10

Chapter 10

"It's bad to waste food. I'll eat it."

I grabbed the burnt bacon. I should have checked the pan. I forgot. What a waste of food. I stopped when Fabian took the plate I was holding.

"I'll eat it. I was the one who cooked earlier and I should have told you," Fabian said. Both of us laughed after realizing how useless our little dispute was.

"Where's the bacon?"

I looked at the plate in front of Fabian. The burnt bacon was gone. We both looked at France, who was currently munching on something.

"Stop fighting. I already ate them," France said, smiling broadly. Both Fabian and I stopped.

"Baby, those were burnt. It's too strong in flavor," I said, widening my eyes and touching France's cheek. France held my wrist and laughed.

"Daddy's cooking is always burnt. I'm used to it, mommy!"

I glanced at Fabian. He immediately raised his hands, admitting he really couldn't cook.

"You could at least hire chefs or have your maid cook. France might get an upset stomach," I said worriedly. Fabian scratched his cheek and explained that France doesn't eat food prepared by strangers.

Fabian stopped abruptly when his phone suddenly rang. He excused himself and left with his phone, which was on the table earlier.

When Fabian was out of earshot, France told me not to scold Fabian. I stopped and turned to France, saying I wasn't scolding Fabian.

France smirked.

"You scold him," France said, which made me chuckle.

"I'm just worried. You're still a child and should only eat healthy foods, and Fabian is an adult. He needs to prioritize your health," I explained. France's gaze dropped slightly.

"Daddy does his best for me. When he found out I don't eat food from strangers, he immediately studied how to cook."

I paused after hearing that. France recounted how, despite Fabian's busy schedule, he always cooked for him before going to work to make sure he ate.

I looked at Fabian, who was now standing by the entrance, looking directly at France.

"His cooking is always too bitter. Sometimes salty, sometimes bland, and sometimes burnt. He looks distant from me, but whenever I see him doing his best to cook— it's funny because I realize my daddy isn't perfect and he's not that strict. He looks like a human that gets along easily," France said. I ruffled France's hair.

"Is he a good dad then?" I asked. France wrinkled his nose.

"Not really good but not bad."

"You always have to add more," Fabian quipped, approaching us. Both of them exchanged glances and Fabian said that France is becoming a gossip.

"Where did you learn those words?" Fabian asked. France immediately answered that he heard them from his female classmates.

I chuckled when Fabian said that France didn't need to apply everything he heard and saw at school.

"But you do seem gossipy, daddy."

"I'm not."

I stifled a laugh after the father and son bickered again. The table became noisy for us.

After eating, I looked at Fabian and asked if he was leaving today.

"No. It's my day off today. Why?" Fabian asked, helping France get down from his chair.

"I'm leaving today. But I'll be back soon."

Fabian looked at me and said he would call the driver to take me where I needed to go.

I shook my head and said I would just take a taxi.

"It's going to rain later. Are you sure you'll be okay? How about I accompany you? I'll take France with me," Fabian said. I smiled slightly and said it wasn't necessary.

I'm going to my husband's mansion today. For the last time, I want to see them again. I want to know many things, especially from Victor.

I don't want Fabian and them to worry or burden them. I stopped when Fabian approached me and held my hand.

"How can I let you leave alone when you're showing that expression? I'll go with you whether you like it or not. I promise we'll just stay outside. France and I will wait for you," Fabian said.

I paused at the idea that Fabian seemed to have guessed where I was going. France also came closer and held the hem of my dress.

"I'll come too, mommy. Daddy and I will behave in the car. We won't leave you," said France. I don't know, but when I heard that, tears welled up in my eyes. Why do these people I barely know make me feel this kind of warmth?

Fabian hugged me suddenly and pulled me close to his chest.

"Whatever decision you make, we'll accept it, France and I, even if you go back to your real family," Fabian said, making me cry more as I hugged him back. I don't know why my chest suddenly felt tight after hearing that. Maybe because the idea of ​​returning to Victor's family was impossible, or because despite the possibility that I might not return, they still planned to accompany me and wait for me.

With that said, Fabian implied that if my family didn't accept me again, they would be there to wait for me and take me home anytime.

I agreed to let them accompany me to the Valencia mansion. While on the way, France didn't let go of me. He remained clinging to me.

"France, I'm coming back. You don't need to hug me like I won't return," I said. I was sure I would come back because they were the only ones accepting me.

It was also expected that Victor's family wouldn't accept me, given Victor's desire to divorce me.

"But mommy said that last time too—and—and she didn't come back," France whispered, burying his face in my chest. I didn't know why, but when I heard that, it felt like knives stabbed my heart.

I raised my pinky finger. France paused and looked at me.

"Promise, mommy will come back no matter what happens. Whether the Valencias accept me or not, I won't leave France," I whispered. For the first time, I saw France's eyes glisten as he raised his pinky finger. I hugged France and tapped his back, laughing softly.

"Mommy just needs to get a few things and talk to my ex-husband."

I felt Fabian's gaze, so I looked at him. He just smiled.

"Should I expect to know your answer to my offer later?" Fabian asked. I looked directly at him.

