The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace By Eva Zahan Chapter 77 – The last time I saw him was at the police station. After that night, Ace handed him over to the police for trying to force himself on me. And as much as that night managed to send a shiver down my spine for months after that, I pressed down on my grudge against him and thought rationally. Yes, what he did was wrong, but he was drunk at that moment. Not that it gave him any excuse to do that to me, but I decided to let things end and requested Ace to withdraw his complaint.

Even I did wrong to him, though it was nothing compared to the deed he tried to do. But for the sake of our years of friendship, I decided to let him out after fifteen days of his j**l, much to Ace’s dismay. He wanted him to rot behind the bars forever.

Even though he apologized for his actions endlessly, I had told him to stay away from me and not to try to reach out in any way.

But here he was today, probably with his fiance. I just hoped Ace wouldn’t see him here.

The woman beside me stood up and he rushed to her side immediately, before turning to me again. Glancing at my bump, a soft smile etched on his face.

“How are you doing, Em… I mean, Emerald.” He cleared his throat awkwardly.

I nodded. “Good.”

I didn’t say anything else as he fidgeted in his place. “And… Achilles?”

“Great.”

“This is my fiance, Sarah,” he said, making that woman smile at me. The look in her eyes told me she knew more than just about my designs.

“Hi, I- uh, I wanted to introduce you myself, but I didn’t know how you would react. Warner told me so much about you that I feel like I know you for years!”

My eyes cut Warner. “Then he must have told you the reason behind our distance now?”

Guilt flashed over his eyes as he looked down in shame. Sarah squeezed his hand.

“Yes, he told me everything.” Her voice came out soft. “You don’t know what guilt he was going through for years. He still curses that night. I can’t say he deserves your forgiveness, but he’s extremely sorry, Emerald. Nothing can justify his act, but it was not him. The alcohol, the anger, the jealousy and his heartbreak made him react like that. You knew him for years, he isn’t that person.”

“I’m so sorry, Em!” Warner took a step forward, eyes pleading. “I know you hate me. But please, maybe for the sake of the friendship we had, forgive me? I don’t want any place in your life again, I lost the right to be your friend again, but at least say that you forgave me. It’ll be easier to live thinking that my best doesn’t hate me anymore.”

Something clenched in my heart. The b**n in my eyes made me look away. Even after the hatred, I had missed his presence in my life. He was my best friend after all. Even deep down, I knew he wasn’t the person I met that night.

But sometimes, if a relationship is broken, it can’t be fixed. So we better stay away from each other.

“I know that wasn’t you, Warner. That’s why I made Ace let you out of j**l. Honestly, I don’t really hate you, I never did. But yes,” I looked at him in the eye, “the hurt you gave me that night, I can’t forget it so easily. Yes, I can forgive you for that night. It’s been years after all. But don’t expect me to be all nice and friends with you. We’ll be the way we have been for years.”

When I said I would forgive him, a light of hope had lit in his eyes. But as soon as I finished my talk, it died down.

“Em…” He let out a sigh before nodding. “Thank you. At least I’ll get your forgiveness. But I will always hope that maybe someday, we could be friends again.”

“Maybe.” Glancing at Sarah, I flashed a small smile. “All the best for your future.”

“Thanks,” she nodded as a small smile tugged up Warner’s lips.

***

halt, I

most of the kids were out in the playground, running and skipping around. Some were leaving with

team will add more pressure on his shoulders? He already has his studies and swimming lessons to take care of,” Ace grumbled for the third time since our

“Don’t worry, he can take

up before Ace showed up. Otherwise I was sure Warner wouldn’t be going home today, which was now in this city, he would be on the hospital bed

nod.

Only his son?

my brow. “I didn’t remember it was you who

his lips against mine. “Yeah, but I was the one who

the one who carried him for nine months in

the car, he strode to me, wrapping a

out a grin on my

teacher now. He must be

I let him guide me into the school where we met Archer’s teacher, with Archer present in the

worry at all, Mr. Valencian. He’s very good at whatever he does, be it studies, swimming or football. I’m sure he can manage it

on him, you know? He’s just a kid,” I said, glancing at our son, who

a ‘kid’, an almost non visible crease formed between his

bit back my

much more mature and quiet than most of the kids of his age. To say, he was just like his father. He liked to keep to himself, wouldn’t share any of his thoughts unless it was necessary and tends to observe everything quietly. Not only

to his being serious most of the time. He didn’t even have many friends

we’ll be making sure we don’t give him much load,”

to suffer in any way,” Ace warned, pinning the

on his chair, clearing his throat. “Sure, Mr. Valencian. Don’t worry

how’s his studies going? I hope he’s on his

a glance at his father,

studies are good. He’s a genius in every subject. His behavior is also good, except…”

Ace titled

teachers.” He let out an awkward laughter as Archer did the same thing he was accused of. His narrowed eyes fixed on Mr. Devaski. “But it’s alright.

widened. “Archer? Is

gaze from his teacher. His

At Ace’ voice, he turned to his father, as

son than I had. But at least Archer respected and feared his father

hearing? Is it true? If it is, then may I know the reason for

Archer from behind his glasses that fell in the

questions,” was his

up, buttoning up his coat. My mouth fell open at this. “You have anything else to say

at Ace’ response, and nodded his head. “N-no, Mr. Valencian. That was all. Hope to see you soon at our annual sports