Chapter 185 She would never be my mother

Chapter 185 She would never be my mother
Rhys's POV

I couldn't take my eyes off Zane. His glossy eyes made my heart ache in ways I hated the most. I couldn't accept him as my brother. He wasn't the little, sweet boy I remembered and I was surely not the elder brother he remembered.

I had walked out earlier with no intention of coming back here till twenty fours but I couldn't find my key when I got to the hospital's garage.

I had searched for the keys with Mark all the way that led to the OR but it wasn't there anymore. We searched both inside and outside the lab yet we didn't find it.

The two places left were the Voss's private ward and in front of the special room. Mark had offered to go but I declined. It was something I was going to face from now onwards so there was no need running away from it.

But nothing prepared me for the scene that would greet me nor the things I would hear. My mind was spiralling as I tried to understand what Zane must have been through.

I had always thought my mother was the best and all. But seeing how she treated Zane made me realize something. She wasn't the angel I thought I knew and Zane might have had a childhood worse than mine.

“Have you stared enough or do you want us to replay the role?” He snapped, sniffing back his tears.

This wasn't the time to act like an elder brother. We had a whole lot of differences and had fought more than we laughed.

I tightened my jaw and walked past him.

Mandy's eyes lit up when she saw me. “I knew you would be back, son. I'm sorry for leaving you all these years.”

I turned around and Zane was still there. His eyes burning with so much hatred. I would hate myself too if I was him.

I turned back to Mandy and pointed towards Zane. “That's your son over there. If you are delusional go get your brain checked.”

Her face contorted. “I know you are angry but I didn't really mean to. Your father put me up to it.”

I swallowed hard. This wasn't my mother I knew. This wasn't the woman I spent years longing for, she just couldn't be.

After watching how she treated Clare and her own son, Zane, I knew she could never be my mother. Even if a DNA test proved her as my mother, to me she would never be one.

“You are intruding in my personal space. I don't mind calling the police.” I said through gritted teeth.

She snorted. “Go ahead and call them. I'm your mother and I would just say we are having family issues.”

I chuckled, nodding slowly. She must have thought it through for days.

“I'm twenty-five this year, Ma'am. You have never contributed to my emotional, financial and mental wellbeing for the past twenty years so what makes you think you are my mother?” I demanded.

Her face paled. “Are you really going to cut me off?”

“We were never interconnected. You should go be a son to someone who still sees you as a mother.” I said, scanning the area. Luckily I found my car key at the edge of the wall, I picked it up and turned away.

Zane was still standing rooted on the spot. I envied he loved and wanted his mother's love and attention. I don't think I want that kind of emotion again.

I stopped in between them and tilted my head slightly. “This is the only advice I'll give you after all we share the same blood.”

I picked up my pace and walked away without turning back. I went straight to my car and Mark was already leaning against it.

He straightened his posture when he saw me. “Did you find it?’

I pressed the button on the key and the car beeped open. Mark opened the car door and got in before I could say a word.

My brows furrowed as I rounded the car and got in too. “You came with your car, right?”

“Where exactly are we going first? To your father? Or to the coach?” Mark asked, ignoring my question.

“Mark?” I called, not starting the engine.

He crossed his arms. “I don't want to leave you alone and besides I don't want to be left alone.”

I chuckled, understanding the direction he was heading too but I pretended to play dumb. “I'm not a kid, Mark. I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, I know that but I'm your best friend. No, I'm your brother even though we are not biologically related. I don't want you to carry this burden alone. You can tell me anything.” He said in one breath.

“I'm really fine. You don't have to worry.” I insisted.

“No, you are not.” He interjected, shaking his head. “You have always wanted to find your mother and younger brother. How can you be fine after finding out who they are?”

I turned to face him. “Who are they?”

“Are you kidding me? Zane is your brother but before everything else, he's your arch enemy. The same person that always sabotaged your plans and planned your downfall with Nelly. That's the younger brother you always told me about?”

He paused to catch his breath. “And Mandy, I don't even know where to start.”

I turned on the engine, keeping a smile on my face. “Yes, I also don't know how to start. Let's just watch out how everything goes. But they are just my family on paper like my father.”

Silence thickened in the air as the car rolled out of the hospital. We had barely gone far when I turned towards Mark.

“Check the status of Clare's father's company?”

He arched his brow. “Do you hear anything?”

“Just check.” I said, dismissing his question.

He brought out his phone and began typing on it. A few seconds later, his face whitened like he had just seen a ghost.

“Rhys, it's bad.” He whispered.

My heart dropped into my stomach as a lot of bad things that could happen to a company flashed through my mind.

“Speak plainly, Mark.” I said, my voice unsteady.

“Her father's company is bankrupt.” He dropped the bombshell.