Chapter 46: Chapter 46

There were three things in my life that I never imagined would happen when I returned home. First of all, taking care of my mother because of a terrifying illness that could easily take her life, when I always imagined needing to take care of her when she was no longer able to care for herself, that is, in old age, the phase that every child hopes their parents will reach, and which should be a decisive moment for the onset of some diseases, not during the peak of her youth.

Second, discovering that my mother had a new type of behavior and thoughts and principles totally different from those she preached years ago.

And third... dealing with a possible "stepfather," who, ironically, was my friend's father.

And this last one seemed to be the most frustrating thing I could face.

I sigh and stare at the ceiling of my room. My sisters were arguing about something that I had no idea about. My phone vibrates on the bed. I see a message from Joshua.

Love, things r a little hectic lately.

I'm barely having time to stop.

Everything's' fine?

Joshua said things had been a bit hectic lately, and he had barely had time to stop, which explained why we had been talking so little in the last few days. I was worried about my mother, and he was busy with his company, now that he had finally left the hospital and returned to his old routine.

At the end of the message, Joshua asked if everything was okay, but he had no idea what was going on.

You've no idea what's going on here.

There're so many things I want to tell you...

You're too busy now?

I replied to Joshua's messages, saying that he had no idea what was going on here, and that I had many things to tell him.

I didn't know if he was available now, so I thought it was ideal to ask if he was busy before I bombarded him with information, although I believed that what I had to say about what was happening couldn't be said just by messages, it was complicated, and maybe it was necessary to say it through a call.

While Joshua didn't respond, I looked back at the ceiling. But it only took a few seconds and my phone vibrated again. I checked the received message and saw that it was from Benjamin this time.

Are you okay? Did you manage to leave that subject behind?

Although I expected a message from Joshua, I didn't hesitate to answer Benjamin.

Better than before.

And about leaving the subject behind...

I could if you hadn't brought it up again lol - I send.

Benjamin soon responds to the message.

Now I feel guilty.

Will you ever forgive me? ☹

I laugh at the sad face emoji.

I don't know. I'm deeply hurt ☹

I replied with the same emoji.

I have to admit... I don't find this emoji exciting at all lol

I don't think it was meant to be anyway lol

Some messages appear on the notification bar. I slide my thumb across the screen, hoping to find something from Joshua. But once again, I am disappointed. He still hasn't replied to me.

Benjamin sends me another message.

But do you know which one is my favorite? This one It reminds me of you

Benjamin sends a smiling face with rosy cheeks emoji.

Me? Why?

Usually, that emoji was used when someone was embarrassed.

Because it's cute Just like you.

I can't help but smile at the message.

But I'm not cute!

You're right. You're much more than that. You're a cute little lion lol

What?! I burst out laughing. What an idiot...

BENJAMIN! LMAO

A notification appears on my screen. Joshua had replied to my message.

A little bit. But when I have time, I'll send you a message.

As I had imagined, he really was busy because of his delayed response, but he said he would message me when he had time.

I sigh. I just want to be able to talk to him properly, like before, but... it looks like that won't happen anytime soon. I decide not to respond to him and go back to Benjamin's chat.

I haven't told you yet, but... My dad is coming to Brazil.

As expected, Benjamin responds right away.

Really? Is that good or bad?

I think it's both. But more bad than good. I know I'll be happy to see him, but my mom won't be. I can't blame her. He left her to marry a psychotic British woman

And do you know why he's coming here?

I don't know. My friend just said he would come. But it's so sudden, and we don't live in the house that used to be his anymore. He might get lost in Sao Paulo.

Don't you have a way to communicate with him?

Unfortunately, no. I made the mistake of not asking for his contact. I was so excited to have found him in London that I ended up not asking. And I also got my head occupied with some other issues.

But don't worry, Ali. If you found him in London, you'll find him in Brazil too.

I hope so.

"Alice! Alex! Agatha! Dinner!" Aunt Ana shouts from the stairs.

