A pawn in his dirty game

Chapter 020

*VALERIE*

"You knew my mother?" I asked slowly.

" Yes, I do." She nodded with a warm, wistful smile. "She used to bring you over to our house every weekend. You were so cute then with your pigtails. Zachary would always follow you around like your little bodyguard."

My breath caught in my throat.

She laughed softly at the memory, her eyes glazing over. "You two were inseparable. He’d get so upset if anyone made you cry, even over a scraped knee.”

My heart pounded in my chest. This didn’t make sense. I had no memory of this.

"Who knew you two would...."

She paused, her smile faltered slightly when she saw the look on my face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overwhelm you," She said, pressing her lips together.

" No, you did not," I shook my head. " It's just I don't remember any of it."

"Oh." Her eyes widened slightly and she quickly recovered. " You were just a child then. Surely you wouldn't remember everything," She said, waving it off.

There it was again. I was just a child. I wouldn't remember everything but I was convinced my memories were shut off somehow.

" Here, come with me," She said, gently reaching for my hand and leading me towards the garden. I followed mesmerized by how gracefully she walked in heels, exuding poise and confidence.

My eyes widened when we stepped outside.

A brunch table was placed in the garden surrounded with chairs that looked like they were sculpted with marble.

A mouth watering smell hit my nose and my stomach grumbled.

She laughed softly and I suddenly wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

"I had Rosa whip up something quick for brunch when she told me you didn’t have breakfast before leaving," she said, casting a glance over her shoulder with a smile.

My lips parted, unsure how to respond. I wasn’t used to this warmth.

We reached the table, where croissants, pancakes shaped like butterfly and tea waited.

I sat slowly, my eyes fixed on the croissants. I was practically drooling over them.

"When Zachary bought this house," she began, settling into the seat across from me, "I always wished of sitting in this garden, sipping tea with his wife. I'm so excited it's with you."

She paused, and I realized I hadn’t responded, I was too busy eyeing the food.

"Go on," She said with a warm smile and my eyes lit up with gratitude.

Without any word, I shove the croissants into my mouth and gobbled down the pancakes .I didn't realize how hungry I was untill the plates were empty.

I paused to sip my tea and I noticed both women staring at me. My hand stopped halfway

Zachary's mother was looking at me , an amused smile playing on her lips. Rosa's lips were parted in shock.

I looked around the table and I blinked. I finished everything, leaving nothing.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, my cheeks heating as I lowered my gaze.

"No, it's fine." She waved it off like it was nothing. "I had them prepared only for you. Besides I was like that when I was with Zachary."

She leaned in slightly , her eyes glinting with mischief.

"So tell me is there a bun in the oven?"

She wiggled her eyebrow suggestively and I just stared at her blankly, confusion clearly written on my face.

She giggled before placing a hand over her mouth like it was top tier secret. "I mean, are you pregnant?"

I choked on my saliva and nearly knocked over the cup of tea in front of me.

"No!"

My voice came out higher than I intended.

She blinked, startled.

"I’m sorry," I said quickly, heat rising to my cheeks. "I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I just—uh—it’s not like that. I mean… we’re not even…"

I trailed off, unsure of how to explain whatever it was that Zachary and I had. A marriage on paper?

And besides we have been married for few weeks without sharing a room.

She chuckled softly.

"Oh sweetheart, I was just kidding," She said with a knowing smile.

"Can I share a secret with you?" She asked and I nodded slowly.

"Rosa, can you leave us for a minute?" She signalled at Rosa who was standing quietly behind us. She nodded and left.

"I have always wanted you as my daughter in-law but was disappointed when I found out you were engaged," She began, tracing the rim of the tea cup.

"When I heard your wedding was cancelled, I was secretly happy. Call me selfish, but I wanted you for my son," She finished, her expression solemn.

My brain suddenly stopped functioning as I stared at her.

" Why?" I asked.

She looked up from her teacup, her gaze soft and dim.

"Because you were the only one who ever made him smile like that," she said quietly. "Back then, when you were kids… Zachary was always so guarded. He didn’t let people in easily. But around you, he lit up and always care for you."

I blinked, unsure how to respond. Are we still talking about the same Zachary?

She gave a wistful smile. "You probably don’t remember, but he used to follow you around like a little shadow. You'd stomp your feet and call him annoying, but he never minded. You gave him something no one else ever could. Warmth."

A lump formed in my throat.

"I saw how hurt he was when you drifted apart after your mom's death," she continued. “And I saw what that distance did to him over the years. So yes, when I heard about your cancelled wedding… I was relieved. It felt like fate was giving you both a second chance."

My chest tightened. I drifted apart when my mom died?

I snapped out my thoughts when she reached for my hand across the table.

"Valerie, promise me you'll take care of him," She said, her eyes glistened with tears. "He hid things from us and he'd never speak when he's hurt."

My mind went back to what happened in the boardroom. In his car.

"I want him to rely on you. Promise me you'll fulfill a mother's wish." Her grip tightened a little and I swallowed. The sheer emotion in her voice tugged at my heartstrings.

"Please," Her voice broke and I think I died a little. Is this what having a mother feels like? Someone who'd always care for you even when you are old enough to care for yourself.

The women my father brought to our house, none of them tried to be a mother to both me and Cara. They were interested in my father's wealth. We grew up with different nannies but none of them were reliable. We were just work to them. I was the one who'd read bedtime stories to Cara so she could fall asleep while my father always returned late, reeking of alcohol and women's perfume.

I was there when she had her first period but what do I know when I was just a clueless child myself.

I blinked back tears that blurred my vision and slowly pulled my hand from her grasp.

"It's too late." My voice wavered slightly.

"He hates me."

And he's in love with another. I nearly screamed.

"He doesn't," she said quickly. "He's just....scared."

I shook my head and slowly rose to my feet.

"I'm sorry, I can't."

Her face fell and the warmth in her eyes dimmed a little.

Guilt gnawed at me and I nearly swallowed back my words.

"I see," She mumbled, disappointment etched on her face.

"I'm not strong enough to help him out of darkness when I'm still fighting mine,"

I said, keeping my face straight even as guilt prickled my skin.

"I didn't ask you to help him," she replied quietly. "I only ask you to be there when he needs a shoulder to cry on."

Her words lingered but I forced myself to look away.

"I should go," I murmured, turning toward the house.

"Valerie," she called, and I paused mid-step.

"If you ever change your mind… it doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human."

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.