Ionlses, stalen our sandram
Vatessa come rushing down the staircase, her face pale, her makeup half–done, looking as though she had been getting ready for an event “What’s with all the yelling Ales she sapped, her insitation masking a flicker of unease.
I didn’t waste a second. “Did you kap? Imated “Did you know what you’ve done? Do you have any idea what your lies have cost me?”
Vanessa troze, hands trembling as she clutched the railing. Her wide eyes darting to our mother, who now stood stiftly by the doorway. “1—I don’t know what you’re talking abour,” the stammeerd.
“Don’t lie to me!” Teat her off, stepping closer. “Raina’s lover? The man in those pictures you gave me?”
1 spat, my fists clenched at my sides. “You forced Raina to sign these divorce papers. You fabricated evidence, accused her of cheating. Did it ever occur to you to ask who the man in the pictures was? Did you ever stop to think?”
Vanessa opened her mouth, then shut it again, her face going ghostly pale
My mother finally voice cut in, cold and dismissive. “Why does it matter now, Alexander? What’s done is done. This is ancient history.”
“Why does it matter?” I repeated, my voice cracking with incredulity. “Dominic is her brother, Mother. Her brother, And you I pointed at Vanessa casingly.” You orchestrated this entire thing, and I was stupid enough to believe it. Because of your lies, I lost my wide. I destroyed my family. And now, my son–myson–Is lying in a hospital bed because I believed your lies and abandoned the woman who could’ve protected him!”
“impossible,” my mother muttered, her brow furrowing.
“Is it?” I shot back. “Is it really impossible? Look at them–they have the same damn eyes!”
Vanessa, regaining some of her composure, muttered weakly, “I–I didn’t low, Alex, I swear it wasn’t my idea.”
wasn’t your idea?” I sneered. “Then whose was it, Vanessa? Because you certainly carried it out without hesitation!”
Vanessa swallowed hard and then whispered, “It was Eliza’s idea.”
And you Allowed her?” I said, my voice trembling with fury. “You took her word and ran with it, and
The room fell silent
You
ruined myl
when Vanessa started to speak again, but my mother cut her off. To my utter disbelief, my mother’s lips curled into a faint smile, “sh
Graham,” she said softly. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it? She’s not some useless orphan after all.”
Her words hit me like a slap. “Good thing?” I asked, Incredulous. “You think it’s a good thing? You think this erases everything?
Vanessa, always eager to shift the spotlight, suddenly brightened “Wait–Dominic isn’t dating anyone, then? If he’s her brother, that means I still have a chance.” She smiled as though this was the most logical conclusion to draw from everything I had just said.
1 stared at her, disgusted. “That’s what you’re thinking about right now?
“Why not?” Vanessa said defensively, “Dominic is one of the most eligible bachelors around. Besides, Raina’s not exactly innocent in all this, is she?”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned away from both of them and sankonto the couch, my head in my hands. Memories of Raina flooded my mind her smile, ber Laughter, the look in her eyes when she had said “I do” And then the lookof betrayal when I had humed my back on her
What had I done?
What land of monster had I been to take our newbom son from her arms? To accuse her, to strip her of everything, and to leave her to fend for herself?
“Alexander,” “my mother’s voice broke through my thoughts, cool and detached, “what about 1iam? He’s been in that com for months now. Maybe it’s time to consider pulling the plug. It’s not like he’s going to wake up. And if Raina fights you over Ava, we’ll ensure shared custody. You’ll win in court.”
I lifted my head slowly, staring at her in disbelief, “Pull the plug?” 1 echoed.
- d. “You want hue to pull the plug on my son?”
She gave me a thin smile. “It’s practical, Alexander. You’re wasting resources on a hopeless case. It’s time to move on.”
1156e to my feet, my entire body trembling with rage. “Get out,” I said quietly.
“Alexander, don’t be dramatic, ale said, brushing me off.
*I said, get cor!” I roated, the sound echoing through the house.
My mother and Vanessa exchanged a look, but for once, neither of them argued. They turned and left the room, leaving me alone with the suffocating weight of my guilt and anger
I had lost so much because of their schemes and my own blind stupidity. But I wasn’t going to lose anything else.
