When Eugene arrived at the Royal Palace, Alex was alone in the room as he shrank into the corner. The room was dimly lit, so it took Eugene some time to find Alex. He was still as lifeless as before. Frustrated, Eugene kicked Alex and asked, “Have you just gotten drunk, or were you never sober?”
Alex stayed quiet and turned to his side, wrapping his clothes tighter around him, and continued sleeping as if nothing concerned him. After kicking him disdainfully again, Eugene asked, ‘Can’t you pull yourself together?”
Without opening his eyes, Alex listlessly retorted, “If you suddenly found out that your and Olivia are siblings, would you be able to pull yourself together?”
Eugene was so furious that he angrily laughed. “Are you depressed because you and Jewel are siblings, or are you depressed because Jewel’s mom was the person who ruined your parents’ marriage?”
Alex shot Eugene a death stare. “Is there a difference?” Then, Eugene nudged him further into the corner to make space for himself. “Of course, there is!” Alex replied, “Both are depressing.”
“How are those things in comparison to losing. Jewel?” Eugene asked. Scrunching his brows together, Alex demanded, “Can you be more straightforward and say whatever you want to say? Do you think I can understand your indirect words?”
Eugene was at a loss for words as he wondered how Alex could justifiably throw a tantrum at this moment. He gave Alex the spoon Olivia packed for him. “This is for you. I can only help you this far.” Frowning, Alex asked, “What’s this?”
“A spoon Jewel used. She’s in no better condition than you are. You already know it’s impossible between you and Jewel, so you feel sad, pitiful, and regretful, but you wouldn’t anticipate anything. However, Jewel is still anxiously waiting for you at home.
Do you know that not knowing what will happen tomorrow is more agonizing than already knowing the truth? You should perform a DNA test with her. If you’re indeed siblings, be a man and tell Jewel the truth. Don’t keep her hanging while you’re here wasting your life away, but if you’re not. siblings, then choose the lesser of two evils. Why torture yourselves like this?”
It was then that Alex gave Eugene a bewildered look. “What are you talking about? Do you think that Jewel and I aren’t siblings?”
Eugene replied, “It’s just a suspicion. I wasn’t planning on telling you this, but I don’t want to see you and Jewel torment each other. Actually, your mother didn’t slit her wrist to kill herself. She probably did it to force you and Jewel to separate.”
While he spoke, he observed Alex’s expression but didn’t see any surprise. Instead, he asked in shock, “Do all of you know that?”
Eugene narrowed his eyes. “You know about this?” Alex replied, “Yes. It’s because I caught her slitting her wrists and faking suicide. That’s what forced her to tell me Jewel is Winnie’s daughter.”
After a moment’s silence, Eugene drew a deep breath. “Why didn’t you f*cking tell her earlier? Why did you have to wait until you developed feelings for each other before telling the truth?”
Alex explained, “This incident doesn’t only bring nightmares to my mom but also me. She wouldn’t have mentioned this if she had other ways to separate Jewel and me.”
Eugene argued, “Are you sure she was telling the truth? Since she could feign slitting her wrist, I think she lied that you and Jewel are siblings to separate you guys even more. That’s what I suspect and the most I can help you with.
A DNA test stands between you and the answer, so you decide whether you want to do it. No matter what the results or decision, you have to tell Jewel. Don’t keep her hanging because she has done nothing wrong, and perhaps she wouldn’t have left home and ended up in this situation if you hadn’t shown up in her life.”
Alex stared silently at the spoon for a long while.
