LOVING MY BEAST

THE TRUTH 2

'Why? Why the hell was the reason for that? How could you do such a thing, Tyler?' I held the wheel tight and clenched my jaw. I glanced at the rearview mirror. My eyes we bloodshot and my face was red with fury. I looked at the road ahead. “Tyler Nathan White, you’re so f*cking dead.”

I pull into the compound of the mansion in my parent’s estate and storm into the house. “WHERE IS HE?” I bellowed. They had sent a message to Owen to deliver to me since my phone was out of reach. (at the bottom of the ocean.) The message was a reminder of our annual family dinner, which was compulsory of course, and was scheduled for today. However, the house was empty, except for the few servants who were scrambling about in fear. The butler approached me. “Sir what can I do for you.”

“There hell are they?” I clenched my fist tightly as a questioned him. “S-sorry sir they went out to your private mansion since they couldn't reach-” I walked out without letting him finish. I got into my and car drove off. I stepped on the accelerator.

A wave of emotions hits me. Anger, grief, regret, and hate all at once. My heart constricts and breathing becomes hard. Pain; I feel so my pain. The corner of my eyes begin to sting; tears. I glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror. My eyes are bloodshot as tears gather around threatening to spill, I wipe them up and try to bury them all.

“I’m not weak. I’m not weak. I am not- F*CK” I pound on the steering wheel in frustration. Whether it was the red light I got caught in or my haywire emotions that fueled my frustration, I was yet to decide. The image of Claire laying on the floor as she bled out. I felt a lump form in my throat. I took a breath and pursed my lips. Then, the image of my big brother; Tyler Nathan White popped out of nowhere. I clenched my jaw and found myself chuckling while the tears pour out.

CLAIRE’S POV

I’m just about done preparing some lasagna for dinner when the doorbell rings. I feel my head start to spin and I hold onto the island for support. It turns out that Alex had given the servants a leave before he went off the grid. I was worried at first but a strong sixth sense assured me that he was okay. He probably needs time to process this and figure out the way forward and so do I. I hear my Auntie yell that she had it covered. My heart leaps out of my chest when I hear my Aunt’s surprised yelp.

I run over to see the cause of the commotion but stop dead in my tracks. “CLAIRE.” Sophia and Quinn run into my embrace in glee. I hugged them back. The whole White family was here. I welcomed them with a genuine smile. Luckily I had made enough lasagna for all since the plan was to save some for tomorrow since I might come home late from my doctor’s appointment.

We all sit down at the dinner table and dig in. I hear compliments from every angle and I shyly accept them. The conversation moves to Max. The atmosphere is happy and lively we had a fun time. A sudden wave of vertigo hit me followed my nausea. I quickly excuse myself and go to the bathroom.

I flushed as soon as I was done; there goes the lasagna. I sigh and clean myself up. I nearly bump into Mrs. White. “Oh sorry.” I immediately apologize. “No need. Are you okay?” She asked genuinely worried. I nod “Yeah.” Another wave of nausea hits me and I cover my mouth and take several deep breaths.

The woman gives me a warm smile then guides me to the kitchen. She begins blending some ingredients to make a smoothie. She hands it to me. “What’s this?” I asked while looking at the brown mixture. “An old family recipe. It does wonders for nausea and morning sickness.”

I give her a shy smile and take a sip. It’s doesn’t taste so bad. I empty the entire glass. I felt so much better. The nausea was practically nonexistent. Mrs. White rubs my back and speaks in a motherly tone. “I might not know the full story but no that you’ll always have our support.” Her eyes are soft and sincere. I nod and we join the others.

All through dinner though the atmosphere was carefree and lively. I could not shake off the lingering gaze on me. Tyler was staring at me the entire time. I try to focus on my desert. The whites had brought some ice cream as a sign of good manners for their sudden visit. I have been craving vanilla ice cream for a while so their visit was most definitely welcomed.

After dessert, I quickly scramble to take the dishware to the kitchen to escape his haunting gaze. Halfway to the kitchen, Tyler stops me, offering to help out. Not wanting to be rude I accept. I take the dishes and place them in the dishwasher and start it. I flinch when I turn around and realize he is just inches away. “Hey.” I give him an awkward wave. I wiggle around him and start doing some light cleaning.

