Chapter 164

Chapter 164
Sheets of rain lashed outside a small café across Liam's apartment complex as Alexander sat nursing coffee that was already cold, which he had not touched. His gaze turned out the door expecting Liam to walk in. Hoping he got his text.

The anchoring weight on this day further depressed his  body. The sound of defeat played out in his head until the door finally swung open, and Liam came in with drips coming off his umbrella.

"Alexander," he said, shock mingling with the sudden sobering of his tone. "Never thought I'd be coming in here to find you of all people waiting. What's up?"

Alexander motioned to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit down. I need someone to talk to, and you're the perfect person at the moment.”

Liam raised one eyebrow but did as instructed, tugging his coat off and hooking it over the back of the chair. "This does sound serious. Let me take a guess, it's about Bernice."

Alexander exhaled with a heavy sigh, and the strain in his voice betrayed him. "It is always about Bernice."

Liam leaned further forward, knowing. "Go on, I am listening."

Alexander's fists clenched with knuckles pale, gazing unblinkingly at the table. "I just came from the hospital. Mia has finally recovered and would be discharged soon. Luca is doing better too. And Bernice finally introduced Rafael to the children, and she's letting him into their lives.” 

Liam furled his brow the wrong way. "She went back with him? Sure it wasn't just because of the children in the end.”

"That's what she says," Alexander spat the bitter words, "but you didn't see the way they looked at each other, the way he hovered over her as if she belonged to him, that everything we built together counted for nothing in Florence."

Liam hunched and blew a heavy sigh; even, steady, firm was his tone. "You have always known Rafael was part of her life, Alexander. He is the father of her kids, and no matter how much you love her, that bond will never dissipate."

Alexander boiled over. "Don't you think I know it? I can't bring myself to accept it. I've tried to talk to her, but she feels quite beyond reach.”

Liam folded his arms, his face contemplative. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this, Alexander. I have seen it coming. Bernice never stopped loving Rafael."

Alexander's eyes narrowed toward Liam, a spurt of anger flaring in them. "How can you say that? She chose me. She left him."

"She left him for reasons that were manipulated," Liam said, "You know that as well as I do. There was a misunderstanding between them.  That's another story."

Alexander's voice was low now, weighted by pain. "So, what you're saying is that I was a placeholder?"

"No," Liam said fervently. "You were more than that-you gave her stability, safety, a life she couldn't have with Rafael at the time. But subconsciously, I could actually feel that she wasn't over him."

Alexander sagged back in his chair, the fight going out of him. "Maybe I was fooling myself, thinking I could be enough."

Liam leaned in; his voice took on a softer tone. "Alexander, I don't doubt that Bernice cares about you. But sometimes caring isn't enough. You can't make someone forget their true love-especially not when that love is wrapped up in their kids."

Alexander rubbed his temples and spoke in a low, whispery tone, "I don't want to lose her, Liam; I don't want to lose the kids.”

"You will never lose them," Liam consoled, "but holding onto this now ‘fictional fighting for something not meant to be situation,’ it will only go and keep on hurting you so badly, and her too, in turn." 

Alexander just stared deep at Liam's eyes; there were heavy droplets lacing his staring eyes unspilled.  "What else am I to do, then? To let it go and move on?”

Liam chose each word with care. "I am not saying drop it. But perhaps this is about time to step back; let Bernice figure out what she wants. This forcing of choices will alienate her even more."

Outside, the rain grew heavier and matched in ferocity in Alexander's mind. Alexander faced the window, and before the mind's eye of his thoughts swam a kaleidoscope: Bernice's laughter, the moments she grew silent, how they had talked through life together, with and through their kids.

"I thought it was real," Alexander finally said, in a whisper. "I thought we had something. I really did."

Liam's voice came low, clear, firm. "You did have something real. But sometimes love isn't enough to erase the past. And Rafael… he's part of that past. Part of her."

Alexander slumped, shoulders sagging as defenses fell. "I just wanted to be the one she chose. The one she needed.”

"And maybe you were, for a time," Liam said. "But now, you need to think about yourself too. You deserve someone who chooses you fully and doesn't equivocate in the slightest."

Alexander closed his eyes as his jaw tensed up. "It's just not that easy, Liam. To let go."

"It never is," Liam agreed. "Yet often, it's the only way one can get their peace.

A deep silence, pregnant with unsaid words, passed between them. Finally, Alexander opened his eyes in which a mixture of resignation and determination shone.

"I do not know whether I am able to let her go, nor can I go on fighting a hopeless fight."

Liam nodded, his eyes set with understanding. "One step at a time, mate. Do what you think is best for you and the children. And if Bernice comes crawling back to you, at least you will know that it is because she really means it."

As Alexander stood to leave, his phone buzzed on the table. He reached for it a bit hesitant before turning dark as he read the message.

"What is it?" Liam suddenly asked, not quite devoid of concern in his voice.

Alexander's jaw clamped down, "It's from Rafael. He wants us to talk things out.” 

Liam raised an eyebrow, "And?"

Alexander shrugged. "I'll go and listen to what he has to say. Or maybe he wants to rub his victory in my face.”

Alexander went out into continuous rain, leaving Liam watching after him in a mix of concerns and resignation.