Chapter 171 Get Out!!
Alberto’s breathing shifted slowly as consciousness returned in fragments that refused to settle at once. His body felt heavy yet lighter than before, as though the unbearable weight he had carried earlier had been eased but not entirely lifted. The scent of herbs lingered faintly in the air, mixed with something cleaner, something familiar.
He stirred slightly.
A faint ache pulsed through his limbs, but it no longer burned the way it had before.
His fingers twitched against the bed.
A quiet movement near him drew his attention.
Alberto forced his eyes open.
The light in the room felt softer than the harsh dimness he remembered. His vision blurred at first, shapes blending into one another before gradually sharpening into form.
A figure sat beside him.
Alberto blinked slowly as he tried to focus.
The man’s face came into view.
It was unfamiliar.
The stranger’s features carried age and quiet strength, yet there was something else beneath it. Something Alberto could not immediately place.
Their eyes met.
Alberto’s brows pulled together slightly.
“Who are you?”
His voice came out rough, though steadier than before.
The man froze.
For a moment he did not answer.
His hand, which had been resting near Alberto’s, pulled back slightly as if unsure whether to remain or withdraw.
“I…”
He hesitated.
Alberto pushed himself up slightly against the bed, his body protesting the movement but not enough to stop him.
“Why are you here?”
The man’s lips parted again.
“I…”
His voice faltered.
Before he could continue, the door opened.
Fernando stepped into the room.
His presence filled the space instantly.
The moment he saw Alberto awake, relief crossed his face, though he quickly composed himself.
“Alberto.”
He walked forward.
Alberto’s eyes shifted toward him.
Then back to the man beside him.
“Who is he?”
Fernando slowed slightly.
His gaze moved between Alberto and the man.
For a brief moment, silence stretched in the room.
Fernando stepped closer and lowered his head slightly toward the man.
A gesture of respect.
“Gilat.”
Alberto’s eyes narrowed faintly.
He turned fully toward Fernando.
“What is going on?”
Fernando exhaled quietly.
He looked at Alberto carefully, as if choosing his words.
“You should not take this the wrong way.”
Alberto’s expression hardened slightly.
“Take what the wrong way?”
Fernando hesitated only briefly before speaking.
“Gilat is your father.”
The words hung in the air.
Alberto stared at him.
For a moment there was no reaction.
Then he shook his head slowly.
“No.”
His voice carried quiet disbelief.
Fernando stepped closer.
“It is the truth.”
Alberto let out a short breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
“No.”
He repeated it again, firmer this time.
“I am an orphan.”
His eyes moved back to the man.
“I was sold to the auction house.”
Gilat flinched slightly at the words.
Alberto’s voice rose a little.
“I do not have a father.”
Gilat finally spoke, his voice low and uneven.
“I know.”
Alberto’s gaze sharpened.
“Then why are you here?”
Gilat swallowed.
“I could not come forward before.”
Alberto’s jaw tightened.
“Why not?”
Gilat looked at him with something heavy in his eyes.
“I was protecting you.”
Alberto let out a harsh breath.
“By abandoning me?”
Fernando stepped forward slightly.
“Alberto, listen.”
Alberto turned sharply toward him.
“No.”
His voice carried force now.
“I have heard enough.”
Gilat tried again.
“I watched you.”
Alberto’s eyes flickered.
“What?”
Gilat nodded slowly.
“I stayed away, but I never left you completely.”
Alberto stared at him.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Gilat’s voice trembled slightly.
“I saw everything.”
Alberto shook his head again.
“You saw everything?”
His voice cracked slightly.
“Then you saw me being sold?”
Gilat closed his eyes briefly.
“Yes.”
Alberto’s breath hitched.
“And you did nothing?”
The question hung sharp in the air.
Gilat opened his eyes again.
“I could not risk exposing you.”
Alberto let out a bitter laugh.
“So you let them take me?”
Fernando stepped in again.
“It was not that simple.”
Alberto’s head snapped toward him.
“Do not speak for him.”
Fernando stopped.
Gilat took a small step forward.
“I wanted to come for you.”
Alberto’s eyes glistened faintly.
“But you did not.”
Gilat’s shoulders lowered slightly.
“I could not.”
Alberto’s voice broke now.
“You could not?”
He swallowed hard.
“Or you chose not to?”
Gilat did not answer immediately.
That silence said more than words could.
Alberto’s chest tightened.
Tears formed in his eyes before he could stop them.
He turned his face away briefly.
“I do not need you.”
His voice came out quieter now.
Gilat’s expression tightened.
“I am sorry.”
Alberto looked back at him.
“I do not need your apology.”
Fernando stepped closer again.
“Alberto, please.”
Alberto shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed toward the door.
“Get out.”
The words were sharp.
Fernando hesitated.
“Alberto.”
“I said get out.”
Gilat stepped forward slightly.
“I know you are angry.”
Alberto’s hand moved suddenly.
He grabbed the nearest object from the table beside him.
Before either of them could react, he hurled it toward them.
It struck the wall near Fernando with a sharp sound.
“Leave.”
His voice rose.
“I do not want either of you here.”
Fernando took a step back.
“Calm down.”
Alberto shook his head violently.
“Do not tell me to calm down.”
Gilat tried again.
“I understand your pain.”
Alberto let out a harsh breath.
“No, you do not.”
His voice cracked again.
“You were not there.”
Gilat’s eyes lowered.
“I know.”
Alberto pointed toward the door again.
“Leave.”
Fernando placed a hand slightly forward.
“We should give him time.”
Gilat hesitated.
“I need to explain.”
Alberto grabbed another object from the table.
“Do not make me repeat myself.”
His hand tightened around it.
Fernando moved slightly closer to Gilat.
“Come.”
Gilat looked at Alberto one last time.
“I will not stop trying.”
Alberto’s eyes burned with anger and pain.
“Just go.”
Gilat finally turned.
Fernando followed him toward the door.
Before they could fully step out, the door opened again.
Mira rushed in.
Her eyes quickly took in the scene.
The tension in the room was clear.
“What is going on?”
She looked at Alberto, then at Fernando and Gilat.
Alberto’s chest rose and fell unevenly.
“They need to leave.”
Mira stepped forward quickly.
“You should all step outside.”
Her voice softened slightly.
“This could affect his recovery.”
Fernando nodded once.
“You are right.”
Gilat hesitated again but Mira’s presence left little room for argument.
“Please.”
She gestured toward the door.
Fernando guided Gilat out.
The door closed behind them.
Mira turned back toward Alberto.
His shoulders still trembled slightly.
She approached carefully.
“You need to rest.”
Alberto wiped his face roughly.
“I do not want to see him.”
Mira nodded gently.
“Then you will not.”
She adjusted the cloth near him.
“Just focus on breathing.”
Alberto stared at the ceiling.
His expression remained tight.
Outside the room, Gilat stood still for a moment.
His hands remained at his sides.
Fernando looked at him quietly.
“He needs time.”
Gilat nodded slowly.
“I know.”
His voice came out low.
“I will wait.”