Chapter 159 Playing A Role

Chapter 159 Playing A Role
THEODORE

"I see you're awake," Granny proclaimed as she neared the bed. "I'm so relieved that you're alright, Alice. You gave us quite a shock."

"I feel much better now," she replied with a smile as her eyes met mine. I brought her fingers up to my lips and kissed each one. I was so fucking relieved that she wasn't mad at me—I fully expected her rage. I messed with her emotions and that was something I wouldn't forgive myself for anytime soon. 

There were other things I could've done instead of faking amnesia, but that would only push Mom and Felix away, and I wouldn't have the evidence I need to keep them locked up. Naturally, I was the only one who thought this was a good plan. Granny advised me against it time and time again.

I knew there was a significant risk that I’d be ruining the only good thing that ever happened to me, but the thought of Felix or even Mom getting to her paralyzed me with fear. I couldn’t let that happen, and with them on the loose and filled with resentment, everything was possible. 

They’d know where to hit me, and though I can’t prove it, I knew they were going to get rid of her as soon as they ensured I was dead. 

I survived that crash intact by a miracle. 

“I’ve spoken to the doctor,” Granny added, looking directly at Alice. “The baby’s perfectly alright. You just had a nasty little shock.”

Something took over her face and Alice sighed. “I’m so sorry, Francesca. I wanted to tell you. I was going to tonight when I came back.”

Granny nodded. “Yes, I suspected you wanted to tell me something important. Don’t worry about any of that now. I’m just glad you’re alright.” She then turned her attention to me and told me sternly, “I don’t think you should stay here for much longer, Theo. You know the risks. If they find out you’re here, all of this will have been for nothing.”

“You’re right,” I murmured, turning my attention to the love of my life. “I wish I could stay longer.”

“No, don’t,” she said quickly. “We’ll have time for this. After those two pay for what they’ve done.”

I gripped her hand in mine and closed my eyes. The fact that she was in here because of me was a tough pill to swallow. When I saw her car speeding away from the gate, I was filled with guilt, and when Thelma called me not half an hour later to tell me Alice was being taken to the hospital, my heart almost gave out. 

“Go,” she whispered. 

I kissed her lips once more. Pulling away was almost impossible. Walking toward the door? I had to fight the heaviness in my body as I trudged toward the door. 

It felt like abandoning her all over again, because that was what I did, no matter the reason—I hurt and abandoned her in a time when she was vulnerable. 

If it weren’t for my family…

I closed the door behind me, forcing myself not to look back. So many things were running through my mind. The fact that she was pregnant…

I ran a hand down my face. I still couldn’t believe it. Hell, I hadn’t even had time to process all this. 

Thelma approached me, asking quickly, “What happened? Is she mad at you?”

Her question distracted me from my thoughts for a bit. I fought a smile. “No, she’s not. She was really glad to hear that I hadn’t forgotten her.”

Thelma sighed, touched her chest, then closed her eyes. She shook her head softly, then told me firmly, “If Oliver ever did this to me, I’d never forgive him.”

“Trust me,” my brother said as he came up behind her, snaking an arm around her waist, “I know.”

“Alice is really one of a kind,” Thelma continued, opening her eyes. “I would’ve hit you over the head so hard that you’d end up forgetting me for good.”

I snorted. Oliver laughed. 

“What? I mean it. I always told you that it was a terrible idea. You have no clue how she suffered. She fought so hard to be strong.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I almost told her so many times. Oh, to hell with the consequences! Madeline and Felix will end up in jail anyway!”

“Yeah, but there’s always a chance they’ll get away with it. You know they can afford the best lawyers,” Oliver reminded her. His eyes met mine. “With a confession, things get a lot easier.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Fuck. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. She’s pregnant. I’m gonna be a dad. I can’t…It doesn’t seem real.”

Thelma folded her arms and joked, “It’s definitely more than you deserve. But on a serious note, Theo, she could’ve had an accident after seeing you and that bitch. The worst could’ve happened.”

“Don’t remind me,” I pleaded, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I consider myself really damn lucky, Thelma. When you called me…I thought the worst had happened. I thought I was being punished or something.”

Oliver slapped my shoulder. “Just be glad that she’s understanding.”

“She might be mad about it later,” I claimed, looking back and forth between the two of them. “Once the shock wears off. I don’t know. I’ve learned to expect anything from her.”

“I’ll make sure she’s mad,” Thelma declared, and I wasn’t sure if she was kidding or not. Either way, I had to go. 

“Take care of her for me, alright?”

“Don’t worry,” Oliver smiled. “She’s in good hands.”

When I was in the car, Clarice called me. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine,” I assured her. Initially, we hadn’t planned to tell Clarice, but when she stopped by our place and came to talk to me, I told her all about it. 

She chose to stay away from Alice and act like she supported Mom instead, just to help me out. That meant that she wasn’t around Granny and Oliver as much. 

“That’s great. Feeling better?”

“Yeah. Are you at the restaurant?”

“Yeah. And Mom’s like seconds away from calling you. Get here quickly.”

“I’m on the way.”

I made my way there, hating every second that I was away from Alice at a time like this. But what happened gave me the push I needed to see this through. I had to finish what I started and quickly. I was sick and tired of being around my mother, pretending that everything was okay. 

The evidence that the detectives gathered was enough to imprison Felix, not my mother. I needed to connect them in order to get the result I needed.

And as much as it seemed cold to conspire against my own mother, this was a matter of life and death. She was a danger to us all if she was capable of killing her own son. 

Carmella was there, of course, and she rushed toward me. When she tried kissing me on the lips, I turned my head quickly so her lips touched my cheek instead. 

“I was so worried about you,” she claimed, smiling. “Is everything okay at the office?”

“Yeah. I just needed to finish up a few things.”

Mom was saying something to Felix, but when I approached, she straightened her spine. “Theodore, my love. You’re late.”

“I had a few things to do at the office,” I answered, hoping she wouldn’t hear the annoyance in my voice. “What did I miss?”

“Oh, nothing much. Felix was discussing his return to the company. He’s quite excited.”

I met my cousin’s eyes. “I bet he is.”

Felix raised his glass, then moved it closer to his lips. I ordered wine, too, then sat back waiting for it to come. 

It would be a long night, that was for sure.