Chapter 118: When the family gets together
Alex’s POV
I never would have asked for a DNA test.
Richard was just like me, and it bothered me to no end. I wanted him to be just like his momma. Kind, caring, bubbly.
You know, act like a kid.
For the sake of the goddess, he was just a year old, and he was just so serious all the time.
My mother once told me that before Jared came into the palace, that was exactly how I was. Calm, collected, and barely said two words to anyone in a month.
But then Jared came along, and my life, even if it was just for a little while, got brighter.
Richard had Adira, and she was basically his sister. It was clear from the moment they were born that they would be inseparable. She was the only one who brought out the happy side of him.
And I envied her for that.
I would never admit it out loud, but oftentimes I would find myself wishing for those moments of vulnerability with my son.
I never thought I would get to hear myself say that.
But like I said, he is just a kid. He doesn’t need to be this serious for any reason.
We stand next to each other, and I take his tiny hand in my soft one to steady him. He was so small compared to me.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org: ©.
When we were done taking our rather awkward pictures, he looked up at me for the first time. I find myself anticipating what it is he had to say.
“Where is Mummy?”
Of course that is what he would ask.
“She should be back by now.” I trail off, and he doesn’t say another word to me before going to search for his mother.
“Wait up little dude,” I say before going after him. As we make our way through the halls, my ears pick up on the awkward silence. There were barely any guards around.
Something did not feel right.
“Mummy!” Richard yells with excitement and relief before running towards her as fast as he could with his little legs. My eyes first fall on the faint blood stain in her hands before meeting her eyes.
It can’t be.
“When did you change your clothes, mummy?”
Oh no.
“Richard stop!” I yell, and Richard’s feet come to a halt just as Ana takes out a dagger from her pocket and charges towards Richard. My feet kicked into action, and it was a race between Ana and me on who could get to Richard first.
“Run Richard! Run!” I yell, but his little legs are still frozen to the spot in fear. He was trembling.
No, no!
“Mummy?” Richard asks once again, his voice so small and filled with confusion and fear. Ana gained on him, and before I knew it, she was bringing down her dagger on my son.
“No!”
Suddenly Richard’s body goes flying across the room and straight into my arms before the tip of the weapon could touch him.
Aira stands right behind her deranged sister with her hand outstretched, aiming at the spot where Richard once stood.
“You,” Aira seethes, her teeth gritting as she stared at her sister with nothing but complete and utter hatred.
I can’t believe it. The prophecy was true.
Richard’s birth really did bring them back.
Ana stands before us in black tights and shirts. She has her hair down, and that maniacal smile still plays on her lips.
“Hello there, sister! How has it been?” Ana asks with a loyd voice, not bothering to hide the madness in her eyes.
Richard holds on to me tightly as he buries his face into my chest. “Dad, why are there two mummies, and why is one of them so scary?” My son asks, and I shush him.
“The scary one isn’t your mother. Just close your ears and eyes, okay? Everything is going to be fine,” I reassure him, and despite how much he was trembling, he managed to nod and do as I say.
Ana’s shoulders shake as she lets out a deranged laugh. “Well, isn’t this just cute? Brother-in-law, I didn’t know you could be so sweet. The last time I saw you, you were nothing but a brute asshole.” She pauses to shoot Aira a lazy grin while twirling the weapon in her hands.
“What do you want, Ana?” I ask through gritted teeth, and she places a hand over her chest, pretending to be hurt.
“I first came to attend my little nephew’s first birthday; I am sure you haven’t told him about me. So I just came to introduce myself,” Ana says, then takes a step towards us, but I take out the dagger from my back pocket and point it at her.
“Stay away from my son,” I say through gritted teeth, and her smile stretches lazily to her ears.
“I would like to see you stop me,” she growls. Before she can take another step, Aira’s voice cuts through the air.
“I have killed you once before, and I can definitely do it again, Ana. Only this time I won’t feel so remorseful about it.”
Those words make Ana put her full attention on her sister. Craning her neck to the side, she says, “That is true. But let me see you stop us all.”
Suddenly a powerful wind blows, and I am confused as to how such can take place inside. Every door and every window slams shut; their loud bangs cause Adira to scream and press herself to Aira.
Aira holds her protectively while I hold onto Richard. A strange feeling courses up my veins and spine.
That is when it became hard to breathe. There was this strange and dominating presence, and it didn’t just come from one person.
Aira and I share a glance, and our eyes widen when the realization dawns on the both of us.
They were all here.
Malaya and Betty appear by my side just as Vincent, Damon, and Mason appear by Aira’s.
Aira’s eyes don’t leave mine, and I can see the fear in her eyes as her grip on Adira tightens.
“Well, isn’t this a lovely family reunion?”