23. Alec
Chapter twenty-three
Alec
“Master Alec.”
I keep my eyes tightly shut, wishing Damien would leave me alone so I can rot in peace. He’s been hovering over me since morning, and it’s almost noon, yet he remains at my bedside.
The worst of my fever has passed, and I’m well on my way to recovery, so there’s nothing for him to worry about anymore, but he seems to think I need to go to the hospital.
I agreed for him to call a doctor last week, and after a series of drugs and injections, I’m better. Why do I need to go to the hospital again?
“I know you’re awake, Master Alec. I’m talking to you.”
“Your voice will send me back into another fever,” I groan. “Leave me alone. ”
He laughs. “It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Stop being dramatic.” I keep my back turned to him.
“I’m not. The last time you spoke to me was yesterday morning.”
“And I wish for it to remain that way, so leave me alone.”
I feel the bed dip and roll my eyes. If I command Damien to leave, he would, but I know he’s worried about me, and he’s been the only one beside me for the past week of torment, so there’s no need to hurt him by sending him away.
“We can still go to New York to see Jasmine,” he says tentatively. “It’s been a week, and you’re not getting any better. You’ve been miserable.”
I don’t respond to him, and he’s silent again for a little while. “And your parents have been calling. They’re worried about you.”
I scoff. “You mean my father is worried about me.”
“Surprisingly, your mom has been calling, as well. She’s worried.”
“Hope you told them what I said.” I finally glance at Damien, and that’s when I notice his face is drawn and stressed out. “That I don't want to see them.”
“Yes. I told them that.”
“Good.” I turn away from him again. “You need a vacation. Where would you like to go?”
“My place is beside you, sir,” he answers without a thought .
“You’re so predictable, Damien. So boring.”
He laughs again, and I insist. “Think about it. That’s an order. I’ll ask you again, and you better have an answer for me.”
He hesitates slightly before responding. “Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
The sound of the doorbell echoes through the house, and I arch my brows. “You expecting anyone?”
“No.” Damien descends from the bed. “I’ll go check.”
As he exits the room, my heart begins an uptight beat in my chest. What if it's Jasmine? Could it be her? Gosh, I’ll be the happiest man on earth if it’s Jasmine.
I hear the sound of approaching footsteps, but my hope is dashed when I listen closely and realize that the footsteps are too many and too heavy for it to be Jasmine. My heart sinks at the realization that it’s my parents who are here to visit.
I’m canceling Damien’s vacation privileges because how dare he let them into my house without consulting me first?
“Good morning, son,” my father greets, walking into the room.
I purse my lips, meeting his smiling gaze with my blank one. A second passes, and the smile clears from his face. My mom walks in next, and I’m shocked that she isn’t in her usual colorful outfit. She’s wearing a simple dress, with her hair up in a basic bun. She suddenly looks younger than I’ve always seen her to be.
“What do you want?” I ask them, sliding a glare at Damien, who stands by the door. He lowers his head .
“It’s not Damien’s fault,” my mother speaks up. “We forced our way in. There was nothing he could do.”
“Force your way in?” I laugh. “Why am I not surprised?”
My parents exchange glances, and only my father steps forward to sit beside me on the bed. “It’s not our fault, son,” he says softly. “Do you know how worried we were? Damien told us you were ill, but you didn’t want us to see you. It’s been a week, Alec.”
“A week is too soon,” I answer bitterly. “I can take care of myself, so please leave.”
My father’s eyes flash with anger, and I reciprocate the energy. How dare he be upset!
“If this is because of Jasmine—”
“You’re damn right. It’s because of Jasmine!” I yell. “Are you both happy now that she’s gone? Hmm?” I look at my mom, who surprisingly has her head lowered. What is wrong with her this afternoon?
“Ever since Jasmine left, I’ve been miserable,” I cry. “She was the only one who made me happy and kept me sane. Now she’s gone! And whose fault is this—?”
“Mine,” my mother says, catching our attention.
“Yes, Mother,” I sneer. “It’s you!”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It’s me. It was my fault. I sent her away.”
“What do you mean, Lillian?” My father asks, his forehead wrinkling in a frown.
I frown, swinging my legs off the bed. “Yes. What do you mean?”
“I was at your apartment that day,” she says. “The day she left.”
A soft gasp leaves my lips. “What? You spoke to Jasmine?”
My mother nodded and explained everything that happened. When she finishes, the room is plunged into a tense silence that’s broken only by my labored breaths.
Oh, Jasmine.
I can’t believe how she must have felt sitting across from my mother, being torn down until only a skeleton was left. Tears sting my eyes. I’ve been mad at her for days, but it is I who let her down. I should have been there for her. I should have gone after her!
My blood runs cold.
“Lillian, how could you?” My father springs to his feet. “How could you do that?” His tone is harsher than I’ve ever heard, but it’s several years too late. “You had no right to meddle! I am disappointed in you!”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted her gone!”
“Have you forgotten that you were her not so long ago?” Father growls. “I defended you in front of my parents and kept you beside me regardless of everything, yet you turn around and do the same thing to Jasmine! I am so disgusted by your actions!”
“David, I’m sorry, I—”
“No, you’re not! Why did you—?”
“Enough!” I bark, and the room goes silent as everyone turns to me in shock.
I get out of bed, shaking my head at my father. “What’re all these theatrics for, hmm?” I laugh. “Why are you surprised by her actions? It’s not the first time she’s tried to ruin my life.”
“Alec!” They chorus, but I keep my gaze on my father because I cannot bear to look at my mother.
“For years, she has done things like this. She meddles in my life, forces my hand, threatens me, blackmails me, disregards my privacy, yet you always look away.”
“Alec…”
I raise my finger to stop him. “You’ve never had my back, Father, so don’t start now. I’m good. I can handle myself. I don’t need you anymore.” I head to the door, and someone grabs my arm.
“Alec, please…” It's my mom.
I jerk away from her, turning to pin her with my unforgiving gaze. She slinks back from the anger in my eyes. “Alec!”
“I may not hate you because you’re my mom, but right now, there’s no one I dislike more than you.”
She gasps, but I’m too upset to stop. “My happiness has never been your priority. As long as you have your way, others can go to hell, huh?”
“No, it’s not.,.”
“Over the years, I’ve overlooked so many things you did.” I purse my lips. “But this…this is too much. I will never forgive you for it.”
“Alec, please…” Tears pool in her eyes, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her this way.
“I wish I had a mother who cared for me.” My voice shakes terribly. “But you’ve always been my number one enemy. I don’t understand it. Without you, my life would be so much easier, and it’s heartbreaking to realize that because you’re my mother, for goodness' sake! Why can’t you act like it for once?”
“I’m sorry, Alec,” she says. “Forgive me.”
She has never said those words to me before, but right now, they carry no weight. I only want to make things right with Jasmine.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m done with you.”
“You cannot mean that,” my father says, and I glance at him. “You, too. I’m done. I don’t want any of this. I only want a family who loves me. To hell with this!”
I storm out of the room with Damien behind me. We don’t stop until we’re behind the wheel. “What do you plan to do?” Damien asks.
“I don’t know.”
“Where are we going?” He starts the car.
“Just drive.”