"Assey is not the one behind all this. There's a woman controlling the strings in the darkness. Be careful—she's much more dangerous than Assey," Jhuni said. After speaking, he headed toward Ruth's ward before I could even stop or reply to him.
When he entered, Ruth was lying in bed, looking pale, with some machines connected to her head.
Jhuni stood there, clenching his fists. He had never had the chance to see his daughter alive and well. He badly wanted everything to end.
He walked slowly to the bed and called out, "Ruth, my dear daughter, I'm sorry for what happened to you. You're innocent, but you were also caught in this wicked game. Even if you won't allow me into your life as your father, please… give me the chance to right my wrongs. To fight back against all those who hurt you."
With a choked voice, Jhuni cried while gently holding Ruth's hand.
I stood at the door, listening to him. He sounded so heartbroken. But I also knew there was a reason Uncle James had spoken to him the way he did.
Looking at the father and daughter one last time, I left to find Uncle James.
I found him sitting on a bench in the hospital garden. He looked so broken, massaging his head with both hands.
Sitting beside him, I gently touched his thigh.
"Uncle James, I know everything is closing in, and it feels like the enemy wants to break us both—physically and emotionally. I know that man was working for Assey… but he's a changed man, Uncle. No one is beyond redemption."
I looked at him, trying to console him, but it seemed I only angered him.
Harshly pushing my hand away, Uncle James stood up and looked at me.
"Anaya, you don't know anything, okay? I know Jhuni might have changed, but I can't erase the memory of seeing him lead the men chasing your mother the day she died."
Putting his left foot on the bench, he raised his trousers and pointed at the scar at his ankle.
"This. I haven't told you who gave it to me, right? It was him."
"Now tell me, Anaya—he was nowhere when I adopted Ruth. He was part of every scheme that brought us this far. Do you think it's that easy to forget everything and just allow him to take Ruth away?"
At this point, I was crying. I never knew it was that serious.
"I—" Before I could say anything, a gust of wind blew past me. I knew Uncle James was angry… and he had left.