Chapter 15

VERONICA Approaching the villa, I parked my car and then slowly ascended the steps with a racing heart. I'm finally here— at my ex-husband's residence, whom I have vowed to never see again. Now, he's back in life like a storm, threatening to crumble my walls. Despite my deep desire to leave, I can not. I have something precious to him for whom I am willing to endure my heartache and face him again. My son, Zeon, needs me, and I will not abandon him this time. A middle-aged woman on the doorstep received me: "Greetings ma'am, you must be Doctor Granger, our young master's mother?" "Yes." I replied. "Please come in, madam. Mr. Wolfe informed me of your arrival." She replied, maintaining a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I am Martha, the young master's governess." she added. Zeon's governess? I frowned. Wasn't it Aunt Zhao before? A kind Chinese lady. When was she replaced? My eyes in the Wolfe residence never informed me. Why? Perhaps she was replaced earlier than I planted my informant there. I offered a small smile as she guided me upstairs. However, my pleasant mood quickly soured upon encountering none other than Celine Williams. She emerged from a room, and our gazes met. Oh, so she's staying with them. "What are you doing here!?" Her eyes blazed as she snapped at me. "How dare you show up here!? You bloody shameless—" However, her words were interrupted by a further colder voice that follows— "I've called her." Then, I saw Christian emerge from the same room. His hair was unsettled, and then only I noticed Celine's flushed face. A dull ache spread throughout my heart, realizing they were in the same room just now. No wonder she wasn't just staying here; she is the wanted and expected woman beside him.... But why does it still hurt me? I knew it, didn't I? Then why can't you just ignore it, Veronica? Three years have passed, and you're still lingering on the same man who did nothing but torment you again and again. Biting back my welling emotions, I turned to the governess and asked, "Where is Zeon?" My tone sounded harsher than I anticipated. "Ah—" She glanced at Christian and then politely stepped aside. "This way, ma'am." I, without sparing a look at them, followed Martha and soon found my son. Immediately, my heart clenched tightly as I saw the little guy lying on the bed with eyes closed. While sitting beside him, I gently touched his forehead. Christian was correct; he does have a fever. Although it's not as high as before, it is still concerning. I looked up at the governess, "He seemed perfectly well yesterday; how did he contract a fever again?" I inquired. She hesitated briefly before saying, "I'm not entirely certain, madam. He appeared perfectly well last night before going to bed. However, upon checking on him this morning, I found him in bed, which is unlike his usual routine, and discovered he has a fever." "It proves what a quack you are," a rather mocking voice disrupted my thoughts as I looked up to see both Celine and Christian entering the room. "How did you even manage to practice? Or is it by showing off your—" She raised a brow with a sly sneer, her point was very clear. Her words didn't affect me, though. Only a crap like person thinks nasty, especially when she has done it herself. I couldn't help but smile up at her, "Well, this is what useless people do. Blame others for every challenge they encounter." My voice was unnaturally light and calm. Her expression changed at my words, but I'm not finished. "Besides," I continued, "my son was perfectly healthy when he left my home yesterday. I'm curious how his condition deteriorated overnight." I offered a cold smile, adding, "It's quite evident who is at fault." My remark was intended for both of them. Here, his son is suffering from fever. There, he just couldn't stop enjoying his lover! Now I truly believe that those two years when he stopped touching me, he was having his bliss with his lover! "Chris, look at her!" And there she goes again, crying and clinging to her lover for help. "And you still brought her here? Do you think she'll help Zeon recover? No! She's just spoiling the atmosphere of our peaceful home." "Our peaceful home"—the words only distressed me more. In five years of our marriage, I was never allowed to be his wife before the world and never allowed to call him my husband. No wonder, then, that right only belonged to his beloved. "Veronica, stop slendering others. You don't know what you're saying." And he, like a devoted partner, stood firmly beside his lover. I looked away. Why does it hurt still? Why-why-why? Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I observed my son and said, "I'm here to check on Zeon. Would you both mind leaving us alone?" I then calmly proceeded to take out the necessary items for his examination. Soon, I heard their fading footsteps and sighed. Thank God. I am unable to do anything in front of that man. Even his distant presence affects me in worse ways possible. I gently touched Zeon's face and noticed him fluttering his lashes slowly. "Mom..." he whispered, a sound that broke my heart. My poor child. With a brave smile, I reassured my child, "Yes, baby, Mom's here with you." "Mom!" He suddenly bolted upright and embraced me tightly. Initially surprised, I responded with a chuckle and returned his embrace. "Yes, my love. Mom's here." After releasing him from the hug, I kissed his cheeks, noting a slight blush. I gently stroked his head and inquired, "How are you feeling now?" He briefly looked at the governess standing by his bed, then turned to me, softly nodding, "I've missed you, Mother." He rested his head on my chest, appearing much less shy than during our first reunion after three years. I gently rested my chin on his head and hummed, "You'll feel better soon; Mom is here now, and I won't let anything bad happen to you again." I reassured him. "How is little Cadence? I've missed her, as well," he murmured. Smiling, I cupped his cheeks. "She's fine, just misses her, bwothew." He smiled at my words, and I immediately took out my phone from my bag, waving it before him, "Wanna talk to her?" A warm smile spread across his face as he nodded enthusiastically. The call quickly connected to Cadence's tab, and her bright face appeared. My daughter's eyes also lit up with joy at seeing her brother. She had missed him since his departure and frequently asked about him. I had been considering ways to reunite them and fortunately found an opportunity this morning. I allowed them to speak while I requested the preparation of nutritious meals for him. I even provided the governess with a list to ensure adherence to his meal schedule. Once I re-entered his room, he had already finished talking and gone to the bathroom. While I was straightening his bed, he came out, looking healthier than before. I checked his temperature and realised it reduced significantly, almost gone. I feel relieved, but I put him to the bed and let him rest. Satisfied, I stood up when—"Mom?" Zeon called to me, making me sit beside him again. "Yes, love?" I asked softly. His lips pursed and quivered slightly before he spoke, "Because of me, you had to be insulted." His head lowered. "I'm sorry, Mom." With a tender touch to his face and a loving kiss on his forehead, I reassured him, "Never entertain such thoughts, love. While I may have shown weakness in the past, that is no longer the case. With you and Cadence by my side, I am impervious to any threats." "And you must let me know if anyone hurts you, okay?" I added. For some reason, I don't trust anyone in this household. He nodded. "Mom, she—" His lips parted, but then he seemed to drop the idea and nodded again. "I will," he murmured. It seemed he had altered his words. While I was curious, I chose not to press him further and instead tucked him in with a quilt. "Now, please get some rest. I need to go to the hospital, and I will visit you this evening." He nodded obediently, like a well-behaved child, and said, "I will be a good boy, Mom," before closing his eyes. After gently closing the door to his room with a smile, my smile faded as I unexpectedly encountered someone unappreciated. "How is he doing?" he inquired, his tone as cold as ever. "Hmm, good," I remarked calmly. "His fever subsided without medication. He simply requires rest and nutritious meals. I've provided a list of recommendations to his governess." I paused before adding, "If you're not too busy with someone particular, perhaps spare some time for him." Then I turned to depart, when— "I've always been with him, before and after someone significant left him without a care." His harsh, cold tone was like a whiplash to my wounded soul. A bitter smile twitched my lips as I tilted my head to the side. "Yeah, that's been evident enough this morning, when you were..." I couldn't help the sourness in my words as the image of him and Celine coming out of the same room flashed before my eyes, her face red and his hair dishevelled. No wonder, they were— "What are you talking about?" His question broke my thoughts and brought me back to reality. However, I didn't bother to look back. "Whatever," I murmured, walking away with my head held high. He's the cheater who couldn't respect our relationship, so I will not let him tarnish my dignity ever again... Upon getting off the villa, I received a call from George. "Hey," I greeted casually. "Not so good, Vero," His somewhat upset voice rang in my ear as I entered my car. "Aunt Lucy called this morning; those people aren't going to let you have your land easily. They offered more money, and if we don't accept it, they threatened to evict us by force." Immediately, my entire body burned with rage. These rich people sucks! I growled inwardly and said, "I'm coming to your office. I'll deal with them myself now!"