Chapter 6

**Brad’s POV**

I knew she wanted a child but I couldn’t give that, I just couldn’t. I knew nothing about being a good father. I had no role model and I couldn’t continue the cycle... Not that I would be particularly level-headed if she did try to seduce me.

I felt my fingers grow moist and I unlocked her hand and gazed at the red liquid lining my hand. I stared at her and saw her hold onto her clothed arm gently. I pulled her hand to me swiftly but gently. I ripped the sleeve from the hand I saw blood from. I heard her gasp at my action.

I removed the fabric to see her hand littered with wounds, some well on their way to healing whereas the deeper ones began to bleed.

“How did you get this?” I felt myself trembling with anger. If anyone dared...

“I-I. It was an accident...I uh fell on glass last night.” She avoided my gaze and I had the feeling she was lying.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She gazed at me as if I had lost my mind.

“Tell you?” Her voice cracked. “You wouldn’t even care!” She retorted angrily.

I clenched my jaw. Of course, I’d care! Why didn’t she see that?

“Angela...”

“No!” She pulled out of my grasp. “Just leave me alone. I don’t want your help nor your sympathy, they mean nothing to me.” Her voice was acid.

I stared after her as she stalked off. I ran my fingers through my hair, my appetite lost.


**Angela's POV**

“You okay?” I turned to Harvey, he was sitting in the passenger seat in my car appearing quite bored.

“Yep.” He responded nonchalantly and I continued to stare at him. He raised his eyebrows at me. I sighed and motioned for him to exit the car. We had arrived at my mother-in-law’s for dinner.

“Please stop frowning, it doesn’t suit you,” I spoke lightly as we made our way to the front door.

I knew something was bothering him, I just wasn’t sure what. He remained silent and I felt helpless. I couldn’t bear to see him like this.

I rang the doorbell and within seconds she appeared, her smile contagious. Why couldn’t Brad be like his mother? She was nice whereas he gave the devil competition for most insufferable.

“Angela!” She embraced me in a hug. I wasn't big on hugs and I patted her back awkwardly. I guess I never had my mother to gift me with the grace women were supposed to possess.

“How’ve you been?” I asked when she released me.

“Oh, I have been fin. I just miss seeing Brad, he’s so busy these days.” She lamented and I gave her a sympathetic smile. What sort of man forsakes his mother! Not everyone was lucky enough to have parents.

“I know. I hardly see him too. I always tell him he works too hard but he likes the job. However, he wanted me to tell you how much he misses you. He really wanted to make it.” She swallowed my lie and smiled.

“And who is this young man?” She smiled at Harvey and he quirked his lips up at the sides out of formality.

“This is Harvey.”

“So nice to meet you, young man.” She stared at him and I thought I saw something flicker in her eyes...sadness perhaps?

“It’s nice to meet you too.” He responded.

She led us inside, pulling me to the side she whispered, “Doesn’t he remind you of a younger version of Brad?”

I stared up at Mrs. Regal. “Does he?” I questioned, wondering if staying alone all these years was a hazard to her sanity.

“Not the physical, his eyes and some of his facial structure is different but his mood is...”

“His mood?” I was totally lost. Can people’s moods be used as a comparison?

“Yes his mood, he seems so sullen, just as Brad used to be...is,” she commented and I stared at Harvey. His is sullen but he had cause to be that way, whereas Brad...sigh, that was a topic I dared not venture in.

Dinner passed on smoothly, Mrs. Regal made several attempts to converse with Harvey but he brushed off her attempts with civil and curt responses. She took an interest in him, it was clear. I couldn’t blame her; there was something about Harvey that invited interest. He didn’t tolerate sympathy and that’s why people who were willing to see him for who he was, gave it.

At nine, I thanked Mrs. Regal for dinner but told her that we must leave. It was late. I knew Brad wouldn’t be home early since it was Saturday. He was probably indulging in other practices. My blood heated to dangerous levels at the mere thought.

“Thank you for coming and for bringing Harvey.” She stared at the boy in wonder. He gave her a small smile and she felt some sort of satisfaction. This I was sure off.

“Thank you for inviting me,” I responded.

“I hope everything is fine with you and Brad.” She spoke and I knew it was an encoded question.

“Perfectly so!” I responded and saw her relax.

“I always knew you too would grow to love each other.” She squealed happily and I felt the hollowness of my smile.



“You lied to her didn’t you?” Harvey questioned from his seat, I turned to give him a quick glance, he was staring out of the car’s window, looking back at the road I responded.

“I did.” I replied truthfully.

“Why?” This time I felt his gaze in me.

“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. If I tell her Brad and I are just living corpses with each other she’ll feel the burden.” I responded. It’s eerie how insightful this child was, he could tell that my relationship was a farce.