Chapter 105 Both Wounded
Quinn's POV
After a few seconds passed, I didn't feel Mrs. Talon's slap. Instead, I heard another voice.
When I opened my eyes, I found Grayson holding Mrs. Talon's hand in the air. I didn't know when he had appeared in front of me.
"Ma, if you brought Quinn here just to hurt her without me knowing, then that's a huge mistake," Grayson said coldly. His breathing was heavy and his gaze sharp. But when he looked at me, his gaze softened. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, as you can see," I replied briefly.
Grayson finally released Mrs. Talon's hand. He then hugged me from the side. "You know, ma, by hurting Quinn, you're also hurting me."
Mrs. Talon kicked the crumpled paper bag on the floor. "See, this is what I mean. What exactly did you say to make Grayson oppose me, Ms. Roux?"
"Enough, ma!" Grayson snapped. He hugged my arm so tightly it hurt. "Quinn didn't say anything to me to make me hate you. I'm against you because of your own actions. You've become temperamental since Gerry left. Gerry was your whole world, but you have another child here who also needs your hugs and attention."
Grayson's confession left me frozen.
Now I knew that Grayson's cold attitude wasn't solely because he had lost Gerry, but also because of the treatment he received from those closest to him, his own mother.
No wonder he was trying to find love outside his home. Because the love in his home had long since disappeared. Perhaps since then, since he had also lost his twin brother.
That probably explains why Grayson is so opposed to his mother now. Because perhaps Mrs. Talon was not there for Grayson when he was down, but was there when he got back up again.
It's like leaving during a storm and returning when the rainbow appears.
Now the reason for the rift in their relationship is very clear. And now I can understand Grayson's decision.
I can't imagine how lonely he must have been at that time. Everyone focused on Gerry and ignored him as if he were invisible. But he was just as sad as everyone else. However, because he had no place to show his sadness, he had to keep it to himself and became like this.
Grayson pushed away Mrs. Talon's hand when she tried to reach for him. "What good are parents if they can't be fair to their children?"
"Grayson!" Mrs. Talon slapped Grayson. Her voice was very sharp and it didn't take long for Grayson's cheek to turn red.
But Grayson didn't seem to learn his lesson. He opened his mouth again. "Dad probably couldn't stand your attitude either, that's why he left us."
Grayson received a second slap afterwards.
"He was having an affair! It's not my fault!"
"In other words, he was looking for the happiness he couldn't get from you, ma. You made the house a living hell after Gerry left. That's why no one could stand living with you for long. Even the maids changed every month, right? That alone answers why."
Another surprising fact. No wonder the maid who brought me here looked so stiff. It turned out it wasn't because I was a stranger, but maybe because she was a new worker here.
Grayson turned to me. "I'm sorry you had to know about my family's shame, Quinn. But I couldn't hold it in anymore. All this time I kept quiet because I didn't want my anger to bring up that dark past. But it turns out that the more I kept quiet, the more she became, even wanting to control my life."
I rubbed Grayson's arm to calm him down. No matter how much I hated Mrs. Talon, I had no intention of adding salt to their wounds. The fact that their relationship was broken was not my doing. But at least I wasn't making the situation worse.
"How could you say that to your mother, Grayson?" Mrs. Talon wiped the corner of her eye.
"You also had the heart to ignore me when I needed someone to support me, ma. So I guess we're even now," replied Grayson.
I tiptoed so I could get closer to Grayson's ear. "We'd better leave now before things get worse."
Grayson then looked at Mrs. Talon. "Apologise to Quinn before we leave. After all, you are to blame for throwing away and destroying what she gave you sincerely. That is an insult."
"You ignored me and defended that woman instead?"
"Quinn isn't that woman, ma. She's my lover, my fated mate. So don't label her as if she's a stranger to me."
"No need to apologise, Mrs. Talon. It's fine if you don’t like it. And we'll be off now. Looks like the snowstorm has stopped," I said, ending the argument.
I pulled Grayson along with me because I didn't want things to get worse. They were both stubborn, so if no one intervened, the argument would never end.
But when we got to the living room, Grayson suddenly hugged me. He buried his head in my shoulder and his shoulders rose and fell.
He was... crying?
Oh my poor little gray bear.
I didn't hesitate to hug him and rub his back.
"I hate talking about this. I really hate it, Quinny," Grayson said hoarsely.
"Shhh, I understand. You don't want to reopen old wounds. I understand."
"But my mother doesn't understand. She still refuses to admit that our family fell apart because of her role in it too. Instead, she blames me for everything, as if I were the cause of this family's destruction."
I patted Grayson's back and let him vent his emotions while he was still here.
In my opinion, the only way to resolve everyone's trauma, I mean Grayson and his parents, is through therapy. Yes, with a psychologist. That way, they can open up all their inner wounds and they can be treated immediately, before they get worse.
It may be too late to do it now, but rather than not doing it at all, it's better to try.
Therefore, when Grayson had calmed down, I cupped his face in my hands. "Can I help you this time?"
Grayson looked into my eyes alternately. Then he nodded.
"Okay, then you have to listen to my advice. Okay?"
Grayson nodded again. He then hugged me again. "Thank you, Quinny. Thank you for being the only one who cares about me."