THE ALPHA'S VIRGIN SLAVE: Submit Alpha Ian's curse - Chapter 344: Chapter 344

Tanya's POV
I parked the car outside the apartment and came out feeling annoyed at the sound of my mother's voice.
She grabbed and pulled me into her arms while sobbing.
I looked ahead and noticed August standing at the doorstep looking at us.
"Honey, are you hurt anywhere? Were you threatened or robbed?" She asked after she had pulled back and moved her hands to my cheeks to look at me.
"I wasn't attacked, you know. If I was, I couldn't have been walking. No one in their right mind would ever let me take the car if they were robbing, too," I pointed out the obvious.
"Teresa, I think you should let her come in first," August said.
"I will, babe. I just stopped her for a second because I was very worried," she answered as I glared at her.
Babe! Why was she calling him that now? I was so annoyed at her as my heart ached.
"Step out of my way, mother. I want to rest; you are becoming a nuisance," I said coldly as she dropped her hands.
"Tanya, why are you talking to me like this? Did I offend you that much when I asked you to go back to your dad's?" she asked in a low tone.
"Yes! You did. Can you stop pretending to worry and care about me? Like when were you ever truly there when I needed you, huh? The so-called abusive man you ran away from is who you pushed me to, all because you couldn't spare time from your precious work. Do you take me for a kid you could buy a few gifts for and think I would smile? You suck, Teresa!" I screamed, then held in my breath and quickly closed my eyes when she raised her hand.
I was expecting my face to sting, but when a few seconds went by without anything happening, I opened my eyes.
August stood behind her with his hand on her arm.
"I know you are upset with her, Teresa, but slapping her will only make things worse between you two," he whispered softly.
"Oh, please, you quit trying to interfere in our talk, August. I can't believe you want to take her side over..."
"Shut up!" He yelled at me as I instantly kept quiet.
"Have some respect," he warned me, then dropped his hand.
"You were wrong to leave without saying anything to your mother, so yes, she has all the right to be worried about you. Her asking you if you were okay is what a mother in their right mind would do. Although I wasn't there in the past, I heard it all from her. Your father was abusive, but he went to rehab and changed for the best in a few years. He did what most people failed to do, and I'm sure all these years he has loved and cared for you correctly. Has he ever hit you or verbally abused you?" He asked as I lowered my gaze to the ground.
"No, right? He raised you right because he was the one capable of taking good care of you. Your mother couldn't be with you back then because she couldn't afford to give you a comfortable life. Your father comes from a rich family and he had his very own assets. While he made sure your mother couldn't work, he also made her too dependent on him. Her giving you away was hard but the only thing she could do," he said as tears filled my eyes.
"When she was stable enough, she wanted to take you back, but she couldn't because she was afraid of disturbing your studies and taking you away from your friends. She was very considerate of you and she cried to me a few times because of the guilt that she felt. She also made sure her apartment was comfortable enough for you. I mean, when she showed me the room you usually used, I laughed because it was lacking. She too felt that way, that's why we had to redecorate it together to make it comfortable for you,I mean when she showed me the room you usually used, I laughed because it was lacking. She too felt that way, that's why we had to redecorate it together to make it comfortable for you," he said as a tear rolled down my cheek.
I knew everything he was saying was the truth, and I loved my mother a lot. But seeing her act all nice to him and call him sweet names made my heart ache badly.
"I'm so sorry, Mom. I just wanted to stay here for as long as I can. I know that I am messed up and selfish for hurting you, but I was just so scared of leaving. The thought of being far away from you was hurting me," I cried as I looked at August, hoping he understood that some of my words were meant for him.
"Honey, all you have to do is say the word. I was so concerned about you staying here alone while I go on business trips. Also, I couldn't bring myself to ask you to leave your college friends behind just because I wanted us to live together. But if you truly wanted to badly stay with me,You could have just sat me down and explained how you felt. I will talk to my boss and not travel, so you can stay here, okay?" she said.
"Thank you," I whispered and then hugged her as she hugged me back.
"We will have to call your father because I know he is very worried. Also, this should be the last time you talk to me in such a way and bring the past into our present," she said and then pulled back and looked at me.
"If your father was here, he would be so heartbroken with your words. He made a few mistakes in the past, but he made sure to change for the better and tried his best for you and himself. We may not be together, but I trust him completely and I am proud of him. He has worked hard and raised you perfectly. Although we didn't share custody, he filled my spot. I am at fault too for my actions, and I won't make excuses. I just want you to be happy, and if being with me is what makes you happy, then you will," she said.
I smiled and then looked at August seriously.
"You are right, I am so sorry," I apologized.
"It's alright, honey. I forgive you," she answered.
"Mom, I hated your past boyfriends a lot, but he seems different. You are actually very lucky to have August in your life," I said as she smiled widely.
"Are you accepting him as your stepfather?" she asked excitedly.
"Mother, don't push your luck," I answered and then walked past her.
"Come on, just say that you do," she said as I laughed softly.
If only she knew how I felt. She couldn't even ask me such a question.