Page 84 of A Coffee Away

“You’re defending him?” Dad gritted his teeth. “He attacked me. He broke my fucking nose.”

I wished I could have seen that. “Probably what you deserved.” I raked my hair back. “That still doesn’t explain why he wasn’t at the hospital when I came out of the coma.”

“Your father got a restraining order after the attack.” Mom stared at her intertwined hands.

My blood went cold. “He what?”

Her glassy eyes met mine. “I told him not to do it. I’m so sorry.” She started crying.

My heart ached for her, but she didn’t stop him, so in my eyes, she was as guilty as him.

I faced my father. “How could you do this to me?” I grimaced. “How could you take him away from me?” Tears threatened to leave me, but I held them in. I had to be strong.

“You should have never met him.” Dad bared his teeth, holding his chin high. “I had to make things right.”

I clenched my jaw. “So when you found out I had amnesia, that I’d forgotten him, you took the opportunity to keep him secret. Did you think I’d never remember?”

Dad scowled. “I certainly hoped you wouldn’t.”

Adrenaline rushed through my body, and the pain that had consumed me just moments ago became something else. Something dark.

My parents. The ones who should love me no matter what tried to erase the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to me. In their mission to make me “normal,” they found in my amnesia a chance to make me someone new. The son they always wanted.

Who in their right mind would think it possible to change who a person was? What made me who I was couldn’t be forgotten. It was rooted in my nature. If there was one thing Esteban taught me, it was to love myself for who I was, and my parents hated him for it. And that I would never forgive.

Before I knew it, I’d grabbed my father’s collar and yanked him to me. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

Dad stiffened. He shuffled back to escape my grip, but I held him tight.

“I’m tired of your bullshit.” I shoved him away, and he fell on the sofa.

“Please, Robbie. Calm down. He’s your father!” Mom pleaded in vain.

“I won’t!” My voice cracked. “You’re supposed to be the two people who love me no matter what. To be happy for me. But you left me. You abandoned me. And for what?” My breathing was fast, and my chest was about to explode. “You will tell me all that happened while I was out. And you will answer for all that you did. I’m done with your shit.”

Dad fixed his collar. “You will show some respect. We’re still your parents.”

“Robbie?” Mom stood. “The restraining order was revoked two weeks ago. Esteban called right away.”

Father frowned at her.

I ignored him and approached her. “Do you know why he hasn’t told me who he is?”

Mom’s eyes were glazed. “Because he’s waiting for you to remember him.” Her voice broke. “The doctor told us you needed to remember on your own. I guess she told him too.” She held my hand. “I’m sorry. Before the order, he never left your side, nor did your friends. I should have never doubted your love.”

My heart melted at her words. I squeezed her hand.

“Viviana! What the fuck are you saying?” Dad flushed red. The veins popped at his temple.

Mom faced him. “I’m doing what’s right. He’s our son.”

“You’re freaking unbelievable!” Dad grunted and went to the door. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

The apartment rumbled from the force as Dad flung the door closed.

“I’ll talk to him.” Mom gripped my hands. “Give him some time. Please forgive me.”

The tightness in my throat was hard to overcome, and all I could do was hug her. “We’ll find a way to work things out.” I held her at arm’s length. “I have one more question.”