Chapter 4
Alex
Pulling up in front of the Fleureau house, Alex realized just how large their home was. Even though this was still the same town, he felt a certain shock. There were no mansion-sized houses in his neighbourhood.
Maura let him in, but her smile was forced. Alex felt as if he'd appeared at a terrible time. He already regretted being there.
Alex entered the hall. This house was supposed to be so many people's dream home: spacious with big windows.
Yet it was cold and unwelcoming. He shook his head and climbed the stairs.
His presence was not going to be appreciated; he already knew that much.
As long as things went better than the disaster at the hospital.
Elena's bedroom was open. The ballerina was lying on her king-size bed, staring at the ceiling.
Alex knocked on her door; she didn't react.
It was almost as if she wasn't breathing.
Seconds passed, and Alex feared she'd leave him on the doorstep.
It was the first time a girl made him wait like that, and he wasn't sure he liked it.
After what seemed like forever, she waved, and Alex entered the room.
It was large and spacious, like the rest of this place.
The walls were painted a pale pink with black silhouettes of ballet positions.
Audrey, his little sister, would love this room.
“How much?” she asked.
“What?” Alex tilted his head slightly to the side.
She hesitated for a brief moment before resuming. “How much did she give you?”
“Who?”
“My mother. How much did she pay you to spend time with me?”
She was quite perceptive. Alex sat down on the black velvet Chesterfield under the window. Even the air here seemed expensive. “Nothing. I don't want money.”
“Then what do you want?” Elena snapped.
“I don't know.”
Elena sat up. Her fingers tapped nervously on her arm. What was she thinking? This time, she looked more docile than when he'd visited her a few days ago.
“You can go. All I want is a little peace and quiet.”
God, she was stubborn. Alex wanted to take his bag and leave.
But he'd made Maura a promise, and this annoying girl would eventually give in.
If neither of them wanted to be here, they could at least try to make the best of this ridiculous situation they found themselves in.
If only for an hour. Then they could get on with their lives as if nothing had happened.
“What you need is therapy and a friend.”
“You're going to force me to become your friend? Is that how it works now?”
She's good. Maura had spoken of a fragile, shy girl, but Alex was faced with a raging lioness.
Most of the girls he met never went against him.
They were afraid. None of them contradicted him, which tended to be annoying.
As for Elena, she was either unaware of Alex's reputation or she couldn't care less.
And if he was starting to get her right, it was the second option.
Maybe this was all going to be more fun than he'd anticipated.
“No, I'm not going to force you, but before you slam the door, can you at least give me a chance?”
He felt stupid asking her to be his friend. Elena lowered her eyes. She looked so sad and lonely. Maura was right, she needed someone. Alex wasn't sure he was up to it, but he didn't feel like giving up.
“Trust me, you don't want to be friends with someone like me.”
“Someone like you?”
“Please leave! It's better for you if I'm not part of your life.”
She implored him with her eyes. Elena felt powerless, just like he had a few years earlier.
Back when he'd felt there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
Alex had suffered, alone and misunderstood, feeling like there was no way out.
Elena experienced the same thing now. He didn't want her to feel that way.
Alex wanted to answer, but a strange noise came from the hall.
Elena's eyes widened, and her body tensed like a bow.
Irregular footsteps approached, then a medium-sized man in his forties with a vaguely familiar face staggered into the room.
He reeked of alcohol. Alex glanced at the young woman. She was petrified.
“There you are!” slurred the man. “The biggest mistake of my life. Just look at you!”
His blood ran cold. The man moved closer to Elena, and Alex placed himself between them before he could think it through.
Something inside him was screaming not to let this man get any closer.
If Elena was paralyzed, she must’ve had a good reason.
Alex forced himself to smile and held out his hand.
The man frowned in confusion but accepted his hand.
“Hi, I'm Alex.”
“Frank.”
Alex had crossed paths with him many times when he was a child.
Except that the person in Alex's memories didn't match the man in front of him.
Frank left the room without a word. Elena tried to be strong, but Alex noticed how her hands shook.
He didn't know what to say to break the silence.
He'd just been sucked into this family's woes.
Maybe Elena had been right—he should have left.
Now that he knew what was going on here, he couldn't leave and pretend everything was fine.
“That's why I didn't want you to come.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Not as much as I am.”