Chapter 73
Aidan's POV
I would have gone back to the bar I was at last night if only I wasn't this tired and hungry. I remember I ate nothing last night and this morning too, I only ate a few snacks as lunch and the sex with that blonde was something else.
She reminded me of Tessa, she was wild in bed, just like Tessa. She wouldn't let me be. But this morning when she requested money, I remembered her instantly. She was the whore I brought into this same house months ago before Anna and I got married.
I gave her some money and told her never to come back. I was glad I used protection, I wouldn't have brought her in if only I knew she was a slut. I don't like girls like that. Knowing who they are turns me off.
I swing my briefcase tiredly and drag my feet to the door, the moment I came out of the car. I am pretty tired and I want to go to bed after having dinner. I just hope Anna isn't waiting for me like she did yesterday. I was surprised to see her in the living room. I figured out that she has resumed the role of waiting for me.
Even though I was so mad at her last night, I couldn't tell her what she did and why I was pissed at her. I just thought letting her know her place was the best. I just wish she can stop all of this and let us live in peace as strangers and not as couples.
That is what I want, especially now that I know she is dating someone again. This thought alone pisses me off.
I hoist my head up when I get to the pavement and the door opens. I see Anna first coming out before my eyes fall on the person she is looking at. She is wheeling my mother out.
I suddenly feel guilty for not visiting my mother for a while now. She usually comes to visit when she misses me too much and after several calls, asking me to come home or something important has happened or is about to happen.
"Mother?" I call and they both look up.
Anna's countenance changed. The smile on her face is no longer there. She wheels mother further as I walk to meet up with them. Mother must have been waiting for me for long, it looks like she is about to go home. I wonder where Lucy is.
When she is closer, I hug her. When I disengage from the cold hug, I watch her face for answers on what could be wrong and why she is cold with me.
Did something happen to my father?
Her face looks sad and I begin to think of the possible reason for her outright show of sadness. Mother hides her emotions well unless she really wants you to know something is up.
"Mom, are you ok?" I ask her with concern laced in my voice. She didn't answer so I place my hand on her soft cheeks and ask her again. "Are you fine?"
She removes my hand from her face gently and Anna turns to leave. I don't understand what is happening.
"I came to see you", she only says.
Is she angry because I didn't arrive home early and because I kept her waiting?
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, mom. Let's go inside", I move to the back of her wheelchair so I can take her back inside but she grabs my hand, stopping me. I really don't like the way she is acting weird tonight and I am scared of the unknown.
"Let's talk out here, I have been here for a long time and I need to go home", she mutters. I try to search her face again for answers but I get nothing.
"I can take you home myself, mother", I suggest but she shakes her head.
She tilt her head to the left, looking at the terrace with a shady view. "Let's go there", she points at the place.
Without hesitation, I touch the wheelchair and begin to wheel her towards the place. When we get there, I drop my briefcase on the floor and sit, making sure that her wheelchair is beside me and I am holding the handle where her hand is placed.
I am watching her intensely and patiently waiting for her to tell me what the problem is.
"Mom?"
"I came here this morning to see Anna in tears", she begin and I know instantly what the problem is and why she is giving me this cold behavior.
Did Anna tell her anything?
"I came to visit my grandchild but my heart broke into shreds when I saw my grandchild's mother in tears. I kept asking her why she was crying but she refused to tell me a single thing. I cried too." She sniffs. I suddenly feel ashamed of myself. I would have done everything possible in the world to make sure that mom didn't see Anna in tears if only I was home when she arrived.
Why was she crying? I put her in her place last night. Did she cry from the day before till this morning?
"I know the kind of son I gave birth to. I can see the guilt on your face, Aidan and I know you are responsible. I didn't even need Anna to tell me what she has been going through for me to know you are not good to her."
"This isn't the first time I am noticing something about how you two live like strangers. First, you sleep in different bedrooms, and secondly, I saw how puffy her eyes were at your birthday party. Is this what you have become? Why do you want me to feel responsible for your actions? If I hadn't asked you to marry this girl, If I hadn't pleaded with her to become your wife, maybe she would still be living her happy life? What is the essence of keeping her in a big house like this when the world doesn't even know she is your wife? She isn't happy. That girl reminds me of who I used to be." She rants in a raised voice. My head is bent in shame.
"I'm sorry", I apologize, not knowing how to handle the situation. I know my mother is really angry but I have my reasons for behaving this way with Anna. It's just that I can't tell her.
"You are sorry? Everything is not about being sorry", she shouts. "I can't remember the number of times your father told me sorry but it didn't change anything, did it?"
I shake my head. It didn't change anything. Instead, it got worse.
"Are you a woman beater?" She asks sharply.
"What?" I raise my bent head. "Of course not, mom. We only quarreled."
"A quarrel? That's where it starts from. From quarrels to slaps and beatings. Don't be like your father, Aidan. I didn't train my son to be this way. I can endure the fact that you treat people the way you want but definitely not Anna. That girl is too innocent for this."
Innocent indeed. If she is truly innocent, she won't be dating another man while in my house, I said inwardly.
You asked her to date anyone she likes after the birth of your baby, remember? My subconscious demands. I close my eyes to shut it up.
"I won't be happy with you if you don't apologize to Anna. She is not just your wife, she is the mother of your child, your first fruit. I hope you don't regret this in the long run."
"I'm sorry, mom."
"Go and apologize to her, will you?" Her voice is breaking and I know she is trying not to cry. I nod in agreement, even though I have no idea how to apologize to Anna.
"If this continues, I will have no choice than to call you your father's son and you know what that means", she utters, peering at me to see if I understand.
"Yes, I know what it means."
"What does it mean?" She asks.
"It means I am a monster, like my father", my voice is low and I bend my head back down in shame.
I don't want to be like my father, I don't want to be seen like my father, I want to be different from him but my mother's request is a hard one.
"Good. A word is enough for the wise", she removes my hand from the handle and begins to wheel her chair slowly by herself.
I know if I go, she won't allow me to help her. A car parked at the far end of the compound opens and Lucy hurriedly comes out to help her to the car.
As I watch absentmindedly, I didn't know when she entered the car, until I heard the sound of a car going out of my house.
She is gone.