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He senses it.
“I know many times we compare you and Odessa because you’re twins and mimic each other in many ways,” he admits as his red eyes drift back to my ivory green-golden ones. “One of those traits includes how you both don’t hesitate to act in the moment. You don’t wait for logic to kick in.” I’m going to argue, but he adds, “Unless the need for logic will determine a positive outcome in your minds.”
I close my mouth, which confirms he hit the nail on the head with that one.
“Your mother’s behavior was inexcusable,” he confesses with a sigh. “I know she’s been extremely stressed since you left. Worried about the trials and if you’d survive through whatever challenges were set for you all this year.”
He reaches over to the pair of glasses that sit on the tower of papers he’s yet to tackle for the day.
Probably because he’s worried about me.
“You know I advocate for her because she has no one else who will stand by her side. Some say it’s a toxic trait of mine that I should acknowledge and confront, but then again, everything is easier said than done,” he admits as he picks up his glasses and stares at them.
“That’s because you love her,” I mutter. “It’s hard to change the habits of someone you love… especially when they themselves don’t want to see the damage they create with their behaviors.”
“She grasps what’s happening, Ophelia,” Dad whispers.
I can’t help but look at him as we stare at one another.
“She’s tipping over the edge of self-destruction?” I whisper.
“Tipping to the point, I’m gonna have to make the decision whether we need a third party in the picture,” he confesses.
“Then why are you with me and not with her?” I don’t want to be the reason why my mother doesn’t promptly get the help she needs.
“Because you were tipping faster,” he admits with a sad smile as he slips his glasses on. “And I can’t let my ignorance bite me in the ass a second time.”
Meaning…
“The same thing happened with Odessa,” I conclude.
“Sadly.” He can’t help but drift his gaze to the red chair. “I have to be reminded every day that I allowed the burdens and frustrations that haunt my lover to impact my child to the point they thought being home and in our lives was no longer a safe place. That never was our intent.”
For once, he lets me see his true emotions as he’s deep in his thoughts.
“When Ella got pregnant, we were ecstatic. We’d been trying for so many years. It was a grand celebration throughout the pregnancy, especially knowing we’d not only be parents but also have a prodigy to continue our name. I know it sounds stupid, especially when our legacy has seemingly become a burden to you, but it was one of the promises I made to my parents before their passing. From thinking I’d never be able to get Ella pregnant to sensing that little spark of energy inside her tummy, nothing could take the joy away from us.”
“Did it go away when I was born?” I mutter and look at the flames, so I don’t see the expression of disappointment in his eyes.
“Ophelia.” His voice is soft enough to draw me back in, despite my fear of letting him down with my existence. He can’t hide his sadness as those red spheres with pupil slits pool with tears. “The day of your and Odessa’s births was one of the most serious days of my life.”
I can tell he means every word.
“Then… why does Mom despise me?” I’ve seen all the signs over the years, and I’ve concluded that I’m the scapegoat between me and my sister. “When she looks at me now, I know she just envisions Odessa. She wishes I was never born and validated that today.”
Dad sighs.
“No one informed her,” he whispers.
“Informed her of what?”
“That the birth of children will eliminate her Nephalem status,” he reveals.
“Wait…” I stare back at him in astonishment. “What do you mean, no one told her that? I mean… wasn’t it taught in school? Written in books and scriptures? Mother made sure we knew every single fine detail in regard to Gilded Mergers and their ultimate forms. I knew Nephalems can’t get pregnant or else they will lose their blessed gift upon giving birth.”
“The curriculum and even scriptures were updated for that reason,” he confesses. “There was so little written about Gilded Mergers we were not aware of. It wasn’t until it became a reality in our lives did we urge the expansion of research to add that prime detail into all the literature.”
“So when we were born, that’s when she found out,” I conclude and try to think bout being in her shoes. I knew the premise regarding birth and the risk of complications—especially with postpartum depression—but to find out you’re no longer a Gilded Merger, something you’ve worked hard for years to acquire, is harsh.
