AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The loud chime of a phone interrupted the heated moment. It was a text from the hospital. It read, ‘I know this is not the best of time but as instructed, I'm sending this as soon as it came in. Attached is the DNA result. P.S. heads-up, it's a 99.9% match.’
My heart plummeted to the floor of my stomach.
"Jason is my son."
14
- THE SURPRISE
ZOEY CARTER
Iwas woken up by a soft tap on my leg. I yawned and shielded my eyes from the light pouring into the room through an open window. I heard the girls calling my name as I slowly regained awareness of my surroundings. The room was white and gold, and every surface gleamed brightly, mine. After the wedding, Adrian had instructed that I move into this room, and he’d had some men set it up for me. The décor was nice and included rare and expensive antiques. It was a room, in his words, “befitting of his wife.”
“Momma, wakey wakey.” I felt my face being slathered in something moist. “Hey Ted, out you go.”
I reluctantly got out of the comfortable bed to see Rose chasing the little fur ball out. Adrian had gifted it to Jason. It was a rescue dog. Brown thick fur, and cute eyes you can’t help but fall in love with. Thankfully, Aurora’s long list of allergies didn’t include little furry friends, and she loved Ted even more than Jason.
I pulled on my pink sleep robe and walked out. I couldn’t help stealing a quick glance at his door on my way. It was shut and silent. He’d left for work early again. Since the wedding, I rarely saw him, except at dinners and whenever he wanted to spend time with the children. And even in those times, I could always feel his rage washing over me in violent waves. He despised me, and I deserved it. With a dull ache in my chest, I trudged slowly to the kitchen where Rose and Jason were helping Eva, the new help, to set up for breakfast. When I entered the kitchen, they all flocked to me.
“Morning, darlings. How are you doing this morning?” I crooned, giving them both kisses.
“Good morning, Mom.”
“Where’s your sister?”
“She’s still sleeping.”
“Go wake her up, you two.” They raced out of the room. “Jason!” I called out in a tone mothers develop after a while of dealing with kids, making him halt in his step. “Keep Ted out of my room.”
His features softened. “Alright, Mom. I’m sorry.”
“He’s so perfect. Good morning Mrs. Black.” It still felt weird being addressed as such.
“Morning Eva. I’ve told you. It’s Zoey. Just call me Zoey."
"Sorry, ma’am."
"It's fine. I take it my husband left for work early again?”
“He left sometime around midnight. A work emergency, he said.”
“And he didn’t come back in?”
“No. I believe he left you a note. He didn’t want to wake you,” she explained.
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “What are we having for breakfast today?”
“Mashed potatoes and lamb chops.”
“Alright then. Please go prepare the kids. We’ll be making a short trip to my husband’s work. You know, bring him some fresh clothes and breakfast.”
I instantly got to work washing the potatoes and cutting them into smaller sizes to make them cook faster and easier to smash while Eva walked out to carry out my instructions. Cooking once again has saved me from one too many downward spirals. It was a delightful chore, especially when it was for the kids. I considered it art too. Seeking out the freshest, healthiest ingredients, although I rarely did that anymore. That had become Eva’s job after my mother-in-law hired her to help with the girls. She was a kind girl. Took orders well, and she did a good job with the kids, and that was enough for me.
In no time, the kids barreled down the stairs, looking their best. “Aw, don’t you all just look so splendid. Tell me again, who are my pretty princesses?” I cooed, holding out my arms.
Soft giggles filled the air as I caught them in a loving embrace. They made my world make sense. Contract or not, the one thing that was real to me was the bubbly feeling in my chest at these beautiful giggling creatures in my arms.
“So, what do you think of going to give Daddy a little surprise?”
