Were you mine?

Chapter 60 Hers

Lea’s eyes were red-rimmed from crying, her hand resting over her hip. She looked tired, sleep deprived,grief etched on every fibre.She stood by her aunt’s grave, her black dress clinging to her pregnant belly. She looked fragile, her face pale and drawn, but there was a stubborn resolve in her eyes. She had insisted on being here, defying the doctors and her own body's protests. The air was heavy with the scent of rain, the sky a blanket of grey.

The sky was overcast, as if mourning with them. A cool breeze rustled the leaves.

Jake stood a few feet away, his eyes never leaving Lea. His hands were buried in his pockets.His eyebrows furrowed.He was lost deep in thought. Phill was there too.The last guests had left, leaving the three of them alone.Lea’s fingers traced the edges of the gravestone, her voice barely a whisper. “She always believed in me..." Her voice trailed off. Jake stepped closer, his face was a mask of a lot of emotions of which concern was very prominent. “Lea, you really shouldn’t be out here in your condition,” he said softly.

“I had to be here,” Lea replied, her voice cracking. “She was family. She meant so much to me…"Jake reached out, taking Lea’s hand in his." I can’t believe she’s gone, Jake." Lea whimpered almost dissolving in Jake's touch. Phill’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. “She was proud of you, Lea. She would want you to be strong.”

Lea turned, her eyes locking onto Phill’s. “I just… I just wish she could..."Jake’s hand found its way to Lea’s shoulder, his touch was tender as he possessively claimed her. “She’s watching over us, Lea. She’ll always be with us.”

Phill took a step forward. “We’re all here for you, Lea. You don’t have to go through this alone.”Lea’s heart ached, torn between the two men who meant everything to her. She could feel the tension, the unspoken words hanging in the air. She was still unaware of her real identity but with the new found dynamics between Jake and Phill, things had become a lot more complicated. She was yet to clear things up with Jake. But she thought she had a lifetime with him to do that.

Jake’s grip tightened slightly, a silent claim, while Phill’s eyes begged for understanding.Jake’s voice cut through the silence,"We should go, Lea. You need to rest." Lea nodded slowly, her eyes lingering on Phill. “Thank you, Phill. For everything.”

Phill’s smile was sad, almost resigned. “Anything for you, Lea. Always.”As they turned to leave, Lea’s steps faltered. Jake was there instantly, his arm steadying her. Phill watched, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to be the one holding her up, but he knew his place.

He stood there, watching Lea and Jake get inside the car. He watched as their car vanished round the corner. Suddenly his phone vibrated with an incoming notification. He pulled it out to check and his eyes focused hard to see if it was sent by mistake, because the sender was none other than Jake. The message read, " Can you meet me at the coffee shop outside the hospital? I need to talk with you. It's urgent. It's about Lea! "

***

" What is it? Are you going to talk or do you want me to just sit and stare. " Jake had been stirring his coffee for ever, not even looking up to meet his brother's gaze. He didn't know how to spill the news. Phill sipped his Americano, leaning back in his chair, trying to read what was going through his new-found brother's head.

" Lea is a Sully! " Jake suddenly blurted making Phill spill his coffee straight on Jake's face.

" What the... " Jake stood up as Phill pulled the tissues, trying to dry him up.

" Aunt told me on her death bed. She said she hid Lea from the monsters who murdered her family. She had been hiding her all these years. " Jake held Phill's gaze. They both looked terrified.

" What do we do, Phill? " Jake looked helpless, begging his older brother for help. " Aunt asked me to pass on this information. She wanted me to help Lea claim her lineage.She wanted me to protect Lea from those murderers . " Jake went on. " How do I tell her I belong to that family that took away hers. How do I tell her I share blood with the family that were involved in spilling hers? "

Phill had absolutely no words. The news about Jake's lineage had taken the entire country by storm. It was a good boost for his career and even before he could confirm it, everyone had started addressing him as a Rodger.

" Jake, calm down. We still don't know the authenticity of what our father had claimed. He might have just tried to scare our mother for all we know..."

" You don't need to satiate me. I am not a child that you need to soothe me. I had seen the look on her face and you guys had looked pretty convinced about it!Should I ask Elizabeth Rodgers,directly? Ask her to apologize and give Lea's dues back? "

Phill suddenly walked around the table and grabbed Jake's shoulder. " Jake, you are new to this family. Let me tell you one thing first, Mother should never know about Lea's true identity. She welcomed you with open arms because she shares blood with you. Keeping Percy in the family was also to serve her public image. You don't know that woman well. If she feels threatened, she will not step back from harming Lea. And she has her sick ways of doing so silently. Lea's condition is too delicate. We don't want to put her through any of this. "

Jake's mind was blown away, " Then what do we do? I can't just keep this from her. Neither can we deny her what is rightfully hers. We need to fight for her if she can't.We are about to open a bag full of monsters, whether we like it or not! ”