Chapter 2
"Are you alright, sir?" Patrick asked, his voice laced with worry as he scanned the deserted street for a safe place to park. He occasionally checked on his boss through the rearview mirror concern in his eyes. Alex's face twisted in a grimace, his hand clutching his chest as he struggled to breathe. "Stop the car..." he gasped, his voice barely audible. His face had turned pale, and he was fighting hard to stay conscious and get a hold of himself, but it was hard to do so because the car had suddenly become so stuffy, making it harder for him. Patrick slammed on the brakes, and Alex stumbled out into the night, gasping for breath. The place was on the opposite side of where he lived, but Alex didn't notice. He was too busy trying to calm his racing heart. As he walked away from the car, the streetlight above flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Alex loosened his tie, feeling suffocated by the tight collar. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. He had forgotten to take his pills with him, further increasing the pain in his chest. He had to deal with it on his own... he couldn't risk anyone finding out about his condition, not a a vulnerable time like this... After walking for a while, he was finally able to steady his breathing once again, but there was this tight feeling in his chest that didn't seem to go away. It was like someone was squeezing at his heart...it was a feeling he was familiar with, but it was hard for him to get and to such pain, he didn't want to... That's when he saw her – a woman, walking down the street, her hair falling around her face like a curtain. She seemed lost in thought, oblivious to her surroundings. Alex didn't notice her at first, too caught up in his problems. But as he turned a corner, he collided with her, sending them both stumbling and this was finally able to catch his attention. "Are you okay?" Alex asked concern etched on his face. The woman looked up, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. She nodded, but Alex could see the pain in her eyes, a kind of pain he recognized. The woman's shoulders shook as she sobbed, unable to hold back her tears anymore, her body trembling like a leaf. Alex's hand instinctively went to her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort, afraid that he had hurt her when they collided, but she pulled away, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and wariness. "Miss, are you alright?" Alex asked again, his voice soft and gentle this time. The look in her eyes said it all, and he felt a tug at his heart for this stranger... The woman nodded, still sniffling, and took a few shaky breaths. "I'm fine," she muttered, her voice barely audible. She was visible, but not fine. Alex hesitated, unsure what to do. But something about her demeanour tugged at his heartstrings. He couldn't just leave her like this, alone and vulnerable in the middle of the night. "Let me walk you home," he offered, trying to sound reassuring. That was probably the least he could do. He didn't want to seem nosy but it just didn't sit right with him leaving her all alone when she was this disoriented and vulnerable. The woman looked up at him, her eyes searching. He could see hesitation in her eyes filled with fear and confusion. For a moment, Alex thought she'd refuse, but then she nodded, a small smile on her lips before she started to walk off, She quickly followed after her. I was wondering if she was walking alone so late at night. As they walked, the silence between them was punctuated only by the sound of their footsteps and the woman's occasional sniffles. Alex tried to make small talk, but she didn't seem interested. He couldn't blame her; he wasn't exactly the best company himself. The silence Was probably better for both of them and, he had stopped crying which made him relieved in a way. They turned at a corner, and the woman stopped in front of a small park bench. She sat down, her head in her hands, and began to sob again. Alex sat down beside her, feeling helpless. Unless of what exactly he could do to console her and make her stop sobbing. "Are you alright?" he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper. The woman looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I just...I lost someone." Alex's heart went out to her. He knew that pain all too well. "I'm sorry too," he said, his voice sincere and, he smiled slightly at him as she wiped her tears. He could see her trying to gain control of her emotions, but it was a struggle. Sometimes it was better to let it all out, but Alex couldn't bring himself to say that to her... They sat there in silence for a moment, the only sound was the woman's quiet sobs, she had lost the battle with her emotions once again. Then Alex stood up, feeling like he was intruding on her grief. "I should get going," he said, his voice soft. The woman nodded, still sniffling. "Thank you," she muttered. Alex turned to leave but then stopped. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, looking back at her. The woman nodded again, a small smile on her lips. "I'll be fine," she said. Alex hesitated, unsure if he believed her. But he couldn't force her to accept his help. He turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the darkness. He could only hope that she would be Alex stopped walking when he looked back and realised she was no longer sitting on the bench but had taken a left turn and he had to take a right. He sighed deeply as he continued. She didn't seem okay to him…he hoped at least she would be fine unlike him… Patrick was outside the car waiting for him when he got back. “Sir!” Patrick immediately ran to his side to make sure he was okay. Concern etched on his face for his boss. "I was worried sick sir! I almost came looking for you... We should go to the hospital or should I call the doctor to the house!" “Let's go, it's late already” Alex simply answered as he walked to his car door, his still mind on the mysterious lady he had