Forever My Love Ch. 09

"Shut up!" Jim seethed.

"Why? Is it because you're too ashamed to admit what you are?"

There was silence before whispers were heard among the people that watched.

"I had sacrificed a lot of things for you, Jim." He growled, his voice trembling with suppressed emotions. "Even when I fell in love, I still had to make the sacrifice because of your obsession over the man I loved. And still you are not satisfied."

"No matter what you say to me, I am the one that is married to David." He yelled. "So, who's the slut now?"

"You have no idea just how wrong you are. You do not own David!" He snapped, breathing harshly. "Between the two of us, I am the one that has more rights to be with him."

David sheepishly looked at Ben, their eyes locking momentarily. He didn't know what he meant by that but there was something in the way he said it that made him curious. Ben couldn't stay there anymore. He simply turned, looked at everyone's face, his father who was in shock and his family. Without a word, he stormed out of there, leaving Jim looking like a fool.

"Ben!"

David began running after him.

"David!" Jim screamed.

"What?" David snapped.

He shook his head and ran after Ben, hoping to find him. Jim remained the center of attention, all eyes on him. He felt defeated and foolish, everyone looked like they were judging him. With a hiss, he stormed out of there too.

***

"Don't you walk away from me!" Elena said angrily as she followed her husband behind. "Jerome, I am talking to you."

"What do you want from me woman?" Jerome snapped, angrily turning to face her. "Can't I have some peace in my own home"

"Peace?" She yelled, angrily pushing him. "Peace? What peace do you want after all that happened today? Not only did you betray me, but also your son."

"What the hell are you ranting about?"

"How could you do this to Jim?" She spurt. "You and I both know that Jim is the only one that is the heir to all your companies. But you embarrassed him in front of everyone by introducing that illegitimate son of yours."

Jerome looked at his wife before he burst into laughter. He laughed so hard till tears came out the side of his eyes.

"I have two sons and I am not gonna discriminate between them. I already made that mistake once and I won't repeat it again." He said with a stern voice. "Whatever I did today is none of your business, Elena."

"Oh, you think?" She jolted her hip, wearing that serious face. "If you think I am gonna allow you to give part of Jim's inheritance to that son of a bitch then you have not known me that well."

"You have not known me that well, either. I'll not continue being manipulated by a selfish woman."

Elena's jaw dropped and her eyes widened in shock, staring at her husband like he'd grown another head. She couldn't believe he had just said that to her.

"What?"

"Let me remind you that this is my company, Elena!" He warned, raising his finger. "I started it with my blood and sweat before I married you. Whatever decisions I make concerning its future, you don't have any say."

He got closer and stared at her for a long time.

"If there is something you should be concerned about, it's that embarrassing behavior your son displayed at the party today." He said with his teeth grating. "I didn't say anything to him because he left but that doesn't mean that I will let it go."

"My son?" She chuckled bitterly. "You're blaming my son for that too? Weren't you there? Didn't you see it all and what he said. That boy is after David and you know it. You have always known it."

"I have known nothing but what you've told me." He retaliated. "All this time, he's still acting like a goddam teenager in public. And you just stood there and allowed it to happen? He's getting out of control."

"He's getting out of control because of you!" Elena argued, breathing like she was in labor. "If you hadn't gone and fucked some..."

"Oh, we're still talking about this?" He laughed, placing his hands on his hips. "Ben is my son and that will never change. I cannot change the past but at least I know the future is bright for both my sons. And if you really want your son to be happy, I suggest you withdraw all that venom you have put in him before he ends up destroying himself."

"I have raised my son to be nothing but a confident man." She said confidently, staring into his face. "At least, I can say I am proud of the man he turned out to be instead of a coward like his father."

Jerome smiled and slowly placed his hand on Elena's shoulder. "If being a father is what you call cowardice, then I am guilty."

He turned to leave but stopped midway and turned to Elena again.

"If you won't do something to curb Jim's behavior, you and him will bear the consequences that follow. I will not be part of any of it." He sounded like he was warning her. "You have filled that boy with so much hatred for Ben that he can't see past that. I will do whatever it takes to protect Ben from him. And don't force me to make hasty decisions because you'll end up hating me more."

