CHAPTER 122: HE KNOWS

**OLIVER WEST**

I stared at the math textbook spread across Kieran’s desk, my pen moving steadily through the problems.

The shortcut Kieran had shown me earlier was actually working. Instead of getting lost in tricky steps, I could see the solution now.

My pen paused as I double-checked my answer. It matched the one in the back of the book.

"Yes!" My fist pumped into the air, I was finally getting it.

"Mom, your son isn’t a failure anymore!" I stretched on my seat, grinning at this victory. It wasn’t all about the promise Kieran made to me some hours ago.

"If you get at least a C in all your subjects, I’ll take you to that author meet and greet you’ve been obsessing over."

Yes, the thought of meeting my favourite comic writers made my heart race with excitement, but it was nothing compared to the imagined look of pride on Mom’s face when I would finally become successful.

I flipped to the next Chapter, feeling more motivated and more motivated, but as I settled back into studying, my mind wandered to something that had been bothering me all day.

Xander.

He’d completely ignored me during every class we shared. No attempts to talk, no rescheduling our tutoring session, nothing. He hadn’t even looked in my direction. After weeks of being so persistent, the sudden distance today felt kind of strange.

My pen stilled on the page as an unwelcome thought crept into my head. What if Kieran had done something after all? What if his calm acceptance of Xander’s visit hadn’t been maturity, but confidence that Xander wouldn’t be a problem anymore?

I shook my head, trying to push the suspicion away but the doubt sat heavy in my chest as I tried to refocus on my notes. My mouth felt dry, so I reached for my water flask, only to find it empty.

I sighed and headed downstairs to refill it.

The living room was dimly lit when I passed through, but movement on the couch caught my attention. Mrs. Morrison was lying there, struggling to sit up. A medical drip stand stood beside her, the IV line attached to her hand.

She was reaching for something on the coffee table, her face tight with effort and pain.

"I will get that!" I rushed over, immediately helping her reach the small medicine package she’d been grasping for.

"Thank you, Oliver," she breathed.

I quickly got her a glass of water from the kitchen and helped her take her pills. Her hands shook slightly as she swallowed them, and my chest tightened with concern.

"There," she said softly, settling back against the cushions. Her sad eyes flickered with warmth as she looked at me. "The house has been too quiet today. Would you sit with me for a while?"

I perched on the edge of the armchair observing her with thoroughness. "Are you okay? Should I call someone?"

She waved a dismissive hand at the IV stand. "Don’t mind this dramatic setup. I’m fine, really. I just got a bit stressed today and my blood pressure spiked. Nothing serious."

But she didn’t look fine. Her skin was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes that spoke of sleepless nights and worry.

"Kieran almost came today," I said gently when it became silent between us. "When he heard you were awake, I could see the relief on his face. I think that the only thing that stopped him from rushing over was knowing you were out of danger. Otherwise, he would have driven to the hospital"

Her eyes filled with hope first, then tears. "I shouldn’t have disturbed him with that call. I was just too panicked. I know that it’s already too late to bridge the gap between us. What I did... It’s unforgivable. I failed him as a parent"

"Never say never," I said firmly when I saw regret dancing in her eyes once more. "You don’t know what the future holds."

She smiled sadly but didn’t seem convinced. After a moment, I gathered the courage to ask what I’d been wondering about.

"How is he? Your husband?"

Her shoulders slumped, and the weariness returned to her expression in full force.

"His condition got worse. The surgery has been postponed until he stabilizes. The doctors say..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

My heart sank. This was so much worse than I’d imagined.

She reached out and took my hands, squeezing gently. "You don’t know how much it means to me that you’re with my son. It lessens my worry so much."

I stared at her, seeing the genuine gratitude in her eyes.

"You kept your promise of taking care of him. He’s happy with you. I’m so relieved."

She released my hands and sank further into the couch cushions. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she focused on something behind me. A small sound escaped her mouth, somewhere between a gasp and a name.

I turned around, my heart slamming against my chest.

Kieran stood in the doorway, staring at us both. His face was a mask of cold fury, and his grey eyes were harder than I’d ever seen them.

How much of our conversation had he heard?

From his expression, it was enough.

When he stepped into the living room, my heart completely stilled. He didn’t glance at his mother at first - that intense stare had me pinned in place like a butterfly on display.

Confusion. Hurt. Anger. Betrayal. I could see all of it burning in those familiar gazes that had looked at me so tenderly just hours ago.

"What does it mean? What were you both talking about?" His gaze flickered between his mother and me, demanding answers.

"When did you come in?" His mother spoke, forcing a shaky smile that fooled no one. Kieran’s expression didn’t soften - if anything, it grew darker.

"I’m asking what all of that meant. Your husband is having surgery in a few days?" The bitter edge in his voice filled the room with tension so thick I could barely breathe.

He didn’t even refer to him as his father, but rather, his mother’s husband.

"Kieran..." his mother started.

"I’m asking you something!" The words exploded out of him, and my body trembled where I sat. I’d seen Kieran angry before, but never like this. Never this raw, this devastated.