Xavier~
"Bella, when will you return?" I waited for her for the past three hours, but she didn't arrive at the scheduled time, so I texted her instead. I don't understand what important thing she discussed with James; she ignored my calls. Alan was also upset with her, as she had once again betrayed her commitment.
"Xavier, don't take stress; she will come back." Victor comforted me by giving me a shoulder pat after noticing how stressed I was.
"What important discussion is she having with James because she is ignoring my calls?" I tightened my fist to keep my boiling rage under control.
Her growing friendship with James has now become the source of my anger. Even though James and I were good friends, I didn't want to share Bella with anyone. Seeing James with her was like salt in a wound I couldn't heal. I hated that he had access to a part of Bella's life that felt closed off to me. Was I imagining it, or did she look happier around him than she did with me?
Jordan Lucas created such a mess in my life that I left many issues unresolved between me and James. I rarely had time from Victor's case, but when I did, I wanted to spend it with Bella. Although we were previously married, there are still a lot of things I need to know about her. Our relationship never got off to a good start, and when I tried to restart it from the beginning, our complicated lifestyle hindered us from doing so.
"I know you're anxious, Xavier, but believe me, she had no feelings for James. In actuality, she had no desire to be friends with James. Since I don't want you to be involved in her life anymore, I sent James a friend request from her account." Victor sensed my anxiety and told me the truth.
"Do you not want me to be with Bella?" I gave him a raised eyebrow.
"I did everything I could to keep you away from her in the past, but I now see that it was not your fault." He bowed his head to hide his embarrassment.
"It's all right; if I were at your place, then I would also behave in this way." I hugged him, seeing regret for his actions in his eyes.
"Xavier, did you know that when we learned about her pregnancy, we advised her not to have a child? However, she disregarded our advice, enduring a great deal of hardship during her pregnancy. Practicing law and caring for a little infant was difficult for her.
However, I never observed any sadness or complaints on her face as she navigated her life. Despite numerous proposals, she never attempted to date or marry another man, as her love for you is so pure. Wherever she went, people asked her about the father of her child; Alan started asking about his father as well, so I decided to shield her from this embarrassing circumstance." Listening to him made my heart ache. As I saw how terrible her life was, I felt even more guilty about what I had done in the past.
After hearing Victor, the suspicion about Bella and James' relationship that clouded my mind immediately vanished. I started to eagerly await her return, as her cozy presence was the only source of comfort for me.
"Alan, do you know how to argue in court?" As we heard Dad's commanding voice reverberating across the hallway, we sat upright on the couch.
"No, Grandpa; Mama never took me into her court session." Alan complained about Bella to Dad innocently.
"That's ridiculous. Despite the entire family being in the legal profession, my grandson remains unaware of the courtroom proceedings." Dad sighed disapprovingly as he sat on our front couch.
"Grandpa, will you teach me how to argue in court?" Alan wrapped his arms around Dad's knee and looked at him with a hope-filled gaze. Alan had a knack for breaking down barriers none of us could. His innocent joy was something even Dad couldn't resist.
"Ok, but what will I get in return?" He raised his brow at Alan.
"I'll give you some of my chocolate." Alan placed a palm on his chin and acted as though he were deep in thought. I loved listening to their adorable chatter.
"No, I dont want your chocolate, I don't want you to complain to your mother about me missing my medicine." Slowly, Dad whispered in Alan's ear.
"No, Grandpa, that's cheating; I can't lie to her." He disagreed with Dad's conditions.
Alan's honesty filled my chest with pride. Even though he is just five years old, he is so intelligent and devoted that no one can easily fool him.
"I won't teach you how to argue in court, then." Dad acted dejected at Alan's disapproval of his condition and shrugged his shoulders.
"Grandpa, please teach me how to argue in court. I swear that I won't tell anyone your secrets other than the fact that you skip medication." Alan is adamant about showing him the drama in the courtroom.
"Okay, but I need two more men—the opposing attorney and the offender." Dad acted as though he was unaware that we were in the hallway, but now I see why he showed Alan the courtroom discussion out of the blue.
"Grandpa, We have two other men here, Dad and Uncle Xavier. Would you like to play with us?" Alan gazed at us with a hopeful expression.
Victor and I looked at each other, utterly taken aback by Dad's altered demeanor.
"We'll play with you, Alan." I attempted to suppress a smile as I nodded in agreement.
"Alan, I want this man to stand in the culprit box." Dad pointed towards Victor.
"And ask this man to defend him in front of me." Dad looked at me angrily.
The gavel Dad used as a prop during the reenactment was chipped on one side—a detail that suddenly felt symbolic. Like us, it was flawed, but it still served its purpose.
Dad is still attempting to vent his rage on us, but Victor and I know that he has already forgiven us and is prepared to support us in this difficult time.
"I'll be a judge in this case, Grandpa. Alan motioned for us to start the court session as he sat on the couch.
Dad reenacted the exact situation that I had encountered during my first hearing with Uncle Jorawar. To my amazement, I was able to control my wrath and keep my cool in front of Dad with ease, even though his taunting was more harsh and hurtful than Uncle Jorawar's. Without faltering or stuttering, I argued with him with such assurance.
He provokes Victor's anger and guilt with his sharp questions, but Victor also manages to answer them with confidence. I felt so happy and lighthearted after witnessing my father gradually lowering his walls. For a moment, I caught something in Dad's eyes—a flicker of pride, maybe? Or was it my desperation to see something that wasn't there?
A clapping sound reverberated throughout the hall as the court session came to an end.
"Well done, Xavier." We heard Bella's joyful voice and turned to face the entrance to the hallways. Upon seeing James with her, a tempest of wrath and envy surged through me.