The Runaway Groom // Brallon

Chapter 18

Imagine a strong tower, built with the most durable materials that stood strong for years, crumbles down in front of you.

That strong tower has always been his mother; her unwavering courage to face the struggles in front of her. That's how Dallon always saw his mother.

But now, all he sees is his mother's crumbled form; pale skin that shows signs of illness, her once beautiful hair begins to disappear. Her lips are chapped and white, erasing the once lively color of her rose tinted lips. The eyes that used to burn with passion are now closed.

He hates how the colorless walls of her hospital room made her belong there. He hates hospitals. He hates seeing his mother like this.

Not even the colorful variety of flowers could destroy the lifeless ambience of his surroundings. It makes his skin crawl.

He hates it so much.

****

"Dallon, dear?"

Dallon snaps out from his trance, feeling the warmth from the hand of Brendon's mother on his own. He can see the resemblance of the younger man to his mother. Even the eyes have the same warmth.

"Your hand is shaking. Are you okay?" She asked gently, as if she's easing a child on the verge of breaking down. Honestly, it's not so far from the truth. But she can't know that being in the room makes it feel like the walls are closing in on him, so he gives her a strained smile.

"I-I'm fine." Dallon responds almost inaudibly, hands fidgeting to distract himself.

Brendon's mother obviously doesn't believe him, but Dallon still smiles at her. "How are you feeling? You're not sick?"

"Oh, It's just fatigue. Don't worry, dear." She says in amusement, waving off Dallon's concern. "I'm stronger than I look."

Parents always lie when they don't want their kids to worry. He wants to believe it. He really wants to make sure Brendon's mother is okay.