Scars of Time

Chapter 29: "Worth the risk"

Jo's POV

Hope seemed like the typical arrogant rich girl that gets everything she wants. I was a hundred percent sure she had something to do with my kidnapping. Even though Time thinks I have moved past it, nothing he said seemed believable. And the fact that they are siblings confirms that.

Maybe they planned it from the beginning. But what I cannot understand is: why would Time use his own sister like that?

Judging by the way he genuinely looks out for her, I highly doubt he would ever suggest that she sleep with Alex just to end our relationship.

It doesn't matter what kind of person he is, he would never stoop to that level.

Thats why I can't shake off the feeling that my story is lacking something significant. How did Alex get to know her?

Was he tricked into sleeping with her?

That still wouldn't change the fact that he cheated on me, but it'd make a difference.

Nevertheless no matter what the situation may be, his recovery is a priority now. That reminds me, I still can't believe that he tried to hide it. How is it possible that neither of them noticed?! It was so obvious that he was in pain. Why does he have to act tough all the time?!

He is human too. It must have hurt a lot.

After what seemed like an eternity, Alex stepped out of the room and stopped right beside me, not having the courage to look me in the eyes.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I had to ask, "What did you talk about?"

"Nothing. I just helped him change."

"Oh, okay. Hope is waiting for you outside."

He nodded and started to walk away, but then had second thoughts and turned around, heading towards me.

"Why were you at Time's house? Was it really to visit your boyfriend?"

"Time is not my boyfriend and I followed you there. I didn't know it was his house."

"You followed me?"

"Yeah. I made a stop at your place to pick up my things, but it appeared that you were in a hurry to go somewhere. I had a feeling that your friends might have approached you for some favors again, which is why I wanted to check if everything was alright with you."

"I don't talk to them anymore. So you don't need to worry about me."

"Really? Why?"

"Because, like you said, they were a bad influence."

"I'm glad that you paid attention. Those troublemakers always manage to involve you in their mess. It's crazy to think that I even had to bail you out of jail once, because of them."

He smiled but then a thought crossed his mind that changed his expression.

"But now you are the one surrounded by bad influence."

"What do you mean?"

"Time," he uttered, and I got what he meant.

"Some people are worth the risk, don't you think? The ones who clearly need a hand to get out of darkness."

He pressed his lips into a thin line and sighed.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe we got dragged into this for a reason."

................

Time's POV

#TW

I had to tell Alex the truth. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to protect Hope. He must know the true colors of Ian if he has to stand against him.

Because Ian is just a copy of Evan Astor and when I say he tried to do something, that means Evan Astor has succeeded in doing so.

If it weren't for Jo today, no one would notice how incapable I am of protecting her.

I couldn't protect her from Evan in the first place.

She was just a little kid.

Rage overcame me once again, knowing there was no one I could take it out on.

I was mad at everyone that ever hurt her. All she wanted was a family. How could someone even think of hurting a little kid that way?

And I was mad at myself for never being able to protect her. Ian even walked freely into the house very aware of that fact. He knows how incapable I am. Even the smallest thing, such as rain, affects me so much.

Jo walked into the room as I wiped a tear away and turned around to see if she noticed. I don't think she did, because she was busy with the groceries she had in her hand.

"What is all that?" I questioned, curiously.

"Here are all the vitamins you need to get better as soon as possible."

"Do you want to get rid of me that badly?"

"Of course. I want you to be very very strong, so I don't have to see you anymore."

"Then I don't want to eat them."

"I didn't ask for your opinion. You are getting better whether you want it or not."

"You can't force me."

"I can. And I will. This is your punishment for trying to cover up the fact that you were hurt. What if you died in your sleep because of blood loss?"

"Would you cry?"

"Of course I would cry, because I didn't get to have my revenge for you kidnapping me."

"Is this your revenge then?"

"It's part of it."

"Hmmm I couldn't have thought of a worse one myself."

"I know, I know. I'm brilliant."

Even though we were joking I still wanted to express my gratitude, "Thank you for staying." i said while she was packing everything away.

"Did I really have a choice?"

"I just wanted to make Hope go home. She wouldn't leave me alone otherwise, that's why I had to use you. But you can go now."

"No!" she stated, which surprised me. She didn't even care to elaborate.

"Why?"

"Because you try to order me around all the time. In your opinion, I can stay whenever you want me to stay, and go whenever you tell me to go. Well, now I'm not going just because you're telling me to."

I burst out laughing.

"Okay then stay."

"Don't try to use reverse psychology with me. I will do whatever I want."

"I didn't say anything. I'll get some sleep. Inform me if anything changes from your opinion."

"Let me check your wound first" she stated, and without waiting for my confirmation, she lifted my shirt and saw that my wound was already covered.

I couldn't help but find amusement in her actions as I asked, "Are you a doctor?"

"No!"

"Then why not just leave the job to the professionals? They checked already. Everything's fine."

"Is it really? You must have been surprised."

"Me? Surprised? This is nothing for me. It didn't even hurt. Look at this one. It is even bigger." I lifted my shirt a bit higher to show her my other scar. I proudly wanted to assure her that it didn't hurt and I've survived worse.

Yet, her face dropped imediately and my enthusiasm waned.

Maybe I scared her with my scars because she started crying, so I covered myself again, not knowing what I should say.