ALEX

We're almost to the car park.

The echo of our footsteps fills the concrete silence, tension hanging thick in the air.

Athena is quiet beside me, her hands in the pockets of her coat.

Mum hasn't said a word since the session ended. We have more than enough to have Leah locked up for life. But I won't stop there. Her family will lose everything.

I'll make sure of it.

"Athena, go on ahead sweetie."

Mum's voice cuts through my thoughts as she halts her steps.

I freeze.

Athena glances between us, sensing the shift, but doesn't argue. She nods and walks ahead toward the car, her coat swaying around her ankles.

The moment she's out of earshot, Mum grabs my arm, not hard, but firm.

Her short nails digging slightly into my sleeve. I look down into her eyes.

And I know.

She's hurt.

And it breaks my heart.

But I had no choice, I had to keep it from her to protect her. I'll admit, at the beginning, I did it to punish them for how neglected I felt. I hoped I would drop dead one day, and they would come back home to my cold body, and when the doctors told them what killed me, it would haunt them.

That was my punishment to them, but over the years, my reason began to change. I guess I saw how she struggled with granny and didn't want her to feel like it was her fault. I also didn't want granny to blame herself into thinking she did this to me.

"How long," she asks, her voice low and trembling, "How long have you kept from us the fact that you have a heart condition?"

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

She stares me down, every inch of her the formidable woman the world fears

except now it's hurt and her eyes are shining with tears.

Tears for me.

Her son.

My throat tightens. "Mum-"

"How long, Alexander?"

Silence.

I can't lie.

Not to her.

Not anymore.

I was seventeen," I say

a step back like I've

voice cracks. "You've been hiding it from us for fifteen

me from the business, you worrying yourself sick every time I took a flight-" "And instead I'm standing here listening to a psychopath confess that she used your condition against you," she snaps, cutting me off. "That she triggered it. And you're lucky to be alive because you thought what? Protecting us

I drop my gaze.

but it's thick and full of

Alex. And I had to

idea what that did

are now rolling

away my chance to

She sobs.

And it guts me.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

hand through her hair as if

says finally, her voice barely steady. "You don't get to keep secrets like this anymore.

know. I love you mum. I'm so sorry." I whisper and she

home tomorrow."

I nod slowly.

past me where Athena is waiting

her everything

she turns and pauses, "Your

my hands and softly tugs me as we walk

okay?" Athena asks,

just smiles and gives me a

see you

much has happened in the last hour

what to do

inside the car is

spoken since we got in, and I can't bring myself to start. My fingers tighten

stuck on Mum's words. The sound of her voice cracking, the look

you take away my chance to protect

betrayal, heartbreak, violence, you can name

Athena shifts

wasn't sure if I should say anything," she begins, her tone

should be driving

her. Her eyes meet mine briefly before

still anger.

Rayen's sake, I'm

say, but even I don't believe

She raises an eyebrow.

us to discuss how we will co-parent, but you look like you've been punched in the gut. Maybe... let's talk about the

I blink at her.

the first time in hours, I feel something settle

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