Chapter 86

**James POV**

James was in a daze as he stepped into his car's backseat.

"Sir, are you alright?" David asked, concerned.

"Drive to Agatha's place", James said absentmindedly

How could this be possible? Why would Agatha know anything about his mother? Surely, Perla is messing with his head like every time, playing mind games, James thought to himself as he gazed at the beauty of the dark sky with scattered stars.

No grey clouds lingered anymore yet a storm was brewing inside him. Should he believe her? Could he afford to believe her? Can Agatha betray him? His heart says never. She has sacrificed her life to stay with him, to nurture him. What if the reason behind her stay is different?

What if what Perla indicated is true? Could he forgive her for hiding this secret of his life? What reason made her hide this secret?

If it really is the truth then could he look at Agatha without being reminded by her betrayal?
James's thoughts came to a screeching halt just as his car stopped in front of Agatha's house. His heartbeat elevated, sweat gathered at his forehead which is abnormal for him. He never felt nervous yet here he is, anxious to face Agatha. No, not Agatha, but the truth she held close to her heart.

James entered her house without any knock and went directly to the kitchen area where she would usually be at this time.

Agatha didn't disappoint him. She was eating her dinner when James sauntered into the kitchen.

"James, what a pleasant surprise! You should have called me. I would have come to the house.
Why did you trouble yourself to stop here?" Agatha asked in surprise, looking at him enter.

She quickly stood and rounded the small round table that serves as the dining table in her kitchen and shook his hands with both of her hands. She wanted to engulf him in a hug but James wouldn't like it when someone initiates a hug without permission. He wouldn't protest it, nevertheless, Agatha doesn't want to discomfort him in her home.

"It's no trouble visiting you Agatha", James said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Psst. I know my home is out of your way to yours. You should have informed me. I would have come to the house. Anyways, I was getting bored sitting alone doing nothing here. At least I would have seen how the new housekeeper is doing", Agatha said, waving her hand in front of her.

"So that's the reason you want to visit the house? Not to check on me?" James teased as per his habit forgetting for a moment the purpose of his visit.

"Of course not. You know me well Mr. McKenzie. Have I ever left you to fend for yourself? I couldn't help but check on you. I worry about you James", Agatha said with concerned eyes looking at his tired expression and wrinkled clothes. James averted his eyes, seeing her profound emotion.

What must he have gone through to get that look? He always works so much, poor boy, even though he is older now, he hasn't parted away from the loneliness. What happened to Bella? Has James heed her warning and left her alone? Though it pains her to see him like this, it's good for him until the matter with his wife settles, Agatha thought to herself.

Unable to question her after hearing that statement, James relayed the news of his divorce to Agatha.

"Our divorce got finalized this week", James said as he held her hand and made her sit on the chair she vacated. He then sat on the other empty chair and faced her.

"That's good news, Mr. McKenzie! Oh, I'm so happy for you. You can finally have your happiness. Oh, James, you don't know what a burden you lift from my heart. I was so worried about you. Now I can relax. Bella... What happened to her? Has she learned the truth?" Agatha asked, wiping the happy tears that gathered in her eyes.

"She...it's complicated Agatha", James said looking forlorn as he gazed through the window.
"What do you mean? Has something happened child?" Agatha asked, extending her hand and clasping his hand in hers.

James looked at their joined hands and replied, "Jacqueline used media"

"Oh, no! Bella! Oh, that poor girl! She must have been devastated", Agatha said, releasing her left hand from the hold and placing it on her mouth in shock.

"It was... messy. I had it in control for now" James said, not willing to dwell into the specifics.
"Silly me! That's why you must have looked so tired. And here I'm instead of feeding you, probing you with my own questions. Just a minute, let me prepare something for you", Agatha swiftly raised from her chair and went near the refrigerator quickly taking out the ingredients to make a simple dish.

"There is no need for Agatha. You sit down. You need to rest", James said as he looked at the swift manner Agatha set down to work. Only a professional like her can whip up something in record time.

"Psst. What are you saying, boy! All I've been doing is resting since I got discharged. Let me do this for you. It's no sweat", Agatha said as she stirred the chopped vegetables and added the sauce to them.

James watched from his place as she added boiled pasta to the pan. He contemplated his doubts once again. Looking at her demeanor, what Perla said seemed silly now. Of course, Agatha wouldn't do such a thing.

She couldn't do it. Her main concern has always been his health and his wellbeing. How can she hurt him by hiding this secret? Perla and her dirty tricks! He shouldn't have listened to her. But that age-old habit made him doubt.

"Here! Have some pasta. It's not much, but I would be happy if you could eat some", Agatha said as she wrung her hands before her.

James took the fork and checked it. "Wonderful as always! You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble. Even if you have given me a burnt toast, I would be happy Agatha. Now, stop worrying and finish your food", James said as he guided her to her seat with his hand.

James related what happened with Bella and her family while they ate.

"Poor girl! If only I was there to help her. I like her family though. Sounds like a good bunch", Agatha said as she stood and took her plate to the kitchen sink.

James also helped her in cleaning up the table.

"They are. Her father held me by my collar", James said with a wry chuckle that sounded hollow to his ears.

"Everything will settle on its own. Don't stress. Have hope, child. I saw the girl. She has a good head on her shoulders. Only a blind person can miss what a gem you are. Give her time. She will come around" Agatha said as she rubbed his back lightly and took her hand back swiftly fearing she might have discomforted him.

