Niamh lay on the bed with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep even though she was hardly even drowsy.
Tonight was their first night as a married couple, and while she had no idea what Kendrick was thinking, she refused to bring their relationship to a physical stage.
Soon after, Niamh heard Kendrick exit the bathroom after a shower. His steps were light, as if on purpose so he would not wake her.
Then, Niamh felt the bed dip on the other side.
Soon, Kendrick’s warmth and smell enveloped her.
Niamh’s heart thumped faster as she slowly pulled her hands closer under the covers.
It was unlikely for him to want to do such things with her.
Niamh was thinking to herself when a warm breath suddenly puffed over her cheeks.
Afraid that Kendrick would kiss her, Niamh blinked open her eyes.
She was met with a pair of deep, dark ones the moment she opened her eyes.
“Did I wake you?” The man’s gentle baritone washed over her.
The corners of Niamh’s lips tugged. “You didn’t.”
“That’s good, then,” Kendrick whispered, his slender fingers falling on her small face as he leaned over slowly, his lips touching the corners of hers.
Niamh pushed him away. “I’m pregnant, Kendrick. Let’s not.”
Kendrick looked up to stare inquisitively at her. “I’ll wait until you’re ready. Let’s sleep.”
“Hmm, goodnight.” Niamh sighed a silent breath of relief, but she was unable to understand the strange look hidden in the man’s deep gaze.
The room darkened with the night, leaving light breathing and hearts beating in tandem in the quiet of the night.
Niamh was already awake to begin with, but the discomfort of having Kendrick asleep by her side made sleeping an impossible feat.
She turned her back to Kendrick in hopes to widen their distance only to have a familiar warmth and touch engulf her from behind.
Kendrick’s arms hung loosely around her small waist, and she could feel the warmth from his palm seep through the light material of her sleepwear into her skin.
While she did not like the feeling, Niamh did not push him away either.
There was no way she was going to turn back when she had already gotten here.
Especially when it was only a few more days anyway.
Feeling Niamh’s tense figure in his arms, Kendrick’s eyes snapped open. The faint scent of mint that wafted from her had his lips tilting in satisfaction…
The following day, Niamh looked up to stare at Kendrick’s calm sleeping face.
Niamh flew into a rage and pushed him away when she realized their positions. She was curled into his arms, allowing him to hold her as he wished. As such, she immediately got up.
She expected Kendrick to wake up but he had merely turned to the other side to continue to sleep.
Niamh’s pink lips pursed as she indifferently took in the happy features of the man sleeping before her.
‘I thought you said you were suffering from insomnia the past three years?
‘But you look well-rested this morning.
‘Hmph. Have you ever felt guilty or uneasy about my death, Kendrick?
‘No, you’ve never.’
Niamh immediately washed up and changed after sparing a last glance at the man’s face. Walking out of the room, she was met with Jackson walking out of his as well.
“Morning, Jack.’
She smiled and walked over.
“Is it time for school already? Would you like Big Sis Vera to make you breakfast?”
Jackson blinked and nodded innocently as he looked up at Niamh. “Yes, please.”
Niamh’s emotions lightened immensely at the little boy’s adorable features.
While a maid had already prepared breakfast, Niamh made another. It was a more simple and nutritional one for Jackson.
Seated at the dining table, Jackson merely stared at the heart-shaped sunny-side up without making a move to eat.
Niamh was worried that it was not to Jackson’s liking. “Do you not like fried eggs, Jack? Tell Big Sis Vera what you like and I’ll make it for you.”
With that, Niamh watched Jackson shake his head in response.
The boy’s angelic eyes were filled with unbridled joy and seriousness as he looked at Niamh, his small lips parting to reveal two cute-looking canines. “Thank you, Mommy.”
Mommy.
Niamh was stunned, not expecting Jackson to call her his mother so quickly without prompt when kids normally tend to dislike and even hate their stepmoms.
Yet all Jackson had for her was unrestrained love.
