Owned By My Step Brother

CHAPTER 12 - The Set Up

Alice’s Point Of View

“W…what do you mean?” I asked anxiously, struggling to stay calm.

Mr. Smith didn’t say another word; he just smirked, his eyes boring holes in mine.

“Not so confident now, are you?” he mocked proudly, waiting for my response

I squared my shoulders, remembering how horrible Reyonlds had been to me in high school; of course, his father was no better.

But I already promised myself that I won't let anyone control my life so I cleared my throat.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said confidently, ready for whatever was to come.

“Are you sure?” he asked calmly, his confidence wavering.

“Yes, stop looking for ways to shift your responsibilities. If you think there is some trust fund waiting somewhere, you are so wrong, you better divorce her now that you can,” I said ruthlessly, my face blank of any expression.

I felt horrible for the words that just left my lips, but I didn't care; it was the truth.

I had seen how disgusted Mr Smith was with my mom the whole time; this was my way of saving her.

“So that's what you think of me and my marriage?” A familiar voice asked firmly, a hint of pain in her voice.

I refused to look in the direction of the voice.

I knew who it was, but I wasn't willing to accept it.

“Look at me, Alice,” my mom demanded sharply, her voice breaking as she spoke.

“How did she get here? She is supposed to be sleeping,” I thought, my eyes scanning the garden.

I looked everywhere but at her, and that was when I caught it.

It happened so fast, it was almost like I imagined it.

A smirk with watching eyes, Mr. Smith set me up.

“I told you, baby…I told you she was the reason all the other marriages didn't work,” Mr. Smith said calmly, hurrying to his wife's side.

“What type of sick joke is this?” I muttered nervously, trying to think of a way out of this mess.

“I haven't even been home since my dad died. How could I have sabotaged anything?” I asked honestly, finally looking my mom in the eyes.

“But the proof is right, the words you just said,” Mr. Smith said accusingly, passing his hand through my mom's palm.

“I only said that to protect you from him; he doesn't love you, Mom,” I tried to explain, approaching my mom, but she just shook her head, making me halt in my tracks.

“I have loved you all my life, done everything for you, and this is how you repay me?” She asked angrily, her voice filled with emotion.

“No, mom, I promise… how did you even get out here?” I mumbled in panic, a gasp from my mom shut me up.

My explanation sounded worse than I meant for it to.

“If I had never come out here, I would never have seen your true colors and what a wicked person you are.” My mom said coldly, walking out on me.

“Mom! Please…wait…please listen,” I pleaded desperately, to no avail.

My mom wasn't ready to listen to me, and even the nurse had begun to judge me as she helped my mom return to her room.

“What just happened?” I asked myself in shock as I tried to process the entire situation.

Mr Smith had planned everything perfectly.

He came out to provoke me and made sure my mom passed by so she could hear everything.

He was trying to turn my mom against me, but what I didn't know was the reason why.

“Like father, like son,” I said dryly, running my hand through my hair.

I had always wondered where Reynolds had gotten such evil skills from when he had made my life miserable. Now I knew.

“I need a break,” I whispered softly, feeling the ground under me begin to shake.

I had become dizzy and exhausted from all the trouble that had been going on around me.

“Let me sleep this off, I will talk to mom once I wake up,” I muttered silently, walking towards my room.

I immediately fell on the bed and passed out, waking up five hours later.

It was the early hours of the morning, and after freshening up, I decided to go see my mom to discuss things clearly.

“Mom?” I called quietly, with a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” her weak voice responded immediately, followed by a loud grunt.

I rushed in to find my mom struggling to sit up.

Her health was deteriorating very fast, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Let me help you,” I said hurriedly, blinking to stop the tears from rolling down.

“How are you feeling today, Mom?” I asked quietly, feeling a lump in my throat.

I was doing everything to stop myself from breaking down in front of my mom.

“Same old story, I can't complain,” she responded calmly, her eyes tired.

She didn't look angry, like she was earlier.

“Maybe she has forgotten,” I thought to myself, searching her eyes for the anger I had seen when she walked away.

I struggled with the urge to just keep quiet in case she had forgotten, but then again, I needed to explain myself properly.

I didn't want her feeding on the lies her new husband was telling.

“Mom…about earlier…” I began slowly, biting my lower lip as I thought of the best explanation.

“I know, Alice, you don't need to explain anything,” she cut me off halfway, a mixture of guilt and sadness in her eyes.

“So you know he is trying to set us up? You know he wants to tear us apart?” I asked firmly, trying to confirm that I understood what she meant.

“I know Alice,” she said quietly, taking a deep breath.

“So why do you play along with him?” I asked confusedly, my brows furrowing.

“Because…” Just then, a deep cough erupted from her throat, making her spit out blood.

“Mom!” I screamed in panic, rushing to catch her as she fainted in my arms.