The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 12

In the stillness of the night, whispers carried an indescribable atmosphere, as if the darkness itself had its own secrets.

Leander chuckled softly, his voice laced with mischief, "Remember yet?"

He was clearly trying to tease me.

But I refused to give in, "Oh dear, it seems I haven't quite gotten there yet."

Leander's gaze captured my reflection.

My hair, loose and flowing like a waterfall, sprawled across the pristine white sheets.

My cheeks, flushed from kisses, were radiantly captivating.

Leander worked my throat as he spoke, "Then let me help jog your memory..."

...

The mental exhaustion and the physical toll of staying up all night weighed heavily on me.

But Nigel had just been admitted to the hospital with a stomach bug and was obviously in need of careful attention.

I forced myself to get up early to prepare breakfast.

Nigel could only have oatmeal for now, to help soothe his stomach. I made sure to cook it in a slow cooker, to get it extra soft.

I started with a high flame to bring the water to a boil, then turned it down to simmer gently.

Glancing at the clock, I noted it was still early, just past five.

Deciding to make the most of the morning, I headed to the local farmers' market to pick up some fresh vegetables and meat.

Once home, I cleaned and prepped everything, timing it perfectly for when Nigel would wake up.

I made two dishes for breakfast: sautéed green beans and a hearty beef stew.

Just as I was about to call them to eat, I heard the rapid patter of feet.

Nigel burst into the room, puffing up his cheeks in discontent. "I told you I didn't want to come back home. I just want to stay at grandma's..."

He glared at me. "Even if I was sick and in the hospital getting an IV, you should've taken me back to grandma's after!"

Nigel thought I was oblivious. So, he assumed he could keep using his grandma as his shield to continue his escapades with Luna. But I decided to confront him, "Take you to grandma's so she can then take you to Luna's, huh?"

Nigel froze. He was still a kid, unversed in dealing with such situations.

"Nigel, from today on, I won't be taking you to your grandma's anymore." He retorted on instinct, "Says who?"

I stood my ground, something I rarely did, "Says me, because I'm your mom!"

"Well, I don't want you to be my mom anymore!" Nigel collapsed into tears. "I just want to go to Luna's. I want Luna to be my mom!"

He was the child I carried for nine months. The one I've painstakingly cared for.

Yet now, he was willing to discard me for someone who had led him astray with junk food and careless living...

It felt like a stab in the heart.

Tears filled Nigel's eyes, which resembled black gems. Mere crying couldn't vent his frustration, so he grabbed a glass of water from the table and smashed it on the floor with all his might. "Crash!"

The glass shattered everywhere, along with the water.

My heart went cold. It wasn't just the broken glass; it felt like my heart was too. I couldn't understand...

How could he bear to hurt his mother for a woman he had barely known?

Nigel, not yet satisfied, went on a rampage, throwing whatever he could replace.

Leander came out, surveying the chaotic living room while Nigel was in the midst of his tantrum, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "Nigel, what are you doing?"

Hearing his father's voice, Nigel stopped crying and ran to Leander, "Dad, you like Luna the best, right? Please, divorce mom and marry Luna."

"I want Luna to be my mom. I want to be a family with Luna and live with her!"

The scene was a snapshot of a fractured family, a testament to the complex webs of relationships and the innocence of a child's misunderstanding.