Alex’s tone sounded resolute, and his eyes were bloodshot, prompting Winnie to smile at Stefanie. “No matter how I see it, it seems like your son likes Jean more. Are you sure you want to keep them apart?”
Stefanie was furious. “Don’t be so pleased with yourself. Jean can never enter our family as long as I’m alive!” Winnie scoffed. “You’re still as stubborn as before. Aren’t you worried your son might fall out with you?”
After glaring at her, Stefanie turned to look at Alex, seemingly wanting to prove Winnie wrong. “Alex, if you insist on being with her, you can stop calling me Mom.”
At this point, he could care less about the grudge between his mother and Winnie. All he knew was that he would lose Jewel if he gave in now. So, he looked at Stefanie and asserted, “I won’t leave her, and stop pulling Jewel into the matter between you two. She’s not a pawn you can use to attack each other!”
While looking at him with disbelief, Stefanie questioned, “Are you trying to drive me insane?”
“You’re driving me insane!” Alex was trembling, perhaps from his utter fury and shock. However, he looked at Stefanie with a pained expression, and his voice sounded aggrieved when he complained, “Mom! She’s the only
woman I love. I’ve waited for her for eight years and exerted a hell lot of effort to get her back. Why do you have to separate us? At first, you said we were siblings, and then you said her mother destroyed your marriage. We went through so many ups and downs with you, yet you still won’t agree with our relationship even though the truth is out. You met a scumbag and had a failed marriage, but that’s your problem. Why do you have to let me deal with the consequences of your experience? That is the bottom line, Mom, so don’t overstep it!”
Stefanie was so furious that she pointed at him and stammered, “You… You…”
At that moment, the silent Edmont piped up, “It’s my fault. My selfishness has caused everything.”
“Yes, it is your fault!” Alex finally found someone to vent his frustrations on and began raging at Edmont, “You weren’t loyal to your marriage. You let your desires run wild, failed your wife, and were an irresponsible father. Do you know how much harm you brought to us when you left without a word? My mom went to bed exhausted and woke up crying every day. I spent endless days and nights studying while others were sleeping. I dared not slack off and vowed to get your answer one day about whether you regretted leaving us!”
When he finished, he seemed exhausted and heaved. Then, he wiped the tear at the corner of his eye and continued, “Once I got older, I understood the difficulties of being a breadwinner. My resentment for you decreased a lot, and I began making up all sorts of excuses for you, thinking that you must have a reason for abandoning us. But when I found out that my relationship with Jewel couldn’t continue because of the grudges between you guys, my hatred for you began sprouting. I hate you so much that I wish I never had parents like you!”
Once he finished his rants, the place fell quiet as everyone looked at Alex, who had Jewel in his arms, with distressed gazes. He was such a tall man, yet he looked aggrieved like a little child. How much fear did he endure to become like this?
Heartbroken, Edmont muttered, “Alex!” He wanted to head over and hug his son, but he was afraid to do so. Meanwhile, Alex stared at his parents and demanded, “I’ve never experienced the parental love other children had, so what right do you have to ask me to leave the woman I love? You guys settle your dispute yourselves and leave us alone!”
Once that was said, he held Jewel in his arm and left.
“Wait!” Winnie suddenly yelled for them..