Elena watched in stunned silence as Jerome left the living room, leaving her to grapple with the weight of his words.

"We're gonna see about that." She swore, her fists clenching. "If you think that I will let you give that boy a dime, then you're in for a big surprise! Ben..." Her lips curled into a malevolent grin. "...if you think destroying your child's grave is the worst I can do to you, then watch what I will do next."

***

David entered his mansion looking like a man that hadn't slept in weeks. His hair was a mess... his shirt was untucked and he was holding the jacket in his jacket, letting it get dragged on the floor. He had gone after the boy but hadn't gotten much luck. He was so pissed but he didn't know who exactly he was pissed at. Maybe it was himself. Getting some air had not worked and he had no idea what he was gonna do next.

"Welcome back, sir!" He heard Jim's voice.

His head moved robotically and he found him standing a distance from him with his arms crossed. He still wore exactly what he had been putting on at the party except for the jacket that was on the couch. There was Claudia too. And David wasn't in the mood to deal with them that night.

"You've surprised me. I didn't know if you were gonna come home at all."

David sighed. "I am too tired, Jim. I just wanna rest."

"He's tired." Jim laughed, glancing at Claudia who was staring at her son. "And why wouldn't you be tired when you were busy following that shameless whore? Did you find him?" He asked as he angrily got nearer. "Did he act vulnerable so that you could feel pity for him? Tell me..." He angrily pushed his husband. "...which cheap motel did you go to?" He pushed him again. "Which cheap motel did you fuck him in?"

"Stop it." David's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Did he kiss you? Did you like it?"

"Stop it,"

"Who was on top? Did you like being close to that whore?"

"Yes!" David bellowed ferociously, throwing his jacket furiously on the floor. "Are you satisfied now? Can I go up and rest now that I have answered your question?"

Jim's lips parted in a silent surprise and the muscles in his jaw tensed. A wave of acid welled up in his belly and his heart ached. He knew that David had answered that in anger but it still hurt like hell.

"David, you can't talk to Jim like that." Claudia sneered, rubbing Jim's shoulders. "He's your husband and no matter..."

"Oh please, mom," He chimed in rudely, gesturing to her. "I am not ready for your lecture this night. But why am I not surprised that you're supporting him without hearing my side of the story."

"What do you want me to support you for?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "Jim already told me everything that happened and you should be apologizing to him."

"For what?" He shrugged. "For embarrassing all of us at the party. I told you not to create a scene but you still did it anyways. Right in front of all those businessmen and the press. Wow!" He chuckled bitterly.

"What did you want me to do?" Jim argued. "Watch you humiliate me in front of everyone? I saw you, David. I saw you and that slut coming out of that room and only God knows how far you went with what you were doing in there."

David couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You know, you really need therapy because you're losing it!" He said softly. "Can you even hear yourself? I didn't do anything with Ben at the party if that's what you're thinking."

"And I will be a fool to believe that."

"Look..." He slightly hit his head, taking a deep breath. "...like I said, I am too tired to talk to you. I want to rest."

He tried to leave but Jim gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled him back rudely. David was not a person known for fighting but he was starting to feel himself get provoked to the point where he wanted to slap Jim. He took a deep breath and just stared at the boy that stared back at him in anger.

"Let go of my shirt!"

But Jim didn't listen. Instead, he took a chunk full of the shirt and held even harder. David wanted to say something when....

"Daddy!"

He heard Michael's voice right before he heard his tiny footsteps running down the stairs. He looked towards him and saw him happily running towards him with Amber behind him, equally wearing a smile. Suddenly, a radiant smile spread across his face, eyes sparkling with an electric energy that illuminated the room. Seeing his bundle of joy, he knew he had to control himself because he didn't want to scare him.

"Michael, baby, hi!" He chuckled happily, pulling the shirt from Jim's grip.

"You came, daddy. I was waiting for you."

"Yes, baby."

"I heard noise, daddy."

"It's nothing, sweetie!"

He maintained the smile and was about to start going towards his son when Jim rudely pushed him away and started going to Michael instead. He still that pissed off look and seeing that, the boy slowed down because he had seen that face before.

