Wiping the tears on his chubby red cheeks, I kiss the hands engulfed in mine. When he refuses to look at me and continues sniffling, I hate myself for freezing.
He called me mama.Mama. I hope it wasn’t a one-time thing because it would ruin me if he took it back. The thought of him finally talking to me makes my vision blur, but I need to keep it together until I fix this.
“Remember what I always tell you? If you’re happy then I’m happy and if you cry, I’m going to cry too. And you know I can’t cry because I have a reputation to uphold,” at least that gets me a tiny smile.
August finally looks up with those bright blue eyes that pierce through your soul and asks, “Vo-love me?”
Cupping his tear-streaked face, I kiss his nose, which makes him giggle as he tries to break free of my hold. “I love you. You’re my favorite little man, my baby,my son.”
My reassurance calms whatever storm is brewing inside his head, and August leaps out of his chair and into my arms.
I stumble back in surprise, but thanks to Angel and his preparation for literally everything, he was already standing behind me and before I could fall back, his thighs steady me.
Grabbing my shoulders, Angel helps me up with monkey’s head on my shoulder and the brightest smile on his face. I thank Fates for bringing this boy to me for the thousandth time tonight.
Glancing around the room filled with adoration and unshed tears, I take in my family as they shower August with love and kisses.
“I knew cake had magical powers!” Seiji cheers, making all of us burst into laughter, eyes shredding the tears we were holding back.
Angel engulfs me in a warm hug, peppering kisses on August’s face, who giggles so hard Angel has to support my grip on the little guy before we all fall.
“Papa, I talk now!” August squeals and I frame this moment in my memory forever.
After kissing his nose, which August tries to hide under his hand, Angel swiftly takes my lips for a heart-stopping kiss, which doesn’t work well, seeing how we both can’t stop smiling.
Lost in my Angel’s eyes, it takes me a second to register the movement from the corner of my eye. Seiji is about to stick his fork into my cake when my head snaps to him. Caught red-handed, I expect him to back off, but to my surprise, my famous murderous glare doesn’t work.
Seiji is about to take a huge bite when I use my most powerful weapon. Pleading with my eyes, I beg Angel to save my cake before the bratty princess can clean my plate.
Onelook from Angel and Seiji is out of his seat and running to Grace, who generously offers to share hers, much to her mate’s annoyance.
“You know he is more terrified of you than me, right? You didn’t need my help to save your cake.” Angel doesn’t try to hide his amusement, softly caressing August’s head on my shoulder.
“No, that leech has crawled into my heart and isn’t scared of my threats anymore,” I mutter grumpily.
I’m losing my touch.
“You love him.” It’s not a question. I don’t have to spell it out for Angel to know how much these people mean to me.
“I do. It’s not good for my health or my reputation.”
CHAPTER 35
A living nightmare
Nevaeh
My steps feel light as a feather taking the quiet route back home. The portal is hidden deep in the woods so the serene environment is a good change from the busy market we celebrated August’s birthday at.
A whole day surrounded by people I love has cemented my reality. I finally have a home. A good life. A wonderful family.
But like every good thing, this feeling doesn’t last long either. Out of nowhere, a heavy cloud of fear smashes into my chest. I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until Angel calls out to me. Adrenaline pushes through my nerves the longer I keep standing in the same spot.
Something feelswrong. The dreadful instinct of danger approaching makes my stomach sink. When Harvey’s eyes find me, his alarmed expression only confirms my gut feeling. Years of torment and constant fear have trained us to catch a threat even when we can’t see it.
“Hazel, put August to sleep. Now.”
She doesn’t make her usual sarcastic remarks, only sings a soft tune and spells August to sleep.
