Chapter 150 - The Light Returns (2/2)

Gabriel sits by the bed, facing his brother. He tries to smile, obviously trying to sense how to best proceed with this. Then he remembers the previous day's press conference—the principle of it. How he just tried to keep it as simple and truthful as possible. If there's anything his brother needs, it should be nothing but honesty. Brutal frankness. Mincing words wouldn't help.

”Miguel,” Gabriel begins, searching his brother's eyes. ”I knew you liked Claire. We had this little 'dance' with her before. I never really thought about it. Took it for granted. Maybe because I had this inappropriate sense of entitlement. That I was the one who sort of 'found' her, and who should naturally 'earn' her love in return. What I'm just trying to say is, I didn't realize until it was too late that your feelings for her were more real than I wanted to acknowledge.”

Miguel says nothing.

”But what Claire and I have is real. It has always been real, we just didn't realize it at first. I didn't realize it at first. You know that, don't you? I learned about what you tried to do. All the stalking, the inappropriate advances. You even tried to…I couldn't believe it at first. It didn't seem like something my own brother would do, especially to me or to the woman you knew belonged with me. It hurt me, Migs. Deeply.”

”I'm sorry,” Miguel mutters. He sniffles. He couldn't look at him. He touches the back of his bandaged head. ”Was that the reason for this accident?”

”You were very drunk that night, Miguel. I'm not sure if you remember, but we tried to speak with you. We were supposed to meet at lunch, do you remember?”

Miguel gazes at him blankly. ”When was that?”

Gabriel sighs. ”Don't worry about that. But the point is, you came to Claire's place, at The Residence, blind drunk. I came as fast as I could. Because I thought that was the right opportunity to talk to you. I just didn't realize how drunk you were. When I arrived, you were at the lounge with Claire, and the first thing I saw was…I saw you grabbing her. Right in the lounge. In the full view of some of the staff and…”

”Jesus…” Miguel squints. ”I did that?”

Gabriel nods calmly.

Miguel wipes his eyes with the back of his hand. And yet, the tears stream down his cheeks. ”My God! I was such a monster.”

”All I tried to do was take you off her,” Gabriel says. ”But maybe I was so nervous. Or angry. Or just in panic. But I yanked you out so hard that you bumped your head.” He sighs, weighing his next words. ”That's why we're here. I've been pulling my hair from regret and misery ever since. I couldn't accept that I hurt you. But I knew I wouldn't have been in that position if I didn't see what was happening, what you were trying to do. All this conflict was tearing me apart, Migs. Tell me what I must do to put an end to this?”

Miguel keeps sobbing into his fist quietly. Gabriel is teary-eyed as well. He puts his arms around his brother. ”I'm sorry, man,” Gabriel says. ”But I love Claire. I love her so much. I don't know what to do. I remember what you did for me years ago, when you made that sacrifice so I could be with Michelle. But I don't know. I couldn't do it for you this time, knowing now that Claire returns my feelings.”

”Does she love you truthfully without a shadow of a doubt?” Miguel says. ”Because if she loves you as much as you love him, I will—”

”I love your brother without a shadow of a doubt, Migs,” says a voice. That sweet familiar voice that has haunted him all his nights.

Miguel looks up. His heart jumps in his ċhėst upon seeing that breathtaking vision: it's Claire, looking immaculate in a white dress, smiling at him.