'' I knew. ''
Freya walked to her son lifelessly. She put her hand on his shoulder and made him face her. His eyes were shut and he struggled to keep himself together.
'' Say it again. '' Freya's voice was breaking. She inhaled . '' Alec, please , talk to me. ''
'' Mom , I'm sorry. '' Alec hugged her. '' I'm sorry . I'm sorry! ''
'' What are you sorry for? '' She hugged him back and stroked his hair. '' You didn't know , right ?''
'' I'm sorry mom '' Alec couldn't stop the bitter tears escaping his eyes. '' She's alive. I knew it. I knew this long before. ''
Freya separated herself from him. '' Why didn't you tell me?" She was shrieking. '' Why? ''
Alec didn't have an answer. He did what he thought was right for Alison back then. Whether he was right or wrong...he didn't know and didn't want to know. If he could do it all over again , he would make the same choice.
'' She's happy. '' Alec couldn't sweeten the truth. His mother had to accept that their ' home ' wasn't exactly a place for living happily. '' Happier than she ever would have been here.''
Freya stumbled back and Alec held her . She was light headed. She'd cried her eyes out and she was almost sure she had no more tears in her.
She suddenly broke out in a crazy laughter as she stared blankly into space. '' You're right . This place...'' she looked at the four walls surrounding her. '' This place is no less than hell. A prison...my home.''
Alec clenched his fist. He couldn't remember the last time his mother smiled or laughed in this house. He helped her to the bed and knelt beside her.
'' Am I a bad mother? '' She cried.
'' Well...you're not that bad . '' Alec joked as he held her hand tightly.
'' Stop fooling around. '' She pinched his cheeks and laughed in-between her sobs. She kissed his forehead and hugged him. '' I love you. ''
'' The deal with Mr. Klint went well. He could possibly become one of our biggest investors. '' Ryan placed the folder he had been examining on the table. He sighed . Richard was always around . Oh , how he wished Alec was more like him.
'' Have you heard from Alec lately? '' He always had a frown on his face at work.
'' No. '' Richard spoke without lifting his gaze from a file he had in his hands. '' He's probably busy with his ' legal ' business or he's probably somewhere with his girlfriend. ''
Ryan's frown deepened. What did this kid want exactly? He picked up his phone and was ready to dial Alec's number in a fit of rage when he got an idea. He just had to try to bridge the gap between them. He had to rekindle that dying flame of filial piety. And what better way than to get close to his girlfriend's family.
He dialled Freya's number and waited for her to pick up. She was taking longer than usual.
Freya stared at her phone screen. Her body seemed unable to answer the call.
Alec returned to the room with aspirin for her migraine. He saw how scared she was.
'' What's the matter?" He handed her a glass of water.
'' it's Ryan. He's calling. '' She took the pill and wiped the sweat from her face. Her heart was pounding.
'' Should I tell him what you told me? '' She was trembling. '' Marcus actually saved her. He didn't deserve to die like that. ''
She closed her eyes for a minute. '' Will he understand ? ''
Alec didn't know what to tell her.
'' It's up to you.''
Freya looked at him once more for reassurance then she slowly picked up. Her face was flat and she did nothing but respond with gentle ' hmms'
She put the phone down and turned to Alec. '' He wants us to have diner on Friday night. ''
'' And what's wrong with that? '' Alec shrugged. He didn't see the need for worry.
'' He wants us to meet Gwen's family for diner. ''
Alec's face became sour. What was he trying to do? He clenched his fist. If Ryan found out about Gwen , being the egotistical prick he was , he'd try to harm her and her family.
'' Alec , her life may be in danger.'' Freya said sadly.
'' Horrible! Disgusting! Just wrong! Vile! '' Ruth rampaged as she scrolled through her phone , looking at the outfit choices sent for her next shoot. They all made her look either fat or to thin or just plain ugly. She was pacing around madly and didn't see the table before her.She hit her foot and stumbled for ward.
'' Gatchu! '' Derrick grabbed her just in time. '' Are you alright? ''
'' Aaaaah!" She winced when she tried to move on her own. Her foot was killing her. '' I think I sprained my ankle. ''
'' Let me have a look. '' He took off her stiletto and observed her petit foot. It was red and getting swollen. '' Looks bad. ''
'' Thanks for noticing , genius. '' She rolled her eyes .
'' Who got you in a fiesty mood this morning ? '' He carried her in his arms and took her to her bedroom where he laid her down on her bed.
'' It's nothing. I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. '' She lay face up on her king-sized bed. She didn't want to tell him how she was upset because Leo had rejected her again .
'' Derrick , could you tell me something? '' She mumbled.
'' Uhmmm? '' He spoke as he applied a balm to her foot.
'' What do I lack as a woman? ''