Chapter 20 Guilt

"We thought that we had spoiled our kid's life here by blackmailing him to marry. But who would have thought that he would change overnight" there comes the over- dramatic Frank gasping louder than expected.

"If someone is as pretty as Clara, I am sure no Alex can stay aloof" Grace added with a giggle. Alex rolled his eyes at their teasing but he sat there not at all disturbed by their teasing.

"Omg. Brother in home before 7? Am I dreaming?" Edward too joined the trope as Alex gave a chilling stare to his brother but who cares?

"He even called me today to ask about what I packed for Clara?" That was the only thing left. Alex looked at his sister wide-eyed at the pure lie she just said.

"I just asked if you know where she is working.?" Alex replied, annoyed with Rose.

"I guess that alone was a lie. Dad and grandma's statements have a point and you don't have a problem with that?" Rose replied crossing her arms and at this point, Alex wished he never come home earlier.

"Eddy, what do you think of my brother now?" Rose asked Edward as he thought harder.

"Karma is a bitch. Brother made numerous girls wait for him and here he is waiting for the girl who is his wife." Edward laughed out loudly as Alex threw a sofa pillow to his side with a yell. Edward dodged it as the pillow hit the face of the person who was the talk of the show.

Clara was shocked as the pillow hit her face harder and she stumbled back a little with its force.

"You idiot. Who asked you to move?" That was the dumbest statement ever made by anyone. The fact that it was said by Alex made it even worse in the silent hall. Edward gawked at his brother for such accusations.

"Are you fine, dear?" Grace asked Clara.

"Yes. Thanks" Clara replied with a soft smile. The fact that someone is asking her if she is fine makes her think that she is home after a long time.

"Dinner time," Edward exclaimed, helping his brother to not get another round of teasing. Alex thanked him silently as they all moved to the dining table.

"Sister" Clara stood there frozen, hearing the voice.

"Paxton?" She turned abruptly as she ran to his side to grab him for a long hug. It's been just a week but felt like a decade since she got away from her brother.

"You forgot me" he was crying, holding his tears silently and everyone could see the maturity in his manners. How can a small kid be so thoughtful?

"I didn't want to disturb you. You should get used to being alone there" Clara whispered in his ears and he knew that reason. But he can't just help missing her.

"What is this?" Clara asked, shocked to see a wound in his knee. The wound looked so similar that sent chills to her veins. No that can't be Elena. Can she?

"I fell over the hot food" The reasons he gave were the exact reasons she used to give whenever she got hurt by Elena. Clara gripped his hands harder in fear as Elena entered the home behind with a smirk.

"My lovely granddaughter." She grabbed Clara and hugged her as Clara stood there frozen to see her there late at night.

"How was the Faywalk?" The moment she asked, Clara knew what made Paxton bear this punishment. Tears formed in her eyes for the first time in front of Elena. Did she make Paxton's life just like hers?

"It's just the beginning, dear. You will get more happiness which you deserve " Elena spoke with underlying threat as Clara lowered her eyes in reflex. She doesn't want anyone to find out about this. She can't afford to ruin Paxton's life.

"Join us for dinner. If I knew that you would come, we would have prepared a grand dinner." Grace broke their moment as she instructed them to the dining area. Elena gaped at the dining area alone. Did Clara hit the jackpot which was supposed to be enjoyed by Elsa?

Clara sat there beside Alex who noticed her timid features. Why did she seem to be nervous? The food arrived there grabbing their attention.

"Wow, spicy chicken. My Clara loved this always." Elena purposely said as Clara stiffened in her position. One full week she had good food and again Elena came there to remind her that nothing can be peaceful in her life.

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Rose served red-coloured gravy with chicken pieces on her plate and Clara was contemplating on how to avoid those. She can't cry in pain again after having spicy food. Her doctor strictly restricted her from having anything spicy because of her ulcer.

"Are you not feeling good?" Alex asked and that's it. Everyone looked at Clara and noticed her tensed face. Elena though liked the effect of her arrival, hated how Alex could find it easily when her own father had never found them.

"Excuse me. As it was the first day, I wanted to celebrate it with someone special today" Clara spoke as she clumsily stood up and now everyone is curious to know who might be the special person.

"Thanks for coming. I wish I could stay longer. But I had planned them earlier. So, I can't cancel it." Clara took courage at last to tell them. She can't stay even a second more there. Elena was damn angry with her clear escape. She should beg for forgiveness. But she is giving another reason for Elena to hurt her more.

"Someone special?" Rose asked as Clara stood there with a blank face. She can't just say Jason's name. Things could get a worse turn.

"Would you like to come with me tonight?" Clara asked Alex who was as shocked as the others. Clara knew that if it was Alex, Elena couldn't do anything. But his silence made her feel so startled. What if he denies it?

"We are here because Paxton missed you so much. Guess we must leave now" Elena's words easily put Clara in a bad light.

"We will get Paxton with us. If you don't mind, I will send Paxton tomorrow" Alex's words put a full stop to the plans of Elena as she is not at all pleased with his interruptions.

Clara thanked Alex for the nth time in her mind and she felt like she was being protected under Alex's shield. If she told him everything about Elena, would he help her to come out from her clutches?

"I am excited to see what plans you are having for me" Alex whispered to Clara with a smile as she looked on, shocked by his words. She didn't plan anything. What will she tell him? But that's not the problem now.

"Let the kids have fun. I will come some other day" Elena knew to maintain her image. She politely refused to have dinner and left the place not before giving a warning look to Clara.

A clear warning to stay within her limits. Clara clutched her purse in reflex. She shouldn't have gone to Faywalk. What will happen now? Looking at Paxton, she was so guilty.

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Clara entered the car with Paxton in the back seat and Alex sat next to Clara not wanting to be acting as driver for both. The driver came running to his car to take them.

"Where should I take it?" the driver asked as Clara looked at them.

"I didn't prepare any reservations. I just wanted to have dinner outside. So" Clara blurted out honestly as Alex chuckled at the girl. She is really a mysterious girl for sure.

"Take us to Grand Paradise," Alex ordered his driver as Clara relaxed. But now she wants to talk to her brother alone about the issues he is facing there. Reaching the restaurant all came outside and Alex didn't leave a second for them to talk.

"Mr. Alex. I want to ask my sister about something personal. So, I would appreciate it if you go and place some order before we join you" Alex looked at the ten-year-old kid who was not at all looking like one. Paxton raised his eyebrows showing that he was indeed serious while he said those.

"Is it about me?" Alex asked the little kid.

"Of course, I need to know if you are treating my sister like how I asked you." Paxton is not at all intimidated by Alex, the same as Clara. Both the siblings are exactly the same and not at all like Elsa and Alina.

"As if you can do anything if she says otherwise" Alex replied with a scoff, making Paxton glare at him.

Alex smiled and walked forward giving them enough space. Honestly, he liked how they were very honest in their opinions. They fear no one in the world.

"Are you all right?" Clara hugged her brother once Alex was not in their sight. She sobbed slightly as she touched the burnt mark.

"Finally, I understood" Paxton spoke after a long gap.

"That's why didn't you take father's help every time Miss. Elena tortures you" The moment Paxton told those; Clara felt a heavy weight in her chest constricting to a large pain. He must have felt so lonely.