Niamh felt the corner of her eyes burn as she raised a hand to pat Jackson’s head affectionately.
“Big Sis Vera will treat you as her own son from now on, alright, Jackson? I promise you’ll have a mommy who loves you.”
Jackson nodded, his dewy cheeks blooming with his first-ever carefree smile.
Niamh thought her heart was going to melt just from looking at the smile.
Love and hate seemed like such a small matter in comparison.
Niamh sent Jackson to kindergarten after breakfast.
As for Lily, well, Niamh had placed her daughter in a friend’s care. She would never attend this kindergarten again.
Just as she was about to send Jackson through the kindergarten gates, Niamh was met with the sight of Eloise holding a stack of something in her hands.
Eloise was shocked to see Niamh here with Jackson and strode over to her. “I didn’t expect to see you bringing Jack to school, Miss Vera.”
“What are you doing here, Mrs. Montgomery?” Niamh asked with a smile.
Eloise stared woefully at Jackson whose hand was held in Niamh’s. “Like how I’ve seen Nevaeh as my own daughter the past three years, I’ve taken care of this child as my grandson as well. There’s nothing to sympathize with about Nevaeh’s current situation, but Jack… I’m reluctant to give this child up.”
Niamh understood, for she could see the affection and yearning for Jackson in Eloise’s eyes.
“Granny.”
Jackson suddenly called amidst the silent lull.
“You’re my granny.”
Eloise’s dimmed eyes brightened instantly. “Jack…”
She reached out to ruffle the boy’s head, only to accidentally knock off the stack of papers in her hands. Niamh lowered her gaze to look and her expression changed in recognition of the image on the paper.
Right then, Jackson squatted to help Eloise pick them up. The boy’s round eyes blinked lightly as his eyes fell on the printed image. “I’ve seen this butterfly before.”
Both Niamh and Eloise’s eyes widened at Jackson’s comment.
Eloise Patton was a designer as well, so she could fully replicate Niamh’s birthmark on the A4 piece of paper.
Niamh began to wonder if Jackson had ever walked past when she happened to reveal her birthmark.
“You’ve seen this butterfly, Jack? Where?” Eloise leaned down to inquire, eagerness shining in her glistening eyes.
“Why did you print so many search notices, Mrs. Montgomery? Are you trying to look for your daughter?” Niamh calmly changed the subject.
Eloise nodded. “I’ve posted it on the internet as well, but these flyers are merely another option. I’d try anything if it meant that I could find my daughter!”
Her words held nothing but hope and sincerity.
She truly wished to find her long-lost child.
Niamh felt her heart tremble and clench in her chest.
‘Perhaps my parents are not to blame, not when they too were victims of Nevaeh’s family’s lies.
‘They were used for their desire to find their child.
‘Yet…’
“Tell Granny, Jack, where did you see this butterfly before?”
Niamh suddenly heard Eloise’s impatient inquiry.
Snapping back from her thoughts, Niamh tried to stop Jackson only to hear the boy’s clear tone cut through the air. “On Nia,” Jackson answered lightly.
Niamh felt her heart race.
Eloise was stunned. “Nia? Jack, Nia as in Niamh Delgado?”
Jackson nodded before reaching out to point the right side of Niamh’s waist on her back. “Right here. That’s where Nia’s butterfly is.”
“…”
“…”
Niamh did not expect Jackson to have seen her birthmark.
Not to mention that Jackson was only two when she ‘died’ three years ago. What exceptional memory the boy had!
“Wh-What…” Stunned, Eloise’s vision grew dark.
As if all her strength had left her, Eloise swayed and began to fall.
Niamh’s reflexes kicked in and she grabbed Eloise before the other could hit the ground. “Are you alright, Mrs. Montgomery?”
Eloise’s complexion was pale while her gaze was blank. Her entire body froze as if she had lost her mind while tears trickled steadily from the corner of her eyes.
“Mrs. Montgomery?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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