Chapter 384 Don't Touch Me
Alexander reclined languidly on the couch, his eyes slowly fluttering open. The figure before him came into focus and he smirked, "Mom, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
"Unexpected? You sought me out, Alexander. And you're reeking of alcohol. What happened?" Mia's intuition told her something was amiss, and she was certain it had nothing to do with business affairs, but rather with Ava.
"Is that so? How...how did I end up here?" Alexander's words slurred as he attempted to sit upright. "Well, in that case...I'll just leave."
His tone was laced with a vague resentment, as if he felt Mia was trying to shoo him away.
As he made to rise, Mia firmly pressed him back down. "And where do you think you're going?"
Confusion clouded Alexander's eyes as he sat, held in place by Mia.
"To my wife, of course," he replied.
"Your wife?" Mia echoed, her brow furrowing. "And who might that be?"
"Mom, it's clear you've never cared about me. You don't even know who my wife is," Alexander muttered, his voice heavy with desolation. "You've always been like this, ever since I was a child. I could go ages without seeing you, never knowing where you'd disappeared to."
Mia fell into a stunned silence.
She had intentionally provoked him, but hearing his words now, her eyes dimmed with guilt and regret.
Regaining her composure, she asked, "So, do you hate me?"
"And what about you?" Alexander retorted, his gaze piercing. "Mom, do you hate me too? When you look at me, do you only see Dad?"
A sudden pang of sorrow tightened Mia's chest.
"Enough of this," she said, her voice softer. "Let's get you out of these wet clothes and into something dry." She reached for a towel to dab at his damp face and hair, her other hand moving to unbutton his shirt.
Abruptly, Alexander seized her wrist, shoving her away.
"What are you doing?" Mia gasped, taken aback.
"I'm a married man, don't touch me," Alexander growled.
Mia rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm well aware you're married. To Ava."
"And yet you still laid hands on me! You're utterly thoughtless," Alexander sneered, hastily buttoning his shirt.
Mia sighed, a sense of helplessness washing over her.
This drunken fool had forgotten he was already divorced.
What good did it do to push her away now?
His wife was no longer his wife.
Seeing Alexander in this state, Mia found she didn't have the heart to shatter his illusion. Since he was already intoxicated, she decided to let him bask in his comfort, allowing him to believe he was still married.
"I need to get home. Ava will be waiting. If I'm late, she'll worry," he mumbled, lost in his own world.
A world where he was still a married man.
"Alex," Mia said, gripping his arm. "It's alright, I've already spoken to her. You'll stay here tonight and return home tomorrow."
"Where am I?" Alexander's head spun, his words barely coherent.
"What's the matter with you? Has the alcohol turned you into a complete fool?" Mia retorted.
She attempted to help him out of his wet coat, fearing he might catch a cold.
Alexander resisted, his voice stern. "I told you not to touch me. Why are you trying to undress me?"
He clutched at his chest, assuming a defensive stance.
It was both ridiculous and somewhat amusing.
"Ava will misunderstand if she sees this!" he protested.
Mia was at a loss for words.
The situation was growing increasingly bizarre.
"I am your mother!" Mia snapped, her patience wearing thin. "Your actual mother. You're drenched, so I'm trying to change your clothes. Stop being absurd."
"Mom?" Alexander's eyes widened as he leaned in closer. "Where have you been? How did you return? I haven't seen you in so long."
"You fool," Mia said, lightly smacking his head, careful not to use too much force. "Yes, I've returned. Can't a mother come back to see her son?"
Alexander scoffed, "You remember you have a son, but when I was ill, you were nowhere to be found. You didn't care about me."
He always seemed to circle back to these same grievances.
He was forever trapped in the past.
"Alex, you really are a fool. If you're so unhappy, why did you ask for a divorce? Ava has moved on, but you're still clinging to this relationship. You're not like your father. You're a whole new level of stubborn."
