Artificial Mates - Chapter 56

All I wanted was to run away, yet my feet wouldn’t move. Sweat dripped down my back, my shirt glued to my skin. I wanted to shut her words out.

“We knew from the start, you were different. You were so quiet, you rarely cried. At first, I thought it was a good thing. I used to smile whenever I hear the other wives from the village complain about their troublesome offsprings. I never once had this kind of issue with you,” she paused to catch her breath. Her voice a pitch too high. In the background, the machine beeped at a steady rhythm.

“You were so small and rarely smiled. I tried to ignore the silence around you. Your father did everything to pull words out of your mouth. Now, I don’t think he used the best methods. He shouted and was angry. He blamed me for giving birth to such a sick kid,” her voice trembled but she went on. “Please, forgive me, Liliane, for all the times I was absent. I thought, if I let you deal with your problem on your own it would go away. I didn’t realize you were suffering. I should have been there as a mother to help you get through whatever that illness was,” fat tears rolled down my cheeks. I frowned at my own inability to hold them in. I was angry that she was sorry now. It was way too late, the damage was done. I was angry that I felt so happy hearing her side of the story. Grant joined me and held me in his arms. He remained silent so mom went on.

“The day you left, I was unaware of where you were heading. Your father told me to sign the papers for the doctor the night before. I never even once check what they were about. Somehow, it was a relief. I was a bad mother,” her voice broke.

“That’s not true!” Thomas Jumped in. Mom smiled at him.

“With you, I tried to redeem myself. I wanted to do things right. I hope I did,” she coughed and the machine continuous beeps accelerated. Thomas rushed to her bedside. “It’s ok, I’m dying,” she said with a weak smile.

“Mom, please. We can still get some really good doctors to help you. Please, don’t give up,” said Thomas as he grabbed her frail hand. Mom dismissed him with a gentle nod of the head.

“You have your family to look after. I don’t want to cause you more pain. It’s ok, Thomas, you have spent too much to keep me alive,” she slowly turned her face towards me. “Liliane, my poor girl. I didn’t know they were sending you to a mental institution. I-I am truly sorry. I stumbled on that contract years after. I didn’t know I was renouncing your custody when I signed it. When I found out, I went to confront your father,” tears welled up in her eyes. But the door flung open before she could finish her sentence. I turned around to find a dark silhouette standing with shadows dancing on its face.

“Look what the cat dragged from the gutter! A bleached snob from the big city! What are you doing here, in my house?” said a deep voice full of venom. Thomas pushed away from the bed.

“Mom told me she wanted to see Liliane. She is a member of this family and is also welcome under this roof,” the silhouette took a step forward entering the room. The light hit the shabby brown hair surrounding a rough square jaw and sharp almost black eyes. Dad had the same scary aura that used to wrap around him. He was the same with a little more winkled on the forehead and around his inverted smile. Same hard eyebrows. Same disappointed look in his eyes.

“I don’t want her to spread any disease under my roof,” he glared at me. Grant stepped in front of me blocking my view. “What is that?” he tipped his chin towards Grant who extended a greeting hand at him. He stared at it without responding.

“Sir, I’m honored to-”

“Keep your honored and get the f.u.c.k out of my house!” Grant froze, I felt him tensed through the mating link. I reached out and touched to his back. It was no use. I wanted to go. I couldn’t stand it one minute longer.

“Couldn’t you get a proper man, you had to bring a f.u.c.k.i.n.g fake?” chuckled dad. Thomas stepped towards him.

“That’s enough! You stink of booze, mom is sick and you go drown yourself in alcohol? Liliane is my guest. I invited her here. She has the right to stay,” insisted Thomas. If dad wasn’t standing in the doorway I would make a run for it. if Grant wasn’t at arms-reached I would crumble to pieces.

“You brat! You talk big cause you’re all grown up now. You think you can disrespect me like that?” he waved a menacing index at brother. “I’ve fed you, paid for your stupid studies and your freaking marriage and that’s how you reward me? You talk big! Come here I’ll f.u.c.k.i.n.g teach you a lesson,” he threw his fist at Thomas to dodge it. Grant stepped in and easily twisted both of his arms behind his back. He yelped with surprise.

“Get your dirty hands off me! Stupid robot! You’re taking our jobs and now you want to take over my family. I won’t allow it. Die! Die I’ll kill you,” he struggled.

“Do I help him sleep?” asked Grant as he turned to face me. Frankly, my mind was blank. I couldn’t reply. With light pressure Grant applied on the neck of the struggling man, his whole body went limp.

“What did you do with him?” shouted Thomas.

“He will feel better when he is sober. Drinking at his age under these consequences is not good for him,” Grant pulled dad in his arms. His movement, graceful and yet full of strength. Dad was a big man still Grant held him like a princess. “He should take better care of his health and his family,” said Grant. Thomas nodded and turned to me.

“I’m sorry Liliane,” I wiped the dried tears on my cheeks.

“I don’t think I can forgive anyone of you…yet,” my eyes rested on mom’s tired face.

“I only wanted to see you again…one last time,” she voice trailed off. Thomas opened the door wider to let Grant carry dad out of the room. I was ready to follow them.

“Liliane?” mom’s voice was faint. I gave a quick glance over my shoulder. She extended a trembling hand towards me. The sight tore at my heart. Even if my mind resisted my feet dragged me to her bedside. I found my hand seizing hers.

“My sweet child, I hope you can find peace,” she gave me a smile full of love. It broke my heart to see her so frail lying in this bed. Her skin was cold. Tears welled up my eyes.

“Mom, I’ve waited every day for you to come to save me from that horrible place… every day. But you didn’t come. You left me. You abandon me. I can’t forgive you,” my voice came out like a squeal. Still, she smiled sweetly at my outburst.

“I’m not asking for your forgiveness,” her trembling hand wiped the tears dripping on my face. “Please, don’t cry. For once, I want you to smile for me,” I shook my head pulling away from her.

“I can’t! I can’t give you what you want. I’m sorry,” more tears streamed down.

-Liliane, what’s happening? Your levels are all messed up. I’m dropping your dad in the living room then I’ll be right back.

“It’s ok, I was happy to see that you are healthy and in good company. I guess I’ve missed a lot. What was his name?” she chuckled but end up in a fit of violent coughs. I stared down at her unable to react.

“His name is Grant,” I added in a flat tone.

“Is it true…”

“He is an artificial, yes. I am too broken. I can’t love like a normal person,” she nodded her smile fading.

“Does that mean you don’t love him? Cause he sure acts like he cares a lot about you,” she commented. That was none of her business. I frowned at her. I wasn’t sure I wanted to answer her question. I wasn’t sure I had a proper answer.

“I can’t live without him… without them. I don’t know if it’s love or something else. All I know is I’m safe with them, the restless nights are gone. The dark clouds hanging over me are slowly dispersing,” my voice came out bored and didn’t convey the boiling emotions building within me.

“That’s good enough, right?” I slowly nodded. Somehow, it was the longest conversation I ever had with mom. And it had to be on her death bed. A gush of sob bubbled up my throat. The emotions I’ve tried to shove down erupted rocking my body. I felt warm arms wrapped around me as I sunk into his embrace.

“Shh, it’s ok. I’m here,” whispered Grant against my hair.

-I’m here too. Sorry for being so silent.