~Jacqueline’s POV~
Michael ran round the patio, squirting his twin water from his water pistol. Evans laughed as he got squirted. He ran ahead of Michael. I sat down at the table, which had an umbrella over it. A smile appeared on my face as I watched them. Their laughter relived me a little of the pain I feel inside. I envied them. I wished my childhood was like theirs.
They had parents who loved them, unlike mine who argued every time; a good home and were surrounded by people who loved them. At last, my story wasn’t worth telling to my children. I hope they get to enjoy the happiness I couldn’t. At least, coming here feels safer than being trapped home.
“I’m going to get you.” Michael said playfully, chasing his brother.
“Uh-uh! You’ll have to catch me first.” Evans replied jovially. He turned round and squirted his brother.
This stalled Michael a little. Evans squirted his twin until his water tank was empty.
“Huh?” He said in disbelief.
Michael took it as an advantage and squirted his brother. Evans had his arm over his face, using it as a shield. He laughed. Soon, Michael’s water tank was empty.
Daisy walked through the patio. She held a wooden tray and walked towards the table. She placed it on the table and pulled up a chair. She sat down opposite me. I looked at her.
“Sorry, I took so long. I was waiting for the scones to cool a bit.” She explained calmly.
“It’s okay.” I said as I took the cup of the tray.
Daisy had made me a cup of hot chocolate for me. I picked up the teaspoon along with the saucer. I placed the cup on it and stirred with the spoon. I left the spoon on the saucer and blew off the steam in it. I took a sip of it. Hot, not too hot; just the way I liked it. Yum!
I kept the cup on the saucer. I stretched out my hand over the plate and picked up a scone. I took a bite out of it.
“Do you like it?” She sought my opinion.
Like it? I loved it. Best scones I had ever tasted.
“Mhm!” I hummed and nodded simultaneously.
Daisy wore a smile on her face. She flashed a glance at the boys.
“Jackie,”
I looked at her. She had hung her head. She fidgeted her fingers.
“Um, I’m sorry that I was the reason you and Rex got into argument. I mean, if I hadn’t left you, none of that would’ve happened.” She apologized.
Daisy didn’t make eye contact. I kept the half-eaten scone back on the plate. I stretched my hand and held hers. She raised her head once she felt the touch.
“It wasn’t fault. You don’t have to blame yourself for what happened. I’m not angry.” I replied, being friendly. I maintained my warm smile.
Daisy’s face lit up. She nodded. I rubbed the back of hand affectionately and let go slowly. I leant my back against the chair. I picked the scone I had discarded earlier and took a bite out of it. I glanced at the boys. They spoke to each other softly, making it impossible for us to hear them.
“I’m glad i have this behind me. I thought that Rex will be that furious and ban you from here again. Especially now, Liam is back. But I’m glad he let you come over.” She said happily.
Yeah, right. He did get angry but I couldn’t tell her. If I did, Rex will kill me. I took another bite out of the scone.
“So, you and Liam used to be lovers?” She said keenly.
I glanced at her. She wore a smirk.
“Used to be but I guess not. I still don’t why he never mentioned me to either of you.” I blurted out.
“Hm! No wonder you had asked about him often.” She said cheekily.
I stayed mute and didn’t reply. I focused on my scone. The boys ran towards us.
“Mum, could we—?” Evans asked but was cut off.
“Scones.” Michael blurted out, with his eyes at the plate.
His words got his twin’s attention. They glanced at each other happily and stretched out their hands to pick one.
“Uh-uh!” Daisy said plainly,
“They aren’t for you.”
“Huh?” Michael said in disbelief.
“I made them for your aunt.” She answered.
“Oh!” Evans said wryly.
“Aunt Jackie gets scones but we don’t.” Michael said childishly.
“You have scones all the time. But your aunt doesn’t it.” She explained.
I looked at them. Their smiles disappeared. They had sad looks on their faces. I glanced at the plate and smiled faintly.
“You both can have one each.” I offered.
They furrowed their brow surprisingly. They looked at me.
“Really, Aunt Jackie?” Michael asked.
I replied in a nod. They didn’t hesitate and took the scones. I watched them as they took a bite out of it.
“Mm! Mum’s scones are the best.” Evans expressed happily, with his mouth full.
Michael nudged him,
“No talking with your mouth full, remember?”
Evans swallowed what he had chewed.
“Yeah. I forgot.” He apologized, being remorseful about his action.
“Mum, could refill our tanks.”
“Sure.” She approved.
“Yes.” They cheered enthusiastically.
“But you’ve to tell Mrs Cecilia so that she help you. I don’t want you spilling water on the floor.” She said.
“Okay, Mum. We will.” Evans said.
They ran towards the door.
“Remember to…” She added.
“…ask her politely.” Michael completed her sentence.
“Don’t worry, Mum. We remember that.” Evans assured her.
