Chapter 203 FAMILY OF THREE
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I never had the idea how much bad impact the past has left on Tessa until I saw it with my own eyes today.
Her fear, her trembling body, and her helpless eyes all show proof of how badly she has been hurt by the past, or I would say in simple words that I and Ann's selfishness has ruined her life.
"Are you okay?" I ask her after a while keeping the glass down aside.
She looks at me for a moment and then her gaze lowers to my hand that is wrapped around her waist. I am happy she didn't notice it before otherwise she would have pushed me away rudely.
At least, in this way, I am able to feel her warmth and I would say that she has lost weight before she used to be healthy and glowing but now all I see is a weak, pale and tired woman.
Sigh...
She is too young but what happened to her in that accident has made her mature before she would pass that age.
She nods her head and then tries to stand up, I help her politely and then hand her glass. I lead her the way to Aaron's room but with my hand holding hers, I am afraid that she would again feel weak and fall. Thankfully, she didn't show any uneasiness and silently allow me to lead her the way.
"Aaron, look who's here," I shout in joy as I enter Aaron's room and step aside revealing Tessa's face to him.
"Mommy... You have brought my Mommy." He squeals with happiness and then rushes to Tessa, he hugs her legs because that's where he could reach and I chuckle at his childish yet emotional act.
Tessa looks down at him in utter shock and then at me.
She points at the glass in her hand with her eyes and I understandingly take the glass away from her hand, she touches Aaron's face in disbelief, intently looking at his facial features.
Yup, he's just like you.
"You have my eyes." She says as she traces his eyes with her fingers softly and then picks him up in her arms looking overwhelmed.
"Mommy, why you're crying?" Aaron asks as he notices her tears.
"No, I am not… These are happy tears." Tessa shakes her head and explains.
"You're happy to see me?" Aaron asks and instantly Tessa nods her head, "Yes, a lot."
"So, then why did you leave me?" He asks and Tessa's smile fades.
"Mommy didn't leave you, Aaron, she just…" I try to find an excuse and my eyes fall on my sleepyhead Cyrus who is immersed in playing with Aaron's toys. "She gets busy with Cyrus."
"Oh." Aaron's lips make a small O and I smile gently at his cuteness.
"I will give big brother all my toys, Mommy. Then, you will not leave me?" Aaron asks Tessa and she looks at him hesitantly and then nods her head in assurance.
"No, I won't leave you this time." She says and his face lights up with joy.
"Mommy, I am hungry," Cyrus shouts aloud from behind us, and Tessa chuckles, F**k, her laugh is still adorable.
Thankfully, she finally let out a laugh and looks calmer around the kids.
"I'll prepare the breakfast," Tessa says cheerfully and then looks at me hesitantly.
"Can I take him to the kitchen with me?" She asks looking like my old obedient wife.
"He's your son, you can do whatever you want. You don't need anyone's permission." I tell her lightly and she nods her head gratefully at me.
No Need for this formality.
I decided to stay back with Cyrus when Tessa's voice brings me out of my daze, "Come, Cyrus. We're going to make breakfast."
Cyrus groans unhappily but as it is about the food, he reluctantly put back the toys and then starts following both of them looking completely unbothered by the way Aaron is stuck to Tessa.
Great, so far, so lovingly.
I was left behind by all three as though I meant nothing to them.
I sigh disheartenedly.
Have they forgotten that I am the one who has united them? But, you are the one who has separated them too. My subconscious tries its best to let me down but I try my best to ignore it shamelessly.
"Sir, Aaron's diet." Miss Martha looks at me in worry and finally, I am able to regain my senses.
Oh, yes. Tessa has no idea about Aaron's diet and she said Pancakes.
Oh... No... No... No...
I hurriedly head towards the elevator and straight to the kitchen from where I could hear noises and laughter and for a moment I halter my steps and stand at the door abruptly. In these last 4 years, I don't remember this mansion being noisy or alive. It has always been quiet and lifeless.
I lean at the wall and watch all three with admirable eyes, a family of three. But, I miss myself between them. I should be standing there too instead of watching them from here but I don't have the guts to walk over and take away Tessa's broad smile from her face.
I know she won't appreciate my presence between them but at least I am not restricted from watching them.
Tessa prepares the pancakes while Miss Celine helps her mildly and watches with a genuine smile on her face while my face too keeps a warm smile all the time.
Tessa places the plate of pancakes and finally looks up at me noticing my presence.
I expect her to invite me but deep inside I know it's disappointing. She looks away as expected and then sits on the stool between Cyrus and Aaron. She starts feeding them both one by one as I watch them with warm eyes.
"Uhmm... That's enough." I interrupt them hesitantly after Aaron finishes one piece of pancakes and Tessa looks at me, puzzled.
"Please... I want more, Daddy." Aaron requests with a small pitiful face but I refuse immediately.
"No, Aaron. One is enough."
"How could one piece could fill his stomach?" Tessa snaps at me as a caring mother.
Oh no, we aren't having this argument in front of the kids.
"Miss Martha will feed him more according to his diet," I explain to her in silent words but her brain doesn't seem to work properly as she gives me a dissatisfying look. All ready to get into a big fight.
Great, gone the obedient Tessa, but so quickly?
Sigh...
"Miss Celine, please take care of the kids. I and Tessa would like to have a word in private." I try to sound as calm as I could Aaron looks at me anxiously and I pat his head indicating that everything is fine. I know this little soul cares a lot for everyone and notices every single change in me, even if it's happiness, worry, sadness or anger and I am sure he has noticed my rage just now.
And when I turn to Cyrus for any comfort I realize that he hasn't lifted his head once as he is busy with his breakfast.
Ha... My little hungry beast.
Tessa remains at her place when I give her a look for moving and finally she does. We step out of the kitchen silently and reach the living room together.
"Aaron has allergies and he has to follow strict diets." I start to explain but she isn't in any mood to listen to my words as she scoffs in disdain, "One meal won't harm anything. It's the first time I cook for him but you... You always have to spoil things. Have you seen his face? How badly you have hurt him? Terrified him..." She scolds me and I frown badly.
"I did what's good for him."
"No, you were just jealous of us being together so you tried your best to spoil our moment." She snaps, and seriously her assumptions about me are very illogical.
Why would I be jealous of my own family?
"Now, you're making an unnecessary issue," I tell her scornfully.
"Unnecessary... Unnecessary... You think I am finding ways to get into a fight with you?" She starts to boil in rage out of sudden.
What wrong have I said?
"I didn't mean like that," I mumble irritated.
"So, then what does it mean? You keep my son away from me and this little reunion of us bothers you so much that you didn't even allow that little boy to have another piece of pancake...!!" She chides and I too start to lose my temper.
"And what about you? Didn't you keep Cyrus away from me and what did you tell him huh? I was far far away... Do you think I don't get what you meant with that words? You were satisfied to let your son think of himself as an orphan... How cruel a mother you are... !!!" My tone gets a bit loud and stern but there is no way she would back up at all.
"Huh, A cruel mother..." She laughs in sarcasm. "Have you forgotten that it was because of you I become like this? I couldn't let my son feel the same disappointment and betrayal that I got from you. How about I told him how his father betrayed his mother just to get her under him and then use her for their own pleasure."
My blood shoots in my brain furiously at her disgusting words. How dare she talk such shamefully with me.
To get her under him? I tried to get her under me and what about those times when she threw herself at me and when she admitted her love for me. She was admiring me since the time when I didn't even know about her existence at all.
I was on the verge to outburst my anger when Miss Celine's anxious shout takes all my attention.
"Sir Andrew."
