Page 124 of Psychotic Obsession
I sold the house and moved in with him a few months ago, and we are due to move into a larger one on the waterfront, in a small town not far from where we grew up. I refused my inheritance when my father died two years ago and told the investigators where Tobias buried his bags of money, which, after a long battle with the law, were returned to his accounts.
I refused his money too, but that didn't stop him from putting a chunk of it into savings accounts for the kids, which means they’ll set for life when they're old enough. He even set a savings up for Jason, filling it with two-hundred grand that'll become available to him in a few years.
But for now, I want to make my own success, my own money. I want to show the kids I can do it all without any help.
Life, after years of heartbreak, havoc, and craziness, is good.
I'm happy.
It has been wild and crazy, filled with hardships and struggles, but I've finally gotten to a place where I feel safe and, well...happy.
"Now, without further ado, I would like to introduce you all to Aria Miller."
Ewan kisses my cheek, releasing my hand to clap alongside the crowd. "Smash it," he tells me with a wink. "You can do it."
Nodding, I bite my lip with nerves as I stand from my chair, looking around at everyone applauding. I make my way to the stage in slow motion, violin music playing overhead. I accept a gentleman's hand to help me up the steps, positioning myself under the spotlight as Doctor Shique grins at me.
"It's good to see you again." He lowers the purple ribbon over my head, the golden medal heavy against my chest. "You deserve this."
"Thank you," I reply with a smile just as the music starts to lower, every nerve ending exploding as I glance at the audience now getting to their feet, cheering. My eyes find Ewan, and he nods at me proudly, making me dig deep and internally puff my chest for courage. "Breathe, Aria," I mutter to myself, taking a deep breath in through my mouth and out through my nose.
Doctor Shique backs away, allowing me to stand at the podium in the middle of the stage, tapping the microphone.
"I...I, um, I honestly have no idea what to say." I look down at the medal, feeling my eyes watering with pride. "Oh, God, my mascara is going to run," I say, the crowd laughing with me as I use my fingertips to wipe away the stray tears. "I don't think I deserve this. There are many researchers out there, especially in this room, who deserve it more than me."
I see a lot of heads shaking with smiles on their faces, disagreeing with me. I shift on each foot, my heart racing.
"There's one person who always believed in me the most, even when I failed." I take a deep breath, and find Gabriella's parents in the crowd, giving them a nod before I continue. "I met her when I was in college, and we were inseparable ever since." My voice breaks, and I swallow down a lump. "We traveled during research; we were always together. We were roommates.We were like sisters, and I honestly still feel lost when I wake up in the morning. I think I always will."
Her beautiful face flashes before me, her wide smile, her hazel eyes dancing with glee, mouthing to me to keep going like she always does, guiding me through every step in life.Her smile will brighten the skies forever.It's what's engraved on her headstone, and it's true.
I miss her.
"And I...and I..." Struggling to continue, I take a deep breath, gulping before I keep going. "I know she's looking down on me right now, questioning why..." I release a single laugh. "No, not questioning. She's screaming in disgust as to why I'm wearing my hair this way or why I'm wearing her white shirt."
They laugh again, some wiping tears from their eyes, especially her mom.
I stop, grasping hold of the podium. "I...um, I have her to thank for everything I have, because she always pushed me. Even up here," I point to my head, my nostrils flaring as tears fall, "she still helps me. She always pulls me from my nightmares, holds my hand, gives me a kick up the behind when I falter or when I feel like giving up."
I hear a few sniffles in the crowd, and Ewan wraps his arm around Jason's shoulders. "Gabriella... She saved me, and I hope she knows she did. She saved my children and the man I love. Everything I am today is because of her."
I look down at the medal once more. "I have her to thank for this." I raise it, my lip trembling. "I'm going to continue to make her proud every moment of my life, right up until I see her again, because she's my best friend, forever and always. This...this belongs to her."
The crowd stands, clapping once again as I lower my head, trying to compose myself.
My gaze remains on my trembling fingers, taking deep breaths as Doctor Shique appears beside me, his hand circling on my back. "We're allproud of you," he tells me, and before I can turn to leave the stage, he stops me. "There's someone else who wants to congratulate you."
I look up at him in confusion and wipe my tears with a tissue he offers, seeing him glance over my shoulder with a grin.
Turning, my mouth drops, blinking several times as Ivy Dermot, the now thirteen-year-old girl holding a bouquet of white roses with a massive smile, rises from her wheelchair. An aide walks alongside her as she takes careful steps towards me in her leg braces.
Her mom and dad stand behind her, applauding with proud tears in their eyes, nodding and giving me the thumbs up.
"What..." I stop, shocked, speechless.
The little girl I met all those years ago.
The little girl I travelled the world to save.
