“How long was I in a coma?” Aurora asked Hudson. Hudson had received the information first and arrived before informing Cassius.
“Almost seven years, Auntie,” Hudson responded, his eyes teary. Joy coursed through every part of his being.
Though Aurora looked weak and lean, it seemed she was forcing herself to stay awake for Cassius.
“He’ll be here soon,” Hudson said, and just after his words, fast footsteps could be heard.
Cassius appeared at the entrance. His hair was a bit messy, his breath ragged as his eyes widened upon spotting her.
“Cash. My boy,” Aurora called, her eyes crinkling on one side as she smiled.
“Mom,” Cassius sighed in relief. He approached her, hoping it wasn’t a dream. He knelt before her, and her hand reached for his face.
“My king, you’ve grown so well,” she muttered, and he immediately hugged her, not too tight because of her condition.
“Thank you, Mom. Thank you for surviving,” he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.
“I am the strongest woman, remember? That’s what you used to call me,” she said, and he broke the hug to look at her.
“Do you feel any pain anywhere?” he asked, scrutinizing her.
“I only feel pain in my heart for making you worry.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you,” he said.
“I can’t believe seven years felt like yesterday. How’s Indigo and the others?”
“They are fine. They’ll come later. You need to rest,” Cassius said, and she nodded.
“I feel sleepy,” she touched his face again. “I’m glad to see you again, my king.”
The surname ‘King’ was given by her. Cassius never met his father; he didn’t know his name and didn’t care about it. His mother meant a lot to him.
—
Tatiana pressed her lips into a thin line as she stared at the award before her. Two great pieces of news on the same day.
Cassius’s mother was awake. Indigo had cried with joy when she heard the news about Aurora. Though no one could visit her until the next day, she needed rest.
Tatiana felt a bit nervous and happy at the same time. She was about to meet her mother-in-law. Not alone, but with a son.
Jolene and Dylan were busy checking out the news about Tatiana.
“Mom, you’re awesome!” Dylan exclaimed.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Tatiana chuckled. She stood. “Time for bed.”
Jolene stood. “I have to go, little lion. I’ll be back tomorrow.” She ruffled Dylan’s hair and kissed his cheek.
—
The next morning, Tatiana drove to the hospital. Her heart raced as she wondered if Cassius’s mother would like her.
“She is a jovial woman. Of course, she would like you,” Indigo said as they both stepped into the elevator with Dylan and Jolene.
“Uhm… what about Mr. Jaxon?” Jolene asked.
“He is still busy abroad, but he is returning today since Auntie is awake,” Indigo replied.
Aurora wanted Indigo to be Cassius’s bride. How would she feel if she found out the woman Cassius married was the daughter of the Wallingtons, who had hurt her?
‘You’re not a Wallington,’ Cassius’s voice rang in her head.
The door opened, and Tatiana’s eyes met the middle-aged woman eating. Cassius was accompanying her.
Her eyes widened upon spotting Indigo. “My daughter!”
“Auntie!” Indigo rushed to hug her gently. “I’m so happy you made it. Gosh, I was so worried.”
“Did you forget who I am?” The woman raised a brow.
“The strangest woman in the world,” they both chorused and chuckled.
“Cassius and I were discussing. He said he is married. I’m so happy for you, Indigo…”
“Mom, it’s not her,” Cassius corrected gently, his eyes locked with Tatiana, who stood frozen. He strode towards her and took her hand. Cassius winked at Dylan and took them both to Aurora.
“This is my wife, Tatiana King, and my son, Dylan King,” Cassius introduced, and Aurora’s mouth and eyes remained wide open.
Aurora’s eyes darted between Cassius, Tatiana, and Dylan. Her expression was a mix of confusion, shock, and delight.
“Oh dear heavens!” she exclaimed. “You have a wife and a son!”
Her eyes settled on Tatiana. “A beautiful wife,” then on Dylan, she exclaimed, “I have a grandson. Come here, sweetie.”
Dylan left Tatiana and walked towards Aurora. She held his round cheek.
“He is so adorable. Gosh, and he looks so much like you, Cash.”
“Hello. I’m Dylan, and I’m cute,” Dylan introduced, and Aurora burst into laughter.
Dylan said that on purpose. He remembered Tatiana’s words this morning: ‘You’re about to meet your grandmother. Make her smile.’
Aurora fell in love with Dylan immediately. She asked Tatiana to come closer too and hugged her.
They all chatted happily. Indigo was right; Aurora was jovial, which was why she was loved.
After several hours of staying with Aurora, Tatiana and the others left.
“You love her so much. She is a beauty,” Aurora said.
“Hm… I do.”
Aurora’s eyes saddened a little. “She’s a Wallington.”
Cassius nodded, not surprised his mother knew. “Not anymore. She’s not like them.”
“Yes. Now tell me how you both met,” Aurora smiled. “Give me all the details.”
“Don’t tease me, Mom.”
—
Tatiana stepped out of the mansion and found a strange girl in tattered clothes at the gate. She was trying to get in, but the guards were stopping her.
“You don’t understand, I need to see her! Do you know how hard it was to get here? Let me fucking in!” The young girl roared, trying to go in, but the guards held her back.
“Please, just a moment!” she cried out.
“Is everything alright?”
The girl’s head snapped towards Tatiana, and her eyes flashed with anger.
“You!” she roared and marched towards her. The guards held her back.
“You’re a monster, Tatiana! You’re fucking heartless!” the girl yelled.
Tatiana exhaled. A crazy fan? She began to take Dylan inside.
“Here you are fighting your way to fame while she suffered, Tatiana! She had been waiting for you! Hey!”
Tatiana sighed as she completely entered the mansion, though her mind lingered on the girl.
After putting Dylan to sleep, Cassius returned home. When Dylan had fallen asleep, Tatiana couldn’t help but frown, noticing how Cassius tried to hide his worried look.
“Is everything alright?” Tatiana asked.
“Everything is fine,” he whispered and gently placed her head on his chest.
When Tatiana fell asleep, Cassius gently climbed out of bed. He took his phone and headed to his study room.
Taking a deep breath, he recalled his mother’s words.
“Cash, you can’t be with her; she’s a Wallington. Even if I agree, your grandfather won’t. The human trafficking chain deals with marriage too. The Wallington family is involved, and our family cannot be part of such a disgusting thing. They’ll drag you into their crazy chain since you are married to their daughter. The only way to be with her is to destroy the human trafficking chain. I’ll talk to your grandfather. Do whatever he says.”
Cassius sighed and called his grandfather. The old man picked up almost immediately, and his voice sounded.
“Your mother talked to me, Cassius. Divorce her.”