The Love That Passed

Third Person’s POV

Just what Jared had told Colleen, he went to his office after lunch. But not to work, but he needs to meet Ellie, the private investigator who happens to be a friend of his friend, Noah. He asked his friend to find out everything about Stacey and Derrick. After the first investigation he asked for, he concluded that he needed to do it again in a private matter, so he asked for Noah’s help.

“Man,” his friend greeted him and they all sat on the couch. They were inside his office and he had told his assistant to cancel all his appointments for the day.

“How did it go?” he asked. Noah looked at the man beside him, who was Ellie, the private investigator.

“The report you gave me was very useful, which made it easier for me to find out about Derrick.” Ellie told him and handed him the envelope where the results were. He took it and had a look, then started reading it.

“So did they use my money?” he said, and Noah nodded.

“I don’t know how you didn’t bother to look into this before,” his friend commented.

“I was so content with our relationship because it wasn’t stressful and she was very understanding. I just realized that she was way too understanding,” he said with his eyes still on the files in his hand.

“There’s no way that women will be so understanding. They should feel jealous and whine from time to time,” Ellie said, and he nodded.

“Even my wife, whom I thought didn’t care about me at all, still feels hurt. I even get jealous when I see her happy with another man.” Jared said, massaging his temple.

“What do you want to do to them?” Noah asked, and he looked at them.

“I want them to pay for what they did to Colleen. It almost cost her her life,” he said.

“Then we should destroy the lovers’ careers and let the people know their relationship,” Ellie said.

“That’s more like it.” Jared said,

“Man, don’t get me wrong or tell me that I went overboard. But I asked Ellie to look after your wife as well.”, Noah said, and he looked at him confused.

“She’s very brave. She had been battling with her illness for years but she never loses hope. She goes to her regular check-up and maintains good and balanced health in the hope of surgery when the time comes.” Ellie said and then gave him another envelope which Jared already knew was all about his wife.

“Many wanted to be friends with her. She didn’t actually shove them away, but she didn’t let herself get too attached to them. She was worried that she would only leave them and hurt them in the process. Dr. Gerard likes her. He even offered to help her financially with her surgery but she didn’t agree. She didn’t want to burden anyone,” Ellie added.

Jared opened the envelope and started reading everything about his wife. He was shocked to find out about how she lived while she keeps herself so naïve and innocent. She was into different jobs from when she was in high school until she graduated from college. She never had a boyfriend or any intimate relationship with the opposite sex and focused on her studies.

She usually has pain relievers with her due to chest pain and he thought it is already the beginning of her illness. He closed his eyes and tried to stop himself from crying. He had never paid attention to her before because he already had an idea that his mom had already done some background check on her. He was just mad that his family never told him about that.

They should have informed her so she should not have been so cruel to her. He remembered how she told Colleen about letting herself die because he didn’t want her. “You still have time, man,” Noah said and he looked at him. “You will get through this together. You have to be strong for her and your baby.” he added.

“I was cruel to her. I don’t deserve her. From what I had told her before, she still loves me. She was selfless.” Jared couldn’t help but tell his friend about his feelings. He had tried not to show it to Colleen because he didn’t want her to worry about him. He knew that she would feel sad about him feeling guilty about everything that had happened.

“To make up to her, we will do our best to destroy Derrick and Stacey’s relationships as well as their career.” Noah said and he nodded. Ellie and Noah left his office but Jared stayed there for a little more time. He wanted to calm himself so Colleen wouldn’t be able to tell how he was feeling. Making her worry is his top concern. He didn’t know what would happen if she had another attack. That’s why, as much as possible, he tried to be careful and cautious with all his words and actions.

After he calmed himself, he went home and found his wife in the living room with her mom, uncle and step-sister and step-brother. They were all looking happy and I felt relieved thinking she was getting better than in the previous weeks.

Colleen noticed him and gave him a smile as she motioned him to go. He walked closer to them and sat beside her, “What are you all happy about?” he asked after he kissed her on her cheek.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Uncle Rick was telling us about how mom was very feisty when they met,” Colleen replied, and Jared looked at Lucy.

“Yes, I was like that. But he didn’t get mad at me and he just laughed at me while I was furious. Imagine how I was so problematic and there he was teasing me.” Lucy said.

“She was so ugly that time, that’s why I couldn’t help but laugh at her,” Rick said after. “But even if you’re like that, I still love you.” he added.

“He told me, you don’t have a husband anymore and you don’t have money. Why don’t you just be happy to make everything feel a little better?” Lucy said, looking at Rick. Colleen understood now why she never left him, even if she was having a hard time. “For him, money is just money, it shouldn’t affect anyone’s happiness from lacking it.” she added.

“I am going to find someone who’s like dad.” Diane said,

“He’s already mine,” Lucy replied, grinning.

“I am going to grow up like dad.” Marcus, Diane’s younger brother, said.

“Yes, that’s my son,” Rick said, and they all laughed.

Jared was just looking around them and then at Colleen, he was glad that they had time like this and he was sure to treasure this moment. He decided to tell his mom to visit their house more often.

The following day, big news was all over the television and newspapers as well as all the social media platforms.