CHAPTER 71

Chapter 71

Angela’s POV

The number of minutes it took me to get to my mom’s place, and the number of people I met on the way all went over my head. I wasn’t in my right senses anymore. The fear that enveloped me, the disgust 1 felt, and the horror that settled in my spine all didn’t make sense to me until I stopped at my mom’s front porch.

All that happened in the last ten minutes came back to me in a flash and I shivered. I was scared, not just for myself but for Reina. I couldn’t even make out the face of the stranger because he had his face covered in a mask but those eyes; were so cold, distant, and nothing like I’d ever seen in my life.

I took a deep breath.

Fear gripped me again. I didn’t want to lose Reina. I can’t afford to lose her. It was never even in my plan to tell Darius about what I saw at Halle’s place but after getting threatened like that, I don’t think I would be able to breathe a word. to him or anyone else.

I managed to regulate my breath and put my heart at ease before I walked up to the front, turned the knob, and walked inside the house.

Right in the middle of our house was Zack. Dr. Zack. I could’ve rolled my eyes but I was too traumatized to. Good! Another person I didn’t look forward to seeing.

“Hello Angela,”

“Hi,” I waved a little at him as I glanced around to see if Reina was anywhere around the house.

It was her birthday tomorrow. My girl was turning the big six and I’d promised to spend the day with her as usual.

“You look great,” he commented, a smirk on his lips. A part of me felt as though I was being mocked and it made me wonder if because he was a therapist, he could read through me like an open book.

“I always look great. Why are you here?”

“Did something happen to you, Angela?”

I frowned. I rubbed my arm as if I was cold all of a sudden.

“What? Nothing happened. Where’s my mom?”

“You’re acting defensive and at the same time, trying to change the subject. It’s not who you used to be. And your mom is with your daughter. She’s getting her ready.”

“Well, thanks for the analysis and information. Have a wonderful day.” I began walking towards the stairs. “Just when you’re done, lock the door behind you,”

I wasn’t about to stand with him for a few more minutes and hear him tear me down or make me so weak I wouldn’t have a choice but to tell him what happened to me.

“Birthday girl,” I excitedly screamed as I walked into my daughter’s new room. It was my old room that my mom redecorated for her. I was actually surprised when she did and it felt weird. It was as though she didn’t want me sleeping over in the house anymore.

“Mama,” She waved at me with those tiny, cute hands.

“Are you excited?” She twirled and turned showing me her new dress with a high–pitched laughter. She was excited

Chapter 71

about the whole thing.

“Yes, mama. Daddy was here,”

“Really? He’s been coming here a lot,”

“He does. He’s always here to see Reina every single day and sometimes twice in a day,” my mama added.

“That’s great. We’ll go check him out at the office before we leave,”

“I want to see Santa too, mama,”

“No way. Santa only comes out at Christmas and Christmas is some months away,”

Her shoulders slumped and she stared at nothingness. I do know how old that child is but she’s an old soul. I’ve never seen a child more excited about Christmas than Reina.

“Okay. Do we get to see Dolittle and School of Magic?” She meant the School of magical animals. No matter how many times we see those movies at the cinema, she never gets tired of seeing them again. I’d already checked the cinema schedule and confirmed they would be showing at least Dolittle. If I had enough money, I would pay anything for them to show other movies.

“Of course. I guess we won’t be coming home anytime soon,” I said. If we would be watching all viewing movies at the cinema as Reina wanted, it would be a long time before we came back home.

“We’ll get some popcorn and waffles and doughnuts,”

“Chocolate frosted doughnuts,” I added.

“Yes,” she screamed excitedly.

I laughed and my mom joined in. Girl, I can’t believe I was about to be a mom to a six–year–old. It’s amazing how time runs by so fast.

“Can you guys take Brittany with you?”

“Does she want to

to come?” I asked my mom. “Will she not say trashy stuff about Darius to piss me My mom sighed. “She’ll behave, that wasn’t convincing but I would take what I could get. *Fine then. Reina and I will go see Darius first and we’ll come back round here to pick her up.”

off?

Reina and I walked back down the stairs. Zack and Brittany were busy talking and laughing. I raised an eyebrow at how comfortable they were. My mom went ahead to inform Brittany to get ready to follow us while I left the house

Le Stars.

with Reina.

On our way to Darius” office, she kept on singing some of her nursery rhymes like Twinkle, Twinkle, Litte Humpty Dumpty, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. She also had a question for asking questions in between.

“Mama, what are stars made of?”

“How’s ice cream made?”

“What makes rainbows?” and a million and one other questions.

Before we could walk into the building, Azalea and some of their warriors rushed out. I had to hold Reina closel we found a safe spot to stay so we didn’t get hit on their way out.

as

Darius soon walked out. His eyes were sharp and cold. Reina turned to look at me as I watched him walk closer to us. He didn’t even notice we were there until I called out to him.

“Darius,”

He turned sharply and I watched as his expression softened once he took in our forms. He walked closer to us and first caressed my ch*ek before he turned to Reina.

“Hey, Ree. You’re good?”

“Yes, daddy,”

She smiled brightly at him.

He turned to me worriedly. “What’s wrong?” I should be the one asking him that question not otherwise.

“Nothing. It’s Reina’s birthday tomorrow. So, we’re going to the next town to celebrate. It’s a girl thing we do,”

He smiled. “I didn’t know it was her birthday. I’m sorry.”

I grabbed his hand. “It’s okay. I didn’t tell you. It’s my fault.”

He bent to Reina’s level. I heard someone’s turning six tomorrow. Is that you?”

She bopped her head excitedly. “Yes, Daddy,”

“Wow! That’s great. Do you need anything?”

“A princess birthday cake. The biggest one ever,”

I squeezed my eyes shut. She’d always wanted that but I could barely afford a cupcake not to talk of a whole cake. I knew someday I would be able to give her what she wanted but it wasn’t about time.

“Anything for you, princess,” he k*ssed her ch*ek.

“Is it safe for us to p

go?

“Of course. I’ll assign one of the warriors to go with you. Just be alert and careful, alright?”

He k*ssed my ch*eks.

“Is everything okay around the pack?”

“Someone spotted Charles. That fcking rat…

He looked down to see Reina staring at him. He quickly covered her ears and I almost laughed.

“That f*cking rat had the guts to come back in here. Either we do it my way or his way but either way, he won’t leave here the same way he came,”

He k*ssed me again. “See you later, My Angel,

He walked away, leaving me dazed.