Chapter 52: Verlice’s Vacation House
Desmond made a one-week stay at the vacation house located at Elian. Sander couldn’t hide his excitement as soon as he eyed the mansion.
“Wow! It is big! Bigger than our flat, Mama!” Sander exclaimed, raising both of his hands.
I smiled and nodded. “It is, sweetheart.” I heaved out a sigh, feeling nostalgic somehow.
“I am certain you will love it here, son,” Desmond said as he got down and helped Sander to get down, too. Sander giggled when his father raised him up before he turned to me to offer his hand. “My marchioness…”
I frowned at that other endearment he came up with from the past. “I do not need your help,” I uttered in a harsh whisper, afraid that Sander might hear me.
It was a good thing that he was being entertained by George, the caretaker of Verlice’s vacation house. He was already in his mid-50s still having jet black hair and round-shaped eyes.
Desmond chuckled when I got down on my own. “Feisty… I wonder if you can still put that up when I tie you up in our bed, Seraphina.”
“I am not going to stay in the same chamber with you, you scumbag,” I retorted and glared at him. Desmond only smirked as I walked past him.
“Greetings, Lord Desmond,” George said with a smile. “It has been a long time since you, my lord, arrived here.”
That shocked me. Long time? What did he mean by ‘long time’? How long has Desmond been since he came here?
Desmond only nodded. George glanced at me. I could have sworn his eyes grew larger when he saw me.
“G-Greetings, L-Lady Seraphina!” he exclaimed. He really looked surprised that I was there.
I only nodded, acknowledging his greeting. I didn’t have to act like I needed to greet them back.
“You must have met our son, George. His name is Sander,” Desmond spoke.
George looked away from me and nodded his head. “Yes, my lord. I have already guided Young Master Sander to the man-made pond since he requested it,” he said politely. Then he exchanged his glance between Desmond and me. “Our maidservant is watching over him, my lord.”
“Alright. That is good to hear.”
I knew that he was surprised. He must have known already that I was gone for seven years and here I was appearing myself before him, being with Desmond again.
Or more likely, I was coerced to come to his pack when Desmond found out that he had a son from me.
“Take all the luggage and prepare another chamber for your lady and for our son as well.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I walked side by side with Desmond. The silence enveloped us as I eyed the two-story mansion. Suddenly, I felt like I was thrown back when Desmond surprised and brought me here.
This vacation house was full of memories. Our happy memories were when we were married.
Before, I used to see this as a lively mansion. Right now, it was indeed different.
It looked so lonely even with the flowers and plants planted around here. The same atmosphere when Sander and I first arrived at Desmond’s mansion back in his pack. My heart clenched seeing more orchid flowers being planted here as well. Desmond used to say that planting more orchid flowers was a sign of his devotion to me.
I couldn’t help glancing at him. My heart jumped out of my ribcage catching him looking at me.
I looked away and cleared my throat. “It is still the same,” I said nonchalantly when we were inside. I even saw the chandelier hanging in the middle of the entrance.
“Really? I don’t think so.”
Perplexed, I glanced at him. Desmond was eyeing the chandelier as well. “What do you mean by that?” I asked, curious at his answer.
Desmond released a sigh. “It will never be the same without you, Seraphina.” Then he looked at me. My heart reacted to his words. “I built this for you so I am not going to say it is still the same if you are not even here.”
I inhaled sharply as I released a huff. It was as if I wanted to laugh, dispelling his statement. But it affected me. It pained me because I sensed the pain in his tone.
And the sense of longing in his tone, too… My wolf was reacting to that.
“What’s this act, Desmond?” I smirked. “This sort of dramatic statement of yours…” I scoffed. “This is not you.” I shook my head, wanting to ridicule what he said. It was one way to ignore my heart which was racing so fast right now. Even my stomach kept somersaulting which was so annoying.
Desmond creased his forehead. He expressed that he looked offended. “I am telling the truth, Seraphina.”
