Chapter 9
“Find out where she is. Confirm it if she really left the country,” I ordered Matthew.
I heard his laughter from the other end of the line, which only made my mood worse.
“Why don’t you just fetch her? This is about the news, right-”
I didn’t let him finish. I ended the call.
Listening to his taunting would only ruin my mood further. I stormed out of my son’s room, determined to find him.
Lorde is angry. Not just because I failed to bring Hestia back, but because of what he saw. I don’t know if it’s working in my favor that he now resents her more than the fact that I “lied,” according to him.
“Did you cook him breakfast?” I asked Beverly the moment I saw her.”
She looked stunned, like she hadn’t expected me. All dolled up, hair set, face painted, like she had all the time in the world to focus on how she looked. But food? There was none.}]
“But you have a cook, right?” she replied, forcing a half–smile.M
My stare turned cold. Yes, she looks like Chesca, but all I could imagine was how different this morning could have been if my coffee was ready, if my son had already eaten, if my clothes and watch were set out and waiting. Everything should have been in place by now.
I took a deep breath to keep myself from exploding.
“Try to cook for Lorde. He’s mad at me. Handle him. I have something to take care of,” I said before walking away.
“But can’t he just tell me first that I’look pretty…” I heard her mumble behind me.”
I couldn’t help but grin. That’s not my responsibility. I never told Hestia she was pretty either. Why would Beverly expect it from me?
If we’re being honest, Hestia is more beautiful than any woman I’ve known. Even more than Chesca. She never needed makeup to make her face glow. Her beauty was natural, the kind people paid for. But I never allowed myself to fall for her because I was always meant to marry Mrs. Wellton’s biological daughter. That was the plan. So what was the point of admiring Hestia?
I grew fond of Chesca because she was kind. Easy to talk to. She listened to what I wanted. She understood what needed to be done. She never challenged me, unlike Hestia who keeps doing exactly that. They were worlds apart.
When I remarried Hestia after Chesca’s death, I believed I didn’t need to build romance with her. Why would I? We were married. There was no option to separate, unlike before, when Chesca could still choose someone else.”
Maybe this is all my fault. Maybe Hestia is the kind of woman who needs that romantic attention from her husband. If she comes back, I’ll try to be that man.}
I found myself frowning the entire time I prepared for the day. I didn’t realize how much Hestia handled. All I used to do was wake up, bathe, drink my coffee, and leave. Now, everything is a mess.
“Alpha, Lorde is smashing the dishes. He threw all the food Lady Rhode cooked,” the butler reported.>>
I froze, still adjusting my tie. Seriously? Another problem?”
I clenched my fists. God, Hestia. How long are you going to torture me?!
“Lorde!” I barked, rushing to the dining room. “What’s your problem?“}]
I was furious at the mess. The shattered plates, the wasted food.”
“I don’t like any of these, Dad!” he shouted. “Even Aunt Beverly can’t cook what I want! I told you to bring Mommy back, didn’t I?”
Beverly looked scandalized but quickly approached Lorde to calm him down.
“Love, if she comes back, you’ll see that murderer again. Do you really want that? Besides, Auntie’s doing her best, can’t you see?“}}
I hoped she could at least calm him down for today so I could focus on tracking whoever was with Hestia last night. But my son just shook his head.
“I want Mommy to cook for me! I haven’t eaten real food since she left!“>
I began massaging my temple. Beverly looked at me like I was supposed to take over and fix it.”
“Follow Hestia’s recipes. Work with the chef to get it right. I can’t stay here. I have something important to do.“>>
I walked over to Lorde, who sat with his arms crossed, clearly upset.”
“Lorde,” I said, pulling out his chair so I could face him. “Behave. I’m leaving to check on your mother. I’ll do everything I can to bring her back.“%
His eyes lit up, just a little. The anger he’d held all day melted into something else. Maybe he realized, in just a day, how much he missed her. Maybe it wasn’t just the food. Maybe it was everything she did, all the small things we took for granted.
“Really, Daddy? You’ll keep your promise this time?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I nodded and patted his head. “Just behave. I’ll do my best to bring Mommy home.”>>
I was shocked when he jumped off the chair and hugged me.”
“I’d behave but if you can’t keep your words, I’ll make sure to hurt myself and bring Mommy back on my own,” he said, warning laced his voice.2
I gritted my teeth with that. This is plain bullshit! Now I have to make finding wherever Hestia is my agenda today or else…
anted Sibatitife Luna
