Chapter 166 SIlIENCE BETWEEN SIBLINGS

Chapter 166 SIlIENCE BETWEEN SIBLINGS

SIENNA

I finished dressing and hurried to the dining room.

Alex didn't eat breakfast with us that morning.
Dad requested that the maid fetch him to the table, but I insisted he let Alex be for now.
“I don't understand what's going on between you two anymore?” Dad said as we sat and ate breakfast together.
Silence filled the room. Only the clicking of glasses and the clattering of spoons could be heard.
“You said you'd talk to your brother about everything. But somehow, this turned out to be worse than I ever imagined.”
My appetite vanished after Dad said those words.
“We’re fine, Dad. We just sorted out our differences,” I said.
“I don't believe you, Sienna,” Dad replied.
He put the last bit of oats in his mouth and stood up.
“Where are you going, Dad? You haven't finished your food,” I replied, exhausted.
“I’m going to talk to your brother myself,” he said, walking towards Alex's room.
Strength drained from me. Everything was falling apart.
“Gosh,” I palmed my forehead.
I waited for a few minutes before Dad walked back outside again, his expression pale.
“What did he say to you, Dad?” I asked.
“Everything is fine, Dad… that was his response,” Dad sighed. “When did we start keeping things away from each other in this family?”
“I told you. We're fine,” my voice softened.
“We better go. We're running late already.” Dad walked away, disappointment etched on his face.
We arrived at the office a few hours later, and I began my training as usual.
Mrs. Peters was truly a kind person. She never hesitated to answer my questions, always providing thoughtful and detailed responses. She was easy to work with.
When we got back home, I found Alex playing basketball with one of Dad's men. It looked like he was simply trying to blow off some steam and clear his mind.
Immediately he saw us, he bounced the ball to John, Dad’s man, and wiped the sweat dripping from his body with a towel.
“Welcome, Dad,” he said.
“Thanks,” Dad replied.
“Hi, Alex,” I said, walking out of the car.
“Hey,” he said coldly, totally avoiding my gaze.
We headed inside together, and I thought Alex and I could speak.
He’s leaving for Houston, Texas tomorrow.
I haven't had the chance to speak with Leo since yesterday, after Alex confiscated my phone.
But earlier today at the office, I managed to text him, telling him I would call him back in the evening. He replied almost immediately, asking if I was okay and telling me how much he missed me.
After showering, I headed towards Alex's room and knocked on the door.
“The door is open,” he said, his voice full of expectation.
Gently, I pulled the door and walked in.
He stood packing his bag, but the moment he saw me, his mood changed.
“Hi,” I said coldly, leaning by the door. “I see you're busy.”
He looked up and then turned back towards the wardrobe.
“I’m out of your life now. Why do you still keep stalking me?” he said, detached and cold.
Alex was leaving for school tomorrow, and it felt like I was going to miss him badly.
I haven't even had the chance to tell him about my experience at the office over the past two days, and now he's leaving me behind.
We can't keep ignoring each other this way. Alex is my best friend, my brother, and everything.
“You can't do this to me, Alex. I love you,” I said quietly.
He didn't reply.
Then, his phone rang.
I walked towards the bed and sat, waiting for him to finish his call.
Eventually, he finished answering his calls, and my voice came again.
“You really did believe I revealed your secrets to Leo?”
“Don’t ever mention that in front of me again, Sienna.”
“You have to believe me, Alex. Leo might have found out by himself. You two were once close, remember?”
“Not so close to sharing my addictions and struggles with him. You think I like the fact that I'm a drug addict? I was influenced.
I'm trying to stop too. Isn't that enough reason for people not to judge me?”
“I never judge you,” I tried to explain, but the words became too heavy for me to speak. “I can’t do that. You know me.”
“It’s fine.” He walked back towards me and began to fold his clothes meticulously.
For a moment, silence filled the room, stretching beyond its limit.
“You don't want me to talk to you again, right?” I said quietly, as though I was invisible there.
He didn't reply.
I watched as he finished packing his bags, and he pulled his shirt to take a shower.
“Go be with Dad,” he said before walking to the bathroom.
“I’ll be waiting for you so we can have dinner together. I love you,” I raised my voice and walked away.
When I got to my room, I slowly picked up my phone and called Leo. I wanted to find out how he had discovered that Alex was gay.
The phone rang and Leo immediately took the call.
“Hey, darling. I've been waiting for your calls,” he said, almost out of breath.
I sighed. “Yeah. Sorry I kept you waiting,” I quietly apologized.
“What’s wrong? You don't seem to be fine. Did Alex hurt you? Talk to me, please.” Leo’s voice was filled with concern and devotion toward me.
“A lot has happened lately. Alex seized my phone after discovering that we were still talking to each other.”
“I told him never to try to come in between us. That young man is something else.”
“Can I ask you a question?” I said.
“Sure. Go ahead,” he replied, eagerly waiting to hear from me.
“Alex hasn't been speaking to me. He said I betrayed his trust by telling you his secret—that he's gay. But did I ever mention that to you? Have I ever brought it up in any of our conversations?”
“No, baby,” Leo affirmed. “You never mentioned that to me.”
“Then how did you find out? Did he mention it to you himself?” I asked, surprised.
Leo kept silent for a while and then replied warmly.
“I found out some years ago when your brother was about to go to college,” Leo said, and I was shocked.
This left me asking myself a lot of questions.
Dad had been present in our lives for years yet couldn't find out a thing about Alex. If a stranger could figure this out, why couldn't Dad? Why can't I too?
“Alex has never been in love with a woman all his life. I don't think Cruz knows about this because he's always wanted his children to live rightly,” Leo explained.
“Please don't mention this to my Dad, okay,” I said, trying to protect my brother.