1. Infidelity

[9:36pm]

The beautiful night sky could be seen beyond tall glass walls. He took her hand and kissed it. Soft instrumental music played in the background. A fake fireplace roared and provided the ambience with light. It was just them at their table. He booked the top floor of the restaurant for the entire night all for her. She looked breathtaking in her black sleeveless dress that showed off the top of her cleavage and hugged her body to perfection. Her blue eyes watched as he caressed her hand, highlighted by smokey black eyeshadow. Her lips were full and plump. For many nights, he lost his sense of reason due to their addictiveness. Her blonde hair was pinned up and laced with golden hairpins that he had brought on her birthday.

Tonight it was just them. No kids. No marital obligations. No work calls keeping them apart. Tonight was meant for both of them. To savor their forbidden love and satisfy the lust they built up for each other over and over again.

Emily glanced towards the window. "I think we should tell them, Joseph."

He observed the expression on his lover's face. Her brows knotted together and her lips tilted downward. Joseph grasped both her hands, bringing her attention to him.

"Do you want to?" Joseph asked tenderly.

Emily closed her eyes. "We have to. I can't last another day pretending to love someone I've long since stopped loving. Even if he is the father of my child, I can no longer see him as my husband. Don't you want us to be together, Joseph? To be free?"

Joseph hesitated. Although he loved Emily very much, he still loved Amelia. They had been close since childhood, and their bond became even stronger after they were engaged. Amelia was soft and sweet. She. She truly seemed to have the kind of heart that could love anyone. A capable and intelligent woman that any man would be happy to have as his wife. That's why he married her.

Amelia's health had gone down over the years. The news of his affair would break her. She loved him so much. She expressed her love and gratitude to him for staying by her side every day. Amelia trusted him. The news of his affair would break the last bit of mental stability she had left. And what about their two sons? Ethan would grow up to be a strong Lycan King. And Lucas was just a little ball of soft baby joy. How would this affect their futures?

"Joseph Scarlett-Heart, make up your damn mind!" Emily shouted. She stood up and slammed her palms onto the table, startling a server who was standing by the kitchen door. After several deep, long breaths, she reclaimed her seat.

"I'm sorry my darling, I really am. It's so... I want to be with you." Emily clasped her finger around his fist. "I can't bear this life anymore. Sebastian no longer has the capability to give me what I want. You're the only one who can make me happy."

Joseph gazed down at the cream soup lying unattended in its bowl. "What about our children, Emily? What about your daughter?"

"This would be better for Selene in the long run. She's always liked her dad more, anyway. Don't you think it's about time we start searching for our own happiness?"

His mistress was right. His boys had other relatives that loved and adored them, as well as their mother. They would be alright. Their grandfather was still fit enough to run the kingdom until they came of age.

And Amelia, oh Amelia. She would forgive him eventually. And if she didn't, well...

He would rather not think about it.

With a sigh, Joseph returned his attention to the woman in front of him. "Say the word," he said. "I'll be ready when you are."

With a satisfied smile, she leaned over and kissed Joseph on the lips, coating them in red.

"You will not regret this, my love," she whispered, then kissed him again.

**********

[2:14pm]

[The next day]

Thunder shook the Scarlett-Heart residence. The sound of rain beating against the concrete through the thin walls. Being a resident here myself, I could hear it all while standing over my brother's crib, spinning the dreamcatcher above it. Baby Lucas' laugh was contagious. He reached for the spinning ornament, fist closing around air. I laughed as well, but then I heard something. It beeped twice per second, coming from a door that opened to the garden. My mom was there. She had her head against the doorway, not saying a word.

She must have loved the rain a lot. Whenever no one was there, and Lucas was asleep, I would find her in that same spot, staring out towards the back garden. I sat beside her one day and asked her why she liked it there so much. My mother wrapped me in her arms and smelled my hair before laying a kiss atop my head.

"This is where I feel most at peace," I heard her say.

