Marrying My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter Four

A soft cry woke Celine up from sleep; confusion wrapped around her like a fog at first. She looked around her, her hands instantly wrapping around Hudson, who was crying silently with his head on her chest, then the reality of her life struck her like a thunderstorm.

The engagement.

The move to the mansion.

Scott Hale. And the joke of a dinner they had.

She wrapped her hands tightly, and more securely around her son as though he would be taken away from her if not.

“Shh, it's okay, sweetie”, she hummed softly, caressing his back.

“Mummy, I had a nightmare”, he said low, his voice filled with tremor.

“Mummy's here, sweetie. I'll protect you, okay?” She stroked his hand lightly; he nodded slowly, his tiny finger twisted tightly into the blanket.

He buried his face closer to her chest while she hummed under her breath the same lullaby she had sung to him since he was born.

The same lullaby his father had also sung to him when he was alive.

Hudson sniffed quietly. “When are we going back home, mummy?”

The question hit her so hard in the chest. It was the evidence that her son wasn't comfortable in this house, this environment. It wasn't unfamiliar and unloving to her son and also to her, and his discomfort broke her in pieces.

“Not yet, sweetheart”, she whispered.

“Why are we not going?” his voice was so innocent; Celine nearly burst out crying.

Her mind drifted back to the engagement.

She wanted to say it all, to pour out her feelings to her son.

To say, mummy got engaged to someone today because she couldn't bear to see her parents lose everything they had worked so hard for; she couldn't bear to see her parents crumble and fall and be toppled by people.

And mostly because she couldn't bear the shame, the disgrace, so she wouldn't let her parents or her son face it, so she had gotten engaged to Scott Hale.

But instead of saying all that, she kissed him gently on his forehead and continued humming the lullaby. Soon, Hudson fell asleep.

She didn't stop humming as memories came flooding in like tidal waves, at a very high volume. The joy, the laughter, the appreciation they had for every little thing, the peace they once knew- everything came crashing in while she sang to her son, but she wiped the tears that were trying to escape her eyes. She wasn't going to be weak; she was a mother, a woman, and she was going to stay strong and face challenges head-on.

At exactly seven fifty-five (7:55), Celine walked down the stairs with Hudson beside her, heading to the dining room.

She wasn't going to leave her son behind like the day before. If they were going to do this and try to be a family, her son wasn't going to be an exclusion, and if Scott wasn't comfortable with that, it was his problem to deal with.

Her son's comfort and well-being were her top priority now.

Let Scott be uncomfortable for all she cares about.

Scott wasn't at the table when they arrived.

Thank goodness, there wasn't going to be a lateness lecture from him.

Celine sat at her previous seat with Hudson beside her.

Hudson waved at Clara when she came into view.

“Thank you so much for yesterday, Clara”, Celine said. “I really, truly appreciate it”

“It's no problem, ma'am”, Clara responded, head slightly inclined. She waved at Hudson before going about whatever assignment she was on.

Scott walked down the stairs in slow and sharp strides, his steps commanding attention.

He glanced up from whatever he was reading on his phone, his eyes landing directly at Celine, who held his unwavering stare.

Their eyes remained on each other till Scott was in the dining room, Scott's gaze diverted to Hudson, who clung to his mother's side, trying to avoid the scary man in front of him. He gazed at Celine again before taking his seat at the head of the table.

The maid began to serve them breakfast. “Sit beside me”, Scott's voice cut through the air, sharp.

“No”, Celine declined, not meeting his eyes. The maids shifted, uncomfortable at the tension. With a single side glance from Scott, they all left the dining room, leaving Scott, Celine, and Hudson alone.

“That wasn't a request; it's an order”.

“And I am saying no to that order”, she declined once more, turning her attention to her son. “What do you want to eat, sweetie?”

Scott stared at her as she began feeding her son with so much love; Scott forced himself not to roll his eyes.

“You know you should get used to being by my side since we are getting mar…”. Scott was cut off by Celine slamming the spoon so hard on the table it rattled. She stood up abruptly, glaring so hard at Scott that she was near the point of shooting lasers at him. Hudson looked between Scott and his mother, confused and uncomfortable by the intensity of the atmosphere.

She sighed softly–defeatedly as she slowly moved to Scott's side at the table, taking Hudson with her.

“That wasn't so hard, was it?” Scott said in a mocking tone.

Celine went back to cutting Hudson's pancake while the silence returned.

Scott watched them silently.

“You still feed him yourself?”

Celine sighed. “Yes, I still do. Do you have a problem with it?”

“He’s old enough to learn how to be independent”.

“He's five”, Celine nearly snapped

Scott's stare lingered on her hands helping Hudson with breakfast.

“Don't indulge him too much”.

Maybe she did indulge him too much.

Maybe Hudson slept beside her too often when he should be learning to sleep on his own.

But she was happy and most of all Hudson was happy.

And if anyone was going to call her out for it, it most certainly would not be Scott.

“I don't think it's any of your concern, Mr Hale, and…”, she leaned towards him. “I'll really appreciate it if you stop; you're making my son uncomfortable, and I do not find it funny”.

Scott's gaze settled on the child; Hudson stared back innocently. A strange expression crossed Scott's face before disappearing as fast as it appeared.

Then he stood up, straightening his suit.

“I have work”. And with that, he walked towards the exit without touching his breakfast.

After he left, the room remained silent for a while.

“Did I make him mad?” Hudson asked.

Celine stared at her son, confused as to why he would say such.

“Of course not, sweetie”, Celine smoothed his hair. “Why would you assume such?”

“I think he doesn't like me”

“Of course not, you're a good boy, so he likes you, okay”, she assured her son, kissing his cheek.

Though deep down she wasn't so sure.