The Mother He fights for

In less than fifteen minutes, the guys were ready, I arrived ten minutes later. 

Auren practically dragged both of us out of the penthouse.

By "both of us," I meant me and his permanently irritated older brother.

"I swear," Kaizen muttered while locking the penthouse door behind him, "you were dropped on the wrong family's doorstep as a baby."

Auren gasped dramatically.

"You wound me."

"I've been trying."

"Violence isn't the answer."

"It absolutely is."

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me, both brothers turned toward me.

Auren immediately pointed.

"See?"

"See what?" Kaizen asked.

"She thinks I'm funny."

"No."

I shook my head.

"I think you're annoying."

Auren placed a hand over his heart.

"That somehow is sweeter."

*****

The elevator ride downstairs was surprisingly peaceful.

For once, nobody was arguing, nobody was threatening anyone, nobody was accusing anyone of being a psychopath.

Progress…real progress.

Unfortunately, it lasted less than five minutes.

The moment we reached the parking lot, Auren rushed toward the back seat of Kaizen's black SUV.

Then he opened the rear door.

And sat down, I frowned…Then I looked at the front passenger seat, then looked back at Auren.

Auren grinned.

Oh no.

That grin meant trouble.

"Sit in front."

I narrowed my eyes….

"You planned this."

"Nope."

"You absolutely planned this."

"Nope."

"You did."

"Nope."

I turned toward Kaizen.

"Your brother is evil."

"He gets it from me."

Auren looked proud.

"Best compliment you've ever given me."

Funny family…. funny siblings, I can't relate though. Lol

******

I walked toward the passenger seat, only to stop then fold my arms….I want to give Auren the full scene of what he wanted by asking me to sit in front. 

Kaizen frowned.

"What now?"

I looked at the closed door.

Then at him.

Then back at the closed door.

Understanding slowly appeared on his face.

"No."

Auren immediately burst into laughter.

"Oh my God."

"No."

Kaizen pointed at me…

"Get in the car."

I remained standing, 

"Open it."

His jaw dropped.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Auren was now laughing so hard he nearly fell out of the vehicle.

"Bro, open the door."

"Shut up."

"Be a gentleman."

"Shut up."

"Open the door."

"Shut up."

I remained perfectly still, the battle continued, one minute passed, then two….three. Seeing I won't bulge, finally. …Kaizen sighed heavily.

The sigh of a man who had completely given up on life,

He walked toward me, Opened the passenger door, then bowed dramatically. 

One hand stretched toward the seat, the other was placed over his chest.

"Your carriage awaits, my Queen."

For three whole seconds, nobody spoke,

Then Auren exploded, I burst into laughter…

Even Kaizen started laughing, the sight was ridiculous.

The famous Kaizen Arclair, Campus king, heartbreake, terror of professors.

Now pretending to be my personal chauffeur.

I climbed into the seat while trying…and failing….not to laugh.

"Thank you, servant."

Kaizen looked offended.

"You're enjoying this way too much."

"Absolutely." I grinned. 

***

The trip to the hospital wasn't direct.

Auren insisted on stopping at a flower shop first.

His mother apparently loved flowers, especially lilies.

The small shop sat on a quiet street near the hospital. The moment we entered, Auren disappeared among the flowers.

Meanwhile, Kaizen quietly selected a bouquet of white lilies, No teasing, No joking, No attitude.

Just careful attention as if every flower mattered.

I watched silently, something about the scene felt different.

This wasn't the Kaizen everyone knew, this was simply a son…..A son trying to make his sick mother smile.

And somehow...that version felt more real.

****

By the time we arrived at the hospital, my chest felt strangely tight.

Not from fear, but from memory.

Hospitals always carried memories.

Some beautiful while some are painful.

Most are impossible to forget.

Auren immediately rushed ahead carrying the flowers, kaizen followed and I trailed behind them.

Suddenly nervous, for reasons I couldn't explain….

Then we stopped outside a room, Auren smiled.

Ready…Excited and hopeful. 

The kind of smile people wore around someone they loved, He pushed open the door.

"Mom!"

The room immediately brightened, Not because of the sunlight..but because of her.

Sylvara Arclair sat upright on the hospital bed, despite the illness visible beneath her skin...

She was beautiful, Not in the glamorous magazine-cover way…..

Not in the polished socialite way.

No.

Her beauty came from warmth, kindness and the gentle smile that appeared the seconds she saw her sons. 

Her dark eyes lit up instantly, "My boys."

Auren crossed the room first, Sylvara pulled him into a hug.

Then she reached for Kaizen, something remarkable happened.

The terrifying Kaizen Arclair bent down immediately, Without hesitation, Without embarrassment…. Just like a child.

Sylvara kissed his forehead, the same way mothers do when their children are five years old.

Not nineteen, Not six foot three…. But babies.

Kaizen smiled completely, a real smile, small and soft. 

Beautiful. 

Sometimes, when we're with our loved ones, you'll be meek and gentle as a lamb.

****

Sylvara finally noticed me standing near the door….

Her eyes widened.

"Oh."

I immediately froze, then smiled awkwardly.

"Hi."

Sylvara looked between me and Kaizen…

Then back at me.

A knowing motherly smile appeared.

"Oh my goodness."

Kaizen's eyes narrowed immediately.

"No."

Auren started laughing, knowing what was coming next. 

"No?" Sylvara repeated innocently.

"No."

She pointed toward me.

"This is the beautiful girl you've been talking about?"

The room froze, my eyes widened,...I almost thought Auren mentioned his mom talking about me in the kitchen just to cajole me to coming with them. 

It's really true, Kaizen has been talking about me. Wow

Auren choked on air, Kaizen nearly died.

"Mom."

His voice carried genuine horror, Sylvara ignored him completely…..

"She's gorgeous."

I could physically see Kaizen wishing the ground would open and swallow him whole.

Meanwhile, I was trying not to combust.

"You've talked about me?"

I asked slowly.

Kaizen looked ready to jump out the hospital window.

Auren was absolutely no help.

"Oh, he talks about you all the time."

"AU……………"

"Especially the arguing."

"STOP TALKING!!!."

Sylvara laughed so hard she started coughing, Immediately both sons moved.

One offering water, the other adjusting her pillow.

The movement was automatic, like it's practiced and familiar.

 Then I understood, this wasn't an obligation, this wasn't duty… This is love… 

Pure and unconditional LOVE. 

The kind people fought for, 

The kind people sacrificed for, 

My smile slowly faded,

BEcause I finally understood why Kaizen was so desperate.

Why he kept carrying burdens that were slowly destroying him.

Because sitting in that hospital bed wasn't just a patient.

She was his world.

And judging from the fear hidden behind his eyes...

He was terrified of losing her.

Just like I had lost mine.