Page 92 of Tell Me Everything
Maura burst into tears. Alex felt his heart drop. Elena had decided to face her demons, just as he had done earlier. She had made her choice. Alex was her choice. He'd never thought it possible to feel as miserable as he did now. The person he loved most had risked her life to be free. To be with him. Maura looked up at him.
“Alex, why would my daughter do this?”
“She wants to be happy.”
***
Lexi paused in his doorway.
“There's someone at the door for you.”
Alex’s heart raced. Was it Elena? Had she finally woken up? Lexi shook her head, a sad look on her face. She, too, was waiting for news on her condition. When he'd gone to the hospital, Elena had been unconscious. Maura had forced him to go home,promising to call as soon as she woke up. He'd insisted on staying, but she hadn't let him.
Alex went to the front door. One look at the person standing there, and he shook his head, ready to close it.
“Wait!” Kelsey begged, taking a step towards him.
Alex crossed his arms; he’d never liked her. That pest had made Elena so sad. He didn't want to waste his time with her. Especially not now.
“Please, at least tell me how she's doing.”
Worry distorted her harmonious face. For an egocentric bitch, she sure looked bad. Alex looked over her shoulder and noticed Tiago waiting in his car. Alex had wondered for months what he saw in her. He loved one-night stands and easy relationships, and yet Kelsey had been with him for ages. Alex didn’t get it. She was shallow and selfish, the exact opposite of Elena. Sweet, sweet Elena. His eyes burned, and he took a deep breath. Tiago nodded encouragingly. Alex rolled his eyes, then stepped aside. Kelsey widened her eyes, but hurried into the house before he could change his mind.
They settled on the sofa, and Alex waited for her to talk. Her presence alone put him on edge.
“How's Lena?”
“She looks like someone who almost got killed by her own father. How do you think she's doing?”
Kelsey's hands trembled. When she realized Alex was watching her, she hid her hands between her thighs.
“What happened? Frank's always been crazy, but he never tried to kill her before.”
Alex huffed.
“You seem strangely shaken for someone who willingly let her best friend down in a situation like this.”
Kelsey’s eyebrows went up. He wasn't going to spare her. She deserved someone to give her a piece of mind.
“You show up here whining supposedly because you're worried about her, but where were you when she needed you most? Don't think I didn't see how you treated her. When she was at her lowest, you let her down because it was the easiest thing to do.”
Kelsey shook with sobs, and her face twisted. Suddenly, there was nothing cute or harmonious about her face anymore.
“You're right. I was awful.”
Alex had to strain his ear to understand what she was saying, she was crying so hard. Was she having regrets?
“I was so hurt that I ignored Elena's feelings, even when I knew she needed me. I was mean and selfish, and I’m sorry. She didn't deserve that.”
“Then why did you leave?”
Huh. She cared for Elena in her own weird, unhealthy way.
“She looked too much like Mick.”
“You... resented her because she looks like her brother?”
It was twisted. Like, really twisted. Alex was speechless. Elena really knew how to surround herself with peculiar people.