“Do you expect me to believe you?” I faced him. “After the things you have done? You expect that I shall have to believe every word you say?” I couldn’t help raising my tone, annoyed.
His eyes shone with pain. He looked up at the ceiling when I saw that his eyes were getting misty before he pinched the bridge of his nose. That shocked me.
“I didn’t know you were capable of feeling hurt.” I couldn’t halt my mouth from spouting sardonic remarks.
“What are you trying to mean?” He growled, glaring at me. “Do you think that I am such a cold bastard here?”
I slightly tilted my head. “Oh…” I faked a gasp. “You only realized that?” I feigned ignorance. “All the things you have done to me,” I paused, calming myself more. “You coerced me in everything you do. Do you think that is an act of kindness?” I raised my hand and didn’t hesitate to slap his face. “That is an act of a cold bastard, Desmond. You still have not realized your mistakes, have you?”
His face went sideways before he turned at me. He opened his mouth and dared to utter a word but there were no words coming out of it.
“Cat got your tongue?” I asked in a provoking tone. “You know that I am right so halt spouting some ludicrous statements when we are alone. Drop that act. If you can make Sander believe in you, well, I am different, Desmond,” I said in a frigid tone.
We both fought glances. No one spoke as we were enveloped with intense tension.
However, I was the one who looked away when I couldn’t handle the intensity of his stare. It made me feel burned as my stomach somersaulted again.
“I shall look for Sander,” I said, turning my back. “The next time we speak again, I want you to halt everything you do as if you want to charm me again. It won’t work, Desmond. This time, I am not going to forgive and forget what you did in the past and even the things you did in the present,” I stated coldly.
With that, I left him. I didn’t dare to look back. I didn’t wish to see his reactions. I didn’t want my heart and my wolf to keep on reacting whenever Desmond expressed his emotions.
As soon as I was out of the house, I couldn’t help myself leaning against the wall as I felt the tears keep falling from my eyes.
Truth be told, I wanted to believe that everything Desmond said was true. There was a part of me that missed our old days.
But the old wounds kept me wanting to hate Desmond. There was no way he could mend it.
I covered my mouth when I almost released a sob. I slowly sat on the ground, calming myself. I must not let my son know that I was crying or he would attack his father for no apparent reason.
“Mama, look!”
I softly gasped when I heard his voice. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and cheeks as I stood up. I inhaled and exhaled before I looked for him.
“Yes?” I spotted him running in my direction having a small fluffy flower in his hand. “Wow… That is beautiful,” I said as I knelt in front of him, carefully gathering my skirt in one place.
He was giggling and offered it to me. “This is for you..” he paused. His smile gradually dissipated when he looked at me. “Mama, did you cry?”
“Huh?” I shook my head. “No, sweetheart. I am not.” Lies. You are teaching your son to lie, Seraphina.
Sander’s creasing forehead didn’t flatten. “Did Papa make you cry?” he asked in an earnest tone.
“No…” I shook my head again. “Sander, this is nothing. These are just tears of joy.” Another lie again.
I thought I could make him buy my words but Sander shook his head. “They are not tears of joy…” he stated. “It is the same state I saw whenever I asked Papa from you, Mama. Your eyes looked sad. I don’t see you are happy.” He looked annoyed. “Papa hurt you, right? Did he?”
“Sander!” I panicked when he was about to run away. It was a good thing that I managed to catch him and hugged him. “Son, no.” I hissed because he was struggling inside my arms.
“I want to see Papa!” he demanded angrily. “I told Papa not to make you cry again! Mama, I want to see Papa!” He started to get frustrated when he couldn’t get out of my hold. “Mama!”
He only stopped struggling when he thought that it was futile to do anymore since I was stronger than him. But in all that, Sander was already crying. My chest was getting heavy because this was why I didn’t want to let Sander see my condition.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
My son would be the one who was affected.
And I could already see the outcome…