Becoming Queen

Chapter 16: Unbreakable bonds

Nana Hendricks

8 years ago

"Everything alright son? You look stressed honey".

Oscar sat down on the sofa and held his head in his hands. My son was the strongest man I have ever and would ever know. The things he's been through and I know he hides it all from his family because he carries the burden so no-one else has to.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?".

I felt myself on the verge of tears watching my son shake his head with tears pouring down his face. Whatever happened, I knew it was bad.

Resting my hand on his shoulder, I urged him to look at me, but he shook his head and continued crying.

"Mum, it's Sofia" he whispered out whilst staring into the palms of his hands.

"What about her? Is she alright?". My heart began to race as Oscar sat up and looked at me with bloodshot eyes.

"We took her to our doctor. Yesterday, I found her staring at the wall. She couldn't talk, she couldn't remember anything. She looked like an emotionless robot. We took her to the hospital for an MRI scan and there was nothing abnormal. However, after speaking to my doctor who I've had for years, he believes it's dissociative amnesia".

Oscar shook his head with tears in his eyes. I knew my son. I already knew what he was thinking.

"Sweetheart"-

"It's because of all the trauma she endured. The kidnapping attempts, the destruction of our home and the day she got beat by Cole's men. And she also witnessed me die. It's almost like her brain is blocking it out to protect her. Sh-she thinks Eleanor is her real mum. I don't even know what to do. It's all my fault. I brought her into this world when everyone said not to. And now she's suffering the consequences of this lifestyle, because of me" he cried into his hands. There were only a few times I had seen Oscar broken, but this was unlike anything I had ever seen in him. This was nothing but regret.

"Darling, you are wrong. You may blame yourself for what is happening to Sofia, but if there's one thing I do know and that's how much she loves you. This life was not your fault. It was no-one's but your father's. And now because of him, you carry this lifestyle to protect yourself and your loved ones. As tragic as it is that she cannot remember pieces of her childhood, do not dwell on it. I know and Eleanor knows how much you did for Sofia. So instead of being down about it, we need to look onward and upward. Treatment has improved so much over the years. Besides, maybe it's actually a blessing if she doesn't remember the things she went through and how much of a bitch her real mother is. The main thing is that we're all there for her and give her the best life possible. So, stop blaming yourself and start seeing the hope as there is always light in the dark. You just need to open your eyes to it".

Oscar lifted his head from his hands and looked at me, his heartbroken expression was tearing me apart. Gently lifting my hand to his face, I slowly wiped away his tears like I used to and gave him a reassuring smile.

"I am trying mum" he whispered out brokenly.

"I know sweetheart. Believe me, I know. I am so incredibly proud of you".

Flashback over

Placing the photo of my family back onto the mantelpiece, I stared out at the full moon with complete regret and sadness. Parents were supposed to die before their children. But my son and daughter in law were cruelly taken from me.

Even though the police were treating it as a murder, I knew exactly what it was. Oscar had many enemies. People that would go out of their way to hurt him and his family. Even though the police had no idea, I knew it was someone from another gang.