302: [Bonus chapter] Forgiveness

[Bonus chapter] Forgiveness

"That's not my son. If you're wondering who that was, it was my wife."1

Dominic didn't even give a heads-up before dropping the bomb.

"Anyway, on clause 4.1, I see some problems with the plan because..." After dropping the bomb unannounced, Dominic acted as if he didn't say something as if it was no big deal. He pointed out the things he noticed in the presentation, asking for another revision after giving his input about the matter.

"So, as I was saying..." Dominic trailed off, furrowing his brows as everyone just looked at him in a daze. When he glanced at Dane, all he saw was the latter looking at him with a conflicted countenance. 

What was wrong with everyone?

*****

Meanwhile...

"See you."

"Wait, Dom —"

Clack

Heaven frowned as soon as she heard the line disconnect. She gazed at her phone, sighing. 

"I guess I did interrupt him," she murmured, resting her arms over her knees and cocking her head back until it was touching the wall behind her. "Damn it. Now I feel like a piece of shit."

Another sigh slipped through her nostrils, keeping her lips tightly shut. Heaven gazed at the ceiling, listening to some noises outside the room. The one she was currently in stood as a stockroom that barely no one uses. 

"Bear will be worried," she whispered, thinking she should message Bear to not worry about her. However, she didn't have the slightest strength to move an inch. It was like she was immobilized, unable to lift her hand and move her fingers to type a single message. 

It was strange how these heavy emotions could cripple her temporarily.

"Fell in love with... hah." Another scoff escaped her lips, unable to stop her argument with Leo from clouding her mind. "What a messed up story, Heaven Liu. I hate you more and more whenever your bullshit comes and bites me."

She slowly closed her eyes, groaning in irritation. She never felt this type of irritation to someone, and not being able to do anything about it just made it worse. What would she do? Beat Leo until he was groveling to her feet? Or walk out of the set to find wherever Paula was right now?

Even if she do that, it would change nothing. 

That night happened five years ago and the fruit of that night was already in this world. The culprit was also dead.

"I'm not Heaven Liu." Heaven buried her face into her arms that were placed over her knees. "This shouldn't affect me, since Dom already moved on from it."

'Think about anything — just anything is fine, but that,' she told herself, thinking of something in Hera's life that was enough to distract her. But alas, nothing could lift off the heaviness in her heart. 'Damn it!'

Heaven stayed in that position, disregarding the noises on the other side of the wall. She heard some of them were looking for her to do her scenes, but she didn't get out. She couldn't even lift a finger, let alone do another fight scene. 

Silence slowly enveloped her, cradling her in its arms as if telling her to face this truth. After another minute or so, Heaven sensed a person's presence in front of her. She slowly peeked over her arms, only to see Bear squatting down in front of her. 

"I got worried for a second." Bear heaved a sigh of relief, offering her a subtle smile. 

"How did you find me?"

"That guy told you that he said something stupid and that you walked out of him," he explained, keeping it short and simple. "I was thinking if it was just something stupid, you'd be with the stuntmen stealing their job to release some tension. But when I couldn't find you, I realized he probably said something very stupid. So I went out looking for you, knowing you'd be hiding somewhere."

His eyes softened as he added, "Like you always do when people are being so stupid."

"You know me very well," she let out a soft laugh.

"I've been with you even before you were born. So, that's given."

Heaven kept her subtle smile before she lowered her eyes. 

"Leo is innocent," she said. "His only sin was to be innocently ignorant and for believing Paula. But then again, even the original Heaven Liu believed in the twisted lie she made herself believe just to save her fucking ass."

The smile on her face gradually faded. "He said I fell in love with the person who violated me, so I have no other way but to admit it was not me. It was the other way around. I guess that doesn't matter now since Heaven is dead and my relationship with my husband is better than I expected it to be."

"You already know the problem and the solution," said Bear, watching her look up at him. "You already know what matters and what doesn't. Why are you still hiding in here?"

Heaven and Bear looked at each other in silence. He raised his brows slowly, waiting for her to answer his question.

"Because... I hate what she did and yet, I have to swallow my pride because I want to live," she answered, making Bear nod in satisfaction.

"Boss, your name, your face, and your body might be Heaven Liu. However, you will always be you." His lips curled up broader. "I'm not saying you shouldn't lock yourself and give yourself time and space to think about things. However, the Hera I know always faces anything head-on. She doesn't back down to the point it was scary."

Bear rested his arm on his thigh while he raised the other to her. He planted his hand on top of her hair, patting it mildly.

"Forgive Heaven Liu." His face softened, stroking her head gently. "I'm certain it's something Heaven Liu couldn't do. If Dominic Zhu forgave her, you should too. If you can't do it for her, then do it for yourself."

Bear nodded at her encouragingly, retrieving his hand from her. Bear knew that Hera would never understand the original Heaven Liu because of their differences. However, Bear, to some degree, understood the original Heaven Liu. He understood why Heaven Liu was the way she was because he went through the same pain, guilt, and madness. 

It was not that Heaven Liu truly hated Dominic or Sebastian Zhu. The person the original Heaven Liu hated the most was herself.

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