The Neglected Son

Chapter 7.

Alex sat at the far end of the large dining hall, his eyes fixed on Josh, who looked small and frail in the oversized chair. The boy’s face was pale, his eyes tired, and he seemed to have lost weight. The family event hadn’t officially begun yet, and Aaron along with the rest of the family, was too busy to notice. Alex , however, couldn’t take his eyes off Josh.

When he saw the boy wipe a tear from his cheek, Alex got up and walked over to him. He crouched down so they were at eye level.

“Hey, buddy, are you okay?” Alex asked gently.

Josh hesitated, then burst into quiet tears. “I miss my mummy,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “I want to be with her, but I can’t…because she’s dead.”

Alex’s heart clenched. He wanted to tell Josh the truth, to let him know that Mira was alive, but he couldn’t—not yet. Instead, he placed a comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I know you miss her. She loves you so much, Josh. She wouldn’t want you to be sad.”

Josh sniffled, his tiny hands clutching his shirt. Alex softened his tone. “Have you eaten anything today? What would you like to eat?”

Josh shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”

He frowned and called over one of his sisters, who was standing nearby. “Has Josh eaten anything?” he asked.

She shrugged, her tone indifferent. “He’s been refusing to eat for days. I’m not going to force him. I’m not his mother.”

Alex ‘s jaw tightened. He shot her a warning look. “That’s enough.”

Turning back to Josh, he crouched again, his voice gentle. “Come on, buddy. You have to eat something to get stronger. What do you feel like eating? Anything at all.”

Josh shook his head again, stubbornly refusing. But Alex wasn’t about to give up. “How about this? If you eat a little, I’ll let you pick the game we play later. Deal?”

Josh hesitated, but the promise of a game seemed to catch his interest. After a moment, he nodded reluctantly.

He smiled. “That’s my guy.” He stood and walked over to the buffet table, carefully selecting food he thought Josh might like—some rice, chicken, and a small bowl of fruit. Returning to Josh, he placed the plate in front of him.

“Try a little. Just for me, okay?” He encouraged.

Josh picked up the fork and began eating slowly. Aaron stayed by his side, making sure he ate enough to fill his small stomach. When Josh finally put the fork down, Alex gave him a satisfied nod. “Good job, buddy. Now, how about we get you cleaned up?”

He took Josh upstairs to his room. He ran a warm bath, helped him wash up, and made sure he was comfortable. Once Josh was in fresh clothes, He sat beside him at the desk, going over his homework.

“You’re really good at this,” Alex said as Josh worked through his math problems.

Josh beamed a little. “Mummy used to help me. She said I’m smart.”

He smiled softly, brushing a hand through Josh’s hair. “She’s right. You are smart.”

After finishing the homework, Josh put down his pencil and looked up at Alex with wide, hopeful eyes. “I wish you were my daddy.”

He froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. He reached out and gently patted Josh’s head.

Josh’s voice grew quieter. “Daddy says I have to go to boarding school. But I don’t want to go. Can you talk to him? Please, Uncle Alex ?”

Alex ‘schest tightened, but he managed to smile. “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t worry, okay?”

Josh nodded, visibly relieved. Josh pulled out his ipad, and the two played Roblox together until Josh’s eyelids began to droop. Aaron tucked him into bed, pulling the blanket up to his chin.

As he watched Josh sleep peacefully, Aaron couldn’t help but think of Mira. He was doing what she would have done if she were here. The Atmosphere tonight was about to be toxic as Aaron would be introducing his new girlfriend and he didn’t want all of that energy to rub off on Josh.

Alex left the room quietly and headed downstairs. He wasn’t in the mood for the family’s theatrics, but he needed to see the “new woman” his brother Aaron had brought. As he reached the bottom of the staircase, he spotted his mother, Clara, and his youngest sister, Grace, already seated in the lounge. Their voices hushed when he entered.

Then his eyes landed on her—the woman seated next to Aaron. Recognition struck instantly, and he couldn’t help but laugh, his voice ringing out unexpectedly. It was the woman he was supposedly engaged to few months ago but he had called it off because he simply thought he had feelings for her but it was mere infatuation and his grandfather’s pressure on him to find her wife made him started to go out with her but few months after their engagement he called it off because he just knew she couldn’t be his wife and now his brother was here with the same woman . It was a deja vu type of moment.

The woman whose name was Trisha turned pale, She leaned slightly toward Aaron and whispered, “Is he supposed to be here?”

Alex’ssmile was cool, almost mocking. “Yes, of course. I’m his elder brother. Didn’t you already know that Trisha?”

Clara intervened, her tone sharp. “Alex, don’t make it awkward. You refused to marry her, remember?”

Alex chuckled darkly, his gaze fixed on Aaron. “Is history about to repeat itself? First Mira, now her? Why do you always go after women who were linked to me first?”

Aaron’s face darkened, and his response came swift and cutting. “Don’t you dare compare her to that dead woman.”

Alex’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. His voice was cold as ice when he replied, “Shouldn’t you be more focused on your nine-year-old son? He’s spiraling into depression and denial since his mom ‘died.’ He won’t eat, won’t wash up—and you all just neglect him while chasing after things that don’t matter.”

Trisha frowned, her face flushed with annoyance . “Are you saying I don’t matter?”

Alex barely glanced at her. “Be quiet. I’m not talking to you.”

He stepped closer to Aaron, his voice lowering but losing none of its intensity. “You heartless son of a bitch. Instead of trapping another woman in your abusive claws, try focusing on the son who’s barely holding on.”

“ Why are you so addicted to my family business? You really wanted to be mira’s husband didn’t you cause explain to me why you are so all about her business now …Well news flash , you lost your chance and she’s dead!”

“ You really disgust me so much , it’s embarrassing to even call you my brother “

Aaron’s hand shot up as if to strike Alex, but he stopped mid-motion, realizing that Alex could easily overpower him. The two brothers locked eyes, tension crackling between them like a live wire.

Finally, Alex addressed the issue he was originally also pissed of about.

“ The kid doesn’t want to go to a boarding school, if you are an actual father you would have known by now Josh is shy and introverted …He wouldn’t do well outside his comfort zone , If you cannot take good care of the child , Then i will do it !”

Without waiting for a response, Alex stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Clara sighed heavily, breaking the tense silence. “Why must everything turn into a fight?”

“ Even in her death , That witch Miranda is still causing so much trouble “ Clara frowned