Daisy turned her head round and had her gaze at them. She faced me and shook her hair amusingly.
“They can be sweet and annoying at the same time.” She expressed happily, wearing a smile.
“Mhm!” I hummed.
“Wouldn’t you like to have children someday? I mean, you’ll have someone to take care of and keep you company while Rex is in the office.” She asked jovially.
Children? In this current predicament that I was in? Absolutely not! Having one for that wolf will give him more reason to trap in this union. I can’t risk it. I will have a child. Not sure with whom.
“I haven’t discussed it with Rex yet.” I lied, hoping she would buy it.
I hoped she wouldn’t ask further questions. If she persists, I might end up more spilling the tea. I could hear the boys’ laughter from inside. They were close to the patio door. I heard another different from theirs.
“Okay. I surrender.” The masculine voice said playfully.
The voice sent shivers down my spine. I had goose pimples all over my arm. I had my gaze at the door, eager to see who it was. He ran out, holding his hands in the air.
“Okay, okay. I surrender.” He said jovially. Michael squeezed the pumper and squirted water at him. He laughed. His eyes slowly met mine. The laughter died. He had his eyes at me. I looked away immediately and ate my scone nervously. Liam was the least person I wanted to see. Daisy noticed.
“I think that you’ve had enough squirting for today.” She said as she stood on her feet.
Why she was she standing up? Was she leaving me with him? Daisy walked towards them.
“But Mum, we are not done playing yet.” Evans explained to her.
“I know but you’re drenched. You might catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes for long. Come on, let’s do this.” She proposed, leading them to the door,
“If you change out of those clothes and keep your water pistols, I might consider baking scones. Just for you.”
“Really, Mum?” Michael asked excitedly.
They walked through the open door, leaving only Liam and I alone. Great! How lovely! Liam glanced at the door and walked towards the table. There was an awkward silence between us.
“Is this seat taken?” He asked plainly, breaking the silence between us.
I turned a deaf. Liam got the hint and pulled up a chair. He sat opposite me.
“I can see you’re okay.” He started off the conversation.
“Mm!” I hummed.
“I had thought after what happened, I would never see you again. At least, in this house. I thought he had banned you from coming here.” He said airily, being open about his opinion.
“Well, he didn’t.” I answered sharply, though trying not to be rude.
Liam didn’t say anything and simply hummed. He tapped his fingers on the top of the table.
“I never believed that you would leave me for someone else. I still find it hard to see you as that b*llend’s wife. Doesn’t it irritates you that you are with him and not me?” He pointed out.
“I’m not irritated. I was fully aware of the choice I made when I chose to marry your brother. Though, I had no idea you were related.” I replied boldly, feeling a bit timid.
“And I’m guessing he fits your description of a ‘perfect husband’, doesn’t he?” He slung me off.
I stayed mute.
“So, you’re happy with him?” He followed up, eager to know.
“I have no choice other than to.” I answered plainly.
In as much as I hated the wolf, I couldn’t stand listening to the insults he got from his brother. Rephrased, step-brother.
“Can you hear yourself clearly? You are happy where you are?” He asked ironically, sounding a little rude,
“You left your city; left your career; left those who actually loved you and you are comfortable being married to that lunatic. Is that what you’re saying?”
“My husband isn’t a lunatic. You should learn to talk about him with respect.” I replied sharply, sneering at him.
Liam scoffed,
“Talk about him with respect? Do you have any idea what that husband of yours is?”
Partially. But somehow I’m stuck between leaving him or enduring this torture. I stayed mute.
“You don’t know, really? Don’t worry, I’ll be more than willing to enlighten you about your beloved a*se of a husband. For starters, I know you’re not the only one he claims every now and then. He has a bevy of ladies at his call, ready to soothe his pleasure. You are just a trophy on his shelf.” He explained proudly.
“Stop it!” I retorted, standing on my feet. The chair fell down as I stood up abruptly.
“You can’t handle the truth, huh?” He smirked.
“I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but you should really know you’re boundary.” I said, pissed off by his words.
“Wake up, Jackie! Are you that blind you see the truth standing in front of you? You’re only going to get hurt as long as you’re with him. Everyday will be a beautiful nightmare for you.” He said bluntly, raising his voice a little.
“The only truth I see is hate.” I burst out.
Oh! That came out wrong. I heaved. If I stay here longer, things could get worse. Liam rolled his head and shook his head disappointingly.
“That’s what it is now?” He said plainly.
I turned a deaf ear and walked away. Liam caught up with me and stood in front of me. I ignored him and turned to the side. He blocked every move I made.
“Get out of the way!” I said firmly.
“I’m not letting you until you realize the situation you’re in.” He said steely.
“I don’t want —.”
The slow clap interrupted me. I looked forward and saw who it was. I rolled my eyes annoyingly. Could this day get any worse?