DIVORCE CHAOS: BACK TO MY EX'S BED.

COMMON BERRIES

"We'll send the painting over, Mrs. Carter. It was wonderful doing business with you. I'm honoured to have you today." Aurelia said warmly with a smile at the pale-skinned woman with striking red hair. Mrs. Carter returned the smile, her lips curving softly.

"I heard you divorced Lucien. You know my son–"

Aurelia laughed nervously. "Mrs Carter, your son is lovely, but I just got divorced."

Mrs Carter giggled. "Okay, love. Say hi to your mom for me."

She said and turned, walking away her heels clicking against the wooden floor.

Aurelia gestured to Rachel who stepped forward to escort her out as she disappeared into the office Aurelia sighed heavily, tidying a stray strand of her dark hair as her gaze wandered absently toward the entrance.

Aurelia gasped as soon as she spotted a familiar figure walking into the gallery.

"Oh my… Mrs. Auden," her voice filled with shock at the same time a light affection.

She carefully descended the gallery’s small staircase, her heart racing as she hurried toward Meredith.

Meredith Auden—Lucien’s mother. The sight of her tugged at something deep within Aurelia, a bittersweet ache.

Moments later, they were seated across from each other in Aurelia’s office. Rachel placed a cup of coffee on table before heading out.

"You should have told me you were coming," Aurelia said gently. "I would have wrapped up my last meeting early. What if I had missed you?"

Meredith smiled faintly. Even in her aged face, she looked so much like Lucien. The eyes, the lips.

"Oh, well, I’m glad I didn’t miss you. I know it’s wrong for me to show up like this, to ask anything of you after the divorce…" She hesitated as she reached across the small table to take Aurelia’s hand. Her touch felt warm and familiar that it sent a pang straight to Aurelia’s chest. "But I was hoping… hoping you might be available for my birthday. It’s my sixth one, after all. I’d do anything to have you there. I miss you, child."

Aurelia’s lips parted in surprise, her heart softening as she looked into Meredith’s earnest eyes. "You know you only have to send me an invitation," she said, her voice touched with tenderness. "I’ve been so busy these days with clients, but I could never miss your day, Mrs Aud—" She caught herself, her words.

"Oh, please," Meredith said with a light laugh, patting Aurelia’s hand. "You don’t have to call me that, not just because you and my son are no longer together. You can still call me 'Meredith' I love it when you do." Her voice softened.

Aurelia’s gaze fell to the floor for a moment, her lips curving into a small, bittersweet smile. She chuckled nervously. "Meredith," The word felt both familiar yet so foreign on her tongue now. Her eyes flickered back to Meredith’s.

The silence between them stretched until Meredith’s gaze shifted toward a small package on the corner of Aurelia’s desk. Her eyes narrowed slightly with a glimmer of curiosity.

"Berries?" Meredith asked, her brow lifting as she gestured toward the neatly wrapped container. "I didn’t know you liked them. I should have brought some for you." Her smile was soft, almost teasing.

Aurelia glanced at the package before she waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, these? They’re just… common berries. There’s no need to bring me any, really. I can barely finish them as it is—" She paused. "I’ve just been so busy. I hardly have time to eat properly."

Meredith’s expression shifted, her eyes sharpening with concern. "Are you sick?"

Aurelia blinked, startled by her question. "What? No. No," she chuckled nervously. "I’m fine. Just tired. It’s nothing to worry about."

Meredith didn't look convinced. "You know," Meredith said softly, leaning forward, "you don’t have to carry everything on your own. Not with me."

"No, I'm fine, Mrs— Meredith," Aurelia said quietly. "Actually, I'm glad you came here today. It's nice you still think of me like your daughter."

"You will always be part of my life, Aurelia," Meredith replied. "No matter what."

Meredith gaze held hers intensively, but her phone suddenly vibrated beside her. The caller was Lucien. Her head abruptly turned to Meredith. She laughed, letting go of Aurelia’s hands.