"Go to your room!" Jim said commanded. "Can't you see that your parents are talking?"

"But... daddy told me I could play with him when he comes back."

"And I say go to your room and sleep." He said, clenching his fist. "Now!"

Michael froze and the look in his eyes showed how scared of the man he was. He couldn't tear his eyes away from him. He glanced at David who was staring back at him without saying a word to him.

"Daddy..."

"Wasn't what I said clear?" Jim roared. "Why can't you ever listen, you little brat?"

Jim was so impatient with the little boy and it soon turned into frustration. Without thinking, he rushed to Michael and pushed him away with more force than intended. The child stumbled backward and tripped, falling onto the hard floor with a thud. A gasp escaped everyone else in the living room as they witnessed the unexpected act.

David ran like the hounds of hell were after him towards his son. He knelt in front of him and raised him. The boy held his forehead in pain with a small but visible cut oozing blood. Seeing that, David felt like he had been possessed. He raised his head and looked at Jim with the most hateful eyes he'd ever given anyone before.

"Michael!" Amber rushed to the child, kneeling before him. "Oh my God, what kind of person are you?" She asked as she looked up at the man that she hated more than anything. "Why would you push a child like that? Have you gone crazy?"

Jim hissed and looked away, crossing his arms on his chest. He didn't care.

David clenched his fists, feeling his heart pounding wickedly in his chest. Not only did he see red, but his eyes got red. His body shook from all the anger that he felt.

"Can you take Michael inside and take care of him, Amber?"

Amber nodded and carefully took Michael in his arms and rushed upstairs. David got up and stared at Jim. The man had never seen his husband so angry before. Even past arguments, David had never looked as upset as he was at that time.

"How dare you, Jim!" He glowered, teeth clenched. "How could you hurt my son? You know very well that he is only a small child. What if you had injured him more than you did?"

"Oh please!" Jim rolled his eyes, hissing. "He's gonna be fine. It is just a small cut and it is gonna heal. It's not like he lost a lot of blood."

"It's just a small cut?" He shrugged. "And he should have listened when I told him to go upstairs. He's turning into a stupid little brat that pisses me off. He needs to be taught a lesson."

David chuckled bitterly right before his face became stern.

"Is that what you think of our child? Before anything, you should put that child first?"

"Why should I?" He snapped.

David took a deep breath, his voice cold and determined.

"You're always like this with him and I am getting tired. I won't let you hurt that child like this." He paused for a second. "I can't stay in a marriage where my child is not safe. Let's just end this."

"What did you say?" Jim let out a sharp breath, a shiver go down his spine. "What do you mean by that?"

"Let's break up!" David said with determination. "I want a divorce."

Jim's eyes widened in shock, panic overtaking him. His mind raced, and he felt the ground beneath him slipping away. David had delivered a blow he didn't expect, and his hands begin to shake uncontrollably. His heart stumbled over its own rhythm and a chill froze him to his spot.

Claudia on the other hand felt a sickening wave of terror welling up from her belly. She clung to the nearest support, fingers digging into the hard surface, seeking an anchor in the storm of her panic, desperate for something to hold onto.

"No," He shook his head, his eyes teary. "No, I am sorry, David." He took the man's hands and held them tightly. "I am so sorry. I was wrong. I messed up. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise. I will apologize to Michael and... and we'll go back to being the happy family we've always been."

"Happy family?" David asked, his head shaking. "You've always been hurting that child for as long as I can remember. You even suggested once that we needed a child with at least one of our DNA." He furiously released his arms. "You've never loved Michael and you never will. The only reason you've tolerated him is because of me."

"No!" Jim shook his head. "That's not true..."

"But you seem to forget that the reason I accepted this marriage in the first place was because of Michael, the love you initially showed for him. Or pretended to show for him." He said, feeling stupid all of a sudden. "I won't let my child be a victim of your anger."

"David, please don't do this. I love you, I love our family. I'll change. Just give me another chance."

David looked at Jim, his face unmoved by the plead. He moved away from him.

"Jim, I really thought this was gonna work. I thought maybe we could repair our family, but this isn't working."

"No!" Jim yelled, gripping David's collar and pulling him closer. "It's not working because of that slut. This isn't about that brat or anything..."

