Love after Death (S1) [Completed]

Chapter 41: The Inherited Nightmares

Miguel's POV

One week had passed since that night in the alley. To the world, I was still Miguel Thompson, the "miracle" son who survived a tragedy. But inside, I was a hollow shell, filled with the memories of a seven-year-old girl named Monique.

I had been avoiding everyone. I stopped joining the family for dinner, ignoring the worried texts from Sam and the confused looks from Rudolph. I couldn't sit at that long, polished table and eat food bought with the blood of my past. Every time I looked at Maze, I didn't see a mother. I saw a predator in a designer suit.

I hadn't heard a word from Calix in seven days. His phone was dead. The silence was terrifying. I knew how Maze worked-if she found out he was the one digging into her past, he wouldn't just be "off the grid." He'd be gone.

One afternoon, I saw him.

Liam was standing across the street from the university gate. He looked tired, his eyes scanning the crowd with a desperate kind of hope. My heart shattered. I wanted to run to him, to grab his hand and tell him I remembered the stone, the rain, the way he saved me when I was just a discarded child.

I knew Maze didn't know the Devillas were the ones who took Monique in. She didn't know the boy she hated for the accident was the hero of her daughter's life. Even though there was no rule stopping me from reaching out, I chose to stay back. I chose the distance.

If I went to him now, I would bring the Thompson storm into his quiet life. I couldn't do that to him. Not again. I turned my back on the only person who truly loved me and walked away in silence.

That evening, I was sitting in the dark in my room when a knock came at the door.

"Miguel? Honey?" It was Maze. Her voice was soft and sweet, the same voice that told a seven-year-old to wait by the swings. "You haven't eaten with us all week. Your Dad and Sam are worried. Is something wrong?"

I stared at the door. I could almost see her hands on the other side-the hands that never held Monique, but now wanted to comfort Miguel.

"I'm just tired, Mom," I forced the word out. It felt like ash in my mouth.

"You've been 'tired' for a long time," she replied. The handle turned, but I had locked it. There was a long pause. "I had the chef make your favorite. It's adobo."

A wave of nausea hit me. She had no idea. She thought she was being a devoted parent, but she was accidentally serving me the very lie I told Stella while I was freezing in the rain.

"I'm not hungry, Mom," I said, my voice shaking.

"Open the door, Miguel. Let me see you."

"I said I'm not hungry, Maze!" I snapped.

The name slipped out before I could stop it. The silence on the other side of the door was instant and bone-chilling. The "sweet mother" persona vanished. I could feel her cold, sharp energy radiating through the wood.

"What did you just call me?" she asked quietly.

I realized I had pushed too far. I wasn't ready for her to start digging yet.

"I... I'm sorry. I'm just stressed. My head is killing me. Please, I just need to sleep."

I heard her breathing for a moment longer before her shadow finally moved away from the door. I stayed in the dark, my heart racing. I couldn't play this part much longer.

I had to find Calix.

I couldn't wait any longer. The silence from Calix was a scream I couldn't ignore. Around midnight, I made sure the hallway was quiet, then I slipped out the side entrance of the mansion, avoiding the main security cameras.