The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 80: Family call

Chapter 80: Family call

Feeling the weight of the poignant moment in Abby’s father’s room, Remo’s thoughts drifted to his own relationship with his father. With a heavy heart, he pulled out his phone and dialed the familiar number, the anticipation of the conversation sending a shiver down his spine.

After a few rings, his father’s voice crackled through the line, tinged with surprise and perhaps a hint of apprehension. "Remo? Is that you?"

Remo swallowed hard, the words caught in his throat as he struggled to find the right response. "Hey, Dad," he managed to say, his voice strained with emotion.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken chasm. Remo could sense his father’s curiosity, his unspoken question hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

"It’s been a while since we talked," his father finally said, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and longing.

Remo felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest, a painful reminder of the distance that had grown between them over the years. He had always been more comfortable expressing his love through actions rather than words, but now, faced with the reality of their strained relationship, he realized the depth of his own indifference.

"Yeah, it has," Remo replied, his voice heavy with regret. "I’m sorry, Dad. I should’ve called more often."

His father’s response was measured, a quiet acceptance tinged with the weight of unspoken hurt. "It’s okay, Remo. I know you’re busy with your own life."

But Remo could hear the sadness lurking beneath his father’s words, the longing for connection that had gone unfulfilled for far too long.

His father’s voice softened as he spoke about his visit with Remo’s sister and her children, the warmth of family bonds evident even through the phone line.

"I’m here with your sister and the kids," his father said, a note of pride in his tone. "They’ve grown so much since the last time you saw them."

Remo listened intently, his heart swelling with a mixture of longing and regret. He had missed out on so much—birthdays, holidays, milestones that had slipped through his fingers like grains of sand. But now, as he listened to his father’s words, he realized that there was still time to reconnect, to forge new memories and rebuild the bridges that had been left in ruins.

"That sounds wonderful, Dad," Remo replied, genuine warmth coloring his words. "I’m glad you’re all together."

There was a moment of silence, a shared understanding passing between them—a recognition of the unspoken truths that lingered beneath the surface. Remo’s heart ached with the weight of missed opportunities, but he also felt a glimmer of optimism, a belief that it was never too late to mend what had been broken.

"I miss you, son," his father said, his voice tinged with emotion.

Remo’s throat tightened at the sincerity in his father’s words, the depth of his longing echoing through the miles that separated them. "I miss you too, Dad," he replied, his voice thick with unshed tears.

A moment later, Remo’s sister’s voice replaced their father’s on the other end of the line, her tone a playful mix of affection and mock indignation.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the elusive Remo," she teased. "Long time no hear, big brother. Do you even remember what I sound like?"

Remo chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth at the familiar banter. "Of course, I remember. How could I forget my favorite sister’s voice?"

His sister responded with a dramatic gasp. "Favorite? Well, I guess that makes up for the fact that you never call or visit. Seriously, Remo, you’re the worst at keeping in touch."

The light-hearted reproach tugged at Remo’s heart, a reminder of the relationships he had let slip through the cracks of his busy life. He took a deep breath, the weight of responsibility settling over him.

"You’re right, and I’m sorry," Remo admitted, his tone earnest. "I’ve been caught up in work, but that’s no excuse. I’ll make more of an effort, I promise."

His sister’s playful demeanor softened into a more genuine warmth. "We miss you, Remo. The kids keep asking when Uncle Remo is coming to visit again."

A pang of guilt gripped Remo as he imagined the disappointment in his niece and nephew eyes. "Tell them Uncle Remo will make it up to them. I’ll plan a visit soon."

His sister laughed, the sound a melody of understanding and acceptance. "You better, or they might stage a rebellion. Take care, big brother. Don’t be a stranger."

Remo couldn’t help but inject a playful note into the conversation, trying to lighten the mood. "So, Beatrix, are those husbands of yours taking good care of you, or do I need to come over there and beat their asses?"

His sister laughed, a sound filled with familiarity and affection. "Oh, Remo, you’ve always been the protective big brother. But don’t worry, they’re doing just fine in the ’taking care of me’ department. You might have to find another reason to play the tough guy."

Remo joined in her laughter, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "Well, as long as they know that I’m watching," he replied, his tone light but filled with the underlying sentiment of a brother who cared deeply for his sister.

With a warmth in his heart from the conversation with his sister, Remo bid her farewell, "Love you, Bea. Take care."

As he hung up the call, a smile lingered on his lips, his spirit lifted by the connection with his family. However, his joy was short-lived as he looked up and found Abby standing in front of him, her eyes clouded with hurt and suspicion.

The hurt in Abby’s eyes pierced through Remo’s joy like a sharp blade. He felt a pang of guilt, realizing that she must have misunderstood the situation, assuming he was talking to another woman.

"Abby, it’s not what you think," Remo began, his voice tinged with urgency as he tried to explain.

But Abby’s expression remained guarded, her walls rising higher with each passing moment. "Save it, Remo," she retorted, her voice laced with a bitterness that cut through the air like a cold wind. "I saw the way you smiled after that call. I know you were talking to someone important."