"There we go again." David shook his head. "This is about you and me. I can't do this anymore. The constant arguing, the pain—it's been tearing us apart long before Ben came in the picture, and worse, it's been affecting my child mostly. We both know I only agreed to make this work because of our son, Michael. But look at us now, we're becoming more and more miserable."

"No, no..." Jim shook his head, suppressing the tears that threatened to come out. He let go of David's collar and adjusted it properly. "...I am not miserable. I am very happy. Don't you see how happy I am with you."

He got closer and wrapped his arm around David's neck, pulling him closer.

"Don't you see how much I love you?" He said desperately. "I don't want to lose you. Please, give me another chance. I'll do anything to make it right."

"No!" David took Jim's hands off him. "I've given you chances, and I've forgiven you more times than I can count, even when you cheated me and blamed it on me. But I can't keep living like this. It's not healthy for any of us." He took a deep breath. "I've already made my decision."

Suddenly, Jim's face contorted into a mask of rage and his gaze burned with an intensity that could scorch the earth. His fists clenched and his jaw tensed. He visibly shook in rage.

"You really do not know me, David!" He seethed. "You cannot tell me what I can and cannot do. You're my husband and I am not going to allow you to break up with me, our family, never! I will fight you to the last drop of my blood if I have to do it."

"Suit yourself! But nothing will make me change my mind." He had made his decision. "And from now on, I will be staying in Michael's room. I don't want you anywhere near him, otherwise, I don't know what I will do if you lay your hands on him. Don't push me, Jim!" He warned. "I have been nothing but patient with you. But you have exhausted my patience!"

"David, please..."

Before Jim could finish a sentence, David turned away and began rushing upstairs, leaving Jim shattered with a heart full of fear. Tears streamed down his face as he realized the gravity of David's decision.

"Mother!" He wailed as he stumbled towards Claudia who was equally shocked. "Please, talk to David. He can't say that to me, please. David cannot leave me... not now.... Not ever."

"Jim... I... I will talk to him." She stuttered. "But why did you have to do that? I have always told you that to get to David, you have to use Michael and look how you messed it all up."

"Please, help me!"

"Shhh..."

Claudia wrapped an arm around Jim, holding him before he dropped to his knees and cried like a baby. Although Claudia had told Jim she was gonna talk to David, she knew very well the outcome of it all. One thing was for sure, things were not what they seemed to be. And she was very scared.

***

Ben entered the huge office and couldn't help but be mesmerized by it. It had everything in it... it could easily pass for a small apartment. It didn't take him long before he saw the couple seated in the living area, waiting for him-Amber and Isaac. It was at Isaac's hospital and man, the guy's office was everything.

Ben's footsteps were heavy with exhaustion. His face looked a little pale and he had bags under his eyes. The past few days, he had been so occupied with trying to look for Dr. Peters that he hadn't had time to sleep. With each breath, he seemed to struggle, his shoulders slumped under the weight of his emotional fatigue. His movements were slow, as if every motion required an effort he could scarcely muster. As he approached his friends, their concerned gazes met his weakened one,

"Ben!" Amber rose from the couch and walked to him. "Hey, are you okay? You don't look so good."

"Yeah!" He smiled sheepishly.

"No!" Amber coiled her arm with his, leading him to the couch. "Take a seat. Do you need anything?"

"No!" He shook his head.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Isaac asked with concern. "You're at a hospital and I can quickly run some tests on you."

"I am fine!" He nodded. "I am just pretty tired. I only came here because you said that it's urgent."

"Yeah, had I known, I would have come to you instead." Amber said.

"Well, I am here already." Ben shrugged, chuckling softly. "What seems to be the matter?"

Isaac and Amber exchanged nervous looks before they took their focus on Ben.

"It's about you and David!" Isaac finally let out.

Ben winced at the mention of David, the pain still fresh in his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the memories that threatened to overwhelm him.

"David has been going through a lot lately." Amber chimed in. "Ever since..." She hesitated for a second before she continued. "...ever since you guys spent that night together, he seems so lost, so lonely. He's so overwhelmed with these memories that keep flooding his brain and he doesn't know what to do about them."