Chapter 50

Thea's Point of View

Because I was sleepy, I didn’t know I’d fallen asleep. Because we’ve been gone for a while and I haven’t even had a chance to rest since getting off the airplane. I had just awoken to find Cray no longer alongside me, so I hastily sprang from my slumber. Cray laughed as I opened the door. I was going to walk to them when I heard Cray asked Craig a question.

“Do love mom?” I understood his question, even though it wasn’t straight. They can’t see me immediately away since they’re in the kitchen. I came to a halt just at the door. I’m not sure what they do, but I know Cray eats since he is always talkative when we eat.

I know Craig loves me, but why do I still want to hear those words from his mouth. I waited for Craig’s answer, but I was just hurt by his answer to Cray. I seem to think so highly of myself that over time; he is not out of love. But he said last night that he still loves me, didn’t he? Not even directly. I know that’s what he meant.

“You are still young to ask those things. One day, you will also know the true meaning of those words. Finish your food.” When I heard him rise, I dashed back to the bedroom and laid down. The wound that I thought had healed has reopened.

He would just respond with a yes or no. He doesn’t want to answer, or he could not respond? Then I think about Felicity. Despite all Felicity has done to us, he is still with her. Then he wanted me to hear his explanation for why it happened to the two of them.

What kind of nonsense does he want me to believe in?

“MOMMY!” Cray’s shout rang around the room as I was buried in deep thought, and when I glanced at him, Craig was carrying him and wiping his mouth. I stood up right away and didn’t glimpse at Craig. I had to return to my parents’ home since I had a lot of work to do for the firm. I didn’t ask about the company while I was in Spain, so I let Mason and Aunt Joana manage it, but now it’s my responsibility.

I stepped up and took Cray in my arms. I also didn’t have any clothing since I couldn’t find my luggage, so we had to return to the mansion. I also have the impression that I stink.

“We’re heading home. Thank you for letting us in.” He didn’t seem astonished by what I said. He also allowed me to pick up Cray. He was dressed in an office outfit, maybe because he was always in the office, so he did not push us to stay.

“I’ll take you.”

I’m no longer debating what he stated. I just finished cleaning up and bringing the bottles and milk we bought the day before. Even in the car, no one broached the subject of what occurred last night since Cray is awake and we don’t want him to hear anything terrible that would lead him to find out more.

“Dad?” That was all Cray said as Craig slid the car into the large gate of my parents’ mansion. I don’t know what he wants to say, but maybe he’s asking how about his daddy.

“We will visit your daddy sometime. Mommy still has work to do so we can’t be with him for a while.” When I told him that, the car stopped. When I opened the door, he suddenly stopped my arm. I just looked at the hand that held me and waited for him to speak.

“Will you let me see Cray again?” As his voice broke at the end, it was as though a hammer struck my heart. It seemed as though tears wanted to fall from his eyes, but he restrained them.

As I pulled the bag out from behind the seat, I assured him, "Don't worry, I won't take your son away from you."

Since he didn't answer Cray's question, I have no idea why I've been getting so aggravated about it. Is there a more involved response to that question? I'm also annoyed with myself because I've made such a trivial matter feel like it has so much importance to me. Where has the Thea disappeared, of whom I was once so proud?

He then gave Cray a peck on the cheek and ruffled his hair. I thought he was done, but I was wrong because he kissed me first on the lips and then on the forehead. I should have known better. He did not stop yet. He provided the answer that I had been searching for. That makes me feel better.

“I love you.”

Because what he said stunned me. He exited the vehicle and opened the door. When I came out, he grabbed the bag and led us to the door. I felt as if I were flying as I reflected on what he had done to the car.

Instead of leaving first, he waited inside for the both of us to come in. When I reached the top of the stairs and stood in front of the door that was the furthest away from me, he was still standing there. When I opened it, he immediately turned around and walked out. My heart started to race as soon as we walked. The butterflies regained their ability to fly. I could feel a flushing of colour on the sides of my cheeks as well as the back of my neck.

I just came back to myself when I saw Aunt Joana walking down the stairs. When she spotted me, the look on her face said it all.

When she saw the kid I was carrying, her eyes grew even further.

Unexpected, isn’t it?

