94. My Dad's Mom
AURELIA
Hazel gavea stiff smile as she stepped out of the bathroom. | smiled at her, feeling guilty because a part of
I should have given her a specific date, instead of making her wonder when exactly "in a few days" meant. |
couldn't deny the truth that my desire to find answers was clouding my sense of decision. Hopefully, I'll get more
answers from Iris tonight.
"Let's move." Katie sing-song, performing a little dance to show her excitement.
| chuckled at my daughter's happiness and quickly glanced at Kyle, ruffling his hair as | asked, "Are you okay
with walking or do you want Mama to carry you in her strong arms?"
"I'm fine, Mama. | can walk and my only issue is my stomach." Kyle responded, rubbing his belly as we all
strolled towards the front door.
My brows furrowed, "What's wrong with your belly? Is it aching?"
"No, Mama." Kyle laughed. "It's grumbling. I'm so so hungry and my tummy wants sdelicious food."
| laughed at his silliness. "It's a good thing we were invited to dinner, baby."
The rest of the walk to Raiden's mansion was used to chat and I'd be lying if | said my heart wasn't beating faster
with every step | took towards his home. | hated it there and | promised myself that this would be the last time
I'd be stepping into that house. "Welcome..." We were ushered into the mansion by a servant and she led us to
the dining area.
It was hard not to think about the days | used to prepare meals for Raiden, leave them on the dining table, and
take myself away from the space before he returned home. Back then he didn't want to seeor havein
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthe sspace except that room- | sucked in a sharp breath, wondering what that room had becafter | left
the pack.
Not like it mattered.
Fortunately, Iris and Raiden walked into the dining area, hand in hand, and interrupted my thoughts before |
could lose myself in its interwoven maze.
"It's good to have you all here." Iris cooed, giving everyone, including Hazel, a warm hug before she sat beside
me. Raiden simply nodded my way and kissed the twins before walking to the head of the table and taking his
place. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner," | said to Iris and she waved, tellingit was her pleasure.
After a few minutes of chatting, Raiden called the kitchen servants in and three of them entered with massive
trays in their hands, Nina right behind them. Sensing my gaze on her, Nina looked at me, and to my surprise, she
smiled at me. A genuine smile that hadquestioning her sanity.
"You saved her daughter from Larisa's lair." Inara remindedand | finally understood the glints of appreciation
in Nina's eyes.
Inara and | were still not on good terms since the argument that occurred between us earlier but | was no longer
mad at her. | have considered the fact that she could be right. My mind was clouded and | wasn't thinking from a
logical perspective. "Starting without me?" Andrew's voice resonated, hitting my eardrums as he entered the
dining room with a huge smile on his face.
Iris scoffed jokingly, her eyes sparkling with affection. "We would have, Andrew. | see you still don't know how to
keep to time."
"Your lovely son hasworking
extra hours for the pack so he can spend twith you, Iris. | dare not say no." Andrew retorted, kissing
Iris's cheek before moving to the et
twins who were sitting on the other side of the table, beside each other. Seeing the glare on Katie's face and
Kyle's folded arms, Andrew apologized with a smile, "Sorry I'm late, darlings. | had to take care of something."
No one asked any more questions as we began to eat in silence. Of course, Kyle and Katie shared sinside
jokes, giggling a couple of times while the rest of us just stared at them amusingly. Raiden was the first person to
clear his plate and
soon enough Kyle joined him, belching.
"Someone is full," Raiden muttered and Kyle didn't hesitate to nod, filling my heart with joy.
It felt good to see my son eating after many days of undeserved suffering.
Dinner in Raiden's mansion was going well until Katie mouthed, grabbing our attention with the words she
directed at Iris. "Are you really my Dad's mom?"
My body stiffened. I've been avoiding this topic but leave it to my kids to dig out the truth no matter how ugly.
Thankfully, this one wasn't ugly.
"Yes, Katie. He might look big but he is my baby." Iris responded fondly.
"Just like I'm my mom's baby," Katie muttered, oblivious to the tension in the room.
Iris matched her energy as she chimed, "You sure are. You are a replica of her."
While Katie giggled, Kyle mumbled, "So you are our grandmother?"
"Lucky for me, | am, child," Iris answered.
"Why are we just meeting you? Did you just return from a trip? | also saw you at the hospital. Are you sick too?"
Kyle threw questions at Iris, barely having the tto breathe properly.
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| was about to cut in but Iris laughed, "I see you have a sharp mind, Kyle."
Without delaying or thinking twice, Iris continued speaking. As if life hadn't been hard for her, Iris held on to her
smile. "I kinda traveled, Kyle but I'm back now and I'd like to get to know you and your sister."
"But we're leaving soon. Tristan has been waiting for us at home." Katie chimed innocently, looking atbefore
shifting her gaze back to Iris. "How do you intend to know us when we won't be together?"
Before Iris could utter a word in
response the loud sound of the front
door slamming caught our attention. Raiden was quick to jump to his feet
and Andrew did the swhile rushed over to shield my kids
without having a clue about what
was about to happen.
The question of who slammed the door was answered when Jake appeared in the dining room, panting like he
had been in a long-distance race.
"Jake! What the hell?" Raiden exclaimed.
And Jake dropped a huge bomb on us.
"T-they escaped." Jake panted, his eyes as wide as the mouth of a wallet.
Raiden growled, "Who!"
But It was clear as day that he already knew the answer to that question.
Yet, Jake still replied, "Nolan and Helen."