Chapter 86: Chapter 86

~ ROMEO ~

I pulled into the parking lot and I saw that my dad's car was not there.

I heaved a sigh of relief. The monster was not around, and I would not have to see his horrible face and get angry all over again. I turned off the car engine. I reached for my phone and dialed my girlfriend's number. The only person who had been making me smile lately and giving me the will to keep going.

Ivy answered on the second ring. "Hey, baby!" She muttered, her voice echoing in my ears. Her voice was soft and soothing, and it calmed my nerves.

The corners of my mouth curved, giving a wide smile. "Good girl," I uttered.

"Bad boy," She said with a chuckle in her voice.

"I am at my mom's house now," I told her.

I almost said "my parents' house," but that didn't feel right when it was really my mother's house.

"That is good," She said, her voice reassuring. "Take a deep breath and go inside. Just talk to her. She is your mother, and she deserves to know everything that is going on with you. Let her in, and I know she will listen."

"That is why I always say you are perfect," I muttered, my voice low and gentle. "Damn, I'm a goner for you. I am so lucky to have you."

Ivy giggled. "Yes, you're lucky to have me. Sometimes, I wonder how you got so lucky,"

I could picture her face right now. I was sure her beautiful face would be glowing. Her bright smile would say everything, but her eyes would say even more. She would be glad to know that I felt lucky to have her in my life.

Ivy was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She was a radiant person, inside and out. Pretty face. Pretty soul.

"So, what are your plans for today?" I questioned her.

"You didn't forget, did you?" She asked back.

My heart sank. Of course, I had forgotten. We always talked about so many things, especially right before bed. She could have told me what she had planned for today, but I had been so sleepy by then. "I'm sorry, baby," I muttered.

"Oh, you're going to pay for this," She threatened.

I took a deep breath. "Mummy," I said, unable to hold back a smile.

"You are in so much trouble," Ivy teased.

"I'm all yours," I said.

"As you should be," She replied.

"I am helping my mom with some shopping later. I am also going over to James' place. I need to talk to him and apologize for hurting him." She stated.

"It is good that you're going to clear the air with him. I'll talk to you later,"

"I love you."

"I love you more," I replied.

I hung up the call, hoping I'd made her day a little brighter.

I got out of the car and headed inside. The call with my girlfriend had made me feel a little more confident about facing my mom. At first, I didn't know what to say or how to even face her. The last time I saw her was the day Samantha had brought me here. And, it had been a few days since then. I was still angry with her. But I couldn't stay angry forever, could I? So, like Ivy had said, I had to talk to her. Here goes nothing.

I walked into the living room. It was eerily silent, like a graveyard. There was no sign of my mom. I made my way up the stairs and to her bedroom. I knocked on the door twice, but there was no answer. I turned the doorknob and stepped inside.

There she was, lying on her bed with her eyes closed. I sat down next to her, and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. I missed her.

Then, all of a sudden, her eyes fluttered open. "Romeo," She breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

"Mom," I responded, my voice trembling.

Her eyes lit up. I missed seeing that light in them. I was suddenly filled with a warmth I had not felt in what felt like forever. She sat up and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I missed you so much, son," She uttered softly.

"I missed you more," I mumbled into her shoulder.

We stayed like that for a moment. I heard her sniffling, trying to keep her tears in check. I closed my eyes, trying to keep it all together.

"You must hate me, right?" Mom blurted out, pulling away from our embrace.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I could never hate you, but I was angry."

"I am a terrible mother, aren't I?" She burst out, her voice breaking. "I chose an abusive relationship over my own son."

Hearing her call it an "abusive relationship" felt like a breakthrough. If she recognized the abuse, there was a chance that she could move past it. Maybe, it would not be as hard as I thought.

"Where's dad?" I asked. "Did he do something else?"

"H-He brought a woman home last night. And, they left together this morning." Mom stuttered.

My hands clenched into fists. "This man has no shame." I growled.

I continued. "Do you even know why this keeps happening? You have put up with this for so long. You've let him back into your life over and over again, and he keeps hurting you."

Mom hung her head, and I could see her shoulders start to shake. "I know. But, I don't care about him anymore. I just want to be with my son," She whispered.

I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "You need to divorce him," I said.

"Yes, I know," Mom agreed.

I beamed a smile. I felt a swell of hope. It seemed like she was finally waking up to reality.

The first thing that popped in my mind was to call Ivy. I wanted to tell her everything, but this was my mom's moment, and I didn't want to take that from her.

"And, you will need to fight for your property too," I added.

"Absolutely," She spoke, nodding. "I am done with this life. I am going to get out of this, and get my life back."

A smile spread across my face. Without a word, I wrapped her in a hug. "I love you, mom,"

"I love you even more,"

***

I gave my mom a final hug and promised to visit again the next day. I watched as she locked the door behind me, then I made my way to my car.

I reached for the car door handle, but froze as I noticed a familiar vehicle pulling in. Samantha stepped out, a grin on her face as she made her way over to me.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out. "How did you know I was here?"

"Don't you miss me?" Samantha cooed, pouting her lips.

Samantha may have thought she was being cute, but I could only think of how cute Ivy looked when she did that.

"I don't miss you," I replied, getting a grip on myself.

"Romeo, that's harsh," She whimpered.

"You need to move on, Sam. I don't want to treat you like shit because you once meant a lot to me," I told her.

"I love you," Samantha muttered, tears already forming a pool on her face.

"I don't," I said, keeping my voice firm. "Listen, I don't want you to mess with Ivy anymore. She means a lot to me, and I won't hesitate to hurt anyone who hurts her."

Samantha bit her lip, nodding.

"You can go," I uttered. "And, stop stalking me. It's annoying,"

Samantha covered her mouth with a trembling hand, then hurried off towards her car. She climbed inside and drove off without looking back. I watched her go, knowing that it had been necessary to be so blunt. She would never stop interfering if I was not firm with her. I would not let her hurt Ivy again.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to check the screen, and smiled at the name on the screen. My girl.