“Yes, actually, I can.”
“She just returned home after being missing for 15 days, and your next plan is to send her away because she can not remember anything?”
Isabel sighed. Her arms were folded across her chest. “This is the only way I can make her feel comfortable.”
Hania started to laugh. “No! You are doing this to get away from the problem. You are always doing this.”
“I am doing my best to make things right for her. If she starts over in a different state. She will feel less awkward around new people.”
“Mother?”
“She is my child, and I understand what is best for her.”
Hania approached Isabel and asked, “What about her friends? You just want her to leave everything behind because she has lost her memory? How about her school?”
“She can always start again at another school.”
“So what about college? Selena has always wanted to go to college, and she is working hard to make it happen.”
“She is lacking behind, Hania.” Isabel sighed, “Selena is lacking behind. What is the point of this if she can not remember anything?”
“Are you just going to give up on her? Just like that?”
Isabel averted her gaze for a moment before returning her gaze to Hania. “Your father’s death has affected her so badly that she uses drugs to pass the time and get through the pain rather than crying.”
Hania shook her head. “I am sorry for you, mother; I have always taken your side, but I think it is time I took my sister’s side instead of yours. I expected you to make good use of this time. If I were you, I would take this opportunity to make things right. Selena can not remember anything, so you should make her love you instead. Be there as a mother would. Try to make amends for the mistakes you made over the last 20 years and show her that you support her. It is better than simply sending her away and avoiding problems.” Hania turned and walked away, angry.
Isabel collapsed on the sofa and burst into tears. Hania’s words had an important effect on her. Hania made a valid point. She thought she was protecting her daughter from being hurt, but all she was doing was sending her daughter away to live with her family because she could not bear the pain of caring for someone who did not even remember anything. Trying to avoid problems that would bring her family’s name to shame. Selena is her daughter, and the best thing a mother could do at this point was to be present rather than chase the child away, but she did not! She was doing precisely that. She was attempting to get rid of her vulnerable child.
* * * *
Tyler turned to Titus as the car came to a stop in front of the mansion. “You can always use another phone to check what you are looking for.”
Titus said nothing, instead staring out the window at the building. “Are we supposed to come here?”
“Yes. You just got back from the hospital, and you need to rest.”
“I am fine, Tyler. Except for the fact that I am still mad at Selena for trying to kill me. Forget about it; we were supposed to be at the council meeting, not here.”
“There is still plenty of time until tomorrow. Moreover, no one is aware that you have returned home.”
Titus sighed as he leaned back in the chair. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and turned to face Tyler. “Do you really believe she will never forgive me?”
“Are we still on this subject?”
“Maybe I should pay her a visit and confront her personally.”
Tyler pounded on the steering wheel. “Do you understand how you are acting right now? You are acting as if you have never experienced heartbreak.”
“But I have never experienced heartbreak before.”
Tyler shook his head and opened the door. When he got down, he peered back in and inquired. “Are not you coming?”
Titus sighed and got out of the car. He had planned to surprise Alexander by going to the council, but Tyler appears to be refusing to permit him. Titus turned to look at Tyler as they walked towards the house. “I have a question,” he said. He continued when he had Tyler’s full attention. “Why did not you accept the position until I got back? You would have done well. You and I both know just how intent Alexander is on this leadership thing. I am confident that if he were given the opportunity to betray me for this position, he would not waste any time.”
“I can not take it.”
“But, why not? You know more about me than anyone else here. You know what I do, and you are a nice person.”
“I am a gamma, Titus.
“Wait.” Titus came to a halt and turned to face Tyler. “Was that why you did not take it? Because of your position in the pack?” Titus widened his eyes as Tyler nodded. “Fuck! There is no rule stating that Gamma cannot assume the role of Alpha until he has recovered.”
“So now you are back. I don’t think we should talk about it anymore. Get some sleep; I will be here to take you to the council in the evening. I would love to see Alexander’s shocked expression.” Tyler grinned. As Titus walked into the house, he turned to face Tyler.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Thanks for being a good friend. I remember what I told you about Selena in the hospital. You do not deserve it, and she does not deserve someone like you. You are a good man. As he turned to leave, he came to a halt. He turned back to Tyler. “Give Uriel a chance. She likes you a lot. I do not need to explain that you are mates. There was a reason she left for that mission.”
“I understand. You do not have to help me fight for my love or heart.”
Titus chuckled. “When you find the true reason, I hope your heart starts beating for her again.” He waved to his friend and closed the door behind him.
* * * *
“Please call your sister to join us for dinner,” Isabel said to Jade as she placed the plate on the table. She took a deep breath as she reflected on Hania’s words. Her daughter had told Jade that she was not in the mood to eat, but Isabel was certain that it was because of what had happened earlier. Hania prefers not to see her face. She sniffed as she saw Selena coming down the stairs, followed by Jade behind.
Trisha and Dalett had left for home and would return later that evening. They had arranged to spend the night together, telling Selena stories that will help her remember things.”
Isabel smiled as she said, “Come sit down. I have made your favorite.”