Chapter 197 CHICAGO (PRESENT)
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I was deeply lost in my thoughts when I hear the noises from outside and keeping back the file at the seat I look into the rearview mirror. There, I see my Tessy walking inside the building's compound, and then I notice the small fat figure walking behind her with bags in his hands.
I smile watching them both together and then taking a deep breath, I finally get out of the car.
Tessa's eyes widen in shock at my arrival and she stops abruptly. Cyrus, who was busy admiring his bags, bumps into her and she immediately shields him with her body.
The reason why I sent my son with her is that I know she will always protect him no matter what and just now, her act proves it.
But, it stings in my heart as the man she is protecting Cyrus from is none other than me, his biological father.
Sigh…
I guess I need to work hard in convincing her of many things.
"Can we talk for a second?" I ask with my actions that show no harm at all.
She stares at me for a while, still not believing that I am here for real while I lower my gaze and try to see my little man.
The smaller version of me.
He tilts his head and looks straight at me, and then his mother who stands dumbstruck at the moment. "Mommy?" He calls out and Tessa's trance finally breaks as she looks down at him with panic on her face.
"Are you ok, Mommy?" Cyrus asks, looking anxiously at her.
Tessa turns her head and looks at me, her eyes showing fear and I try to stay neutral not wanting to fear her more. She crouches down and then whispers something into Cyrus's ear. She then takes out the key from her hand and sends him up the stairs.
Before leaving Cyrus turns to look at me curiously and then he disappears. I didn't ask where he is going nor am I worried as to where Tessa is sending him.
I trust her, whatever she is doing, her actions are all justified.
After Cyrus is gone, Tessa turns to me and folds her arms over her chest, her panic and fear is gone as she looks at me with narrowed eyes and questions, "What do you want to talk about?"
Her tone is business and cold.
Fine, I can handle this much, Tessy.
"There is something I need to tell you…" I open my mouth and then add, "Show you, I mean." I nervously walk to my car while looking at her from the corner of my eyes afraid that she would make an attempt to run away from me.
I pick up the file from the passenger seat and then walk back to her hurriedly, my palms sweating and my scalp starting to prickle in panic.
"Here." Finally, with a thumping heart, I hand her the file. She hesitates for a moment, her eyes moving from the file to my face for any hint and then after thinking for a while, she takes it.
Thankfully.
I sigh in relief and then carefully scan her face. The emotions on her face start to change, her brows furrowing, her jaw drops in disbelief and at one moment, she glares at me in complete dissatisfaction.
Oh please, Tessy. Don't give me that look.
After turning all the pages in the file hurriedly, she slams the file shut rudely.
"I don't believe this... You are a liar." She throws the file away and it drops on the floor.
BOOM
I look at her stunned. How could she not believe the existence of her second son, Aaron? Hasn't she seen the picture of him with me and Ann?
"No... I am not lying." I told her firmly as I bent down and quickly pick the file. I look for Aaron's picture and then show it to her, explaining, "Look, his eyes are the same as yours, and his hair color is also a bit different from Cyrus. I am not lying, that's our son. You have given birth to twins. Two boys." I emphasize while looking at her anxiously.
She keeps shaking her head and then taking steps back slowly.
F**k.
I could see the denial on her face and my heart tightens thinking about Aaron. He has too many hopes from you, Tessa. Please, don't do this.
"If you're here to take Cyrus, I won't let you take him away from me. I won't." She yells and then impassively turns to escape from me and sensing her actions I immediately hold her wrist and pull her back to me.
"Listen to me," I growl as she starts to protest wildly under my grip as though I am not her husband but a Kidnapper or Goon.
I feel helpless as to how to calm her down and also afraid that from her shouts soon someone is going to come over to push me out of this building compound. My mind goes blank and finally thinking of something, I take out my phone and quickly call Miss Martha.
I put my phone on speaker with one hand while with the other I try to keep Tessa in place who looks like a crazy woman at the moment.
"Daddy, where are you? I have returned home." Aaron's sweet voice comes from the other end and Tessa immediately stops struggling.
