Chapter 96

Brian's POV

I trudged up the steps to Grandma Ruth's Brooklyn apartment building.dragging my feet with each step. For the past several weekends, I'd spy on Mom and Howard's house, watching their perfect life from a distance.But today was different. I'd promised Grandma I would visit her instead.

The building was old but well-maintained. As I reached Grandma's floor,I saw her already waiting in the doorway. Her gray-streaked hair was pulled back in a simple bun, and her eyes lit up when she spotted me.

"Brian!" she called, hurrying toward me with open arms.

I let her hug me, feeling strangely small in her embrace. She smelled like lavender, just like Mom used to before everything changed. The familiar scent made my throat tighten.

She pulled back to study my face, her hands gentle on my shoulders. The way she tilted her head slightly to the side as she examined me was exactly how Mom would look when checking if I had a fever.

"These days, you've been suffering, haven't you?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned. The question caught me off guard. Nobody had asked how I felt in what seemed like forever. Dad was too busy with Sarah, Sarah was too busy pretending to be nice when Dad was around, and Mom... Mom wasn't around at all. "I'm okay," I started to say automatically, but something broke inside me.My chin trembled, and before I could stop them, tears were streaming down my face. "Grandma, it's all Dad's fault!"I choked out, my voice breaking. "Why did he have to cheat? Why did he make me spend time with Sarah? Why did he tell me all those bad things about Mom and make Sarah sound so perfect?"

I wiped furiously at my eyes, embarrassed by my outburst but unable to stop. "I'm just a kid! What did I know? If he hadn't done all that, Mom and I would still be happy together. I hate him!"

Grandma Ruth quickly pulled me into another hug, her hand gently stroking my hair as she guided me inside her apartment. "Shhh, let it all out," she whispered, closing the door behind us.

She helped me wipe away my tears with her soft handkerchief. "He's certainly no prize," she agreed with a hint of bitterness. "But I can see my Brian has recognized his mistakes. You're a good boy who knows when he's wrong."

I couldn't stop crying. The tears kept coming, months of bottled-up feelings pouring out all at once. "But it's too late, Grandma. Mom doesn't want me anymore."

"Your mother..." Ruth began, her tone serious.

I panicked, not wanting to hear my grandmother criticize Mom. It wasn't fair-Mom wasn't the one who did anything wrong.

"It's not her fauIt!" I interrupted quickly. "I was so horrible to her. Before all this happened, she was the best mom ever. She was always there for me."

Ruth's eyes softened as she looked at me, with that same determined glint I'd seen in Mom's eyes when she was thinking deeply about something,"Your mother loved you and your father deeply. She gave everything for both of you. But you and your father betrayed her."

Her words stung, but I knew they were true. I remembered how I'dscreamed at Mom that I hated her, how I'd told her Sarah was better.The memory made me feel sick.

"I know she might need time," Ruth continued,her voice gentler now. "So,where are you living these days? With Philip and Sarah?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "No. After they got married, Sarah stopped pretending to care about me. Whenever Dad isn't home, she's awful to me.And Dad sometimes takes her side... he letsher be mean to me."

Ruth's eyes widened in shock.

-"I moved to Grandma Betty's housefor a while," I continued, trying to sound casual. "But she cares more about Sarah's baby than about me. So I moved out and live by myself now."

"Philip let you move out? A child your age?" Ruth's voice had risen in disbelief. "Has he lost his mind? Abandoning his own son for that woman?

I believe he does support you financially?"

I shrugged, trying to act like it didn't hurt. "No, but it's okay."

Ruth grabbed my hand and started leading me toward her bedroom."Grandma has money. I'll give you some."

"No!" I pulled my hand away. "Mom helped me save a lot of money before the divorce. As long as I don't waste it, I'll be fine for a long time."

Ruth's expression softened with pride. "Your mother always thinks ahead.She plans for everything. That's one of her best qualities."I nodded in agreement, feeling a pang in my chest at the mention of Mom's thoughtfulness. She had always protected me, even when planning for a future where she might not be with me. "But it's not safe for a child to live alone," Ruth continued, her forehead creased with worry in the exact same way Mom's would whenever I climbed too high on the playground.

"I'm not completely alone," I assured her. "Mitchell, our driver, and Ms.Taylor, mny tutor, live with me. They're really nice to me."

Ruth still looked concerned. "Would you like me to move in with you? To keep you company?"

The offer surprised me. "You would do that?" I asked, feeling a rush of hope. Living alone had seemed brave at first, but the nights were long and lonely. Having someone who actually cared about me in the same house would make everything better.

Ruth tapped my forehead gently with her finger, another gesture so like Mom's that I felt a lumpforming in my throat. "Of course I would."

"That would be awesome!" I couldn't help jumping up and down with excitement.

Ruth watched me, her smile tinged with sadness. "What if I talk to your mother? Maybe she could come see you, and you could talk things out?"

My excitement vanished instantly. "No, don't do that," I said quickly. "I don't want to make things harder for her."

The truth was, I wasn't ready to face Mom yet. Not after everything I'd done. As evening fell, Ruth busied herself in the kitchen, preparing what she called a "proper dinner" for me. The small apartment filled with delicious smells that reminded me of holidays and special occasions from before everything fell apart. She moved around the kitchen with the same efficient grace as Mom, never wasting a single motion. "So, how are things at school?" she asked casually as she set a plate piled high with food in front of me. "Are you still friends with that boy you used to mention... Max, was it?"

I bit my lip, not meeting her eyes. "Max isn't my friend anymore,"I admitted after a moment. "After Sarah started being mean to me,Max changed too. He told everyone in class that I'm 'unwanted' because even my own mother doesn't love me anymore."

Ruth's hand froze in midair, her expression darkening. "That child sounds terrible."

I shrugged, pushing food around my plate. "It's okay, Grandma. I have new friends at school now." I hesitated before adding, "And Lucy is nice to me."

"Lucy?" Ruth raised an eyebrow. "Who's that, dear?"

"She's a little girl who lives with Mom now," I explained. "Her name is Lucy Thompson. She's Mr. Howard Thompson's niece. He's taking care of her because her parents died. Mom is dating him now."

Ruth's eyes widened slightly. "Oh? Tell me more about your mother's...situation."

I took a sip of water, gathering my thoughts. "Mom works at Howard's company now. She makes children's books-she's really good at it.Howard is super rich and owns this huge company. He's really tall and serious-looking, but he's actually nice," As I talked about Mom's new life, I found myself sharing more details than I'd planned. "They live in this beautiful house with a huge yard.Lucy has her own playground and everything." "And this Lucy," Ruth prompted gently. "What's she like?" I couldn't help smiling now. "She doesn't talk much-she has somethingcalled selective mutism because of what happened to her parents. But she always shares her snacks with me at school. One time when Max tried to push her, I shoved him and pulled her away."

Ruth looked intrigued. "That's kind of you."

My smile grew wider. "And she thanked me."

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and my expression turned serious."

Grandma, if Mom marries Howard, Lucy would become my sister,right?"

Ruth nearly dropped her fork. "Well, technically yes,but-”

"I want that to happen," I interrupted, my voice stronger than it had been all day. "I want Mom to be happy. I want Lucy to be my sister. I just don't know how to tell Mom I'm sorry."

Tears threatened to spill over again. "I said so many mean things to her.I did so many hurtful things. She'll never forgive me."

Ruth reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Don't say that,

child. Your mother loves you more than anything in this world. Give her

some time,give yourself some time. Everything will work out."

I believe her.