Shattered Illusions

Chapter 21 - The motive

Alex's POV:

The next morning I woke up early to pick my mother up from the airport. I was excited to see her. Admittedly, I ran from London because of her but that doesn't mean I love her any less. Though I'm pretty sure she wants nothing more than to meet Allysa right now. I smiled at the thought of them two talking and giggling together. 

"Mom, how are you?" I hugged and greeted her. "Oh, I'm pretty good. Tell me, how is my future daughter-in-law?" I gasped dramatically. "Who'll ask about your favourite son?" She hit me playfully on the shoulder. "Oh shut up, I know very well you ran from London to save youself from my nagging!" I gave her a guilty smile. She laughed and we talked casually throughout the car ride until we reached home. 

My sweet princess was waiting by the door to greet us. My mother ran and hug her. "Oh dear, you are so beautiful. How do you even handle my asshole of a son?" She laughed. Oh, so now they are already  best friends. We went inside the house while they linked their arms with each other, talking and laughing along the way. Damn, they became friends even quicker than I thought. 

"So, I have made some of your favourite dishes today, mainly to impress your mother." Alyssa said shyly. "Oh don't you worry about that dear, I was already impressed by you when I saw your PR skills for our firm." Alyssa beamed. Nothing makes her happier than some genuine appreciation for her work. We sat down to eat together and had some light fun while the elephant in the room still remained to be addressed. Marcus hasn't really spoken much to me since last night. I looked at him as he quickly averted his  gaze to look down. I get it, it was his fault but he was embarrassed, and he is my brother, I couldn't let him burn his self esteem completely into ashes.

"Marcus, why don't you join me and mother for the meeting to discuss the issue in detail?" He looked surprised, but nodded eagerly. I nodded back. So, after the lunch, we finally went into the meeting room where Alyssa, Andrew and Marcus joined us as well. Zane and Isabella had gone off somewhere to collect other proofs against that fucker, Evan.

"So, mom as you already know I went to jail yesterday coz some fucker is  trying to get back at me for something I have no damn idea about. Well, after some research, we came to know that he has been living in westminster for a while now. So, I thought you might have some information from the number of societies you have joined to be extra social." My mother gave me a look that clearly said if I don't shut up, she'll personally send me to jail again. I chuckled.

I looked at Allysa. She looked blank as if she has seen a ghost. I tugged at her sleeve. "Alyssa, are you okay?" She snapped out of it and nodded furiously while I could see she was sweating. I didn't push her much at that  time coz I had no idea if it was something personal that she could tell me in front of everyone or not. I am really worried about her since a few days though.

"Well, I do know that guy." My mother began and everyone's attention snapped to her. "He shifted there a while back, probably six years ago. He always seemed like a gentleman to everyone, but sometimes too good to be true which also made him a little sus. Though whenever anyone asked him why he shifted, he changed his stories from person to person. We never thought much of it coz we thought it's none of our business. Although one incident caught our eye when he hosted a party at his home and invited everyone. He had several pictures all over the wall with little kids which he said were due to his many visits to orphanages coz he is very philanthropic. I do not believe that shit. It only gave me the creeps. Well that's all I really know." My mother sighed. Well that really didn't give us much information. I heaved a heavy sigh and looked at Andrew to see if he could join any dots. He shook his head. Oh god, this lead was useless as well, it seems.

I looked at Alyssa to see if she wants to go, but I found her crying silently in her seat trying to wipe off her tears. I immediately gathered her in my arms and ran off to our room. "What happened princess?" I tried to soothe her down when she fully broke out crying and sobbing. In between the tears and deep breaths, she constantly whispered, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, please forgive me!" I gave her water and rubbed her back. "Calm down princess, what are you even sorry for? Please talk to me." She kept crying, which made me even more worried, but after 15 minutes or so, she finally calmed down.

"Please don't hate me for this. But do you remember the story of how I met Isabella. The guy who raped me, well I think he is  Evan Miller. The timeline of when he shifted and the little kids on his wall. Everything your mother told reminded me of him." I was shocked. Oh that fucker is so dead now! I don't care if I have to serve lifetime imprisonment or be hung for his murder. "Can you recognize him from a photo princess?" She nodded. I showed his photo to her on my phone. The reaction on her face was all I needed to confirm my doubt. 

Tears were still flowing down her face. The trauma from the rape must be unimaginable. I wish I could take her pain away for myself, but sadly she is the one who has to go through it and I hated every fucking second of seeing her in this agony. I hugged her tight and kept her in my arms. "It's all my fault. I killed her and now you were going to go to prison as well because of me. He must have seen you on the news with me during the suicide segment. I and Bella filed a complaint against him in the nearest police station when I got out of the asylum. Although his brother saved him by giving money to the police, his reputation was completely tarnished. He had to leave the city. I think he wants to take revenge on me through you. I'm so so sorry, Alex. Please forgive me. I had no idea it would come to this." I was confused. What was she talking about? Killed who? Well, I think that's a question for another time. I don't think she is in any state to  answer right now.

"Don't worry princess, it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for someone else's messed up deeds. He raped you. It was his fault, his messed up brain. He still wants revenge on you. Again, it's his fault. He has no idea what he has gotten himself into this time though. I'll eat him alive." My fury knew no bounds right now. I can't  imagine what she must be going through, but I sure as hell know that motherfucker is gonna pay for his deeds. I hugged her tighter, hoping she knows she has nothing to be sorry for. My life has been nothing but amazing since she has come into my life. I kissed her again and again on her whole face until she ended up laughing. "Stop Alex!" She shouted between her fits of laughters. I beamed. "That's my girl!" She hugged me again. "Thank you for being so kind and understanding." I kissed her on the forehead. "Always, anything for you."

We went downstairs and I told everyone of his motive. My mother looked with sympathy at Alyssa and hugged her. "Don't you worry dear, once we find him, we'll kill him together. He doesn't know the bounds of a mother's wrath. You are like my daughter too now, afterall." Alyssa gave her a sad smile as if reminiscing something and hugged her tight. "Thank you so much" Her voice was so heavy with emotions. I didn't like one second of seeing my angel so hurt as if someone has taken her wings away.

Allysa's POV:

I couldn't believe when Alex showed so much empathy towards me even after knowing that the reason he went to jail was me. Well, technically not me, according to him. I love how he always makes sure that I'm not drowning in my own self-made pit of misery and overthinking. He has reached out to those parts of me that I thought were dead a long time ago. I am so grateful for everything he has done and still does.

But the most surprising part of my day was when Alex's mother called me her daughter with so much love. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill for the thousandth time today, but finally some happy tears. My own mother always considered me a monster, a curse. My foster family treated me like an object. But finally, there was someone who saw me as a blessing to their family. When she hugged me, all my tensions melted away. I finally felt a mother's love, a mother's touch and a mother's protection. I don't think there can be anything greater in the world than that. And I'll thank God until my last breath for finally blessing me with a mother too.

I was sitting on the sofa, swirling whiskey in my hands and looking at the three of them while they could hear all of my thoughts aloud. My mother irked, Eva jealous and my father about to burst with fury. Not only I had found the love of my life, but also a mother that loves me, a brother that respects me and a best friend who always protects me. And all they could do was burn in front of the fireplace they were standing, hating that I have everything that they always wished for...

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