Accepting a Loving Heart

Chapter 16: Reality

Vincent's POV

Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but smile to myself secretly. Luc made me feel like I was floating in air when I was with him. I couldn't help but think of how it felt like to have his strong arms around me. I wanted to return to his embrace quickly. But reality stopped me. I glanced at Max's sleeping face. As soon as I returned to his room, I had requested Rei to get me some clothes from home. He called someone and asked to bring my clothes and toiletries so that I could take a shower in Max's hospital room's bathroom.

As we waited, Rei asked me about my outing with Luc. I felt wary to speak to him about it but to my surprise, he told me that he supported me and Luc better than he supported me and his brother's pairing. I asked him what made him change his mind and he told me that I impacted Luc more positively than I did for his brother. He told me I brought out the better side of Luc when I was with Luc but that he didn't see any change in Ryuu when I was with Ryuu. He said he wanted his brother to be happy with whoever he ends up with and that he didn't think that person was me. I totally agreed with him. I wished Ryuu understood the same.

While we were talking, a nurse came in and informed Rei that Jenna was awake now. I looked alertly at Rei. When the nurse left, I asked Rei if I could meet Jenna and he gave me a worried look.

"Vince, you are not going to charge in and demand answers, are you?" He asked me.

"I just want to know what she knows about her kidnapper. I do care for Jenna too. She was good to Max in her way. I do want to know how she is doing." I told him.

"Seriously, if I were you, I would resent her for stealing my baby and taking away my right to be a parent." Rei said.

"Anyway, Alex would be by her side now. She is in room 213. You go and meet her. I will stay here and look after Max." Rei told me.

I nodded to him gratefully before going out in search for room 213. As Rei noted, I saw Alex talking to Jenna through the glass on the door of her room. Her husband was sitting beside her on the bed, holding her hand. I hesitated going inside for a long while because I wasn't sure how I would face Jenna. But the fact that Jenna might possess information vital to catching the culprit gave me the courage to go in.

Everyone glanced at me as I went in. Jenna's eyes became hostile as she looked at me. Alex sighed.

"Vince, this isn't a good time." He started as he touched my shoulder.

"I just want to check on Jenna." I told him.

"You don't have to check on me. You have done enough already. I don't want to have anything to do with you or your cursed family anymore." Jenna spat hatefully.

"Jenna.." I started warily but she raised her hand.

"Enough! Ever since you came to New York with Max, my life has been hell. First I got kidnapped by your gangster boyfriend and then now, I get kidnapped again over something to do with you. I don't want anything to do with you or Max anymore. Just stop your pretend kindness and disappear from our life already." She screamed at me.

Alex sighed at that. I stared at Jenna. She got in trouble with Luc because she was threatening me. If she hadn't been pursuing Max so doggedly, none of it would have happened. Perhaps I would even feel more sympathetic towards her if she was pursuing Max out of true love. But that wasn't the case. She wanted Max for the money she earned by looking after Max. I could tell from Jenna's expression that she wasn't willing to speak to me. But I needed to know the truth.

"Jenna, I just want to know how you got kidnapped. Were you pursuing Max despite knowing how dangerous it could be for you and your family?" I asked her and she glared at me.