Chapter 114

114 114- Aunt Sophie’s Promise

Sophie was busy thinking about her next project. She was glad that Marissa was getting her happiness back.

They needed to spend more family time together to strengthen the bond.

She smiled sadly when thought of Alex. After helping Flint with the cleaning now he was busy with his tab and making faces.

“Why didn’t you join your family? Sophie stressed the words, “Your family.

Alex just shrugged and clicked his tongue, “I had more important things to do,”

Sophie closed her laptop and went to sit beside him, “And what can be more important than spending time with your family, Alex,

When Alex didn’t respond, she got to the floor to kneel and held his small figure, “Are you not liking his presence?”

Alex knew who she was talking about.

“I don’t know, Aunt Sophie,” Sophie felt pity for the boy. A boy who was about to be four. Sometimes people around him used to forget that he was still a baby. A kid.

He was intelligent with a higher IQ level than the normal kids around him. Marissa worked hard so that she could send her kids to good schools in the future.

But for Alex, she wanted to do something special. To hire an expert trainer was one of them so that Alex could learn things and get a full scholarship. He needed guidance with all that intelligence.

He was not only mentally smart but emotionally too. But now Sophie wanted to break it.

Enough of this four–year–old stubbornness that matched the tantrum of a sixteen–year–old teenager. She needed to talk to Marissa and Rafael about him.

“Hmm,” she looked up when Alex said something, “What did you say, Alex?”

“Will she forget about us?” Alex asked her innocently.

“Who?” Sophie’s brows furrowed slightly, a note of concern creeping into her voice.

“Mom,” Alex replied quietly, his gaze fixed on her, “Will she forget about us now? I know this doesn’t make sense but…”

*No, sweetie, Sophie held his little hands, “Why do you think like that? She won’t forget you.”

Alex had now placed his tab aside and looked at Sophie.

“Alex. Your mom was all alone in all this. She had no one except me and Flint. Then she got you people. When you grow up, you’ll realize what a partner or a spouse means to a person. He is usually one in all. A companion. A friend. Everything. Don’t you

your mom will forget you? And don’t dislike your father to ever bring this to your mind that

Alev tried to savegamething when she raised her indey finger to ston him “No need to defend

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114 114- Aunt Sophie’s Promise

yourself when we all know that this is true. Your face shows it, Alex.”

“I’m… I’m scared Aunt Sophie,” his voice was barely above a whisper and Sophie’s heart went out to him, “I’m scared for my mom. For my sisters…”

“No, sweetie. You are more scared because of you. You are scared that once you get attached to him, he might leave you again.”

As a former gynecologist, she had handled enough cases to know all the stories of abandoned wives and moms. She knew what she was dealing with here.

His silence was a telltale sign that she was damn right.

“Sweetheart. Whatever is in there,” she placed her finger on his chest over his little heart, “just let it go, Alex. You need to welcome your father with an open heart. Let’s suppose that your gut feeling is right. Even if he is planning to dump you all, then that will be in the future. Right? You can’t spoil your present because of a mere thought, son.”

Alex nodded, his lips pursed tightly.

“Family is supposed to be your strength, your power. Do you want to check what it gives you? Just wait for your sisters and when you will see their happy and glowing faces then you’ll realize what an incredible thing it is.”

She held his face and looked lovingly at it, “You need to open your heart and let that strength flow in. Let that power make its place there, Alex. Please give it a chance. When your family… yes, we are talking about your family. When they’ll return then you’ll see what an incredible gift God has bestowed upon you.”

When the doorbell rang, Sophie got to her feet and held his small hand, “Come on. Get up. You need to go to that door and welcome your family with a big welcoming smile.

Alex lazily nodded and got up from the sofa. He went out of the living room with Sophie trailing

behind him.

She just wanted to keep an eye on him and kept her fingers crossed.

“I hope

that your son accepts this change wholeheartedly, Marissa,” She saw Alex unlocking the door and twisting the handle.

However, when he opened the door, loud cries welcomed him. The forced smile on Alex’s face was replaced by a look of horror.

He quickly moved aside when saw his sisters carried by Marissa and Rafael. Both the girls were crying their hearts out.

‘L… I wanted strawberry flavor!” Abigail screamed at the top of her lungs.

“And I spotted Mangoes too. I wanted mangoes and bananas too! I want candies! I want them all!” Ariel seemed more out of control.

Sophie who had just given the lecture on the importance of family seemed taken aback by the scene. The girls were happy when they left with their parents.

Then what went wrong?

114 114- Aunt Sophie’s Promise

vor

“What’s the matter? Did they hurt themselves?” poor her was looking for some sign of injury or a bandage on their bodies.

Both the parents looked tired after handling them.

“Marissa?” she asked her friend who was now sitting on the couch with Ariel on her lap. She was just brushing her hand on her daughter’s back to offer her some comfort.

While Rafael was taking a stroll in the room trying to cool off Abi.

When Sophie noticed that both the parents were too tired to offer any explanations, she reached to the crying Ariel, “Honey. Tell me. What happened?” she started fixing the girl’s long

hair.

“I… I want candies! I want those candies! They didn’t let me buy… I want those… I want only those…”

Abigail who had gotten quiet after so much effort started crying again when heard Ariel’s wailing, “Daddy! THAT WAS MY FAVORITE!”

She cremated again and Rafael again started stroking her back, “Shh. I know, honey. I know!”

He passed a helpless look to Marissa and then Sophie saw something strange. Amid all the chaos, Marissa stifled a grin and hid her face behind Ariel.

A trace of a smile also appeared on Rafael’s lips that he also concealed the same way as Marissa.

What was going on between these two? Their daughters were crying and they were enjoying it? And why the hell they didn’t let them buy….

“You two are in trouble!” Sophie snarled and that got everyone’s attention present in the room. Even the girls stopped crying for a moment.

“You didn’t let them buy candies? Shame on you!” she then reached over to Ariel and took her from Marissa as right now she was more out of control due to constant crying.

“Don’t cry, my angels,” she cooed, “I’ll buy you the candies of your choice! I promise!” She said passing a warning glare to the parents.