hapter 25
In the bathroom, Bertha stood under the shower with her eyes closed, letting the water stream down to ease her mounting frustration.
She knew she had never seduced any man, so she had a clear conscience.“It must have been a case of mistaken identity,” she reasoned. So she didn’t dwell on it.
Just when life seemed to be falling into place, such a thing had to happen. How irritating.
She’d sold wine at the bar, only to cross paths with a bastard.
Then, after leaving, she’d run into a mad woman who slapped her for no apparent reason!
Bad luck!
Once she finished washing up, Bertha deliberately pushed the incident from her mind.
Ethan greeted her with creamy mushroom soup he’d prepared.
Touched by the gesture, Bertha leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
Ethan, you’re the sweetest.”
Ethan’s cheeks flushed bright red at the affection.
At the sight of the slap mark on Bertha’s face, Ethan’s eyes welled up again, overcome with pity.
Mommy, can I sleep in your bed tonight? I want to snuggle with you.”
Alfred and Jacob turned to Bertha in unison, their eyes bright with expectation.
bertha smiled softly.“Of course, we’ll all sleep together tonight.”
Great! I’ll tell you a joke later.”
I’ll give you a massage.”
I’ll sing you to sleep.”
Laughter filled the tiny room, mingling with the warmth of their affection.
But as Bertha looked at her three sons, her heart gave an unexpected thud.
A strange emotion welled up, like a fragment of her soul had been torn away.
This feeling always surfaced during their happiest moments as a family, bringing a faint ache to her chest.
Something was missing, though she couldn’t name it.
It was as if a child had been snatched from her.
It was a strange feeling,
At the same time, in Beverly Hills.
In the vast villa, the air hung cold and empty.
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< Chapter 25
Marcus carried a plate of homemade pasta upstairs, where Casper sat by the window, his gaze fixed on the
door.
His small frame looked painfully lonely.
Marcus felt a pang of guilt. He approached softly.“Casper, have some pasta.”
Casper didn’t move, still staring longingly toward the entrance.
Marcus set the plate on the small table in front of him.
“Your mom would be sad if she knew you weren’t eating.”
A flicker of light sparked in Casper’s otherwise vacant eyes. He turned to Marcus, voice solemn.
“Do you really think Mommy knows?”
Yes. Mothers and sons are connected. She knows every thought you have, even when you skip meals.”
Will she know I’m thinking of her?”
‘Of course.”
Then why hasn’t she come back? If she knows I miss her, why doesn’t she come see me?”
Menu
Marcus’s chest ached.“Yes,” he thought, “where is that heartless woman? Her son is here, pining for her. Why hasn’t she returned? Where in the world has she gone?
Why hasn’t she come back to see Casper?
Why won’t she come see me?”
Does she … not like me anymore?” Casper asked, voice trembling.
Marcus shook his head firmly.“No, she loves you more than anyone in this world.”
Then why does she know I miss her, but still won’t come back?”
Marcus rested a sad hand on Casper’s head.
‘Maybe something’s keeping her from coming right now.”
Like… is she in danger?”
Before Marcus could respond, Casper bolted to his feet and lunged for the door.
Marcus grabbed him quickly. “Casper, where are you going?”
“I have to find Mommy! She’s in danger, I need to save her!”
“Casper, calm down. She’s not in danger.”
“Let me go! She must’ve been taken by bad guys! I have to save her! Let me go! No one can hurt Mommy!”
“Casper!”
It was late. Marcus couldn’t let Casper go outside. He grabbed Casper’s arm, refusing to let
“Calm down, Casper!”
- go.
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<Chapter 25
Casper didn’t calm down; instead, he flew into a rage, sinking his teeth into Marcus’s wrist.
Marcus flinched and released him. Casper lunged for the door.
But Marcus blocked his path in time.
Trapped, Casper’s frustration exploded.
He began hurling everything in reach, decorative pieces, blankets, the bedside clock, and clothes in the wardrobe.
Even the pasta Marcus had just placed there.
He knocked over anything that could fall and smashed anything that could break.
Not satisfied, he snatched a fork from the floor and drove it toward his own wrist.
Marcus yelled in horror, tackling him into a tight hug.“Casper, no!”
Casper thrashed wildly like a caged animal, howling with rage as he struggled.
He became angrier and angrier with each passing moment.
His body quivered, teeth clattering–fueled by a seething blend of wrath and something infinitely deeper. After a long time of struggling, his body went limp, and he fainted.
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< Chapter 26
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
