Brother After Dark

Chapter Sixty-One

Blaire.

They stopped talking at once. Everyone was dead silent. Now, that’s better. They all looked at me, surprised I could pull that off.

I was panting with rage. They were making decisions for me as if I was nonexistent.

“You all should show me some respect and stop designing my life for me!” I said with bloodshot eyes. “This is my life and I should be the one to decide for myself, not you!”

They looked remorseful but didn’t say anything. Ewan returned to his seat beside me but didn’t touch me like he was doing before. Instead, he buried his head in his palms, brooding. Mr. Stewart also returned to his seat and dipped himself in thought too, staring into space as usual. Mom started sniffing and pacing back and forth within the perimeters of our space.

I remained in my seat, fuming. Zach chose to enter my mind at that moment and my eyes welled up again. I missed him so much. He’s no longer here to protect me from wolves like he always did. I would have someone to cry on if only he’s here. Now, I’m alone; dealing with the aftermaths of our affairs and the nemesis of my birth.

I didn’t blame him though. I know that there must be a reason for his absence. I trusted him enough to know that he wouldn’t leave me on purpose. He must be doing this for my best interest. I just wished to know where he’d gone to, even if he wouldn’t come back to me.

“Where is Zach?” I asked my parents, looking in their direction.

Mom stopped pacing and looked at me with her bloodshot eyes. “We don’t know,” she said and looked back at Mr. Stewart who nodded in affirmation.

She turned back to me and spoke quickly. “What we know is that he disappeared after he brought Ewan to the hospital.”

I felt Ewan's hands on mine again and I faced him. He smiled at me. “Sweetie, Zach is only thinking of your well-being.” He sighed and averted my penetrating gaze. “I asked him not to show himself to you again.”

I frowned, feeling the anger rearing its ugly head in my chest again.

“Because the media will make a circus out of your relationship,” he continued without looking at me. “There’s already a bunch of people outside your family who knew about your affair.”

A nut loosened in my brain and I yielded to its effect. I snatched my hands from his grip and I suddenly felt an urge to punch him. Now, it was my turn to stir chaos with him. I couldn’t hide how mad I was at this point.

“How dare you do that?” I bawled at him, my fists clenched. “How dare you do such a thing like that? You’re evil!” I walked a short distance away from him to stop myself from hitting him. I might detest my parents but I was beginning to agree with them that Ewan was a crook and a selfish asshole.

My venomous reaction shocked them all, even Mr. Stewart shrunk from me when I neared him while pacing around like a hyena.

“Sweetie, relax and le...” Ewan tried to defend himself but I gave him a death glare that instantly silence him.

“Don’t sweetie me!” I snarled. “You have no fucking right to send Zach away like that. If we break up, it should not be because of your conditions or decisions. It has to be mine and his.” I pointed menacingly at him and whirled around to look at my parents. “And that goes for all of you! Don’t make fucking decisions for me and my brother ever again!”

Ewan stood up and approached me slowly. I could see that he was trying to control his temper, but I wanted him to let it out and see the beastly side of me.

“You are making a grave mistake, Blaire. You are my daughter and I want you to carry my name. I want everything to be legal.” His expression softened and he looked desperate, close to tears. “I want a chance to become a father to you, Blaire,” he pleaded, stopping just a few inches from me.

“That’s ridiculous!” Mr. Stewart said disdainfully behind us.

I was still infuriated with everyone and everything, but I know anger will not solve the problem. I panted and relaxed my shoulders. I looked at my parents. Mr. Stewart was in an obvious fit of fury as if he wanted to fight for me as if he truly cared. But I wasn’t a fool. I knew his motive. He only wanted to keep me away from Ewan because he didn’t want to share me with his enemy. His intentions were far from being genuine and I wouldn't fall for his scheme. He didn’t want to lose me to Ewan. I was more like a pawn in his game.

My gaze left him and fell exclusively on Mom, a woman who gave birth to me but hated me. A woman I called my mother but has never shown me the love for once, except when Zach was there. A surge of anger spread within me, and I breathed hard. She backed away in fear when she saw the murderous look on my face.

“I’m disappointed in you,” I blurted. “If there is a person who should have treated me above and beyond, more important than any of these men, it should’ve been you.” My temper increased with each passing second and my voice rose a notch. “I may not be Stewart's daughter...” I was moving close to her, but she kept backing away. “...but I am your blood. You should have shown me love.”

Tears flowed freely from my eyes, and I saw that she was fighting the same battle, weeping uncontrollably. She hugged herself and crashed to the floor, shaking as she sobbed. Her perfect hair was ruffled. Her heavy makeup smeared her face, she looked devastated. She was broken. I felt sorry for her, but she brought this upon herself. She should’ve been a better mother to me, regardless of her bad choices.

I looked at the three of them, determined to take full charge of my life. No more being dragged along like a lamb. From now on, I will be my own boss. “Who I go with, who I call my parent or parents – is up to me,” I said. I wiped my face and added, “I’ve made my decision.”