Page 28 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

“Oh, I will and when I do, I’ll make sure you join my father in jail for spreading false accusations!” The tears were running down her cheeks again and I was starting to hate the endless crying. I turned to walk out even as she was speaking.

“I’m not trying to hurt you, Leo. I’m just trying to let you know the truth and help my brother as well. He is sick and wants to see you.”

I paused and glared at the figure over my shoulder before storming out of the house. My mind swirled with anger and confusion. The date was the last thing on my mind. I was taking the next available flight to Florida to confirm these tales that I had heard from my aunt. Deep down, I secretly hoped that they were lies.

Chapter 18

Iheaded towards the car and got in, tossing my phone onto the front seat. I started the engine, grabbed the steering wheel, and drove as fast as I could. My emotions were a whirlwind of anger and disbelief. There was no way. There couldn’t be. My heart pounded against my chest every second.

I rushed to the airport and hurried to buy a ticket. The next flight was scheduled to depart in two hours, and my heart pounded in my chest as I waited. Each second felt like an eternity. This was too urgent for me to wait until nightfall.

My world was likely turning upside down. I wanted answers, and I wanted them immediately. As soon as the plane was ready for departure, I boarded, barely flinching at the turbulence.

I closed my eyes briefly, recalling the events. I knew what happened. I had fallen from the stairs and hurt my head. At least that was what I was told. When I woke up, my mother had a gash from a fight with my dad who had headed out that evening and hit two innocent souls.

I sucked my teeth in frustration. Nothing my aunt was saying could possibly be true. I shrugged, feeling a pang of regret at the gaps in my memory. If those gaps weren't there, I would have no reason not to believe my mother. Unless...

As the plane touched down in Florida, a solid plan began to take shape in my mind. It seemed like the best course of action. This way, I couldn't easily dismiss my aunt's claims and label her a liar. If I uncovered the truth myself, it would carry more weight. Hurrying out of the airport, I booked a taxi cab and headed towards my mother's new apartment.

Leo felt there was someone else. He felt this especially after his mother moved to Florida early that year. But he didn't blame her. It must have been tough being married to a murderer who was going to spend life in jail. However, if roles were reversed, then his mother had reasons to be upset.

I stepped out of the cab and adjusted my suit. My eyes scanned the apartment. I had been there several times in the past. However, now I had to take note of how luxurious the apartment looked. The building was tall with large windows. I walked past the pristine garden. It was filled with colorful flowers and neatly trimmed shrubs. I had probably paid a lot to get it cared for.

The entrance to the apartment opened into a chic lobby with marble floors. I texted my mom that I was waiting there, and she quickly replied that I'd be down in a minute. When she arrived, she was still taking in the lobby. She was dressed in a gorgeous green dress, her lips painted red, and her blue eyes sparkling as she met my gaze.

“My love! You’re here!” she cried and ran to throw her arms around me. I stood still, staring at me wordlessly. She grabbed my wrist and hurriedly pulled me to her living room. It was filled with exquisite chairs and furniture.

She turned to me, the smile never leaving her lips. “I’m wondering why the sudden visit Leo. What do I offer…” She trailed off, cocking her head to observe me. Her eyebrows knitted and she walked towards me, cupping my face in her palms. “Leo, you look oddly upset. Is everything okay?”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, my mind rehearsing this moment countless times. Exhaling slowly, it was time to set my plan in motion. She took my hands in hers and gently lowered them from my cheeks.

"No, Mom, things aren't okay. I remember it all now. I recall the accident. How could you let Dad take the blame for something he didn’t do? And you just left him here? Why, Mom?" My mother’s eyes widened. She blinked shivering. “No..No” I stuttered, waving her index finger at me. “I think you’re mistaken Leo. That’s not what happened. Your mind is playing tricks on you.”

My eyes flashed. “Mother! Stop the games! I remember everything now! I was with you in the car and you were yelling at me before we hit that couple!” I confirmed.She hurried towards me and pressed her palm anxiously against my mouth. Her eyes were wild and looked around the house as if she had hidden someone in the walls.

I could swear that I felt my heart crack. I struggled to control my breathing watching as my mother’s eyes darted around the room.“Keep your voice down!” I hissed and stepped back, still avoiding her gaze.

I shut my eyes tightly. There was no need to perform any further investigation. It was right there on her face. Aunty Isabella had been telling the truth. My mother’s blue eyes went teary.

"I didn't think you could handle the truth at that time, Leo. It was too much guilt for you to hear, especially since you had just come out of a coma," I sobbed. "When I told your father I had fallen in love with someone else, he was furious and wanted to tell you the truth. I couldn't risk losing you, so I had to..."

“You had to do what?!” I fired, my chest heaving. My mind spun in endless circles and my heartbeatloudly against my ribcage. I had abandoned my father. All these years and the man had done nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

"You had to lie to me all these years? You let Dad suffer in jail even though you knew he didn't kill those people. And then you decided the best way to reward him was to cut him off from our lives?!" I yelled, tears finally springing to my eyes.

I blinked. Hard. I didn’t want to cry. It had been way too long since I felt the need to weep. However, now the tears had pitched a tent in my chest, and it was hard to ignore them.

“I thought I was protecting you, Leo!” she cried, sobbing, and placed her face in her palms. “I didn’t want to lose you!” I shut my eyes, shaking my head slowly. I let out a sigh. “You know that’s a lie. You weren’t protecting me. It’s bad enough we let Dad take the fall but to abandon him after that is just cruel Mother!”

She leaned on the wall and slid to the floor, the sobs racking through her body and causing her to quake. I hissed through her breath. My aunt had been right. Who knew how hard my mother had tried to prevent him from hearing from Aunt Isabelle? That had pushed me to such ridiculous means.

Her words hung heavy in the air, and I felt a mix of anger and sadness welling up inside me. I reached out and gently touched her shoulder, a gesture of both comfort and forgiveness. I let out a bitter scoff. “Of course, I carry guilt, I mean look how obvious it is. The guilt didn’t make you tell me the truth. You allowed me to suffer and surely you feel guilty” I spat, the sarcasm and venom dripping from my tongue.

Suddenly, the memories came flooding back. I had been drinking and then ended up asking Nehemy to call my mother. I could recall the accident now and all the memories felt like a stab wound on my heart. The puzzle fell into place. My father had been innocent. All his behavior in court was to protect his wife. Now, she doesn't even want him to see his son.

“I thought Dad was a monster. I’ve lived with hatred and anger towards him for so long,” I sniffed. My mother crawled towards me, her tear steamed face holding an emotion she didn’t want to decipher. She reached out to me and pulled back. My eyes widened.

“You should have seen how I defended you before Aunt Isabella and here you are..” My eyes widened. “Isabella! Isabella!” she cried, sitting up straight. “I told that witch not to get close to you! I said…”

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