One More Chance
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?"

"What do you mean why not?"

"Sam, I-I..." He started his sentence, but he hesitated to continue, so it was left hanging right there.

"I don't care what you're thinking or whatever you have in mind, but I don't wanna be with you again."

"Samantha..."

"I would be honest with you, Mr Williams, if it wasn't for Cali or if you're not just her father, I would never talk to you again nor even spare you a glance. Why? Because it's a shame, a big insult to my current boyfriend if he finds out that I'm still talking to my ex-husband about the past."

"I'm sorry."

"Tss!" I hissed, then shook my head.

"I'm sorry for what I did, for cheating in our marriage. I'm sorry for hurting you, Sam."

I was surprised to hear him apologize to me at that moment which I've never heard from him before. But I didn't say anything, I just remained quiet while waiting for his next words.

"I'm sorry if I never became the husband you wanted 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 I'm sorry---"

"Enough!" I whispered-yelled as I glared at him. "Sorry? You're sorry for hurting me and you regret what you did? Whew! I didn't know those words were listed 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 sorry because your 'sorry' has already been late for four years."

"Samantha..." He tried to touch my hand but I was quick to avoid his touch.

"Maybe if I had heard you say that word four years ago, I would have jumped and rolled on the ground for being stupid because I'm sure 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 young Samantha who stupidly in love with you where you can wrap and be played around your fingers!

He lowered his head and avoided my gaze.

"Why don't you just go back to your partner so we can go inside now." I got out of the car to get Cali from the back seat.

"Wait, let me carry her to her room." He stopped me from lifting my daughter and immediately take Cali from me.

"Just help me carry her to the entrance and I'll be the one to bring her upstairs."

"No, it's fine, I'll take her upstairs."

"Luke---"

"Please, I just want to help and kiss her before I go. It's one of the things I regret that I didn't do when she's still a little girl."

My mouth dropped open at what he said and before I knew it, he was already walking towards the entrance. I immediately closed the door and ran after him.

***

He put Cali to bed and stayed in my room, watching her sleep for a few minutes.

"I know I couldn't 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 time and a husband to you, Samantha."

I don't know what's funny but I just found myself laughing in front of him.

"Did I hear that right? You'll be a better man and a husband to me?" I asked between my laughter. "Whew! I can't believe that I would have heard those exact lines from you. What did you say again four years ago, that I should stop dreaming because no matter what I do, you will never learn to love me?"

I chuckled bitterly. I can't believe a time like this would come.

"And then now you're telling me to give you a chance and you'll be a better man? Huh! I don't know what comes to your mind for suddenly blurting out those words, but I'm sorry because like I said your sorry has already been late for four years and even if I forgive you or not, you can never change what happened. The damage has been done, Mr Williams, besides, a few months from now, I will no longer be a Soriano because David and I were getting married."

I witnessed the shock and hurt that registered in his eyes at the same time.

"Sam---"

"If you'll excuse me, I'm tired and I'm going to sleep."

I didn't wait for his answer as I turned towards the bathroom, but before I could open the door...

"Please don't forget to close the door when you leave. Thanks, Mr Williams." I said before pushing the door to open.

A long, deep sigh escaped my lips as I entered the bathroom. My heart was pounding faster in my ribcage, so I had to breathe and sit down to calm myself.

I shouldn't feel this way.

"No! I shouldn't be affected by him! I shouldn't be affected by his words and his presence! He hurt me and made me like a fool towards him before, he took from Cali the chance to have a complete family and I will never forgive him for that!"

I stood up and talked to my reflection once again.

"The saying was wrong. Whoever thought of the lines that 'time heals all wounds', he's wrong! Time didn't heal the wounds, they just reopened when I saw him. But I promise this time, I won't fall in love with him again! I've already made the biggest mistake of my life by loving him and I won't make the same mistake twice!"