“Thea? When did you return?” Aunt Joana hurried rapidly over to me, her eyes wide with surprise. I’m relieved to know that even though I’ve been gone for a long time, they still consider me a threat. I only hope they didn’t cause too much damage to the firm.

“Yesterday,” I responded cautiously. I didn’t want to exchange words with her if I knew only a handful of them were real. I walked by and ignored her. I’d want to sleep even more.

I’ll take a week off, after which I’ll decide what to do with the company.

Nothing has changed in my room, it is still clean and maintained its look. I can see no dirt. As I looked at the belongings I had left behind, I saw the ring I had left before I went to Spain. Wayne and I both have the same ring. This is the swore ring. This is what we used to say we’d wear when we were married, but you never know how fate will change you.

With a knock, Cray approached the side of my bed. Celine is outside when I opened that door. The two maids carried our bags and waited for the elderly woman’s directions before entering. I quickly hugged Celine and felt awful that I hadn’t done so before my memory returned. Then I realized she was one of those who monitor me as a youngster. She was with me while my parents were unavailable at those times.

“Even if you just shouted so I could hear that you have arrived.” She said, smiling and looking at the boy behind me. I knew she had a lot of questions, and Aunt Joana did as well because all they knew was that my baby had died. “I’m glad that you came back.” She added.

“I’m also glad to be back; I never imagined I’d go home with the memory. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you that day.” I embraced her again.

“WHHAAAAAA!” When someone yelled behind me and seemed like it had been hit someplace, the two of us took off running.

Cray was now resting on his back when I saw him.

I looked at his head to check whether he had hit the wood of the bed, but he had just fallen. I carried him up to put him to sleep, then I walked to the maid, who put in the baggage and bag. I asked her if she could make Cray milk, and I instructed her what she would do while Celine and I talked.

“I know you don’t know what’s going on in the firm, but I’ll still venture. Has anything changed in the company? Mason? Do you know his plans?” We were still standing as I cuddled Cray and put him back to sleep. This is the time he sleeps.

“I don’t know what’s going on in your company but ...” She shut the door and then spoke as if she were a spy, while an assistant who had also joined us earlier went with the maid to prepare Cray’s milk. “I heard them one day talking with Jackson. I’m not sure if what I heard was correct, but I overheard they will reveal something when the business company did not go to Mason.”

When the door opened and the maid came in with the milk, we instantly stopped chatting. Celine’s eyes remained perplexed as she gazed at Cray. I have informed no one how Cray is still alive, and his father does not know how he was made since all they knew was that he was dead. Megan is likewise unaware of the truth. When I decided not to include anyone in my life, my life improved. I went ahead with no one advising me what to do.

“When I left, I also didn’t know about Cray. I was so desperate to move on and forget what happened to me. I didn’t know how I was going to find happiness.” I watched the boy in my arm gently close his eyes. “Until one day I found out that my son was supposed to be a twin. Unfortunately, one died.” I no longer told her how I learned anything. What matters is that she now knows.

We couldn’t talk any longer, and she also claimed she’d come out. I recall what she said about the firm. What a secret they’ll reveal. And how could Mason do such a thing to his father’s business? My gut instinct just grew stronger.

I waited until midday to go out because I didn’t want to see Aunt Joana’s expression. I still can’t believe she lived in my parents’ house for so long. The maids cheerfully delivered the food to Cray and me, and luckily, Celine remained attentive.

Fortunately, they did not fire the maids, and they are still being treated well.

My phone rang while I was assisting Cray with his meal since he had awoken. I forgot about it last night because of Craig. I quickly stepped over and removed it from the luggage. It rang again while I was holding it; because the sim card I was using was new. I had no idea who the caller was because I had no other connections here besides the Spaniards I met. It rang again after it died due to my failure to respond.

Unknown number.

“Hey.”

I immediately recognized who it was. I grinned since I didn’t have to worry about how he got my phone number. I smiled because I was relieved that he didn’t disrupt my silence in Spain.

"Do you miss me to the point where you simply can't take it any longer?" I made a joke, but he didn't respond, and that caught me off guard.

The only change is that he is now keeping his silence. I stifled a chuckle for a moment so that I could take in the ambiance. I waited for him to speak, but all he did was take deep breaths until he decided to speak, which caused my mind to race with questions as it tried to figure out what he was going to say next.

“Sorry."