Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Ch 43: Maybe it is her fault
“So, Mom, when can I anticipate your return? I’ll set up a cosy nest in my room, and we can enjoy the entire day together. We’ll have a blast and-”

Suzie was busy planning the next day, but Alpha Goodwill needed it.

‘How often do I need to tell Suzie before she gets what I tell her? I wish she were more like Rika in this regard. How did only one of my children turn out to be understanding?’

The alpha sighed before she cut Suzie off in the middle.

“I told you, Suzie. I am busy, and I will not be returning tonight or tomorrow. I will not have time to spend with you for a while either. So don’t expect my company for some time.”

The call fell silent as soon as the older alpha spoke these words.

Suzie breathed sharply from the other side of the phone before her tear-filled voice returned.

“This is not fair! Could you please tell me why you’re doing this to me? You no longer love me! Is that it? Fine! I don’t want to talk to you either until you apologise.”

Alpha Goodwill was sure her daughter threw her phone on the bed and ran out of the room. That was something she could imagine because she had seen it before.

Mark picked up the phone when Suzie left and sounded angry.

“Was it necessary to say no to Suzie, Mom? You know how fragile she is. She might take this as rejection. Just come back and apologise to her. I will help you as much as I can-”

“Mark, stop treating Suzie like a little kid. She must grow up and learn that things will not always go her way. Also, I need to find Rika for now. I want to make sure that she is alright.”

Alpha Goodwill somehow kept her temper in check, but it was a close thing. Even she was surprised at how much patience she was exercising right now.

But Mark and Suzie were making it difficult for her to remain calm.

“What’s the big deal anyway? Rika has Emily and Damian to take care of her. However, Suzie only has our family. You should be putting her first since she is your daughter and-”

“Rika is my daughter as well. And right now, she might need me more than Suzie. Also, Mark, you went off all this time about how Suzie needed me, but you never talked about Rika. Do you even consider her as your family?”

Alpha Goodwill asked, and Mark was instantly defensive about his relationship with Rika.

“Of course, I consider Rika as family. But what does that-”

“Then, act like that and be more concerned about her. But I won’t force you to do what you do not want to. Good night.”

“Mom, wait-”

Alpha Goodwill cut the phone off with a sigh.

She knew there was discord between her three children, but she never realised how much of a bias she and her family had toward Rika.

Even now, her instincts told her to go and make up with Suzie.

Her mind knew Rika should be her priority, but her instincts continued tugging her toward her youngest omega child.

Something about Rika has always felt weird and unnatural to Alpha Goodwill, and she cannot shake off this feeling even now.

“Fuck it. I need to listen to my mind anyway. I will find a way to make up with Suzie later.”

…

“Suzie, come out from under the table. I am sure that Mom did not mean what she said. She will come and make up with you soon.”

Mark looked at his sister, who was hiding under the table.

It was easy for him to reach out and drag her out, but he did not want to.

He wanted Suzie to come out independently and talk to him about what she wanted.

“I-I, this is not fair! Rika can take care of herself just fine! Why does she need her mother to be with her? Is she going to take Mommy away from me? I don’t want that.”

Suzie cried like a child, and Mark felt his heart soften at the sight of her tears.

“It is nothing like that, Suzie. Mom will always care about you and come back for you. It’s just…Rika is in a bit of trouble this time. Why don’t you forget about it and come out? I will give you something sweet to eat if you come out.”

Mark extended his hand toward Suzie, but she did not take it. Instead, she curled up more and looked desperate.

“No! I want Mommy right now! It would be best if you did not come close to me. Just go and get mommy right now.”

Suzie complained as she continued to yell.

No matter how patient Mark was or how much he loved Suzie, his patience was limited.

He ended up yelling at her in his rage.

“Stop playing around and pay attention, Suzie. You need to accept that Mom will not be returning home. And if you continue to be like this, I will also return to my room.”

It went deadly silent after Mark said that.

He instantly regretted his words, but it was too late to take them back.

Suzie looked heartbroken at what she just heard, and big tears filled her eyes.

“Y-You idiot! Please don’t talk to me ever again. Just go away now! This is all Rika’s fault. She took Mom away, and now you are taking her side as well. I do not want to talk to you.”

Suzie complained, and Mark wanted to assure her that this was not Rika’s fault.

After all, Rika did not ask to be kidnapped.

‘But maybe she did ask to be kidnapped to gain Mom’s attention. After all, she has done many things to get Mom to look at her. So, this is Rika’s fault after all.’

The seed of doubt had been planted in Mark’s head and continued to bloom after that.