"I have come out to bring your mother and brother back," I tell him as I watch Tessa's face that is getting calmer.
"Have you found them?" Aaron asks, his voice filled with extreme excitement.
"Yes, in fact, she is right here and wants to talk to you." I hand over my phone to Tessa but she didn't take it but kept looking at my phone in suspicion.
"Mommy..." As she hasn't opened her mouth yet. Aaron's eager voice sounded from the other end.
"Yes, I am here." She finally speaks, her voice hoarse and her eyes start to get red.
At least, she is responding to him.
"Mommy, please come soon. I am waiting for you." Aaron beams from the phone.
Tessa's eyes get teary and soon she starts to sob silently, turning her head away from my phone. I pull my phone back to my mouth, "Aaron, Mommy is busy packing. We will arrive soon at home, okay?"
"Okay, daddy. I love you and tell Mommy I love her too and miss her too much." He says sweetly and with a smile of relief I disconnect the call.
BEEP ... BEEP ... BEEP ...
As soon as the call ends, Tessa rudely pulls her hand out of my grip and I look at her in astonishment. she has got so much hatred for me, that much disgust from my touch?
It kind of hurts my heart but I stay quiet and calm taking all her hatred with an open heart.
"What do you want?" She asks in a choking voice looking hurt and highly emotional at the moment.
"Can we sit and talk?" I suggest looking around. We can't be discussing our family problems like this in a public place.
She nods her head and I respectfully lead her to the car. After she settles inside the car, I walk to the driver's seat and then sit inside.
BOOM
She still keeps crying overwhelmed after hearing Aaron's voice, I guess.
I pick up the tissue box and politely offer it to her. She takes a few tissues and wipes her tears while I watch her intently for the first time since I have shown myself to her. She has turned slim, her hair has been cut to her shoulder length, brunette, her natural hair color. She is wearing a T-shirt and jeans. That I saw her wearing only once before our marriage. With not a single hint of makeup, she looks ridiculously attractive, her blue eyes and long lashes gently sweeping her tears from her eyes. Her lips look paler while her cheeks and nose have turned red from continuous sniffing.
I fist my hands trying to control my urge to hold her in my arms and kiss her deeply, maybe our kiss would bring back the color of her lips.
"What's his name?" Tessa asks, bringing me back from my luscious thoughts.
"Aaron Andrew Jack," I tell her his full name and she nods her head absentmindedly.
"As you have seen the reports of Aaron. The doctor needs Cyrus's samples to see if he is a good match for Aaron." I explain calmly to her and she looks straight blankly, not even giving me a single glance.
"Why?" She asks and I look at her quizzically, "What?"
"Why did you hide him from me? Why didn't you tell me that I had given birth to two boys? Why?" She yells furiously, finally turning her face to me, her eyes show pure hatred for me and I squirm under her hateful gaze disheatendly.
"I wanted to but the circumstance never allowed me to reveal his identity to you," I answered her politely and she gritted her teeth in response, fisting her fist as though she is trying to control her burning wrath.
"Bring him here for the treatment, I won't go back." She puts the condition and my hair stands in panic.
Oh please, I am yet to handle the stubborn Ann, and before that Tessa has also planned to give me a hard time.
"The pediatrician," I begin and she shoots her gaze on me displeasingly, "The doctor that is treating him, he couldn't come here and he is the best in the field. Also, the hospital in Denver has all the facilities for Aaron." I try to reason with her but she looks reluctant to accept my words.
"I won't give Cyrus to you. I am his mother." She says righteously and I completely agree with her words.
"I am not here to take him away, I just want you to accompany him throughout his treatment. This treatment is very painful, no matter how much I and Ann put effort he still asks for you, his mother. I just want my son to be healthy and safe. Nothing else. Rest assured, I won't take Cyrus away from you nor let anyone else take him away from you."
I give her my word, trying to convince her, to make her assure that nothing would happen to Cyrus but as we see our past I don't think she would be able to trust the single word that has come out of my mouth in order to persuade her.