I lock my cell phone screen and get out of bed, heading to the room exit. Alex and Agatha remain in the room, and surprisingly, still argue about something, but I hadn't noticed they were still talking. I had completely immersed myself in Benjamin's messages, becoming numb to the real world.

I enter the kitchen, seeing my aunt putting some dishes on the table. The smell was wonderful.

"The smell is so good, Aunt," I say, and she smiles over her shoulder. I look around, noticing that my mother wasn't around. "Where is she?" I ask.

"She went to have dinner at that Edgar's house."

I let out a sigh and cross my arms.

"It would be her first meal after leaving the hospital. And she decided to spend this moment with her lover." I grumble.

My aunt turns to me, also sighing.

"I know you don't support your mother with Edgar. But... I haven't seen her so radiant in years."

"Radiant?" I frown. "She's become another woman. She's selfish! She only cares about herself!"

"She just got out of the hospital, Alice!"

"And she went to a man's house? Wow! What a quick recovery. I feel like even the Flash would envy her." I retort, irritated with a sarcastic tone.

"Look..." She takes a deep breath. "Let's not bother her with this subject."

"What subject? The one where she destroyed a marriage and stooped to be a mistress?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Edgar's marriage with his wife wasn't going very well. And your mother is beautiful. As much as you are. And he ended up falling in love with her."

I narrow my eyes, staring fixedly at my aunt.

"Do you know that she's only with him for his money?"

Ana sighs again.

"I know," she says.

"You know?" I say incredulously.

"But he can really provide a better life for her mother. And your sisters too. Isn't that why you left Brazil?"

Those words slightly reminded me of someone. I shake my head in disagreement.

"What if he finds out that she's only interested in his money?"

"He won't find out. Because we won't tell anyone," I give Ana a sly look. "We won't tell, Alice! None of us!"

I fall silent, about to say something that would sound bitter coming from my mouth.

"So, I guess I've finished what I had to do here in Brazil. I should go back to London."

"You don't have to go back."

"I have nothing to do here."

"You can't go back."

"Why not? Thank God, my mother has already recovered from cancer. And since she's so excited about her boyfriend, who hasn't even given me a third of her attention... They won't need me anymore."

"You need to stay. She would like to see you at her wedding."

I freeze in shock.

“Wedding? What do you mean, ‘wedding’?” I look at my aunt in disbelief. "She's getting married?"

Those words cut through my throat like a knife.

"Yes. They agreed that if she overcame cancer... They would get married a month later."

I shake my head and let out a small ironic laugh.

"So, another reason for me to go back to London."

"Alice," she approaches me. "I know you're upset about this. But you have to understand that this will be good for her."

"She's with my friend's father, aunt! And only... because he's rich! I love her, but I would never turn a blind eye to this. Especially on a subject like this."

"You have the right to be angry. But... please, don't go away again. Your whole family is here. We love you. And we don't want you to have a difficult life out there."

I slide my gaze away from hers and swallow, suppressing all my bitterness.

"She should be the one saying that," I spit out.

My aunt's pleading look to stay was starting to move me.

When it came to family, that was my weak point. And maybe, because that was my weak point, I was indignant with my mother for destroying a marriage, because if it were the other way around, I would hate the woman who had influenced my parents' breakup. And I admire Benjamin a lot for not hating her, although I think that because she's my mother, he might not want to show any feelings towards her, afraid that it would affect me.

"Okay. I can stay. But it doesn't mean I'll stay forever."

Upon hearing my words, my aunt automatically embraces me. A little shorter than me, her forehead touches my cheek.

"Your mother will be very happy to hear that," she says.

"I know. But it will be difficult for me to be happy with everything that's going on."

She moves away from me.

"Don't be resentful, Alice. You'll get used to it in time."

"We'll see," I murmur.

The doorbell rings. My aunt makes her way to the living room and opens the door.

"You?" she says in astonishment.

I lean in the kitchen doorway, which gives a view of the living room, trying to see who has startled my aunt. My mouth automatically drops open. Dad?