The ribbon-cutting event was bright and crowded, with wealthy people across Jacksonville gathered.
When I walked inside the villa’s entrance, the first thing I noticed was that Sean was also present.
Wearing a deep-toned, patterned suit, he stood with a cool, proud air and polished grace.
Aster held onto his arm, greeting people.
Sean’s smile carried triumph and happiness.
My mother-in-law held her own biological grandson, talking cheerfully with several rich women.
All praised the boy, with his wide forehead, lucky features, sure to prosper as he grows.
The second I stepped into the hall, chatter went silent at once. Every pair of eyes shifted toward me.
Aster let go of Sean’s arm and walked over smoothly. “Finley, come look at the baby, he’s honestly very sweet.”
Speaking so, she took my hand, guided me to my mother-in-law, and placed the child into my arms.
Staring at the pale, round little one, a bitter ache rose in my chest.
My fingertips brushed his soft face gently. If only he were my child?
Clearly, I could have been.
Many eyes turned to me, pity, laughter, coldness, …
Sean moved past the group in a hurry, steps tense. “Finley, hand Nikolai back to me.”
I stopped, shock crashing through my thoughts. “You said… his name is Nikolai?”
“Nikolai Olson. Aster said it means two souls tied as one.”
“Waaah!!”
He burst into sharp wails.
My hold went loose, and a chill swallowed my whole body.
She even used our future child’s name for another man’s boy. She wished to join hearts with him?
Nikolai. That was the name we chose when I turned eighteen.
That first night together, she wrapped around me in joy, saying if we ever had kids in the future, we’d call him Nikolai, meaning our hearts would stay linked for life.
Before I could get angry, a clear slap rang through the hall.
Only then did I come back to my senses.
The baby lay on the floor, red blood sliding from his small forehead.
Aster held him tight, her eyes full of anger.
Next to her, Sean shouted in hurt. "Brother Finley, even if you don’t like my baby, you shouldn’t throw him in front of everyone! He is Aster’s son, too. How can you be so heartless?"
While saying this, he tried again to take the baby. "Aster, let go. I care about you. I was willing to stay hidden near you. But I can’t watch my child face danger like this."
"How could Brother Finley do that? Just because I have no power, he thinks he can kill Nikolai before all these people?"
His crying sounded heartbreaking.
Aster, scared, held him and the screaming baby tight. "Sean, look at me. Nikolai is our treasure. I won’t let anyone bring him harm. I love you, I love our baby. I will stand before you both, even if it costs me everything."
"Stay calm. I will give you an explanation. I’ll make him drop to his knees and speak sorry to you now. Any promise you ask for, I will agree to it."
Each sentence hit like a cold cut.
She wanted me to kneel and beg the mistress, to hand them confidence?
Then what were all my vows?
Were they just a joke?
Inside my thoughts, again and again, rose the memory of those young, bright eyes.
"Finley, I love you. I will stand by you forever. If anyone tries to bully you, I will fight them back."
Aster grabbed my shirt and, with one strong yank, dragged me down in front of Sean.
"Kneel.”
“Kneel and say sorry to Sean and Nikolai."
"You will promise on your deceased mother that if you ever once more act jealous or bring them harm in any form, may your mother after death be boiled in oil and suffer endlessly, never knowing calm!"
I looked at her, completely stunned.
My mother treated her like a real daughter when she was still alive.
She once knelt at my mother’s grave, calling her "Mom" with deep feeling, yet now, just for the man she cheated with, she cursed my mother so harshly.