As the noise continued, I left Lucas' side and ran over to her. "Mama?" I called out before I got to her side. When I did, I realized her eyes were closed and her breathing was even. In one of her hands, her phone lit up. I retrieved it quickly, careful not to wake her. I stopped the alarm and read what it said, the scent of rain invading my nostrils.

Oh, now I know why it was ringing. It's Lucas' feeding time! Looking at my mother, I knew I didn't have the heart to wake her up. Grandpa told me that she had been up all night with the baby while Daddy was gone. When I asked why Daddy hadn't come back yet Grandpa said he was working. I could make Little Luke's formula instead!

I watched Mama do it all the time! Besides, Grandpa has always said I should help out in any way that I can.

After spreading a blanket around mother, I walked into the hall.

Compared to our room, which still held a resemblance to the old house, the halls were recently reinforced with concrete walls and new, stronger glass. On my way to the kitchen, I could see how harshly the wind raked through the trees outside. I planted sunflowers yesterday. Hopefully, the rain won't cause them to drown.

Once I got there, I waited for a while before looking inside. No one was there, but you can never be too certain! I ducked below the island and crossed over to the fridge on my tippy-toes. As soon as I opened the fridge, there it was, Luke's bottle sitting on the top shelf. Victory! My mission was almost complete. And I knew just where to find the formula.

The door slammed shut. "What are you doing here, crown prince?"

I jumped but relaxed after I saw who it was. Pamela, Grandpa's housekeeper, towered above me with her arms crossed. I smiled up at her. She didn't smile back, only prompting to raise her eyebrow.

I sighed and lifted the bottle to show her. "I am making Lucas' food! Mama's sleeping. He'll get hungry if I don't."

Her features finally softened. "You don't have to worry about that little one." She patted my head full of black hair. "I'll have it brought to the child before you know it. Run along now and play in your room, but be careful not to wake your mother." Pamela placed a finger over her lips. I did as well. As she took the bottle out of my hands, there was a smile on her face, the same she always gave me when I told her the cooking was delicious.

On my way back, I decided to walk in the opposite direction. The bulbs were switched off, light came from windows that were far apart. Other than the few plants and vases sitting on stone pillars, there were those creepy portraits. An adult in a blue suit with badges lining his slash. Another of a half man and half beast, torn clothes on brown lifeless grass. And lastly, at the very end of the hall, were paintings of my father and grandfather. One day, I will be up there. I stopped walking and lifted my gaze to my father's picture. Why weren't there any portraits of Mama? I've realized none of the other pictures had their wives and children. Didn't they have someone they loved? Did my father not love my mother?

I shook my head. What a silly thought. Of course, he does! My parents' nightstand was littered with pictures of us.

Anister Scarlett-Heart just answered a call from one of his men. "Thank you," he said, then hung up. He stared at the photos that were sent to him. "So this is what you were up to, son."

He sighed in frustration, wrinkled fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. "My boy, after everything we've been through, I can't believe you would do something like this."

I heard some noise coming from Grandpa's room so I opened the door and stole a peek. I found him sitting in a couch by the corner. His head lowered. Back to the bed. White curtains were drawn to the sides of the room's floor-to-roof windows, allowing him to have a clear view of the storm brewing outside.

He must have heard me because his head shot up, causing his long brown hair to sway. "Ethan? Come on boy, don't hide from me!"

I reluctantly stepped from behind the door. Grandpa opened his arms. I ran into them and hugged him. He hugged my back. I heard him chuckling, making me smile. "Grandpa Anister." I pulled away slightly and looked up. "Where is Daddy?"

He seemed to freeze before responding to me. That kind smile never left his face. "My boy, there are times when someone has to make a choice over what they prioritise. And your father, my son, has already chosen where his priorities lie."

At the time I didn't get what he meant. But now I understand everything.

Dad did come home that. He walked inside my room and gave me a kiss on the forehead, as well as Lucas who shared the room with me. I think that was what woke me up.

That was the last time I saw my father.

The next morning, I lost my mother.