Vertigo hits again and I hold the edge of the island for support. He holds my shoulders. “Are you okay?” Though his voice is concerned his eyes say otherwise. The close proximity makes me uneasy. Okay, I need to chill. He’s been nothing but nice and I’m here being a total b***h about it. We stay like this for a few seconds when he gets yanked of me and thrown to the side.

I simply stand there in shock at the scene playing before my eyes. Alexander stands between me and Tyler with bloodshot eyes. His hair is messy and his entire demeanor screams homicide. Before Tyler could regain a proper stance, his face connect with Alexander’s fists and he tumbles to the ground with a broken nose.

Alexander continues to land more punches without giving Tyler a chance to recover. Mr. White and Dylan rush to pull Alexander off him. “Bastard,” Alexander yells while landing one last kick on the stomach before getting pulled away. Tyler staggers to his feet and coughs out blood. Mrs. White rushes to his side with a tissue.

“Did you think I would never find out? Huh?!” Alexander yells in a mad fury. “Look, Alex. You can’t just hurt someone without even giving a reason.” Tyler retorts coolly while wiping his nose with the tissue. “Heh.” A spine-chilling chuckle escaped Alex’s lips. Anger stirred in his icy blue eyes. Alexander was brimming with hostility towards his older brother. The long pause was suffocating and we anticipated his next words. “Does attempted murder sound good enough for you?” Malice spilled from every word he uttered.

Another cold chuckle escaped his lips as he looks to the ground for a second then turned a pair of predatory blue eyes to Tyler. “Correction; cold-blooded murder.” Everyone had looks of surprise and confusion on their faces.

“Alexander, what’s going on here?” His mother enquires to which he ignores. He turns to Tyler. “Why don’t you tell them what you did? Tell them! Tell them how you injured the mother of my unborn child and killed my child all at once.”

My eyes went round as I quietly observed their exchange. I feel dread tugging at my heartstrings. What does he mean? “Why are you suddenly quiet?” Alex bellows as he tries to break free from Dylan and his father’s hold. “Oh, that.” Tyler's demeanor suddenly changes. I flicker of irritation sparked in his eyes.

“How childish can you be?” Tyler responded in a cold voice. “You are always making a mess Alex all I did was clean it up for you.” I felt a lump in my throat as I listened to his unremorseful voice talk about the death of my baby like it was nothing.

Alexander’s POV

I got the message that the will be a family dinner at my mansion. I stepped on the accelerator and sped on. I stormed into the house and found Tyler in uncomfortably close proximity to Claire. Rage pulsed through my veins as I walked over and yanked him away then proceeded to land several punches to his face. I had only managed to land a few satisfying punches on the cad’s face before dad and Dylan managed to yank me off but not before I wrapped it up with a hard kick to the stomach. When asked why I did so, I explained. My heart broke, seeing the shattered look in Claire’s beautiful hazel eyes.

The asshole wasn’t even sorry. He tried to justify his actions by saying he was just cleaning up my mess. This time it wasn’t me who initiated violence it was Claire. She struck him with a slap across the face making him fall back a few steps. Damn the girl has strength. I smile inwardly.

“What right do you have to determine whether my baby deserved to live or not? WHAT?”

“Oh please don’t act like a saint. Girls who get pregnant at that age get abortions in order to “have a future”. Besides what makes you think you have the qualifications to mother a White heir.” His words ignited an inferno in my heart, then everything went red. How dare he degrade the mother of my child! He really needs to die for peace to reign. By the time I regained my senses I was being held once again by Dylan and dad except for this time, Sophia and Quinn were standing between the d*ckhead and me, trying to push me back. Though I messed him up bad, he still managed to land a few punches causing my lips to bleed.

“GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE IN FRONT OF ME. GOT THAT?!” I bellowed as he got into his car and left.

His departure allowed me to simmer down. I looked back and saw Clair hugging herself while my mother supported her. She had an unfocused look in her eyes before her legs gave out. I managed to rush to her side and catch her before she fell. I carried her princess-style upstairs while barking orders to the rest to get a cold washcloth and call the doctor. She was burning up. Claire, please be okay. Both you and the baby, even though I’m am the worst person alive, please be okay and I promise I will do better, no rather I will be the best. Please. I rush her to the room, silently praying.

I would drive to the hospital but she is in a fragile period and speeding will cause harm to the baby. I press a cold washcloth to her head. I hold her hand, landing a long and sentimental kiss on her fingers while she lay on the bed.