Chapter 83

ALEXANDER

It constantly felt like one step forward and two steps back. Okay, maybe it had improved. Previously it was about one step forward, ten steps back. Now it was just a shuffle, back and forth, back and forth. Talia and I had made progress as a couple; we seemed to be back on track. Until, of course, my sister had rained on our parade.

And I was stumped.

As much as I wanted Sara gone now, and I didn’t care if I ever looked at her face again, I also knew she was right. My mother was very fragile at the moment. One step in the wrong direction and I wasn’t sure she’d survive. Finding out about my mate had already edged her in that direction.

“Alex!” my mom called out as soon as I entered her bedroom. I mindlinked the nurses to ask for privacy and closed the door as soon as they walked out.

“Mom, how are you?” I sat down at her bedside, taking her hand and kissing her on the forehead.

“Where have you been, honey?” she asked, searching my face. “I’ve been asking Sara and the nu