Luminous Fire

28. Continuation

Continuation of the previous chapter.

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"I haven't." Xavier replies.

"Yes, you have. This aggressiveness, where does it come from? Let go of my arm." I say tugging it.

Realization seems to dawn on him before he loosens his hold on my arm.

"Where does the lack of time spending time with your family come from? Even when you worked we got a call from you and when you came home you would spend time with the twins and me."

"I do spend time with you all when I'm here."

"You're here, but you don't participate. Yes, there are moments that we're the family we used to be, but most of the time you're distracted. You spend the time on your phone. What has being going these past few months?"

"Nothing has been going on."

"What has you distracted?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Are you taking something?"

"What are you insinuating?" Xavier asks angrily.

"Your behavior and unwillingness to tell me what's going on has me guessing. What else can I do? You're not the person of a few months ago."

"I'm not taking anything!"

"Then, what has been bothering you?"

"Nothing."

"Do you even remember our vows?" I ask.

"Of course I do."

"Then, you should remember that we promised to be truthful with each other. I wished you were. Whatever is bothering you, we could get through it together."

"There's nothing." Xavier says.

"Did you already go to the doctor?"

"What? No, it's gone."

"You said you would go."

"It's gone, there's nothing wrong." He says before storming out of the living room.

There is something. Could it be related? I should have dragged him to the doctor.

***

"Babies, I have to go to my meeting. I will pick you both up after the meeting. I will be the only one picking you up, so don't go with anyone else. Elisa will look after you both, so play with the other kids." I say seeing what the other children are doing.

"Yes, daddy."

"Remember what I said?" I ask.

"Yes, daddy, don't go with anyone else, but you." Angel says and Celestine repeats.

"That's right. If you need anything ask Elisa and if you need me ask her to call me."

They respond yes.

When I walk back into the childcare room, I find Xavier and the twins sitting down on the small table. Something happened.

"What-"

"Why did they say they couldn't leave with me?" Xavier asks.

"He didn't." Angel states.

"I didn't. I told them not to go with anyone other than me. I was the only one who would be picking them up."

"They didn't want to leave with me because you said that."