Real.Doc - Part 2 - Joe (English Version)

Together at last

Earlier that morning, our assistant informed us that Rony, Joe, and MaryAnne were at the gate but refused to come in. Instead, they were asking for our presence. Jase and I went there immediately.

"Good morning," I said.

"Hey, Poodle," Joe responded with his usual cheeky grin.

"Aren't you going to come in?"

"Lilian..." MaryAnne began, taking a step forward. "The guys asked me about the possibility of us moving back together. They said they had already talked to you, but..." She struggled to look at me with the morning sun glaring in her face, using her hand to shield her eyes. "Before I make my decision, I'd like to hear from you: what do you think about this?"

Despite my hatred for what she did, I agreed with the boys. It would be better for us to stay together.

"I agree. I think we'd be stronger if we stayed together."

"Even after I took the lives of your two unborn children?"

Her words were a shock. I didn't expect her to be so bold, so blunt. Until that moment, I had held back my hatred for her ridiculous revenge, but now she was confronting me. The wind was the only sound as I thought about how to respond appropriately.

"That's what I thought," she continued, seeing my reaction. "Come Cao, let's go..."

"Wait," I asked.

Even in shock, I wasn't ready to end that conversation. I condemned her actions but wanted everyone together again. I also didn't think she posed any threat to me now. Not after Mr. Innis's visit.

So, I began to speak:

"Look... your pain was visible. It was clear you were suffering a lot and sought to punish me. As a grieving mother, you made me go through the same pain... twice."

"And it didn't even come close to being enough," she continued, her voice still sharp with anger.

"Anne..." Rony pleaded.

But she was with two of my allies. If she left, she would take them with her. Knowing that she wouldn't harm me anymore, I swallowed my pride and continued:

"Yes... it's understandable. It's how you felt at the time."

We stayed silent for a while, and then it was my turn to strike.

"They gave Chaos to me as a gift..." Now it was her turn to pay attention. "But the resemblance to Joe was too painful. So I turned my back and left him there, yes, but before that, I cut the ropes that held him so he'd have a fighting chance."

"The ropes..." Mary's eyes filled with tears at hearing that word, which was truly terrible. I continued:

"What you have to understand is that his death would have been unbearable for me too. For a long time, I didn't seek or want to know what happened that day." I took a step forward and added: "It hurts me too, Mary. He was your Chaos, created in the image of my Joe."

She became more emotional, and her lips started to tremble. Jase stepped forward and intervened:

"But now we can fix things." Jase said. She shed a tear and quickly wiped it away, turning her face to hide it. "We have a single opportunity to fix everything, but it will only work if we do it together, all six of us."

After thinking for a bit, she turned back and resumed talking:

"But what about you?" she asked Jase. "Aren't you going to make my life here a living hell?"

"You know the new rules. Break them, and it won't be me you'll have to worry about." Jase spoke in a threatening tone but then softened it. "Besides, as Lilian said, we all understand your reasons, but that changes now with a baby on the way."

"Yes."

"So I do agree with the idea of the six of us living together. You won't have to worry about me."

MaryAnne looked at me, and it seemed there was a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. I understood it was my time to end that conversation.

"You're welcome here, Mary. You and your son are." I referred to the baby yet to be born.

Apparently, Mary relented, and remembering the difficulties she faced the first time she cared for Chaos, she accepted being welcomed.

"Thank you."

"All right, then," said Rony, already stepping in. "I'm going to need a big dose of Old Scotch after this."

"Two," said Joe, following. As he passed me, he gave me a wink of approval.

"I'll be right there." Jase waited for the two to move away a bit, then asked, "Now, where can I find Les?"

"Oh, no, Jase. No, no, no, no..." Both she and I commented at the same time and entered with him. "You don't want that," I said.

"I most certainly do."

"I don't see anything good coming from that meeting," Mary said.

"Neither do I. Besides, your chances of actually killing him are very slim. Not to underestimate your strength, Jase, but I know how hard it is to get rid of him."

"Maybe, but I'd be happy to stick a sword in his throat just for kicks."

I smiled, understanding what he meant. The poison was very bad and burned the throat and stomach. The feeling really was like swallowing a sword.

When we got home, Rony and Joe already had their glasses in hand. Seeing Jase, Rony said:

"Oh, and speaking of which, welcome to the club!" He raised his glass. Joe did the same. "Was it one of your clients?"

"Sorta," he joked, referring to me.

"Hey!" I protested.

Rony continued:

"Look, jokes aside, I know it's never an easy subject. When you want to talk about how it happened, I'd love to hear it."

Jase smiled, feeling awkward.

Everyone immediately felt at home, which was very nice. It was good to have them back.