Maeve gasped as her mother woke up and immediately went to her. She also wanted to go to Treyton to clear up the misunderstanding. Stephen couldn't help but feel terrible for worsening her situation. He didn't know Treyton well, but Maeve looked happy being with him. Stephen realized that he had wasted too much of Maeve's life, and he was unsure of what he wanted in his life. "Stay here with your mom, Maeve. I will go talk with your boyfriend. I won't mess up again."
Maeve was surprised by Stephen's act of kindness and was grateful for his help. "Thank you, Stephen."
Stephen nodded as he walked away, leaving mother and daughter alone. Maeve sat beside her mother while holding one of her hands, kissing it gently. Laoise's eyes were half-opened, and she noticed her daughter by her side. "Maeve..."
"I'm here, Mom." Silence reigned between mother and daughter. Maeve thought that she would have many questions for her mother, but she didn't. However, one question plagued her mind: "Why, Mom?"
Laoise remained silent while noticing her daughter's puffy eyes. She sighed but felt it was difficult to breathe properly. "I didn't want to worry you," she said.
"Mom, you-"
"I also didn't want you to pretend to be strong."
Laoise's response was unexpected. "Wh-What?"
The older woman coughed a bit, and Maeve poured some water into a cup and helped her mother drink it. Laoise took deep breaths and felt the pain in her chest lessen. "Y-You always thought of me of being strong. I-I wasn't strong, Maeve. I-I forced myself to be strong although I was hurting when we lost your dad." Laoise felt her daughter's hand on her, and she gently loosened herself and touched Maeve's hair. "I didn't want you to go through what I did. I didn't want you to close in your pain and emotions. I wanted you to express them your way. I-I also didn't want to give you false hope."
Maeve bit her lower lips as her mother gently touched her hair. It was something Laoise did to soothe Maeve whenever she felt anxious or had a bad day. "Mom, you should've still told me! I had the right to know! Now, it's too late to do anything! Th-This was selfish of you!"
Laoise stopped touching her daughter's hair; she felt tired. "Yes, I was selfish. I was selfish enough to protect you. As a parent, one doesn't want to be a burden to their children. It was more of my choice and right to decide. I knew when I heard I have sage four cancer that I wasn't going to live long. I wanted you to act and remember me as the mother you always knew." The older woman noticed her daughter's tears and wanted to wipe them away but didn't have enough strength in her arms. "I heard you call out to that Treyton. Judging that Stephen was here, there was a misunderstanding."
"Y-Yeah, I wanted to go after him but Stephen said that he would talk to him."
"Well...at least, your ex is doing something right. Now, I want to tell you something and I want you to promise me that you will do it."
Maeve sighed and nodded, not wanting to tire her mother out. She listened intently as her mother told her what she needed to say.
Meanwhile, Treyton was outside the hospital and sat by the hospital's garden. He massaged his eyes, trying to refrain from crying. Seeing his mate in the arms of her ex was a terrible feeling. "Hey, Treyton, what are you doing here outside?" The Alpha looked up and saw Patrisha walking toward him.
He composed himself and stood. "Oh, Patrisha, you made it. Sorry, I needed fresh air."
Patrisha stopped and couldn't help but notice that something bothered him. "I see. Knowing you for a short time, you wouldn't leave Maeve's side without a reason. Something is bugging you so you better tell me or I will force it out of you."
Treyton usually didn't take threats as something serious since he was used to them. With Patrisha, she had a strong loyalty for Maeve and looked as if she wasn't afraid to fight. He believed she would give him a hard time if they got into a match. Treyton slowly sat back down and lowered his head. "Maeve's ex, Stephen, arrived while I called you and went to get Maeve tea. When I returned, I-I saw him hugging her; it hurt to see them like that."
Patrisha stood silently as she processed everything she was told. She sat beside Treyton and sighed. "I understand you felt hurt seeing them hug. Heck, I'm surprised that Stephen arrived here. Although, I think what you saw was a misunderstanding since I know Maeve wouldn't betray you like that. It's not in her nature. Maeve and I are best friends. She helped me at my lowest, especially when I lost my wife, Jai'la."
Treyton flinched; he didn't know that Patrisha was a lesbian. The Alpha slowly looked at her. "Y-You lost your wife?"
"Yes, I can see the look on your face. Surprised that I'm a lesbian? Well, I am and proud. You see, I am originally from Somalia and I was grateful to come to this country for asylum since being lesbian or gay is a crime which could be punishable with death."
"That's terrible! No one should be punished for love and for being one's self."
Patrisha smiled. "That is what I told by my family when they wanted to arrange a marriage for me with a man who was old enough to be my grandfather. Anyway, I ran away and came to the States and it was difficult for me to come into a new country with different customs. Jai'la was volunteer to help migrants and asylum seekers. She was also lesbian but her family threw her out since they were hardcore Christians. We hung together and listened to each other, we fell in love, and eventually married each other."
Treyton couldn't help but respect Patrisha; she went through so much due to her sexual orientation. However, he noticed Patrisha's eyes saddened. "What happened to your wife?"
"She passed away due to a stroke. I felt I lost purpose and I didn't want to live anymore since I lost the love of my life. Maeve knew everything I was going through and she helped and motivated me to keep on living. She supported me and gave me hope for a new beginning; I am even dating someone."
"I'm so happy for you, Patrisha."
The older woman then patted him on the back. "I'm telling you this because my friend ain't no two-timer. I can tell she loves you and you feel the same way. Though you better hold those feelings after knowing each other for a short-period of time." Patrisha stood and then noticed Stephen. She couldn't believe that she would ever see him again. "Well, look at what the dog dragged in. I can't believe you're here, Stephen."
Treyton saw Stephen and stood; Stephen gave himself space. "Patrisha, I know that you're not happy to see me. You have every right to feel that way, but please believe me that I'm not here for bad intentions." He then looked at Treyton. "Laoise is awake and I told Maeve that I would talk to you, Treyton."
The men looked at one another; Patrisha knew it was her moment to leave. "I'm going to go to Maeve and Laoise. If you try to kill one another, then I'm going to kill both of you." The older woman walked out of the garden, leaving the men alone. Neither said anything, and it felt awkward for them.
Stephen sighed, "Sorry for coming here unannounced. A-A friend of mine works here and told me that Maeve and her mother were here. I came here to give Maeve my support."
"So that's why you hugged her?"
"Yes, it was for that reason and that reason alone. I know it may be hard to believe since I'm her ex and we've seen one another at the old World Village place. I won't lie, I was upset but not because she moved on, but because I realized how much of her time I wasted."
Treyton was surprised by his words. He had never met a sincere man. "So you don't hold any feelings for her anymore?"
"I care about her, but don't love her like she deserves to be loved. Me coming here is to show her that I am here to support her but to show her that what we once had is over. I want her to be happy and I can tell that you could give her the happiness I never could. Go to her. She needs you."
The men were silent again, but Stephen turned around and began to walk away. "Stephen."Stephen stopped in his tracks and turned around. Treyton walked closer to him and motioned out his hand. "Thank you." Stephen smiled, got Treyton's hand, and shook it. They separated and went on their separate ways.
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