One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 69: I won't make the same mistake twice

~~~I was broken, torn apart. Scars line my arms, on my sleeve I wore my heart. They remind me of what is real. No longer needing pain to feel. I found myself in a sea of busy places, in a world of blurry faces. I found myself on the edge of insanity, I found, I found me.~~~ -Anna Clendening-

"Thanks, Sam."

Luke said the moment he parked the car in front of my parents' house. He insisted on taking us home as Cali already has fallen asleep due to exhaustion from all day's activity.

"Why are you thanking me?" I asked and tried to make my face devoid of emotion. I really wanted to get out of the car, run inside the house so I couldn't see the face of the person I was supposed to be avoiding. "Thanks for letting me join you and Cali today---"

"Did I invite you to join us or did I say 'I'll let join us' earlier? I didn't, right? I had no choice because you talked to my daughter and you already told her about your plan. Well, congratulations because everything that happened, it all happened according to your plan." "Sam, I just want to talk to you and spend time with you and Cali."

"Spend time with me?" I repeat with a wry smile playing on my lips.

"Yes, I know I've been a jerk to you before, I cheated on you and it's late to ask for your forgiveness but---"

"Yeah, you're right, you're already four years late for that so even if you apologize for a hundred times, it would still be useless! But anyway, why are you bringing up the past again, Mr Williams? I wasn't asking about 'us' or what you've done to me in the past because it's already been a long time. What I want to know is that why are you doing this and why are you using my daughter for this game?"

"But this isn't a game, Sam and I'm not using Cali."

"Then why did you give her a phone and why did you tell her to hide it from me? And one more thing, are you spying on me through Cali?"

"No, of course not!" He said, shaking his head. "Believe me, it wasn't my intention. I gave Cali a phone so I can talk to her whenever I want without bothering anyone. I admit, the mall idea was mine but---"

"See? I was right!" I exclaimed.

"Please, Sam, let me finish. Like what I told you, I just wanted to spend time with you, some bonding, a family bonding." He shrugged in which I couldn't help but laugh.

"In case you have forgotten, Mr Williams, we're no longer a husband and wife. We got divorced four years ago, so spare me from the bonding you wished to have. And by the way, I will let you spend time with your daughter, you can visit her and have all the time with her as we agreed before, but please, don't give her a false hope that we will become a family again because you know It won't!"

"Why not?"

you

sentence, but he hesitated to continue, so it was

or whatever you have in mind, but I don't wanna

"Samantha..."

I would never talk to you again nor even spare you a glance. Why? Because it's a shame, a big insult to

"I'm sorry."

hissed, then shook my

did, for cheating in our marriage. I'm sorry

heard from him

me to be, for all the mistakes I've made and for everything. There isn't a single day that I don't regret losing someone like you. I regret everything I did and

on your vocabulary? You know what, I want to share secret with you. Honestly, I waited for that word four years ago. I was waiting to hear your 'sorry' but you never did, instead, you let us go so easily. But now you're telling me you're sorry, well, I'm

hand but

you will make me believe in you again, but the time has changed. I am no longer the naive, dumb and old fashioned Samantha who always nods and agrees in every word you said. I'm no longer the

lowered his head and avoided

your partner so we can go inside now." I got out of the car to get

room." He stopped me from lifting my

to the entrance and I'll be the one to bring

I'll

"Luke---"

her before I go. It's one of the things I regret

what he said and before I knew it, he was already walking towards

***

my room, watching her

turn back the time and change what I've done, but if you give me a chance, I will make everything right. I will be a better man this