"Are you really serious about your offer to me?"

Without hesitation, he answered yes. He leaned his elbow on the armrest of our seat in the back, looking straight at me.

I said my face couldn't be fixed anymore.

"What if my face remains like this forever? You'll have a wife who's ugly for life," I said. Fabian's expression didn't change. I really couldn't read his thoughts.

"Isn't that better? I won't have any  male competitors to you."

I stopped after hearing that. Fabian grinned and said he didn't care.

When we arrived at the Valencia mansion, Fabian got out carrying an umbrella and opened the door for me.

"Sir Fabian, you're getting wet," I said. I saw the rain falling on Fabian's expensive coat.

"Don't mind me. Go inside; the rain is getting heavier," Fabian said, shielding me with the umbrella. The driver got out and opened the umbrella for me.

"Please escort her to the gate."

When the driver handed me the umbrella, I looked back at Fabian. He just waved lightly, and I smiled slightly.

My feet felt heavy as I walked towards the gate. The guard was surprised to see me and stood up.

"Madam!"

The old man approached the gate and looked at me. I asked if Victor was inside.

The old man didn't know what to do. As expected, Victor instructed him not to let me in.

The rain grew stronger. The old man quickly opened the gate and told me to come in.

"Sir Victor is inside."

The old man escorted me to the mansion, and when the door opened, I immediately heard Victor's mother's voice.

"What is that woman doing here? Didn't I tell you not to let her in here!"

I stared at Victor, who was standing next to her, and Themarie, who didn't seem surprised to see me. It seemed like they were even happy to see me seeing them together.

"How dare you come back here!"

"You, old man! You're fired! I don't want to see your face here either!"

I clenched my fist. I couldn't believe I wasted years with these kinds of people.

I wanted to punch myself for that. I glanced at Victor, who had a disgusted expression. Why? Because of my appearance. I wanted to laugh at that.

"Don't worry because I'm not here to force myself on you anymore. I'm here to congratulate Themarie and Victor on their engagement. As a gift—I'll sign the divorce papers," I said. Victor paused after hearing that. He looked at me and arrogantly said it was good that I finally woke up to reality.

"Yes, I've been foolish for years with trash like you."

"What!"

I extended my hand and asked for the divorce papers. I wanted to finish that and leave.

Victor's mother immediately prepared the divorce papers. As expected—when they arrived, I sat on the sofa and began signing them.

While signing the divorce papers, memories of how Victor courted me and our wedding flooded my mind.

"Victor, when did this start?"

I put down the pen and looked at Victor, who quickly took the divorce papers. He flatly said I was too boring and too focused on work.

"You're too arrogant just because you're more famous than me," Victor said boredly. I stood up and said I was Victor's wife.

"Aren't you supposed to be happy with my achievements?" I said angrily. He just laughed, and I felt irritated looking at him.

"You're only famous because you're pretty."

Themarie laughed after hearing that. I bit my lip. I couldn't believe what he said.

Out of all people, Victor couldn't see my talent and passion. Why? Because of jealousy?

I bit my lip. I was trying hard not to punch Victor. All this time, was that what Victor was thinking? I looked stupid and made his words my inspiration. All that was fake.

I wiped my cheeks violently. He didn't deserve my tears. They were worthless people.

"Mom?"

I was startled and looked at the other side of the room. I saw Vladimir. His eyes widened.

"Vlad—"

He will run towards me immediately lifted by Vincent.

"Mom! Mom!"

My heart raced faster after seeing my child cry and call me "mom" again. I would run towards him, but guards suddenly stopped me.

"What does this mean, Victor? I just want to hug my child!"

I pleaded, calling for Vladimir, who was quickly carried away by Vincent.

"Mom! Don't leave me! I'll come with you, mom!"

Vladimir cried uncontrollably. I fell to my knees after hearing that. Victor said Vladimir was his son now, and I had no right to see him.

"No! What right do you have to stop me from seeing my child! Bring out Vladimir! I want to hug my child!"

I shouted, but it seemed like Victor heard nothing and had me dragged out of the mansion. I kept calling for Vladimir repeatedly. I felt like I was losing my sanity after hearing Vladimir cry and call out for me.

I was pushed out of the mansion, and from above, I heard Vladimir screaming "mommy." I cried and begged for them to give Vladimir to me.

"Vladimir! Can you hear mommy! Wait for me, my child! Mommy will get you!"

I stood up and tried to enter again, but Victor's men just pushed me away. My heart felt like it was being squeezed as I heard Vladimir cry and say he would come with me.

I saw my child banging on the glass wall on the veranda, and I saw Vincent take Vladimir and close the curtains.

I sobbed uncontrollably and fell to my knees again. My child—my heart felt like it was being torn apart because I couldn't do anything.

"Vladimir," I cried. I was in so much pain that I didn't feel the raindrops, the cold wind, or the roughness of the ground because of the mud.

"How could you do this to me, Victor?," I cried. He didn't even give me a chance to hug my child. He took away my child from me.

"Let's go home, Sonia."

I stopped and turned my head, tears streaming down my face. I lifted my gaze— I saw Fabian holding an umbrella, his expression soft as he looked at me.