just encountered…"Juliet!" Alex called out to Juliet, who he had been waiting for for almost an hour... "I'm almost done", Juliet answered and picked up her bag, but stopped in her tracks when she realised that she had forgotten something... she rushed back into her closet and picked up her phone before she finally came out to meet Alex. "We are going to get there late,", Alex said when she came out of the room, and Juliet leaned closer to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips as an apology... "I'm sorry, I almost forgot my phone", she said, and Alex sighed deeply... he took the bag she had packed from her hand, and they both proceeded downstairs... juliet had a lingering smile on her face as they rode the elevator down to the garage... She was super excited about the trip and was thinking about all the things they could do there and one of the things she wanted to do was go out on an evening walk...thankfully they were spending a few days there, and every night they could go on a walk... Alex gl
The days went by quickly, and soon everything started to go back to normal... Glenda's case was reopened and Michelle and Daniel were charged to court to be tried... Months had passed and Alex barely spoke about what happened... He seemed to have moved on, but Juliet knew deep down that he still thought about it from time to time... he refused to see his uncle, and she thought it was for the best... Joy had reunited with her son again and filed for divorce from Daniel, which he was forced to grant her because she had sued him in court for the pain he had inflicted on her... he was being charged, and he was facing a hefty prison sentence... Michelle, on the other hand, was going to face a lighter sentence because she had helped the police and had come clean... her sister was by her side every step of the way and even if Alex didn't show it, Juliet knew he was relieved to each that... she had heard him talking on the phone with Patrick and asking him to get his mother the best defence
"He is still at the police station, but with your mother's and a few other people's statements, we have concrete evidence against him; the police are going to conduct a thorough investigation into the case", Patrick informed Alex, and he nodded. "So my mother turned herself in?" Alex asked, and Patrick nodded. Michelle had been more cooperative than he imagined. She told the police every single detail of what happened that day and didn't leave anything out. "Why didn't you tell me you were investigating my mother?" Alex asked, and Patrick swallowed... he started to fiddle with his fingers nervously as he stared at Alex, who seemed calm even though his life was falling apart. The board had called an emergency meeting, and Alex had to show up, but he looked calm and neutral like he had accepted everything that happened and was going to move on with his life... "I wanted to be sure sir about it and I didn't want to just be suspicious..." Patrick said and Alex nodded... he buttoned the la
"I'm fine... I should be," Alex said in a low voice, and Caroline turned to look out the window,w, too... his room had a great view, but she couldn't even admire the view. "I don't know what to say to you right now... I don't even know where to begin" Caroline started... she sighed deeply and glanced at Alex who was slowly been drawn into a daze once again.... his face was neutral and one would only think he had a fever or something, but what was happening was far worse than a fever... it was depleting and could ruin someone... it was a deep feeling of betrayal by one's family and that was the worse thing ever that she didn't wish on anyone... like Michelle, she wished there was a way she could fix everything... "Your mother is here to see you" She told Alex, but didn't get any reaction from him... he sat there in silence and stared at the bird that had landed close to the window... "She regrets what she did...she was terrified of your uncle and was afraid of what he was going to do t
Coralline walked hurriedly into her sister's house, her heart racing and her mind railing. She had heard something from someone and had to confirm if it was true. Michelle was on her way out of her house when she almost bumped into her sister, who was at her front door. Caroline immediately took a step back... "Michelle, is everything I heard true... please tell me it isn't," Caroline said to her sister, who walked right past her and headed to her garage. "Michelle, please say something!" Caroline said in a a raised voice that caused Michelle to to stop in her tracks. "Yes, it is; everything you heard is true, it's all true!" Michelle snapped and turned to look at their sister, who stood there completely shocked and dumbfounded. "it's all true; I hurt Alex. I hurt My son," Michelle muttered, and Caroline stumbled a bit... she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She walked up to her sister and held her arm, and Michelle's eyes started to blur with tears. "Tell me everything that hap
Juliet sat beside Alex who lay on the hospital bed in his private room in his hospital. he had been unconscious for hours and his doctor had assured her that he was fine and would wake up soon, but why wouldn't he wake up... she sighed deeply as she held his hand that was no longer cold thankfully... Joy had stayed with her for a while. But she had left to call her soon and take care of some other things that needed her attention. Patrick was busy with Daniel's case and was working hard to make sure everything worked out well. But she hadn't heard from Michelle. she had been expecting Michelle to show up for a while, but she hadn't called or showed up... Juliet eyes were on Alex face as she watched his features. he looked like he was in a deep sleep and she wondered if she was dreaming about something. She hoped that it wasn't a nightmare and that whatever he was dreaming about was nice and warm and not filled with betrayal and pain... maybe there he could be free before he returned t