Chapter 53: It Might Be Over
It took a lot of consoling before I managed to finally calm Sander. I convinced him that it was not his father’s fault even if that was not the truth.
I must not ruin Desmond’s image. Sander needed a father figure. He must experience a complete family Desmond and I never got to have.
“Are we alright now?” I asked as I lifted him up in my arms.
Sander sniffed and nodded. “Yes, Mama,” he said in a meek tone before his eyes looked behind me. He frowned and immediately hid his face by burying it in the crook of my neck.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
Even if Sander was not saying anything, I knew that Desmond was behind me. I knew by then that he was watching us from a distance. I turned around to see his melancholy expression. He didn’t dare to approach us. He was only a few meters away from my standpoint.
“Mama, I don’t want to be here…” Sander said when he glanced at Desmond but he immediately hid his face again. “Mama…”
I caressed his back while Desmond and I’s eyes met. “Don’t worry. We shall retire now, sweetheart.” As I walked past him, I used my hand to cover Sander’s eyes. I didn’t want my son to glare at his father.
This matter should be dealt with by just the two of us. The involvement of Sander must not be entertained.
George guided us to Sander’s chamber. My son fell asleep as soon as I arrived there. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. He got tired from crying.
I asked a maidservant to help me change my outdoor gown to indoor ones. I went outside to look for George and told him my demands.
“B-But Lord Desmond wants that all of you shall dine together for supper, Lady Seraphina…”
I opened my mouth to retort but Desmond arrived and chimed in. “Allow me to discuss things with her, George. You may leave.”
Rolling my eyes, I leaned toward the cabinet. “There is nothing I can say to elaborate. I believe you have heard everything already,” I said arrogantly.
If before, Desmond looked like he was mighty and all, right now, he looked like a lost puppy. He sighed. “Seraphina… We have come here to have a good vacation here.”
“You saw how Sander reacted a while ago, Desmond,” I said earnestly. “Sander is not that blind to know the situation. I may not have told him what sins you had done, but he knows that you hurt me. He is eager to protect me from you. Don’t you still get it?” Shaking my head, I expressed how this would be futile.
Desmond was silent. He sighed, not uttering any word. But he looked frustrated.
“That’s right. You must suffer from your past actions,” I said nonchalantly before I walked past him. “Perhaps, this is your karma for being a conniving one. The fruit of your cunning labor shall bring you to despair.”
“I’m sorry…”
I scoffed, turning at him. “Sorry won’t compensate for everything, Desmond. You know that I am no longer bestowing you a second chance.” His amber eyes expressed hurt at my words. “Now, think of some ways to fix your relationship with Sander. Think now or it shall be over.”
I hope my words would make him feel alarmed. Our son was slowly slipping away from his hands. If Desmond wouldn’t do anything to fix it, it would be hard to reconcile with our son.
Knowing Sander, he already set his mind to protect me from his father. He wouldn’t hesitate to ruin his relationship with Desmond.
Tomorrow came. I woke up hearing some commotions downstairs. I took my robe and wore it when I heard Sander’s frustrating tone.
“I don’t want to! Stay away from me! You hurt my Mama!”
I rushed to the dining hall and saw food splattering on the floor.
“Sander… I just want us to talk. Please…” Desmond begged in a soft tone.
Sander was about to bark when I chimed in. “Did you just throw your food on the floor?” I asked in a threatening tone to my son.
Sander flinched, gasping. He looked horrified when he saw me crossing my arms over my chest as well as my stoic expression. “M-Mama…”
I squinted my eyes at him. “Have I taught you to do that?” He vigorously shook his head. “Then why?” I asked in a dangerous tone.
Sander knew that I didn’t like that he was wasting food. I didn’t teach him that. I was strict with that policy since it was hard to earn money and sometimes we barely had some food on our table.
He looked guilty as he glanced at Desmond. It looked like he was asking for his help.
Desmond cleared his throat. “Sander didn’t mean to, Seraphina.” He stood up and picked up the broken bowl.
I ignored him. “Stand up and face the wall, Sander,” I commanded and pointed to the wall.
Sander bit his lower lip. He was also on the verge of crying. Then in an instant, he stood up to reach the hem of Desmond’s tunic. “Papa…”
“Seraphina…” Desmond said as he lifted Sander in his arms. “It’s fine. Sander didn’t mean to. It is my fault anyway. I make him uncomfortable,” he explained.
I shook my head. “That doesn’t give him the reason to throw the food. He needs to learn his lesson. Let him stand up and face the wall until he realizes his mistake.” I was kind of frustrated that Sander had to act this way.
I already told him not to act irrationally last night but he became stubborn.
“Do it now, Sander,” I said one more time. This time, my voice was as cold as ice. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
He sniffed. “Papa…” He hugged Desmond.
Desmond gently caressed his back. “It’s alright, son. We can both face the wall. I’ll be with you.”
With that, he placed him down on the floor as they both faced the wall. I massaged my temple, not believing that even Desmond had to act this way.
Shaking my head, I went to the kitchen area to speak with George. “Have you prepared for our morning meal?” I asked.
George ushered me to the chef who was preparing the rice porridge. I told them to clean up the mess in the dining hall before they would prepare our meal for this morning.
“Include some bread and cheese,” I said to the chef.
“As you command, my lady.”
Nodding, I decided to make yogurt fruit bowls that had bite-sized strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, grapes, peaches, and apples. I used to prepare this for Desmond whenever we came here to the vacation house.
I was certain Sander would get to like it. He hadn’t tasted this yet so I knew that he would be thrilled to taste it.
My eyes pierced the window when I spotted the veranda. “Prepare the meal on the veranda,” I commanded the maidservants. “We shall dine there.”
They curtsied before me. “Your wish is our command, Lady Seraphina.”
When I was satisfied with attending to the kitchen and saw that everything was set, I went to check on Desmond and Sander. I saw them whispering as they were chuckling and giggling softly. They were still facing the wall while doing that.
Arching my eyebrow, I leaned on the doorframe silently watching them.
“Papa, do you think Mama will not be mad at me anymore?” Sander asked.
Desmond hummed. “She won’t be mad at you for too long. Mama loves you, son.”
I heard Sander sigh. “I am sorry for throwing the bowl, Papa. I hope Mama will forgive me, too.”
Desmond caressed his golden locks. “She will. Fret not, Sander.” He drew out a soft smile.
My heart leaped out of my ribcage seeing them in sync again. They looked so good together being the father and son.
It was supposed to be like this. If only I got pregnant during our marriage, perhaps our family could be like this. We would be more chaotic than this…
I could feel the corner of my eyes getting stung. I fluttered my eyes to avoid myself from shedding tears again.
I cleared my throat so I could grab their attention. “Breakfast is ready at the veranda,” I announced.
“Alright!” Desmond said as he lifted Sander in his arms. “Time to eat!” With that, he dashed off along with our son using his wolf speed.
“Don’t run!” I exclaimed, feeling in distress as I heard their laughter when they were outside. “Those two… Really…” I shook my head.
I could tell that having two boys would be really chaotic. Desmond was already an annoying one. If Sander inherited it from his father, I would get a headache.
Most especially, I already noticed Sander’s temperament was the same as Desmond’s.
“Like father, like son…” I mumbled.