MATILDA’S POV.
“Say something, Matilda.” Tessy said. “It’s so unusual for you to be this quiet or should we blame it on the hormones?” She teased.
I wasn’t in the mood to play around with her, so I just sighed.
Tessy tilted her head, studying me with those sharp, inquisitive eyes of hers. “Alright, what’s wrong? And don’t even think about saying ‘nothing.’ I’ve known you too long for that nonsense.”
I looked at her for a moment, debating if I should even bother sharing. Tessy had a way of prying into things, and once she started, there was no stopping her. But I also knew she meant well.
“It’s just…” I started, then stopped, unsure of how to put the words together.
“Just what?” she pressed, leaning forward like she was gearing up for some juicy secret. “Don’t tell me this is about Arlan, I thought you two were in a good place?”
“So did I?” I replied. “I thought it was just a matter of time before I turn his heart towards me completely, who knows he would…” I paused, unsure if I should be having the conversation with her.
Tessy widened her eyes. “Would do what?”
I waved my hand in the air. “Never mind, it’s nothing.”
“Come on,” she urged me. “We both know it’s something eating you up.”
I shook my head. “Tessy, just leave it. I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
She stared at me for a moment, then leaned back with a sigh. “Fine. I won’t push. But I don’t want to see you looking this down, Matilda. It’s not you.”
I didn’t say anything, just kept my gaze fixed on the coffee table.
“Alright,” Tessy said, clapping her hands together. “Get up. We’re going shopping.”
I frowned. “I’m not in the mood to shop, Tessy.”
She smirked. “Who said we’re shopping for you?”
I raised a brow, curious despite myself.
“Christmas is tomorrow,” she said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “We’re shopping for the baby. The baby deserves his or her first Christmas gifts, don’t you think?”
For the first time since Tessy walked in, I smiled. “You’re impossible, you know that?” I told her.
“And you love me for it,” she shot back, already grabbing her bag.
“How do you buy Christmas gifts for a child that is not here yet?” I asked.
“You watch me.” She replied, waiting for me to get up but I didn’t. She walked towards and placed her hand on my tummy. “Dear godchild, your mom is stopping me from doing my duties to you, I hope you don’t blame me for not getting you what you like?”
I bursted out laughing. “Tessy, can you stop the drama already?”
“Then come with me.” She winked at me.
As I stood, I hesitated for a moment. Then, with a faint laugh, I said, “I hope he doesn’t take my place in your heart when he arrives.”
Tessy froze for a second, then her eyes lit up like fireworks. “It’s a boy?”
I nodded, and she let out a little squeal, pulling me into a hug. “Oh my God! My godson! I’m going to spoil him rotten, Matilda, you just wait!”
Her excitement was infectious, and I found myself chuckling as she helped me up.
“Speaking of spoiling,” Tessy went on, practically skipping toward the door. “There’s this new collection of the Batman series I’ve been eyeing. I have to get it for him. He’s going to love it! Well, I’ll love it, but that’s close enough.”
I laughed, the heaviness in my chest lifting just a little. Tessy had a way of making the world feel lighter, even if only for a moment.
MARY’S POV.
I stretched my body, but froze when I realized I wasn’t alone. Sitting up quickly, I spotted Evan, his big brown eyes fixed on me.
“How long have you been sitting there, watching me sleep?” I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“I saw you were tired,” he said with a slur in his words. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “So, instead of waking me, you decided to stare at me? What if I didn’t wake up on time, do you intend watching me all day?” I asked. “You should have woken me if you came in. What brings you here?”
Evan looked away, I could tell he was struggling with whatever he wanted to say.
I cleared my throat, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Alright, what’s on your mind?”
He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “When is Dad coming back?”
The question hit me harder than I expected. I took his small hands in mine, holding them gently. “Alex will be back soon,” I said.
“Will he be back for Christmas?” Evan’s eyes searched mine, so full of hope it nearly broke my heart.
I squeezed his hands and forced a reassuring smile. “I don’t know, sweetheart. But what I do know is that he’ll come back home. I’m sure of it.”
Evan nodded, though his face fell a little. “Okay,” he said softly.
“So the one you were really worried about is your dad and not me?” I asked him. “Mummy is tired as well.” I feigned looking weak.
“What do you want me to do?” He asked innocently.
“What about giving me a hug?” I asked and pulled him into a hug, brushing a kiss against his forehead. “This is so refreshing.” I hugged him tighter.
Pulling out of the hug. “How about pancakes for breakfast?”
He nodded. “Anything is fine.”
I gave him a funny look. “Don’t tell me you’re fine with anything when I’m offering you your favourite food.”
“I… I have something to ask.” Evan managed to say.
Whatever it is, I instinctively knew it was something serious. “Go ahead.” I urged him.
“Mom, did you hurt daddy the way you hurt Saraya?” He asked.
My heart raced at his question, nothing would’ve prepared me for that question. “What do you mean by that?” I asked in a whisper, my eyes on the door to be sure he closed it behind him and no one was eavesdropping. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I… I,” He stuttered.
“You’d better shut up before I shut it up for you, I did what I did to Saraya because of you but I will never hurt your father, he is my husband.” I added rushing the words out of my mouth. “You’d better not say this to anyone otherwise you will lose everything and everyone including your father and me, is that understood?”
Evan nodded his head, shivering. His wide, frightened eyes were locked on mine, and for a moment, guilt churned in my stomach.
I took Evan’s trembling hands. “If only you were a normal child, you wouldn’t have been so confused and scared. You would have understood me better.”
“And since I’m not?” He asked, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“You let me do all the bad things and keep your mouth shut, don’t try assuming I did thinks I never did.” I told him.
Evan removed his hands from mine. “I should go.”
I know Evan did not trust me completely and I couldn’t afford to let him dig too deeply into things he didn’t understand. “I must find a way to convince him to stop doubting me.” I told myself.
“Good,” I said, softening my tone slightly. “Now, go wash up for breakfast. I’ll see you soon at the table.”
Evan nodded, his little body trembling as he backed toward the door. He hesitated, casting one last glance at me, then quickly disappeared down the hallway.
As the door clicked shut, I sat back and exhaled shakily, running a hand through my hair. I hated the look on his face-the fear, the doubt. But what choice did I have? This was a game of survival, and I couldn’t afford to have loose threads.
Saraya is a problem I had dealt with using Ian as a shield. She had too much influence, too much potential to ruin everything I had built and put in place before her arrival.
Still, Evan’s question kept replaying in my head. “Mom, did you hurt daddy the way you hurt Saraya?” He asked.
I shook my head. “No,” I whispered to myself. “I’ve only ever done what is necessary for both of our survival.”