Chapter 108

Chapter 108
WRITER'S POV
"Stop right there, Malone! Don’t walk away from me when I’m still talking to you!" Vera’s voice rose, sharp and filled with anger. Her eyes were blazing as she stared at her son’s back.
They had rushed to the police station after Jack told Vera and Maureen about what had happened to Malone. Seeing how panicked Vera was, Maureen had offered to come along for support. Jack had politely asked her to stay back so they wouldn't have to explain she was Monica's twin, not a ghost. She understood and wished them luck.
They reached the station just in time, before Malone was sent to a cell. Jack took charge, speaking to the Police Chief and doing the paperwork with Harry, the young officer who had helped with Ken’s case and Vera's stalker. Eventually, they were allowed to take Malone home.
On the drive back, Vera tried talking to Malone, but he said nothing. As soon as they got home and Jack pulled up, Malone jumped out and headed inside, ignoring his mother.
Boiling with frustration, Vera stormed in after him. Her words froze him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Are you proud of yourself? Do you think you did the right thing? What makes you think it's okay to shut down a highway and race with gang members?" Her voice cracked with emotion, but she kept it firm.
Malone turned to face her, jaw tight and eyes steady. He didn’t flinch. As the front door opened, the rest of the family stepped in. His eyes flicked briefly to the smiling Tim, but his smile faded the moment they made eye contact. Jessica and her daughter Tasha walked in too, both frowning at the tension in the air.
So they had brought Tim back, Malone thought bitterly, then turned back to Vera.
"How do you even know those boys? They got you in trouble and now they’re gone! Why didn’t you name them to the police? Why protect them?" Vera's voice trembled.
"So the cops can ruin their lives and throw them in jail?" Malone snapped. Everyone in the room froze as he interrupted. "They don’t have rich parents to pay their way out like me. They’d rot in jail. Those guys are my friends, and they get me in ways none of you ever have. I won’t betray them. And the race? It was my idea."
Vera staggered back slightly at his words. He didn't seem sorry at all.
"Uhm, I think we should step out," Jessica said quietly, guiding Tim and Tasha toward the door. "Tim, show Tasha the greenhouse. You promised, remember?" Her voice faded as the door closed behind them.
Malone knew exactly how much his words hurt his mother. He didn’t care. Even if others didn’t say it out loud, Jack never liked disrespect, especially from a kid. He stepped forward now, standing between Malone and Vera.
"She didn’t mean to attack you. But you don’t talk to your mother like that after all she’s done!" Jack's voice was low but stern.
"Oh yeah, all she's done," Malone sneered, clapping once in sarcasm. "Like sending my dad to prison and expecting me to act like he never existed. Great job, Mom."
His words broke something in Vera. She slumped to the floor, a choked sob escaping her lips.
"For the record, I didn’t ask to be rescued. I was doing fine. Growing up with a devil of a father makes you tough. I didn’t ask you to come to the police station either. I was coming home anyway," Malone said, brushing past Jack.
Jack wasn’t having it. He grabbed Malone’s wrist, twisted his arm behind him, and pinned him to the stairs. His voice was low and close to Malone’s ear.
"Stop being so ungrateful. Don’t treat your mother like she’s your enemy. If you love your father that much, go join him in prison. Or better yet, go live in his house. I’ll get the government to release his seized properties. Let’s see how long you last walking his path."
He pulled him up and released him.
"Make your choice. You're old enough to know right from wrong."
"Forget this!" Malone yelled, jerking his hand free. He winced in pain, then ran upstairs.
Jack turned to Vera, who was still on the floor. He helped her up gently and guided her to the couch. Sitting beside her, he wrapped an arm around her and stroked her hair.
"I’ve lost him, Jack," Vera whispered. "Where did I go wrong? What did I do to deserve this from him?"
Jack held her tighter. "You didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just angry and confused. Don’t blame yourself."
"What if he decides to leave? You gave him a choice," she said with a worried look.
"Then let him. But I doubt he will if he has any sense left."
"Uhm, sorry," Jessica's voice made them look up. They hadn’t noticed her come back in. "Can I have a moment with her?" she asked Jack.
Jack nodded, pressed a kiss to Vera’s hand, and walked out.
Jessica took his place beside her sister. She ran her hand through Vera's hair gently.
"You’re probably blaming yourself, thinking you failed as a mom. Don’t. You’re a great mom. Way better than our own ever was."
Vera looked at her sister. The usually playful tone in Jessica's voice was gone. She saw a tear slide down her cheek before she wiped it away quickly.
"You're crying?"
"Yes, sis," Jessica said softly. "She’s gone. Mom is dead."