaded. The doctor wanted her to have a complete rest so make sure she had that.” I said and waved my hand to my mom, indirectly telling him to deal with Jared’s questions.

I went to my room and decided to stay there until dinner time. I opened and turned on my laptop as soon as I entered my room. I had been waiting for a report from the investigator I hired to look into Stacey. Yes, both mom and I hired an investigator without each other knowing.

Based on what I heard, mom’s investigator had gathered a lot. I wonder what mine has accomplished. While waiting for the report, I cleaned myself and changed into something comfortable.

Just as I was brushing my hair, I received the email I had been waiting for. I opened it while I ponytailed my hair. My eyes widened after I saw a couple of pictures that were just taken a few hours ago. I took my phone and dialed the number, “How is she?” I asked.

“She’s fine, though she had some bruises.” Dr. Gerard answered.

“Did you have a medical report?” I asked him. “No, not yet. She doesn’t like to,” he answered.

“Please do so, just don’t include her critical illness. If the incident can cause her life, please divert it to other causes related to the injury she received. It’s for her own good, so please, doctor.” I told him.

“Alright. I assumed she didn’t need to know about it, right?” Dr. Gerard agreed and asked.

“Yes, it’s to be used in the future anyway. And just in case, the one who hurts her causes too many issues and troubles.”

“OK, then.”

“Thank you doctor. Bye,” I said, and ended our call.

As I put down my phone, Jared came rushing angrily. “Did you know what your kind soul did to Stacey?”