Can I Stay With You?

ALEXIS POV

“Child.” Mother's voice echoed in my ears, but I was too numb to move. My eyes stared dazedly at the flower pot by the window, my lips moving without forming proper words. “It's been weeks. You have to move on.”

I felt her hand wrap around mine, her body trembling slightly. Mother had suffered with me. She stayed with me for almost half of the day to make sure I didn't bring harm to myself.

I shut my eyes as tears burned down my cheeks. Even crying drained the little strength I had left. All I wanted was for the moon goddess to take me, just as she took my child.

It shouldn't be hard for her to do.

“Mother.” I opened my mouth to speak, the air bitter against my dry throat. “I can't move on yet. I can't move on and pretend everything's fine.”

I forced my head to turn toward her, a dull ache spreading through my neck after staring at one spot for weeks. “I carried my baby for months, mama. I felt my baby inside me. Her kicks.” My fist slammed weakly against my chest as a broken breath escaped my lips. I clutched my shirt tightly, my lips trembling uncontrollably. “How can you tell me to move on, mother?”

I hit my chest repeatedly, my breathing turning uneven. “My heart is heavy. So heavy I can hardly breathe. Why do I have to listen to any of you? Why can't I just be left alone? I've endured everything… so much… and it still led me to this position.”

I looked away from her and stared back at the window.

“You're a woman too, mother. Those words shouldn't be coming out of your mouth.” My eyes slowly met hers. “Because I know you would've done worse if you had lost me.”

Her lips trembled as tears rolled down her swollen eyes from crying too much. She held my palm between both of her hands.

Her head shook weakly. “I didn't mean it that way, my child. I didn't. I know the pain you're going through.” She exhaled sharply before shutting her eyes. “It breaks my heart that I can't do anything. I'm very sorry.”

I looked away, sniffling quietly as tears rolled freely down my cheeks. Even then, I didn't want her blaming herself for everything happening because I was the one who ran away to be with Dyson.

This was the punishment for my sin.

My eyes fell on my stomach and my breath shook softly.

Right at that moment, the door creaked open.

I turned slowly and saw the man who had saved me that night. Unsurprisingly, it was him again. He had been visiting far too often.

“You're awake this time around.” He smiled softly as he closed the door behind him.

He stepped further into the room, and that was when I noticed the flowers in his hands. Walking toward the window, he carefully placed them inside the flower pot as if he didn't want to disturb the silence surrounding me.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked, turning toward me.

I stared at him in silence, my gaze fixed on his green eyes.

“Mother,” I began, my voice hoarse.

“Yes, child?” she replied quickly.

“This gentleman… we didn't know him before, right?” I asked, wanting to be sure I wasn't the one having trouble remembering him.

“Not at all,” my mother answered.

Hearing my words, the smile on his face widened slightly. “Do my visits make you uncomfortable? If you want, I will stop visiting.”

I shook my head slowly. “That wasn't what I meant. I find your presence here comforting. It fills my heart with relief knowing there are still people who care about me.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “And that's why you need to get well quickly so we can stop worrying.”

“He's right, Alexis.”

Father's voice suddenly sounded in my ears, making my eyes widen in shock. I quickly turned around looking for him, only to see a phone lifted toward me.

I stared at the screen and saw my father in the video call. Behind him were huge machines that looked like factory equipment.

“Papa.” I exhaled, relief flooding my chest. “I thought you didn't want to see me anymore after all I've done to you and mother.”

“What? What nonsense is that? Why would I abandon my baby girl?” He stomped his foot dramatically. “The countryside doesn't have a stable network, that's why I received your mother's message very late. Please forgive me.”

I quickly shook my head while wiping my tears. “Don't be sorry, Papa. I'm just glad you called.”

He smiled, and my heart ached seeing the sadness hidden in his eyes. Yet despite everything, there wasn't even the slightest trace of hate in them, making shame settle heavily in my chest.

“Honey, our baby is receiving treatment and recovering quickly. She'll be back on her feet in no time, so don't worry, okay?” Mother said gently.

“I know. I know our daughter is a fighter.” Father laughed softly.

I lifted my head to look at the two of them, forcing a sad smile onto my face.

Father spoke with us for a while before the call finally ended.

The room fell silent again.

My eyes slowly drifted toward the door, and my hands clenched tightly beneath the blanket. It's been weeks, and yet Dyson never once called to know where I was or whether I was even alive.

There had been so much blood that night.

Enough to stain the floor.

Enough to make my mother scream.

And yet none of them called to ask what happened to me.

“How funny.” A dry chuckle escaped my lips. I thought he would change. I thought maybe losing our child would finally make him come to his senses.

How stupid of me.

I waited for him.

Even after everything, a part of me still waited for him to walk through that door.

But he never came.

This time… I would make sure he paid.

I wouldn't be the one suffering this time around.

“Mom.” I turned toward her. “Can I stay with you for some time?”

Her eyes brightened instantly. “Yes, yes, child. You can.”

I faced Xavier. “I overheard you speaking with your assistant during one of your visits. I'll be needing your help finding a good divorce lawyer. Will that be possible?”

A smile spread across his face.

“Consider it done.”