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    Jai sighs and shakes his head. “Zaia, it’s not that. We were just concerned, Se- The ck Beast he… I


    don’t know. I feel we need to talk to him-”


    “Do not question me. As far as I am concerned, The ck Beast is just another enemy. From this day


    forward, I expect you all to remember that. He betrayed betrayed me, again… It was my fault to let him


    in again, but I did, stupidly. But he showed he wasn’t worth it. I have screamed and screamed that we


    need to be honest with one another, that we needed to stick together, but… he didn’t find it important.”


    “Zaia, I know you’re hurting-“I cut Valerie off, my eyes shing, not wanting annoyance to seep into my


    voice with the children here.


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    “No. I don’t want sympathy. I messed up once and I won’t again. Forgive me for not. allowing myself to


    feel sympathy for him. He will meet the same end as the others. Whatever that may be.” I say, standing


    up and forcing myself to smile down at Sia,


    who is watching me with concern.


    “He’s their father,” Jai says quietly, making me pause and I turn back, looking at him.


    “And?” I ask challengingly.


    “Give him a chance to exin, maybe he had a reason-” Jai begins.


    “I said enough! Jai. This is thest time I want this topic brought up. If either of you


    wish to join his side, you are wee to leave.” I say coldly. “Take this as my final


    warning. Good night.”


    Silence follows as I ce my mug down and look at Zion.


    “Zion, shall we head to bed?” I say, sensing Sia watching me intently.


    I look down at her, smiling gently as a wave of guilt rushes through me. The


    children shouldn’t sense that something is wrong. I need to do better.


    “Come, let’s get you to bed,” I say gently.


    She nods and I leave the room with my children and, for a moment, although I’m not alone, I feel it…


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    Mom was always there, but now I need to step up. I can’t keep relying on Valerie either, since she has


    her own life.


    I was and still am a single parent… Mom managed it, and I will too. I just need to make sure I survive


    this war for them…


    I shower them, messing around to distract them, making some bubbles from the soap and giving them


    soapy beards. They giggle andugh and for a few beautiful moments; I forget my troubles, the song of


    laughter like a soothing remedy for the pain within me.


    “Ok! Let’s grab our pyjamas!” I say after we have brushed our teeth.


    “Oh, is Mommy going to sleep with us today?” Zion asks hopefully.


    I smile. “Do you want me to?” I ask, crouching down in front of him and towel–drying his hair. He nods


    vigorously. “Then that is exactly what we’ll do,” I promise with a firm nod of my own head.


    “Yes! Mommy can sleep next to me!” Sia says.


    “NO! Mommy has to sleep in the middle! Mommy always sleeps next to Sia!” Zion


    frowns.


    “Hey… you two, no fighting alright. You two are siblings and siblings don’t fight, right?” I say gently, as


    Sia looks upset and frowns as Zion looks upset, which is


    unlike him.


    Does he know something isn’t right and is ying up because of it?


    “Look…” I pull them both close. “I’ll make sure I am with both of you, and I’ll sleep in the middle,” I say,


    trying to calm them both.


    “See, I said that. It’s always Sia Sia Sia.” Zion says pointedly, rolling his eyes.


    “Zion…” I reprimand gently.


    He sighs and looks guiltily at his sister. “Sorry Sia…” he mumbles before he closes. the gap between


    them, giving her a big hug and kissing her cheek as she wipes her


    tears away.


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