Chapter 1722
Zavier awkwardly scratched his ear, âAlright, no more jokes. Letâs head inside, shall we?â
Fuming, Skyler had no interest in dealing with him any further, but Zavier reached for her hand, âTo ease my momâs mind, I told her weâve patched things up. Weâve got to put on a show for her.â
Skyler, not wanting to upset an elder, reluctantly handed over her hand. Together, they walked inside.
Upon their arrival, with Zavier leading Skyler by the hand, Kaleneâs face lit up with joy, but Nora spoke first, âFinally decided to show up, did you?â
Zavier replied, âAuntie Nora, what brings you here?â
Nora retorted, âYour motherâs been under the weather, so naturally, Iâm here to keep her company. Not like you, after wrapping up your dadâs affairs, you couldnât spare a thought for her.â
Zavier said, âWell, Iâm back now, arenât I? Skyler and I will take good care of Mom. You wonât have to worry.âe2
Nora challenged him, âAre you trying to shoo me away?â
Zavier, with a cheeky grin, said, âI just donât want you wearing yourself out at your age. Itâs not about sending you away.â
Nora, exasperated, âLook at the son youâve raised, Kalene! Heâs got no sense of right or wrong. The nicer someone is to him, the more awful he gets. And the ones who are hard on him? He treasures them like jewels.â
Her gaze shifted pointedly towards Skyler, âI canât imagine what kind of witchcraft youâve used on him.â
Zavier squeezed Skylerâs hand tighter, âThis is the francée my grandfather chose for me. I hope you will show her some respect from now on.â
Nora was at a loss for words, fuming but unable to retort.
Zavier showed no mercy, âButler, please show my aunt out.â
Nora turned to her sister-in-law, âKalene.â
Kalene rubbed her forehead, âNora, youâve been such a help these past few days, and you havenât had proper rest. Why donât you head home and relax?â
With a huff, Nora turned and left.
Once she was gone, Kalene motioned for Zavier to come closer. She opened her arms for a hug, âMy son.â She could only get two words out before tears began to cascade down her cheeks.
Zavier comforted her, âMom, please donât be upset. You still have me. And I believe if Dad and my brother are watching over us, they wouldnât want to see you ruin your health over their passing.â
Kalene, her voice heavy with grief, âYour father was fine that lunchtime, joking about watching you get married and start a family. Then in the afternoon, just like that, he was gone. Zavier, will you end up leaving me too, like your brother and father?â
Holding Kalene tightly, Zavier promised, âMom, I wonât. Iâll always be here for you. Iâll fulfill the dreams that Dad and my brother couldnât.â
These words inadvertently struck a nerve. âSon, focus on your video games and live a peaceful life with Skyler. Letâs leave Rivera Inc. behind. If itâs not meant for us, we wonât fight for it. Let them battle it out.â
Zavier wasnât one to give up so easily, but to avoid upsetting his emotionally fragile mother, he played along, âIâll listen to you, Mom. I wonât fight. Iâll focus on my gaming and my life with Skyler. We will take care of you together.â
âThatâs right. We wonât fight, and then they wonât target us,â Kalene agreed.
Zavier, concerned about his motherâs wellbeing, suggested, âMom, Iâll have the butler pack some of your things. Come stay with me for a while.â
FNEN
Zavier hoped that moving his mother away from the house, brimming with memories of her late husband and son, might help her heal from this profound loss a little sooner.
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