Chapter 29 Pawns and Lies
I cleared my throat and simply said goodbye. Then I walked into my car and drove off.
I could see him staring at my car till I was out of sight from my side mirror.
When I got home, I met my brother in the living room, seated on the couch with the television’s remote control in his hand. He looked up when he heard the door close and turned his gaze back to the television.
I dropped my bag and slid down onto the couch.
For a moment, neither of us said anything.
“I’m sorry,” I said first.
He dropped the remote and looked at me, clearly not expecting that.
“I shouldn’t have dismissed you like that. I know you were trying to protect me,” I added, putting on a sorry look.
He still couldn’t believe his ears as he just looked at me in surprise.
“But… that doesn’t make what you did right. You don’t get to decide how I live my life,” I said, my voice firm.
Then he sighed and leaned back.
“I know I crossed a line,” he admitted, almost in a hushed tone.
“I shouldn’t have hit him. I let my emotions take over and I’m sorry,” he added, looking down.
I breathe out slowly, finally letting go of the heaviness in my chest.
“I don’t want to fight with you,” I said with a soft smile.
“Neither do I,” he replied.
After a short pause, he moved closer to me and hugged me awkwardly.
“I’ve got you… and I know you’ve got even when I mess up,” he said.
“I love you,” I smiled and hugged him even tighter.
Lena, who had been watching us quietly, sighed.
“I’m jealous,” she muttered.
“You should be,” Theo replied.
That night, I kept replaying the moment at Alex’s house; the kiss, the talk, and the laughter.
The realization that we’ve been blaming each other, unaware that everything was built on lies.
We were pawns pushed into a fight we didn’t even know was staged.
ALEX HART’S POV
I was left with my emotions after Joan left. I hated myself and hated my mother more after learning the truth.
I texted Marcus and told him about it but all he told me to do was to calm down.
“How can I calm down in this situation?” I said, hissing as I threw my phone to the bed.
But the moment I got Joan’s text, my mood lightened up a bit.
“Take care of yourself and don’t starve yourself.”
Then I remembered the kiss.
“That was so good,” I rubbed my lips as I smiled sheepishly.
Though that smile didn’t last. It vanished immediately the thoughts of not getting Joan back crept into my mind.
The next morning, I drove straight to my mother’s house.
When she opened the door, I didn’t even bother to greet her.
“Why did you lie to me?” I said through gritted teeth.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, her brows furrowing.
“You lied to Joan and me! You caused that breakup. What did I ever do to you?” I said, my voice loud, not minding if her neighbors heard or not.
“I did what I had to do,” she said, her voice meeting mine.
“You were young and didn’t know what you were taking on,” she added, toning her voice down.
“What was I taking on?” I snapped.
“She had no parents, Alex. And she had a brother she was responsible for,” she said, folding her arms.
“Do you think love pays bills or do you think feelings raise a family?”
“Answer me!” she snapped.
“I didn’t ask you to do anything for me,” I answered, my voice filled with anger.
“I didn’t want you to live your life carrying someone else’s burden and I wanted someone from a respectable home, someone who would raise your status and not bring it down,” she explained, every word tying a knot in my stomach.
“So you destroyed us because she wasn’t good enough for your standards… I should have known,” I laughed bitterly.
“I was protecting you. That girl would have tied you down too early,” she insisted.
I shook my head and stepped back.
“You don’t get to decide who I love and how I live my life,” I said, my voice low but firm.
“Did you meet that girl again?” she asked, showing no sign of remorse.
“If you ever interfere like that again, I will make sure you lose me completely,” I said and walked out, slamming the door hard behind me.
I drove back home with my hand holding the steering wheel tightly, my mother’s resentment growing inside me like a balloon ready to explode.
When I got home, I had barely dropped my key when I heard a knock on the door.
I frowned, wondering if I was expecting anyone.
I walked to the door and pulled it open only to find Cassandra standing there with an irritating smile.
It was as if the universe was punishing me that particular day.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my nostrils flaring.
“I just wanted to say hi,” she said softly.
“And… apologize.”
I scoffed and blocked the doorway so that she wouldn’t try to step inside.
“Leave!” I sneered.
“Calm down, Alex,” she said, biting her lips softly and placing her hand on my chest.
“I only came to talk and… maybe spend some time together,” she added.
Rage throbbed in me like a heartbeat, but I tried to press it down.
I yanked her hand off my chest and breathed out slowly.
“I said leave!” I snapped.
She stared at me for a moment, then nodded slowly.
“Okay,” she said.
“I will leave,” she added, taking a few steps back.
“Cool,” I muttered.
“But before I go…” she said, one corner of her mouth lifting briefly.
She reached for her phone, scrolled through it, and raised the phone.
Then I heard my own voice, saying things I didn’t remember meaning the way they sounded.
My breath caught.
“What the hell is that?” I whispered, my eyes widening.