THE UGLY DUCKLING ©

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

(Kurt's POV)

Even though it's hard, I struggled to mumble his name. "L-law-rence?"

'It can't be him, can it? But I thought he died with mom. I watched as their bodies were buried during the funeral. What kind of sick joke is this?' I thought.

Lance must have read my confused expression. "Surprised? You thought you were finally rid of me during the accident? Well, sorry to disappoint you my dear brother, I am here to make you suffer the way you and your father made me." I noticed his disgust as he mentioned the word 'father'.

I forced my head to maintain its upright position. It had been a brutal two days with Francois starving me and torturing me whenever he felt like it. I now understood that he planned all of these and Lissey's wedding, had all been a hoax, a charade, to make me come out of hiding. I had been laying low for so long. I longed to be with Lissey and I thought I was protecting her by staying away, but I was wrong. Francois became obsessed with her and with his idea of exacting vengeance for Mike's death. He knew that I love her so much I would trade my life for hers. But Lance? What has he got to do with Francois? And why would he do these things?

"H-he was y-your father t-too," I said between pants. I am exhausted, badly bruised and broken all over.

Lance rolled his eyes as Francois snickered. "NO! He was never my father! I am just an unplanned nuisance in your family! He even insisted I was Mike's son! How preposterous when I am his own flesh and blood! Yes, I checked! I had a DNA test done. What kind of father does that to his own son? Heck, I dont know, maybe he even staged the car accident to be free from his cheating wife and supposedly illegitimate son! He wanted me dead. Dad thought I was mom and Mike's child, a result of their affair but its a good thing Mike told me everything. He supported and love me as his own. He is my dad, and you are not my brother! " Lance gritted his teeth, his eyes seething with rage.

"That's n-not t-true. Mike l-lied t-to you," I tried to reason with him but all I got was a kick on my calf.

"Shut up! You are the one with lies! You are sly. Lance know better than to listen to your shit! You pretended to be my friend. I break rules for you, supported you and your pathetic father! And what did I get in return? You stole the only woman I ever loved! You lured her and turned her against me! Oh, and you didn't stop there. You just had to kill my father too after regaining my trust! To think you used to be my bestfriend!" I heard Francois exclaimed as he kicked me again hitting my gut. I would've thrown up all contents of my stomach had it not been empty for the two days he held me captive. I saw Lance grinned at what he did to me. He was pleased. I just couldn't believe my own brother would enjoy tormenting me like this.

I heard Lissey huffed out a breath, "Kurt didn't do that and you know it. Our falling out was all my fault. But I couldn't help the fact that I didnt love you as much as I love him. I am sorry Francois. Please, please, I beg you, please let Kurt go. Take me instead," she pleaded in between sobs as Charice tried to console her.

Francois seemed to be deep in his thoughts. Then a mischievous grin appeared on his lips, "A very bold proposition indeed Lissey. I almost tempted to consider it," he pointed his gun around threathening everyone to stop making sudden movements. "but-"

I didn't manage to catch what he was saying anymore. I am too weak. My whole body started to numb and as much as I tried to fight it, my surroundings suddenly went black.