A Heart's Recompense
Chapter 12
Kagome's head was spinning. Everything she had endured for the last two years, all of the hardships, the loss of almost everything she held dear, was because someone told him that he was not Kazuki's father. Who would do such a thing? Why?
She had so many thoughts inside her head. She couldn't sort them all out. She was hurt that he would believe the lie in the first place. She was angry that he never gave her a chance to give him the truth. She was sad for all the time that had been lost. Time that they could have been a family.
She didn't doubt that they would have been a family. His apology had been sincere. Even if it were too little, too late. She knew he would never have thrown away his pride as he had if that weren't the truth. He said he wanted to get to know his son. Since he had been a victim just as much as she, that wasn't something that she could deny him even if she wanted to. He had a right to be part of his son's life if he wanted to be. She wouldn't stop him from bonding with Kazuki.
He had also said he wanted to be a part of her life too. And he would let her define what that part would be. Could she let him back in her life? In any form? Before today, she could honestly say she hated him. Even if her heart would whisper, 'liar'. But wasn't he hurt just as much by the lie as she had been? He didn't have to destroy her life as he had, but she knew that demons were sometimes ruthless when it came to betrayals. More so when the betrayal was personal.
She was making excuses for him. There was no excuse. All he had to do was open his mouth. A few words and there would have been hard feelings for the lack of trust, but the truth would have been proven. All of the 'what ifs' in the world would never fix the past. It was too late for them. But Kazuki would have his father.
When she reached the street, she realized that she would now have to find a way back to her car, which was across town. Before she could mentally calculate how much a cab would cost, she was hailed by Sesshoumaru's driver.
"Miss Higurashi, it's good to see you again."
She remembered the man and gave him a genuine smile.
"Hello Mr. Satori. How have you been? How's your mate?"
"Fine. Fine. Do you need a ride?"
She bit her lip.
"I couldn't ask you to do that. It wouldn't be right."
"Nonsense. Lord Sesshoumaru asked me to make sure you got home."
She narrowed her eyes.
"He did, did he?"
Satori opened the door for her. She eyed it with resignation. It was late. Her car was across town. She had to get to her son. The decision was a no brainer. No matter how angry she was at him, she was also smart enough not to look a gift horse in the mouth. She got in.
Satori took her to the parking lot where her car was parked.
"Thank you, Mr. Satori. You can leave now. I'll be fine."
"It's late. There aren't many people around this area this time of night. I think I'll stay until you are on your way."
She shook her head and smiled. It really did make her feel better. She took out her keys and grimaced as she removed the parking ticket from under her windshield wiper. She had stayed over the allotted time. She stuffed it in her purse, then pulled it back out. Since Sesshoumaru was so willing to make amends, he could start with paying the ticket that was his fault in the first place.
"Would you please see that your lord gets this? He'll understand, I'm sure."
Satori took the ticket from her and bowed to hide his amusement.
"Certainly, Miss Higurashi."
The long drive to pick up her son afforded her more time to think about the information she now had. And the information she didn't. Why wouldn't he tell her who it was who told him? Who could have told him?
The day he had walked out on her was the day she had gone to the doctor to confirm her condition. She hadn't told anyone her suspicions prior to that. No one at the clinic even knew her. She had not mentioned Sesshoumaru at all. Even if she had, no one there had any reason to do something so vindictive.
It would have to be personal. Who could possibly hate her enough to destroy her life? Applying a little deductive reasoning, she eliminated her family. While her grandfather especially had a motive in breaking up her relationship, she had not told them. She had not mentioned it to any of her coworkers. Her morning sickness was always gone by the time she got to work. It couldn't have been Sesshoumaru's family. She had never met any of them prior to the incident.
The only person she told was… Sango. She shook her head. Of course it couldn't have been Sango. She was her best friend. Had been since they met in kindergarten. Sango knew how much she loved Sesshoumaru and how happy she was to be having his pup. She would never do something to hurt her like that. And Sango had been there for her ever since it happened. Even if she was a little pushy about trying to get her to date again, she was just trying to help.
Her final thoughts on the matter as she pulled into the Taisho's driveway were that she would have to insist that Sesshoumaru tell her the source. And when she found out who it was, they would pay. They would pay for every tear she cried, every pain she felt, and everything she had lost. Her home, her job, her possessions, her family, and the man she loved. She wanted a name. And if Sesshoumaru was serious about making the last two years up to her, he'd cough it up. Or she'd choke it out of him.
To be continued…