53. Chapter 53
Chapter fifty-three
Alex
Alex sat on the couch in the penthouse, staring blankly out the window.
“Alex,” said Diana, “did you hear my question? How are you holding up?”
He said he was barely holding on to his sanity. It had been two weeks since Danyal emerged from his coma, and he’d shown no improvement. Dr. Anderson and the neurologists said there was no brain damage, but Danyal remembered nothing after February 2022. Alex said Danyal barely knew him, and had no memories of their relationship.
Diana asked if Danyal had agreed to spend time with Alex to see if it triggered any memories. Alex replied he spent a little time with Danyal daily, but he had been asked not to overwhelm Danyal with pictures and videos while he was still adjusting. Diana said she was sorry and acknowledged that it must be excruciating, but that hope remained. She said the love they shared didn’t disappear. Maybe it was time to be Danyal’s friend and go on a first date once more to recreate the magic.
Alex said he only wanted to hug and hold Danyal until he remembered him. Ditta told him their love was real, but he wondered what she may have done to meddle in their relationship. “Did he ever really love me? His energy is starting to look different. Eros energy is still there, but so is the darkness.”
Diana said, “Of course your love was real; Ditta was amazed by the strength of your bond.”
Alex said, through tears, “She also said the relationship shouldn’t have lasted. Maybe we were on borrowed time.”
“Alex, no one could blame you for being depressed. Are you eating?”
“Sparingly.”
“Sleeping?”
“Even less.”
Diana said, “This is grief talking. You can’t hope to control it; it will control you.”
Alex replied someone he cared about once told him something similar not too long ago. Now he had to grieve that loss too. Alex looked up to meet Diana’s gaze. “Why did Galen leave?”
She said she could speculate, but only Galen knew the definite answer. “What was your last conversation with Galen?”
Alex said Galen brought up living arrangements after Danyal recovered. Galen kissed him on the head and told him he deserved a happy ending. Alex said he was so focused on Danyal that he didn’t recognize Galen was saying goodbye. He thought Galen’s heightened emotions were due to Zoe’s funeral. “I should’ve stopped him.”
Diana said, “We can’t change the past, Alex.”
“I guess he chose an exciting life with Andrea and Michael rather than staying to protect me.”
“Andrea and Michael?” said Diana.
Alex nodded, saying they’d gone to Zoe’s funeral with Galen. Diana replied she attended most of Zoe’s memorial before coming to the hospital, and Galen was alone.
“Why’d he lie about it?”
Diana speculated maybe Galen didn’t want Alex to think he’d be alone. She added all she knew was Galen resigned by email immediately after the service.
“So, he’s out here alone grieving, too. Did our friendship mean nothing?”
“I think it meant a lot, Alex. More than you’re willing to admit.”
“You made a similar statement back in York, Diana. Speak plainly.”
“Galen cared for you, Alex, cared for you deeply. What may have started as a trauma bond could have developed into more for Galen.”
“I think you’re reading too much into our connection, Diana.”
“Alex, your chemistry with Galen was electric.”
“Zoe and Ryo made a similar statement.”
“And Hoko made the same observation. Ditta did pick him specifically to be your protector.” Alex shook his head, but Diana continued, “Take it from someone who watched from the sidelines for years, not sharing my feelings and watching the person I cared about daily…It was unbearable.”
Alex asked if she spoke with Galen at the funeral. She said they only hugged at the end, but Galen had a sorrowful look in his eyes. It was more than grief; she said she recognized the longing look on his face.
“Say it, Diana. It’s my fault he left. I knew he was developing feelings for me. I connected with his energy so often, there was no way to avoid them. But I pushed his and my feelings aside. Was I supposed to look in the mirror and admit I had feelings for Galen, too? It nearly ate me up inside. Danyal was dying, and my thoughts were split between him and Galen.”
Diana said she understood and asked if he had tried to reach Galen.
“Repeatedly. No answers to my calls or texts.”
“Can you sense him with your abilities?”
Alex said no––Galen was either wearing his ring or had had an injection before he left. “With everything we went through, I thought our friendship meant more. I’d never imagined he’d abandon me when I needed him the most. No one gets a happy ending, except maybe Bruno.”
Diana paused and took a deep breath before asking if Alex would honor his promise to help Nyssa.
“Yes, I gave my word. The serum saved Danyal’s life, so it may help Nyssa.”
“Please think this through, Alex. There are many factors to consider outside of your control.”
Alex said Nyssa was also a victim, and he felt her pain. He wouldn’t change his mind, but would have to find her first. The Sons of Enyaluis took her, and he vowed he’d save her and give those motherfuckers some payback.
“So, where do you go from here, Alex?”
“I don’t know, Diana; I need some space to think.”
Diana nodded and placed her hand on Alex’s shoulder as she stood to leave the penthouse. She said Alex had people who loved him and were on his side when he needed them.
Alex appreciated the sentiment, but the words rang hollow as he sat in the barren wasteland that had become his life.