I stayed in that company for a few months until my wife gave birth to Brier. I heard some news about my groupmates during that time. Some of it was sad news for their families. One family went bankrupt, some daughters died, some lost their wives, and one of my groupmates died inside the cells.
Jonathan lost his mother. Sadly, he wasn't even able to visit her in the hospital or attend her funeral.
I never regretted doing what I did. But I will never forget it either. Because that is the only thing I can do to atone for what happened carry the guilt with me until I die.
Jonathan and the innocent friend of mine managed to be freed after five years in prison. They lost time, lost family, and gained the title of ex-convict. Life for them would never be easy again. On the other hand, within those five years, I managed to buy a house for my family and watched Brier grow into a fine boy.
Jonathan was the brightest of all of us. He managed to stand back up and build his business from the ground up. He helped and hired my groupmates to support them. Getting a job with the title of ex-convict is really difficult. Sometimes they invite me for a drink. I don't know why. I think it is just to show that they are doing better than I am.
In the Present Time
Father Marcus POV
A few minutes passed as we stayed outside. I looked at Jonathan again. He was clearly different from the past. He had grown stronger and more confident. He is now the owner of a lending company, some restaurants, and several apartments.
I tried to avoid getting close to him as much as possible. I just want to live a quiet life with my family in this simple house.
However, Brier got sick.
I needed cash.
The hospital bills piled up like crazy within those seven days tests, medicine, more tests, and doctor's fees.
So I was left with no choice but to swallow my pride and ask for help from Jonathan, the person I wanted to avoid as much as possible.
"Marcus, I know you're not having it easy. The money you borrowed is close to its due date," he said while lighting his cigarette. He handed me one and then lit it for me.
I sighed and looked down, feeling embarrassed. I couldn't pay it now, so I could only ask for an extension. Doing so would only bury me deeper in debt. I couldn't beg him either, because they once begged me before and I ignored them.
This might be my karma for what I did.
As I flicked the cigarette in my hand and puffed some smoke, I spoke.
"I'll try to pay for it. Maybe I'll sell this house of mine. I'll make sure to pay before the due date," I said as I looked at him.
He looked at me for a while. His fingers still held the cigarette. The smoke blocked his face and eyes, but I could see his mouth.
He smiled at me.
Then he laughed.
"Man, you know I can't have you homeless. After all, unlike some other guys out there, I won't betray my friends for my own benefit. I'm not like you, man. Hahahahaha," he said as he stepped on the cigarette butt.
I couldn't counter anything he said.
Because he was only stating the truth.
I looked at the ground, unable to face him. Guilt started to eat me up.
"I did it for my family. Even if we turned back time, I would do it again," I stated.
Jonathan looked at me and smiled, finding my statement amusing.
I felt his hand on my shoulder. It was heavier than before.
"Man… I know."
He looked at me with a serious face.
A few seconds passed, and the look on his face changed into anger. He tried to control himself as he held his head with both hands. His tidy hair started to get messy.
But I simply looked at him with steady eyes.
Because I deserve to hear every word he says.
"Everyone would do the same. But you can't justify your actions just because you did it for your family. We also had families. Life inside was never easy, man."
His voice trembled. His face started to flush with anger, but he tried his best to control his emotions.
"There was never a day when I stopped questioning myself. What did I do wrong to deserve that hell? My son grew up without me seeing it. My mother died without me being able to see her. My wife experienced hardship just to survive."
His eyes turned red as anger consumed him. The jolly and talkative Jonathan that I saw in the kitchen was gone.
Only anger and madness remained.
"I never once wanted to see you. Every single night, I wanted to choke you to death. Every day, the hate grew larger."
He gritted his teeth as he clenched his fist in front of me.
Then he paused for a moment.
He looked at me with a smirk and with horror in his eyes.
His aura suddenly changed.
Goosebumps ran all over my body.
"You know how Justin died inside? Ahahaha. Every time I remember it, it gives me so much joy."
I looked at him in shock as he laughed like he had won the lottery.
"We learned that he was the mastermind behind everything that happened. Wahahaha! You know what's funny? He even used the money from his past transactions to bribe the wardens and live comfortably inside. They even brought women to him."
Justin's death was broadcast in the news.
He received multiple stab wounds and was brutally killed inside the prison.
The suspect was never caught.
I looked at Jonathan as he continued his story.
"However, there is only one place where you can take a bath in the cell. With careful planning and by identifying his pattern and schedule… well, there was nothing else for us to do inside prison. So why not take revenge on the one who destroyed your life? Hahahaha! That fool didn't even guard himself against us, thinking he was above us."
He laughed as he looked directly into my eyes, studying my reaction.
However, I remained steady. My eyes never wavered, clearly accepting what he said.
I couldn't blame him for what he did.
If I were in his shoes, maybe I would have gone crazy and done the same thing.
"He died a miserable death inside. I'll tell you that," he said with a laugh.
Then he pointed his finger at me.
Looking at me as if I were prey.
"My hatred for you is the same as my hatred for Justin. If I think about it, your sin is much larger than his."
"I know," I replied.
"Seeing you beg for money that day really irritated me. You know? How the hell can you have the face to ask me for help to save your son… when you ignored us when we asked for your help to save us and our families?"
"I know."
"Are you crazy or something? Even a stupid kid would know to avoid people they have hurt."
"Yes, you are right. I can't undo what I did. I can't give you back the time you lost. I won't even beg for forgiveness. I'll carry this guilt in my heart forever."
"If you want revenge on me, then I only ask one thing as your former friend."
"Leave my family alone."
I bowed my head to him.
Accepting everything as if it were fate.
I know the day when karma will finally reach me will come.
That is the reason why I always worked hard to build this house as a foundation for my family in case God finally decides to punish me.
Jonathan looked at me and waved his hand.
"Sigh… you know what? I can't stay mad at you forever. Do one thing for me, and I will forgive you for what you have done."
"You can also forget about the money you owe."
I looked into his eyes, wanting to know what he meant.
But he didn't even give me time to think.
"Joseph!!! Let's go!" he shouted his son's name as he prepared to leave.
"I'll call you and tell you the details!"