Chapter 208- Well Well Well
TYLER’S POV
My hand was still on the doorknob, and I was just about to close it when I heard sothing.
No—not sothing.
Soone.
That voice.
That one voice I had been aching to hear for so long.
"Tyler!!! Is that you?"
My heart stopped.
I froze.
"Is that my son Tyler or am I dreaming?" my mom asked, her voice shaking.
For a second, I couldn’t even breathe. I felt sothing rush through my chest, like butterflies, but more intense—like they were trying to break out of . My whole body started to tremble.
That was her.
That was really her.
Her voice. Her warmth. Her love. It wasn’t just a dream.
It was real.
"Yes, Mom," I choked out, my voice breaking even though I was trying to stay strong. "It’s ."
"It’s really , your son. Your Tyler."
And just like that—I broke.
I don’t even know how it happened, or when. But the tears ca pouring down like I had no control over them. Hot, sharp, ssy tears that felt like they were burning right through my skin.
I had promised myself I’d stay strong when she calls my na.
I told myself I’d smile. I told myself I’d be brave.
But I never planned for this. I never planned for how it would feel to finally hear her say my na.
And now I was crying.
Crying like I had no pride. Crying like a little boy who just found the one person who made everything feel safe again.
And I hadn’t even walked up to her yet.
Just imagine what would happen when I did.
"Tyler, please co. Please co to , baby. Give a hug," she begged softly.
"I’m so sorry," she added, her voice already filled with tears.
I couldn’t hold back anymore.
I let go of the door and ran.
Ran straight to the bed where she was lying.
Straight to the only woman who ever saw for who I really was.
I wrapped my arms around her as tightly as I could, like I was afraid she’d vanish if I let go.
I buried my face into her chest and just cried. No holding back.
The crying got worse. Louder. Raw.
It wasn’t the type of cry you try to hide. It was the kind that tears through your soul and pours out of your body like it’s been waiting for this one mont to let go.
Her hospital gown was soaked from my tears. My shoulders were shaking. My voice kept cracking.
"Mom, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry," I whispered through the sobs. "I let you down."
"I should have listened when you begged not to leave. I should’ve stayed, but I was so angry, I couldn’t even think straight."
"You told I was the only one you had and still... I walked away from you."
"I should’ve been at ho with you. If I had stayed, this—this wouldn’t have happened. You wouldn’t have been hurt. You wouldn’t have been shot. We would’ve fought them together. We would’ve been okay..."
I could barely get the words out between sobs. My chest hurt. My throat was raw. My heart was broken all over again.
But then she did what only a mother can do.
She held .
Even in her condition, she pulled close, stroked my hair, and whispered the words I didn’t know I needed so badly.
"Stop crying, baby. Please stop crying," she said gently, pressing her lips to my forehead.
"It’s not your fault, Tyler. None of it is your fault."
"I can assure you, Tyler," my mom said softly, "none of the things you’re blaming yourself for are your fault."
Her voice was gentle, almost like a warm blanket wrapping around my heart. But I still couldn’t stop crying. The guilt had buried itself too deep inside .
"I know you were angry," she continued, wiping my face carefully with her fingers. "And you walked out on . But that doesn’t make you the bad one. You were supposed to be angry."
I looked up at her, my lips trembling. I didn’t trust myself to say anything. My throat was too tight.
"We’re all human," she whispered. "And humans feel things. Anger is part of us."
She kept wiping the tears that refused to stop. I don’t even know how she had the strength, but she didn’t let a single tear rest on my face for more than a second. She wiped them all, again and again, like she was trying to wipe away every pain and mory that had hurt .
Then ca the hard part—the back and forth of apologies.
I told her I was sorry for leaving, for ignoring her calls, for being too angry to listen.
She told she was sorry for not listening to , for rushing into love, for giving everything she had to soone who didn’t deserve it.
"I should’ve listened to you, Tyler," she said, her voice breaking. "You warned . You told it was too soon, that I was giving too much to soone I barely knew."
"And I should’ve stayed," I whispered. "No matter how mad I was... I should’ve stayed."
We both cried so more. Not loudly. Just quiet sobs.
But through all of it, I couldn’t let her go.
I held on to her like my life depended on it. My arms were wrapped so tightly around her that I didn’t even notice how strong the hug had beco.
It felt like if I let go, this mont would vanish. I’d wake up, and she’d still be lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. I was terrified that this joy I was feeling would disappear the second I loosened my grip.
But then I felt it—her breath changed.
It beca shallow.
Short.
Sudden.
"Ooouuh... ouuuh," she let out a low, choked sound. "Tyler... baby... I can’t breathe."
I broke the hug instantly. I didn’t even wait for another word. I jumped back like I’d just realized I was holding her too tight.
"I’m so, so sorry, Mom!" I said quickly, panic in my voice. "I didn’t an to—God—I was just so happy to see you!"
She coughed a little, then gave a soft laugh. "It’s okay, Tyler. I understand. You don’t need to apologize. I’m just glad you’re here."
I nodded, still feeling guilty.
Then she looked at with curious eyes.
"But... when I called you, why didn’t it go through? I called multiple tis but it always went on voice mail or told switch off."
I sighed. "I didn’t even see your call to begin with, mom. Everything ca at a rush and the rain ssed everything up."
"What rain?" she asked, tilting her head.
"There was a heavy downpour," I explained. "I got caught in it. My phone got wet and completely died. It wouldn’t turn back on no matter how many tis I tried."
Her eyes softened.
"But Logan found ," I added quickly. "He gave his phone, and I—"
Before I could finish, the door creaked open behind .
I froze and turned around slowly.
And there he was.
Standing in the doorway with that usual calm look on his face.
He stepped in with a smirk playing at his lips and said in the most dramatic voice I’d ever heard—
"Well, well, well... speak of the devil."
He looked at my mom and gave her a small, respectful nod.
"Hello, Ms. Beatrice."
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