ISLA’S POV:
I don’t know how long I was standing for after Alex left but from the way my knees were hurting, I could tell I had been standing for a while.
I slowly walked to the sofa and sat at the edge. “How dare he open my wounds?” Tears formed me on my eyes.
Reminiscing over James, my eyes fell on a picture.
My hands clutched the photo that has never left my bedside. James and Alex, my two boys, the ones I have lived my entire life for.
James stood tall and confident in the picture, his arm casually resting on Alex’s shoulder. His smile was warm and reassuring, the kind of smile that spoke of reliability and trust. And then there was Alex, his grin mischievous, his eyes glinting with that defiance I’d never been able to tame no matter how hard I try.
James had always been my pride, my perfect son. He listened. He obeyed. He understood the importance of family, tradition, and loyalty. Alex, on the other hand, was chaos. The exact replica of his late dad, wild and untamed.
From the moment he could speak, he questioned me, challenged my authority, and seemed determined to unravel everything I worked so hard to build. Even now, after so many years, he has remained a source of constant frustration to me.
The photo blurred as my eyes misted, but I didn’t cry. I hadn’t cried in years, not even the day I lost James. That day had been the worst of my life, nothing could have prepared me for the pain I went through, a nightmare I couldn’t wake from.
The plane crash took James and his wife, Cecilia, leaving me with nothing but a hole in my heart and a grandson, Ian.
Ian then became my light in the tunnel, the last link to James, and the one thing that kept me going. He was his father’s son, quiet, composed, and obedient.
The faint sound of a ringtone pulled me from my thoughts. I blinked, realizing I’d been lost in the past again.
Reaching for my phone on the side table, I glanced at the screen. Ian. A genuine smile tugged at my lips as I pressed the answer button.
“Ian,” I said warmly, leaning back in my chair. “What a surprise.”
“Hi, Grandma,” Ian said, his voice was lively. “I was just thinking about you. Is everything okay?”
I hesitated, glancing at the photograph still resting on my lap. “I’m fine,” I said, keeping my tone light.
“What is the problem?” Ian asked. “You sound off.”
“Just a little… tired.”
He wasn’t convinced. “Grandma, I know you. You only sound like this when something’s on your mind. Just spill it already.”
I let out a soft laugh as a means to disperse his words. He was just like his father, he could always see through me. “I told you, I’m just a little tired, you know I’m now an old woman.”
He wasn’t buying it. “Come on, Grandma, I know you better than that,” he teased gently. “What’s going on? Did Uncle Alex say something to upset you again?”
I stopped laughing. “You always think it’s Alex.”
“Well, it usually is, isn’t it?” he teased, his voice lifting. “Seriously, though, what’s wrong?”
I leaned back in my chair, my eyes drifting back and forth to the picture I was holding. “Nothing is wrong, Ian. I just… I miss you, your parents.”
There was a pause on his end. “I miss you and I miss them too,” he said. “Don’t worry, once my exams are done, I’ll come see you right away. I promise.”
“You’d better,” I said, feeling a rare, genuine lightness in my chest. “I can’t wait to see you.”
He chuckled, his laughter sounded bright and warm. “You miss me that much?”
“Yes, I do.” I said softly, meaning every word.
There was another moment of silence before Ian spoke again. “Oh, and before I forget, happy birthday in advance, Grandma. I wanted to be the first to say it.”
I smiled, the kind of smile that came from deep within. “Thank you, Ian.”
“And,” he added giving a small laugh, “I love you so much, Grandma. You know that, right?”
I couldn’t hold my tears at this point and just let them rolled down my cheeks while trying to keep my voice steady. “I know. I love you too, Ian. More than you could ever imagine.”
“Alright, I’ll see you soon,” he said before he ended the call.
I set the phone down, staring at it for a moment longer. For all the battles I fought, for all the scars I carried, Ian remained a strong pillar of support. “I’ll make you the owner of the Newman’s empire before death shut my eyes.”
MARY’S POV:
After the conversation with Alex, I found myself gulping the content of the glass he had earlier poured for himself.
No one knows how much I’ve always hated and blamed myself for Evan’s condition.
Speaking of Evan, I decided to visit his room. I opened the door to Evan’s room quietly, careful not to wake him.
I moved closer to him, sitting gently on the edge of his bed. His curls were messy, sprawled across his pillow. I reached out and smoothed them down, my fingers brushing against his soft hair. He stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling again.
‘If only he was born like every other normal child, then, I would have moved hell if need be to secure his spot as the heir of the Newman’s empire instead of watching Ian and Saraya take what rightful belongs to him.’ Thoughts like this ran through my head.
A lump rose in my throat. My chest tightened as I stared at him, his condition was the reason why I had refused to get pregnant again. Evan was more than an handful for me.
The tears came before I could stop them, hot streaks carving paths down my cheeks. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the sob threatening to break free. “I’m sorry, Evan,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I’m so sorry for failing you… for everything.”
My hands shook as I reached out to touch his cheeks.
Leaning down, I shifted the hair on his face and kissed his forehead.
My eyes were misty with tears so I quickly wiped them off to prevent them from falling on his face and stood, my legs feeling heavy as I moved to the lamp. I clicked the light off, plunging the room into darkness.
I hesitated at the door, my hand resting on the frame, my heart was aching so much.
The moment I closed the door softly behind me, I let my tears flowed as how as they want. Rubbing my hands over my face, I comported myself and headed to the master bedroom.