Twice The Trouble

Chapter 24: The Cold Twin

Bryce

Women were all the same.

They're sweet one day, then vile the next. They often don't say what they mean and don't mean what they say. They change their minds a lot. They make you believe that they love you.

And then they leave.

*Ten Years Ago*

I could hear them fighting again. Shouting. Yelling. Screaming.

"Let me ask you, Brent, do I still have a husband?"  asked Lillian, her eyes pooling with tears.

Lillian De Los Reyes was a 32-year old mother of two sons. She had shoulder-length black hair, chestnut brown eyes, fair skin, and she wore a diaphanous orange blouse and white pants.

"You're being melodramatic again,Lillian," Brent said impassively, doing up his polo's cuffs.

Brent De Los Reyes was a 34-year old billionaire who spent more time in the office than at home.

He had short brown hair, dark cerulean eyes, pale skin, and was in corporate attire for a meeting.

"Don't you dare accuse me of your own misgivings!" Lillian lashed out, her voice shrill.

I was eight years old, one of the few rich kids in my second grade batch. My parents were diving into another quarrel in the living room one Friday evening.

It was ironic, how millions of strangers, including everyone at my elementary school, envied my wealthy and affluent lifestyle. I had all the desires anyone could ever wish for. Designer clothes. A lavish mansion to live in. Expensive foods. Personal maids and the means to travel to wherever exotic country I wanted to go to. I had money to burn,and a twin brother to burn them with.

But Lucas and I were different.

"Whatever you want to say, Lillian, just keep them to yourself. I have an appointment to attend."

My mother screamed at the top of her lungs and threw a tall vase at my father.He ducked it.

"What the fuck is your problem, woman!?" he growled.

"Oh, now it's woman? You used to call me Lily, you bastard!" She hurled another vase at him.

My father dodged every paperweight his wife was angrily tossing at him. I remained hidden behind a large potted houseplant. I was numb. I felt empty as a waterfall of tears trickled down both of my cheeks. 

The sound of glass hitting the hard walls pierced through my ears. Shards of colorful and priceless vases shattered against the tiled floor, thousands of sharp pieces scattered.

Mother shouted: "Ever since we got married, all you've done is hole up in your damned office! You never have time for me or your sons! The three of us are drifting away from you! Can't you see it?"

Father gritted his teeth after he clasped his gold watch around his wrist. He scowled and said:

"I'm working my ass off so this family can live a comfortable and privileged life."

"Comfortable? COMFORTABLE? Have you taken a good look at this place, Brent? We reside in a luxurious mansion, yes. But it's a cage for us here. A golden cage is still a cage. This house is cold and lifeless and you have done nothing to show your two sons nor me that you love us at all!"

"You ungrateful hag," her husband snarled. "I've spoiled you and our children with gifts and expensive clothes and this is how you repay me? With hatred and vitriol?"

"How dare you speak to me this way," mother hissed at him. "I've been nothing but the most considerate, most understanding wife to you. I mothered our sons with so much love and every fiber of my being cares for those two boys. But you?You're never home! You're always cooped up in work, in your precious businesses. If I didn't know any better, I bet you're sleeping with your whore of a secretary! I've seen the way she looks at you. And it makes me sick, Brent."