Ice and Fire novel Chapter 398

"He has always been my enemy!" Mond said gnashing his teeth as he stared in front of him intensely.

"Then why didn't you reek you revenge back when Jackson was sad and frustrated? Andrew's death was too much for Jackson, and if you had done something, there would be no problem to handle now." probed Stephen. He knew why Mond hesitated to take his revenge on Jackson after Andrew died.

Mond's lips tightened, and he didn't answer.

Stephen went on to say, "Mond, I'm going to confess something to you now."

"Say it!" the look in Mond's eyes darkened as he hissed the two words out.

Stephen tripped over his words at first, "I...I'm giving up on revenge, and my hatred for Jackson."

"You..." Mond's eyes narrowed with rage at Stephen's words. He couldn't begin to think of what to say or how, he was too angry, 'What is wrong with Stephen? How can he give up, now when we are so close?' he deliberated.

Stephen told Mond frankly his reasoning, "I will admit to you, seriously, my reason for wanting to let go of my hatred for Jackson, is Cherry."

Mond was silent and just stared at Stephen.

Stephen resumed explaining, "I have known her for more than five years. I was drawn to her from the first time I saw her, but she never returned my feelings. Now, I just want to be her friend. I realize only one person can make her life happy, and that's Jackson."

Mond's heart wildly pounded against his chest as he listened thoughtfully to each word Stephen said.

Stephen became immersed in his thoughts as he continued, "In fact, after I thought about it, I recognized, there are some things we can't change, no matter what transpired in the past or goes on now. What happened to my family impacted my childhood tremendously, and I hated Jackson. I vowed revenge against him, but, my need for vengeance isn't strong like it once was, and it was Cherry showing up that helped me understand. If you want me to say that I still hate Jackson; I admit it, I do hate him. I hate that he has Cherry beside him, and I don't."

Mond's expression was calm as he continued to listen in silence. In his heart, he appreciated Cherry, but he knew he had to keep what he felt to himself, even if he loved her because he couldn't allow himself to fall in love with a married woman.

Stephen looked at peace with his thoughts as he gazed at Mond asking, "Mond, I'm moving on. Won't you reconsider your plans for revenge? He is your..."

Before Stephen could finish, Mond cut him off, Shouting, "That's enough! That's none of your business!"

Mond spun on his heel and left the living room and headed upstairs.

Stephen felt a little saddened as he stared at the back of Mond walking away. He wasn't unhappy for himself; he was sad for Mond, whose experience was more painful than either his or Sally's. He knew Mond's personality, and way of doing things was related entirely to his previous experiences in life, and he saw Mond as a wayward child still, so he couldn't blame Mond even if he made mistakes. But that didn't mean other's would tolerate how Mond acted at times, even though he endured so much.