Chapter 857 Alexander Was in Trouble
Seeing Alexander clamming up, Mia pressed on, "Alex, I've told you a million times, if something's bugging you, spill it. Don't keep it all inside, alright?"
"I need to crash now. Can you leave?" He wasn't in the mood to chat.
Mia was super worried, scared he might do something dumb, so she didn't dare to leave.
"Alex, if you wanna reach out to Ava, I can help."
She felt awful. Alex was like this 'cause he missed Ava too much.
Her original plan was to get Alex to stop obsessing over Ava. Keeping things going would just hurt them both more.
Alex smirked, "Mom, you didn't let us see each other before. Why the change of heart now? Scared I'll do something drastic?"
Mia felt a pang of hurt from his sarcastic tone.
"Alex, can we not do this? Let's just sit and talk, okay?"
"What do you wanna talk about?" Alexander shot back.
Mia was caught off guard and didn't know where to start.
After a long pause, she said, "What will it take for you to keep going? Tell me, and I'll do anything."
"Get out," Alexander said coldly.
Mia frowned, "Alex, don't be like this."
"You can't even leave when I ask, and you're making big promises." Alexander sneered, eyes full of sarcasm.
Mia sighed softly.
She wanted to say more, but his cold stare made her feel so guilty she couldn't speak. Finally, she just said, "Get some rest," and turned to leave.
After closing the door, she went to the hallway where George was waiting. Seeing Mia come out, he quickly asked, "Mia, how's Alex?"
"Still the same," Mia said worriedly, "He won't listen to me, and he won't open up. I don't know what to do."
"Let me try," George said, heading towards the room.
"Wait," Mia grabbed his arm.
"What is it?" George asked.
"George, don't push him."
"I know."
They didn't go in together at first, worried it would overwhelm Alexander.
When George entered the room, Alexander looked annoyed, "Why are you here again?"
"I'm your dad. Why can't I be here?" He walked in and closed the door behind him. "Why make Mia sad? She really cares about you. When she found out you were in trouble, she was super worried."
Alex stayed silent. He'd heard these lectures too many times, and they just made him more irritated and numb.
Seeing Alex stay quiet, George continued, "I know this is about Ava, but you gotta understand, you two are divorced. Even though she has left you, there are still people who care about you. Mia, Scarlett, and I—we're family, right? Is Ava the only person in your world?"
Alex had a headache. These words were just making him more agitated.
He thought, 'Why do they always say this useless stuff?'
If these words worked, would he still drink so much?
These people hadn't figured out their own lives and yet tried to guide him.
"Alex, don't give me the silent treatment. I'm your dad." Seeing Alex like this, George felt really uncomfortable.
"When I was a kid and you were out messing around, did you ever think you were my dad?" Alexander's words cut deep, "Don't act like you're some loving dad now. Can't you just let me be? Isn't it annoying?"
"Alex, don't talk to me like that, alright?" George was getting heated.
"How do you want me to talk to you? You want me to just nod and agree with everything you say?" Alexander retorted.
"Alex, I just want you to get your act together."
"Whether I do or don't has nothing to do with you. You should fix your own life before lecturing me. Look at the mess between you and Mom, so stop preaching."
"You!" George felt both angry and embarrassed, like Alex had just ripped open his deepest insecurities.
Every time this came up, he had no comeback.
He hadn't sorted out his own life, so how could he manage Alexander's?
It was his fault for not being there for Alex when he was young, leading to their distant relationship. Now, whatever he said, Alex wouldn't listen.
"Fine, Alex, I won't lecture you, but you're sick, not just physically but mentally. I'll get you the best psychiatrist, and he'll come to see you."
"I don't need one." Alexander turned away, his voice cold.
"Alex, I think you need a psychiatrist," George insisted.
"If you think I need one, that's your problem. The one who needs a psychiatrist is you. You've lived half your life without getting what you want, always tangled up. You're the one with the mental issues."
They couldn't see their own psychological mess but were always shamelessly telling Alexander to see a doctor.
Mia no longer loved George; anyone with eyes could see that.
George seemed provoked, clenching his fists.
"At least I'm not constantly flirting with death. Alex, you're sick. Why won't you admit it? You need a psychiatrist. Whether you like it or not, I'll get one to treat you."
If this kept up, Alexander wouldn't even have his life.
"How will you treat me? If I refuse, will you send me to a mental hospital?" Alexander turned his head and sneered, "You should know that I basically run the company now. Dad, if you let a psychiatrist bother me, you'll face the consequences."
George was fuming, worried about Alex, but also pissed at his words. It was impossible not to be angry.
Finally, his anger turned into helplessness, and he left the room.
Mia was still in the hallway, waiting. Seeing George come out, she immediately asked, "How did it go? What did he say?"
George sighed, "Still the same. I wanted to get him a psychiatrist, but..."
Although George didn't finish, Mia knew what he meant.
"It's my fault. If I hadn't stopped him from seeing Ava in the first place, things might have been different."
This time Alex barely survived. What about next time? And the time after that?
"Mia, how can you blame yourself? This has nothing to do with you. It all started because he and Ava got divorced, and things spiraled from there. Don't blame yourself. As a mom, you've done enough for them."
In the end, it was Alex's own mistakes, following in George's footsteps.
But George was luckier than Alex; he didn't get divorced, and the woman he loved was still by his side. But Alex wasn't so lucky.
