Chapter 45 Scolded
ALYSSA’S POV:-
The behavior of his mother was surely outrageous for me, it made me want to shout her reality, that everything was a horrible act.
But since Vince was exhausted, I let him sleep for the time being and came down only to be pulled roughly by Mrs. Lysander furiously.
“Argh-”
Wincing in pain, a tear pricked in the corner when her nails dug deeper, lacerating my skin that made me whimper.
“How dare you try to tell him? Do that and I will do the worst to you,” She growled at my face.
I whispered, struggling to get myself free, “What is your problem? What are you trying to achieve by this?”
“That you don’t deserve my son and he made a mistake. That you will leave him one day too,” Snarling, she pushed me, causing me to hit the wall.
“Why don’t you get it? I have nowhere else to go. He is all I have, Mrs. Lysander. I simply can’t leave Vince,” I whispered, praying she would understand but that woman had become stubborn.
“At least not anymore,”
I hate the sense of powerlessness, the way she was trying to force me into submission. It was highly unwanted nor would I tolerate it.
Vince would listen, he would trust me.
Unlike his mother, he knew I was not faking it.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses. You can manipulate my son with your acting but not me.”
Hissing, she pointed her finger contemptuously at me, making her horrible intentions clear.
“I will show you your place, woman,”
Gritting my teeth, when she was gone, I hit the wall due to the feeling of powerlessness. Wiping my tears roughly, I glared at her for the next few seconds before going back to my room angrily.
That was it, I would tell Vince about everything his mother did.
Fuck consequences, I was sure he would listen and help me.
Later, he woke up late, after dinner time and since I waited for him, I didn’t have dinner either. I doubt she would let me nonetheless.
“Wow, I didn’t realize I slept this much. Thankfully tomorrow is Saturday,” Vince yawned.
“By the way, what’s for dinner?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t go down. I wanted to have dinner with you,” I spoke sheepishly, earning a tender look from him.
“I see. Let’s have dinner then,” He called as we left the room, going downstairs to have dinner.
I deliberately acted surprised, “At this time? Will Mrs. Lysander let us?”
“Of course. Why type of question is that? Is she a monster who will make us starve by being late for dinner?” He chuckled at his own words.
Yes.
After dinner, we were sitting in silence. Vince noticed my lowered, sorrowful eyes and asked gently.
“You still look pale, Alyssa. You should have stayed with Uncle if you were this anxious,” He paused, tapping his finger against the table.
“Vince, stop,” I choked out, rising from my seat angrily, slamming my hand down, taking him by utter shock.
“You have to listen to me!”
“What happened?”
“She wasn’t trying to comfort me. She was punishing me. She thinks I am slut.” I blurted out in a cracked tone.
“What? Who?”
“Your mother!”
At first, he was staggered, consuming a few moments to register my words, finding it hard to believe.
Nonetheless, I sorrowfully continued.
“She hurt me.She let the maids call me a whore, they kicked me. She humiliated me.”
I pulled up the sleeve of my cardigan, revealing the unhealed angry purple and yellow blooming across my forearm.
The bruise his mother gifted me.
“Look! This is what she did when you were gone! She said I deserved it. She said I had nowhere else to go.” I whispered desperately, praying he would believe in me and take action.
Vince stared at the bruise, his expression shifting from confusion to shock, but then to a deep, controlled skepticism.
He was about to touch the bruise, but stopped mid-way, he didn't immediately touch the injury out of concern.
“Alyssa, I…” He took a deep breath, controlling himself, and started.
“I heard everything from her too. The way you threw your phone, shouted, insulted her personal servant-”
“She is lying, Vince!”
“Why would she lie, Alyssa?” He argued, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“She told me she couldn't get you to eat. She told me you were hysterical, locking yourself away, and stopped going to work too.”
“But-” I opened my mouth to explain but he pointed his finger dominantly to seal my voice.
“Why would she lie to me and then spend four days tending to you, only to leave looking physically depleted?”
I backed away, stunned by his immediate defense of her, the reality of her manipulation sinking its claws in.
“Vince, Please, you have to believe me. She is lying, she is-”
He slammed his hand on the table, rising immediately. The sharp sound echoed through the hall, making me jump.
“Enough, Alyssa!”
His voice was firm, laced with exasperation and a stinging tone of disappointment I had never heard before.
“I understand that you were alone and vulnerable. I understand that Ken’s abuse has made you fearful, and I supported you in everything didn’t I?”
Keeping his voice low, but dangerous, he stepped closer, scaring me.
“But you cannot accuse my mother of something so monstrous after she spent days worried sick about your emotional stability,”
Experiencing a taste of defeat, I realized how mindlessly I spoke.
If he defended me before my ex and others, it didn't mean he would before his mother too.
“Enough, Alyssa, Please,”
Overflowing with disappointment, Vince’s eyes narrowed, almost repulsed with my demeanor for causing a… tantrum.
The pain of his words overshadowed the ache of the bruise which I eventually covered after realizing it won’t make any difference.
“Y-You don’t trust me, Vince?” I asked weakly, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“I think you are exaggerating. Surely, she might be strict but she isn’t cruel. You must be overthinking,” He exhaled, trying to control himself.
His blindness to her cruelty was complete, sealed by her masterful performance.
“I didn’t fabricate anything,” I whispered, tears filling, due to the desperate hope of validation.
“She hates me, Vince. She is being cruel.”
“No,” His razor-sharp voice came, giving me a warning glare to not speak a word anymore.
“You are being ungrateful and defensive. You have to stop pushing away the people who are trying to care for you, Alyssa. You need to show her the same respect.”
“Vince-” Extending my hand out to him, I attempted to call weakly but with a piercing glance, he walked away.
“Enough. I am going back to the room and I would appreciate it if you think about what you just said,”
I was once again alone, trapped in a house with a smiling monster, and now, my only shield had just scolded me for seeking his protection.
If Vince will abandon me, where will I go?