Chapter 68 Proud Of You
Christian’s Point of View
The driver came to pick me up and take me home, just like my mother had instructed.
I didn’t protest…Didn’t ask any questions.
I just followed him.
I slumped in the back seat, thinking about all the choices that led me up to this point. Did I regret letting the other team win, especially when Xavier was playing?
No.
But was I ready to sit through my mother’s endless nagging?
Also no.
Still, I knew I would.
An hour. Maybe two.
Of being reminded how useless I was.
How much she regretted having me. My fingers curled slightly against my lap.
Maybe she was right.
Maybe… if I had just died, none of this would be happening.
The car slowed as we approached the estate gates, and my chest tightened painfully. My heartbeat stuttered the moment we pulled in.
I could spot Father’s car just parked outside, and his chauffeur was standing right next to it, yet to be dismissed. My breath froze against my chest, because now I was certain that it wasn’t just my mother; I had to face both of them.
“We are here, young sir.” The driver’s voice broke through my thoughts, his grey eyes studying me from the rear-view mirror. I think he noticed my hesitation.
What if I just told him to take me back?
To go back to my dorm?
To school.
What if I just disobeyed?
“Yes,” The words escaped me in a whisper, my fingers hovered hesitantly on the doorknob before I opened it, I got out of the car, and Then I noticed another car pulling in.
I stopped to see who this extra visitor was.
The car slowed and then halted just a few meters away from me, the door opened, and a pair of long legs stepped.
Then I noticed the green eyes that belonged to Xavier.
Of course.
He’d be here.
And now, I think I should just go back.
I inhaled slowly, forcing my expression into something neutral as I shoved my hands into my pockets. My fingers trembled, but I kept my face steady.
“What do you want?” I asked coldly.
He hesitated, studying me, with what seemed to look like concern in his eyes.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to you earlier,” he said, stepping closer. “Are you okay?”
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
“Do I look okay to you?”
“That’s not what I—” I interrupted him sharply.
“What is this?” I cut in, my voice sharper now. “You came to rub it in my face? Show me how great you are? How you’re the ‘better’ son?”
“That is not what this is.” He snapped back at me, and I simply rolled my eyes. “You didn’t seem very fine as you left.”
“Really?” I tilted my head, a mocking smile tugging at my lips. “Then what? You want everyone to know you helped me? Want me to thank you?”
He quieted, and I just turned backward.
I turned away from him, climbing up the stairs and just ignoring the feeling in my chest, the insults are just words… I have heard them countless times.
They didn’t matter.
“I know you lost that point on purpose.” Xavier suddenly announced, and I stopped in my tracks almost immediately. I turned back slightly. “You played excellently today, but you lost that one point on purpose, didn’t you?”
My lips twisted into a smirk, and I raised an eyebrow at him, pretending like I didn’t understand what he was talking about.
“Why did you do that?” He asked curiously. “You had the chance to go to the next level, to the main competition… and you just threw it away?”
Silence and a beat passed before his voice came back again.
“Why?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said in a dismissive tone, and then proceeded on my walk inside the house. Xavier was just right behind me.
“Good day, master,” One of the maids greeted us with a light bow before walking away to continue her job. Others scattered quickly, rushing upstairs to report our arrival.
Of course they would.
It didn’t even take a minute before my mother appeared at the top of the stairs.
I haven’t seen her in a while, but right now, she looked like all the shades of mad. Her blue eyes narrowed at me, and then they flickered towards Xavier, and for the first time, I noticed a strange softness in them.
"Mother,” I called her softly, a little hesitant. She descended the stairs, and she elegantly walked towards me, her blue eyes burning like cold fire, as she got in front of me. “I—”
I opened my mouth to speak, but the only thing I could think of was an apology; I didn’t know what exactly I would be apologizing for.
For being a failure?
Before I could finish my statement, her hands raised, and then they came down in sharp, fast motion against my cheeks. My head yanked to the side, and the sound resounded in my ears.
“You are nothing but a disgrace, Christian.” Her voice was calm…too calm, and I bit down on my lips, my eyes stung with tears—tears that I blinked back. “Is there anything you can do right? Just be a son I can be proud of, and even that much is too much for you.”
She shoved me hard, and I staggered back, almost stumbling to the floor.
“I fucking hate you.” The words hit harder than the slap.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
But then, I nodded slightly.
“I know mom,” I answered, cracking my neck and rubbing my palm; I was doing everything I could to not cry.
She hated me… she always had, it wasn’t new.
But she had never outrightly told me, especially not in front of Xavier, then her eyes flickered towards Xavier, who was oddly quiet, and then she walked up to him.
“And you?” She stated, and I tried to reach for her, she didn’t need to cause any problems for him; if she wanted to take out her anger, she could take it out on me.
“Mom, don’t—”
I turned towards them, and the words died in my throat.
She was hugging him tightly, like he was something precious.
Xavier stood stiff in her arms, clearly caught off guard, his hands hovering awkwardly at his sides.
His eyes met mine, and in that moment, everything inside me broke.
“Good job on winning the game,” she said, pulling back from the hug, her hands caressing his cheeks. “Your father was so proud of you. “