NOVPUB
Chapter 79: _ Lupe’s Mother
I woke with a groan, my body filled with a mix of soreness and an inexplicable feeling of refreshment. It felt like I was reborn overnight and yet, defeated overnight.
If that made sense at all.
As I stretched my tired and energetic bones while sunlight streamed through the window, painting squares on the duvet, I yawned, fluttering my eyes open.
It was then I noticed Liam hovering above me with a wide smile plastered on his face.
My heart jumped into my throat the moment I glimpsed his figure. It felt like Deja Vu all over again. I remembered finding him hovering above me like this before. "Liam? What are you doing?" I stammered, my voice hoarse.
"Hi, Mum. just watching you sleep," he chirped, his smile unwavering. "It was beautiful."
Argh.
I knew he meant well but that shit was scary.
I shook my head, holding my chest. "You scared me half to death," I managed, my voice still shaky.
I watched Liam’s smile faltered and got replaced by a worried frown. "Did I? I’m sorry, Mum. I didn’t mean to."
That somehow melted my heart. I could see the innocence shining through him. My overreaction was as a result of the pregnant night I had. Everything had been happening all at once. "It’s okay, honey. It’s just... I didn’t see you there," I mumbled, forcing a smile.
"Rough night?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Yeah," I sighed, forcing the memories of that strange touch and caress from last night out of my head. "A little rough."
"Want me to massage your bones?" Liam offered with a serious face.
Oh, my boy. Having him around was a blessing I didn’t know I needed. At this time when the whole world was against me, Liam was the sooth that kept me going.
However, his offer was absurd. The image of his small hands kneading my aching muscles sparked a laugh that escaped my lips before I could contain it. "Thanks, sweetheart, but I think I’ll manage."
I stretched again, finally standing up. "Have you had your bath for school?"
Liam’s smile widened like a that of a child happy to not attend school. "Okay, well— the news says school’s closed for the week."
I sat up straighter, confusion washing over me. "The news? I had guessed right then. It’s probably to pay respect to the late Mr. Fenrir. What time is it?"
Liam shrugged. "Afternoon."
Bewilderment washed over me. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It read 2:15 PM. "Afternoon? Oh my, I must have overslept."
Liam nodded vigorously, hands under his chin as he watched me stand up and move to the bathroom.
"Hungry?" I asked, needing a distraction from the guilt chewing at me over missing an entire morning.
I knew the weight of everything was huge on me, yet, I never realized how heavy it was. I had not overslept this way in a long time.
"Not really," Liam replied. "Had a big dinner last yesterday.... Last night."
Phew!
I’d feel like a loser if my son had starved because of my carelessness. "Happy to hear that then."
With a sigh, I pushed myself out of bed and headed towards the bathroom.
"Go back to the living room. I’ll be out in a few." I said to him. "Cullen is off to work, I suppose?"
Liam was already striding out. "Yes, Mum. He is."
"Okay, sweetie," I said, finally closing the door. "Go play with the video game, I’ll be out in a minute."
.
.
In the bathroom, I stood before the mirror and began to brush my teeth but my mind kept circling back to Rhett. The sight of the mate mark on my neck was a reminder of my betrayal.
Of I and Rhett’s betrayal.
It took every ounce of willpower to finish showering and dressing. Just as I was about to leave the room, my phone buzzed.
I raised a brow, wondering who could be calling even though I could already guess who it was. Only Kylo usually called me but then again, Kylo wouldn’t call me now, would he?
Do I even want Kylo’s call?
I almost dropped the phone flat when I saw the caller ID.
It was Kylo.
W– why was he calling?
He did seem very upset and determined yesterday. Did he change his mind so quickly? I mean, we’ve had breakup episodes in the past and would always get back together but yesterday’s own seemed real.
Felt real.
My phone remained in my hands, shaking as my apprehension wafted within me. I was marked by his father now.
I should stay as far away from Kylo as I could. I had become an abomination for him. Kylo deserved someone better than me. If I cared about him at all, I’d let him go.
I glanced up to the ceiling, blinking back tears. How did he get to this so fast? This... this was the end of Kylo and I.
I couldn’t be with him any longer. But then again, I wouldn’t be with his father too. Mate or not.
My heart aching like it was being punctured with a thousand needles, I switched off my phone while Kylo’s call was still ringing.
"I’m sorry, Kylo." I sobbed and buried my face in my bed. "I’m sorry..."
Sobbing wouldn’t solve my problems or change what I had done but it helped. I cried a lot. Cried until it felt like my lids would explode.
One thing called me to order. And that was the thought that Liam could be hungry. The thought that my obedient and good boy was sitting there, waiting for me to serve him food while I was here, crying over men gave me strength.
I wiped my tears and hurried to the living room. As anticipated, Liam was glued to the TV.
Unlike what I expected, he wasn’t playing a video game or watching cartoons. He was fixated on the news.
"Look who’s being a patriot." I grinned and patted his head.
Liam turned to me, not returning my smile. He pointed at the screen, where a news report played. "...and the body of a local woman was discovered this morning..."
"Look, Megami." He said.
I did look and my blood ran cold. The woman on the screen whose lifeless body was being displayed along with another picture of her smiling face looked unsettling familiar.
Wait... It was Lupe’s mother!