"Oh, you can take it. Take it." She urged.

"No, I don't have to... I'm with you here," she said, but Meredith’s eyes beamed at her.

Aurelia took a huge breath, answering the phone. Immediately Lucien’s voice echoed deeply.

"Are you okay? Why didn't you pick up earlier. Is something wrong?"

Meredith’s white teeth were visible as she stared at Aurelia answering the phone. She lowered her head.

"Is it your busin— I'm okay." She said in a hushed tone, through her gritted teeth.

"Is it the baby? Lia, talk to me." His voice urged.

She sighed, hanging up without another word, not caring if he heard her or not. Immediately, she got up, and Meredith followed. "I'm sorry, we can't talk for long. I have to attend to a few clients."

"Oh, my goodness. Love, I understand." Meredith followed. As soon as the door opened, they bumped into Kevin who seemed to have been waiting for her.

"Kevin?" Aurelia called. His eyes shimmered, excited to see her, but Meredith’s glare was evident.

"Oh. This is Meredith Auden. Meredith, Kevin Bentley, he is a—" Aurelia swallowed her words.

"Meredith. Lucien’s mother, Aurelia’s husband," her gaze met Aurelia who seemed uncomfortable.

Aurelia’s smile curled nervously, "Ex-husband." She muttered.

Kevin nodded. "It's fine." He took out a bouquet of rose, he had hid behind him, stretching it towards her.

"Oh, wow. I wasn't expecting you today."

"I missed you, and I thought I could come see you. Dinner?" He winked with a smile, causing Aurelia to giggle.

Suddenly, she remembered Meredith and froze. "Of course. You can wait for me. I'll be back," she said, leaning to admire the flower when her naeusa kicked briefly. Aurelia leaned away, covering it with a smile.

"Aurelia, love," Meredith called and she waved towards Kevin, but as they took another step. The entrance door of the gallery flew open, and Lucien stepped inside, glancing around.

As soon as Meredith saw him. She immediately let go of Aurelia. "Oh, gosh, my son! Thank God you're here."

"Mom? What are you— where's Lia?" His voice softened seeing her standing behind Meredith. "Are you okay?"

Aurelia looked away. Her face stiffened. Lucien walked closer to her, but his feet paused the moment he laid his eyes on Kevin Bentley behind her with a bouquet of rose. He scoffed, because Aurelia had never loved roses. He didn't even know her.

"Aurelia? Are you okay? Your face..." Meredith cut in. Lucien’s gaze shifted to her, studying her.

She took a staggering step backwards. Why was everything coming to her at once. It was as if she was panting for breath. Another step until Lucien caught her. Her hands clung to his shirt weakly before her body gave in, slumping against him.

"Nora!" Lucien called out, his heart pounding almost leaving his chest. "Aurelia?"

Meredith gasped as she watched her son scoop Aurelia into his arms without hesitation. He didn’t even acknowledge anyone else in the room as he strode toward the exit.

Nora ran past, grabbing Aurelia’s things from her office.

"Oh my God, Aurelia," Meredith whispered, hurrying after them. "What’s wrong with her?"

Lucien barely looked back. "Nora, send my mom home." His voice was firm yet calm. Then, turning to Meredith, he added, "I’ll explain later, Mom. Please, don’t tell anyone about this."

"Is she sick?" Meredith asked, frightened by the situation. Why did he not want anyone to know.

His driver pulled up, and without wasting a second, Lucien got into the car with Aurelia in his arms, not glancing at her. As the closed, the driver drove off.

Kevin remained frozen still gripping the bouquet, his face held all kind of emotions, shock, anger, embarrassment and confusion.

Meredith turned and caught him staring. She watched him for a long moment. He looked utterly lost like he had no idea what just happened.

With a quiet sigh, she turned and stepped into a black car waiting outside. As she settled into her seat, her gaze lingered on Kevin one last time before the door closed.