James fearing if he delayed any longer will never get the words out, blurted out, "I met Perla today"

Agatha stopped scrubbing the plate as she craned her head to him and asked, "oh! Are you alright?"

"Yes", James replied, understanding the meaning behind the question as he always asked Agatha to stand as a buffer during Perla's visits.

"Good", Agatha continued with the task at hand as she asked, "what does she need? Has she visited for the money?"

"No. She didn't visit. I went to her home", James said as he carefully looked at Agatha's reaction.

"You visited her? Why?" Agatha asked with a frown, forgetting about the plate that she was holding in her hand as she faced him.

"It doesn't matter. What's important is Perla tried to weasel her way out by spouting a lie. She really thinks she can still play her mind tricks to manipulate me", James said as a muscle in his jaw ticked.

"What did she say? Did she ask for more money?" Agatha asked with worried eyes, concerned that he might get hurt by that woman's greedy demands

"No. She said that she is not my real mother. That you know about it", James spat the words out.
The plate in Agatha's hands slipped. She wobbled on her legs about to fall when James speedily covered the distance and caught her.

James's heart thundered inside him as he slowly questioned her, fearing the answer, "she is telling lies, isn't she Agatha? Tell me. She is not uttering the truth" James slightly shook her with no pressure behind it.

Agatha felt as if the rug had been pulled from her feet. Her hands shook as she cupped his jaw and said with tears in her eyes, "James. Child"

James released her and took a step back, unwilling to accept the fact. "No! Tell me it's a lie, Agatha. Tell me, you, the only one I trusted since childhood, wouldn't betray me as such. Tell me it's all Perla's game"

Agatha with shivering legs slowly walked to the chair and sat down. With a bent head, she replied, "I wish for a child. I wish it's a lie"

James who heard her admission stood stunned as he said, "no. You lie"

Agatha shook her head as she replied, "it's not a lie James. I knew Perla was not your mother. I-"
James cut her off by angrily swiping the glasses on the counter beside him, cutting his hand in the process by a sharp edge.

The shattering of the glasses made her look up, showing him her tear-stained face as she hastily ran to him and checked his hands for any cuts.

Before she could clean the wound, James angrily pulled his hand from her hold and said with repressed anger, "why! How could you, Agatha?"


"It was complicated, James. The circumstances-"
"Fuck with the circumstances. How could you lie to my face? Why did you stay with me all these years? Unless...are you my ... are you, my mother?" James said as he folded his hand with the cut increasing the pain.

"James. Your hand", Agatha shouted looking at the blood drops on the ground. Tears welled inside her.

"Answer me now Agatha! ARE. YOU. MY. MOTHER?", James grabbed her by her arms as she reached to check the depth of the cut on his hand.

"N... no. I'm not", Agatha replied shaking her head slightly with tears rolling down her cheeks
"Then who... who is?" James whispered as pain ripped his insides at her betrayal

"My... my sister. She was just a teenager. She believed the lies of a cheater and fell prey to his charms. Our family... We were poor. We couldn't afford to raise a hungry baby. Mrs. McKenzie helped us. Said she will give me a job and adopt you if we give you to her. During that time, we felt like she answered our prayers. We couldn't afford to reject her offer. Whatever we did, I did, it's to give you a good home. A future", Agatha said tilting her head, looking him directly in his eyes to make him understand the circumstances. James who is battling a rage inside him asked her,

"Where is your sister now?"

"She... she died giving birth to you", Agatha said with a hitch.

James sucked his breath learning this information. He then released her and walked towards the door; his eyes glazed looking far away.

"James! Say something", Agatha pleaded as she followed him.

James without looking at her said, "you had 30+ years to speak the truth. Whatever you did during that time, is because you had to. I won't blame you. But afterward, you could have chosen to tell me everything. I never gave you any reason to doubt my judgment. You had many occasions. Yet you choose not to say anything to me. That... I can't forget nor forgive Agatha.

You made your choice. Let me make mine. It's better if we don't cross paths from here on"
"You don't mean it. Please, talk to me. Scream at me. Scold, if you want to. But don't go.
James!" Agatha said as she clutched his arm.

James twisted his hand, making her lose her grip as he walked towards his car.

"James! Son!" Agatha's scream was lost as he stepped into his car and closed the door.

David, understanding the tension, didn't say anything and drove the car to James's house. James is in no state of mind to digest what Agatha related. Perhaps, once he is calmed down, he will forgive her. But it will be a long time before he would willingly talk to her again. Instead, he shoved it to the back of his mind and said to David,
"David, pull back the security from Bella"

"Sir, is it wise? Especially now that media is on the hunt", David asked shocked to hear his demand that came out of blue

"Yes. It has to be done. I won't let even my shadow touch her peripheral vision. No one must think about joining our names. I will go far away from her if that is what it takes for her image to get cleared", James said, deciding to leave the city, especially after this latest betrayal.

He thought he had at least one person in the world who wouldn't betray him. Yet fate has proven him wrong once again.

"Sir... are you sure you want to leave her alone at a time like this?", David looked through the mirror at him

"I have to David. I don't have a choice. It doesn't mean I'm letting her go. I will come back for her once this circus dies down" once his heart recovers from the pain Agatha unknowingly have inflicted.