Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 66

Ever since I've started exercising with Coach Kenet more consistently, and less intensely (because let's be honest, that first day of gym was going to kill me) I've been able to get things under control a lot quicker.

What scares me is that, that's exactly what happened the last time my respiratory system nearly failed me. It got better, then it got so much worse and my heart went with it. Steroids, pump, machines. I sit on the floor, almost wishing for the pain to come back, just so it's not like that again. I never want it to be like that again.

I stand up slowly, and my lungs constrict. But they're fine. I'm fine. I nod. I'll be fine.

Aiden watches me with that same uninterested look. "What was so important that you needed to keel over for?"

I glare at him. "I was trying to help you."

"Me?" he asks.

"Yes, you," I say. "I'm trying to help you."

He starts walking away, just like that. This time I have a sneaking suspicion he's not coming back with anymore water.

"Wait."

He doesn't stop.

"We need to talk about this... Please." I hate having to beg him when I'm the one doing him a favor. "You're just going to leave? Just like that?"

He looks back at me and stares for an inordinate amount of time. "You seem better now."

I scoff. "And that's all that matters? Not how I feel? Not what I'm saying?"

He just keeps walking and it pisses me off. He doesn't ever listen to me, no matter how nice I am. I can't win with him.

I follow him as best as I can, which is not very quickly. "Seriously Aiden. I can't run anymore. I'm beyond winded and I'm tired of this. We handle this now or we don't handle it at all."

"Ethel's been talking to you?" he asks out of nowhere.

I shake my head. I'm no rat.

"Now you're lying for him too? Lying to me?" He shakes his head. "Don't you have any sense of loyalty? Duty?"

"What does duty have to do with this? I'm just trying to help you. Everyone's saying you're sick." I can't read his expression. "Aiden?"

Suddenly, he comes stalking towards me. I flinch back.

He gets right in my face. "I'm going to say this once," he starts. "So listen closely."

My breath catches in my throat.

"I don't need you."

I swallow the lump growing in my throat.

"Oh yeah? How do I feel then?" he asks.

I look at him, unsure of what he's getting at.

"Tell me, Mia, how do I feel?" he asks, and it hurts when he does because it looks like he's hurt. It looks like he's in pain. Like he might actually... I don't know. Care about... I don't know. I can't even think it.

I can't stop feeling like I'm imagining it because it's just the bond, I tell myself. If there's any pain he's feeling from our horrible relationship, it's just the effects of the imprint bond, because every act of his own volition has shown the opposite. I trust that more than a bottle of water, an instance of concern. "You hate me too," I say firmly. I'm sure of it.

He looks over me. "Why do you think that?"

"Why?" Is he serious?

He scoffs. "What, is there something wrong with your hearing too? Yes. Why?"

What kind of question is that? "....? Um... Everything? Every single interaction we've had." All he's done is shown how much he hates me. What is he talking about?

He nods. "Well then I don't know what to tell you." He walks away again.

I say it before I can think. I say it because I'm pissed off. "I wish you were more like your brothers."

He stops walking. He doesn't say anything.