3

"Momma, what is marriage?"

 

"Marriage is uniting two people who love each other into a family."

 

"Has you ever been married?" Ace asked innocently.

 

I opened my mouth, wondering what to answer. But then I decided to be honest with him. "Yes. I was married. That's why you exist." I lightly pinched his full cheeks.

 

His blue eyes looked up at me. "Momma married Poppa?" he tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "But why didn't I ever meet Poppa?" it was a tricky question for a four-year-old. But I knew Ace was a bit more advanced than other kids his age.

 

"I told you that Poppa is at work." I said. "To buy you lots of toys and cars, and bring a lot of mony so you can pay your debt to Princess Belle." Princess Belle was the nickname he gave to my sister.

 

Ace blinked his eyes a few times and then gave a slight nod, his eyes sparkling. "I will buy a lot of cars later. Colourful cars!" He exclaimed enthusiastically. "Why hasn't poppa seen me yet, Momma? I want a car!"

 

I raised an eyebrow and then chuckled softly. "You have to be patient, boy." I said.  "Poppa is looking for a lot of money to buy you a lot of cars!"

 

His lower lip came forward, and he gave a slight nod. "Alright, I needs to be patient."

 

"Smart, kiddo." I cupped his little face and pecked his cheek a few times.

 

The bedroom door opened, revealing Vito, my cousin who would take us to church.

 

"Uncle!" Ace called out as he ran. He reached out for a handhold, and Vito did it immediately.

 

"Hey, Kiddo. You're so handsome." Vito complimented me while I hung Ace's towel on the hanger.

 

"Of course, Uncle. I have to be the most handsome boy for Auntie's wedding!" he replied enthusiastically.

 

"You intend to beat me, huh? You won't be able to do it."

 

"He can. He already beat you." I replied with a laugh.

 

Vito rolled his eyes. "I almost forgot who else's blood was in his body,"

 

I snorted. "But your nature and Ace's father's nature are the same. I pray Ace's nature isn't like his." I retorted with annoyance.

 

"What am I like, Momma?"

 

I smiled. "You are a cute and cuddly baby Momma, kind and smart."

 

"So, uncle Vito is not nice?"

 

"You are right, he's far from nice." I replied jokingly.

 

Vito just chuckled as we walked out of the bedroom. I picked up my bag. I looked at my reflection in the body mirror next to the bathroom. I was ready in a dark blue midi dress that covered my body up to my knees with an A-line model, my shoulder-length hair was down, and I had put on natural and not-too-flashy make-up. Hiring a make-up artist would add an unnecessary budget. After all, my make-up skills are decent, although still far from those of a make-up artist, but at least I am not embarrassed.

 

Elizabeth was already getting ready. She was no less beautiful because I also told her to dress up. She stood up as we came out. "Are we leaving now?"

 

I nodded.

 

"I want to walk!" Ace struggled to get down, and Vito put him down immediately. He walked to the door first, along with Elizabeth, while Vito and I followed behind them.

 

"Regina told me that your ex-husband was invited."

 

I nodded with a heavy sigh. "Sadly."

 

"Nothing will happen. I'll punch him if he dares come an inch closer to you." Vito's words sounded like he meant them, which touched me.

 

"He can't possibly do that, Vito." I chuckled as we exited the hotel room. "He wouldn't do that to me, but he might do it when he sees Ace. That is, if hee cares, though." I sighed. "I'll just watch out for Ace. I don't want him to find out about Ace." I continued.

 

"I'll protect him. You don't have to worry."

 

____

 

I sat on a long chair with my parents, aunt, and uncle as the vows began to be said. 

 

Inevitably, it made memories that I didn't want to remember surface on their own. On the one hand, it was bitter because the man who became my husband didn't want me and didn't love me, so the vows went stiff and flat, but on the other hand, for me it was sweet because I married the man I loved. 

 

And now I don't understand my own feelings about it because that sacred vow got me through the painful, bitter days that led to divorce, yet it also brought Ace into the midst of my dark life. He came like a blessing and grace that brightened my entire life. 

 

At that point, I decided that my life was not for myself anymore but for the handsome little boy who graced my life. I was determined to make him happy and give him the world. No one else, just me, and I had closed all access to anyone.

 

Right now, my little boy was in the lap of his other uncle, Max. Even though Max always looked tough, he loved children. Max held him while whispering to Ace. Who knows what he said that made Ace laugh.

 

I looked back when the wedding vows were made. We all stood up and applauded when Bahms pulled Regina in for a kiss. My eyes filled with tears because I was happy for them.

 

Two hours later, I sat at the round table eating lunch. Ace was next to me, eating his lunch, and then Max was on the other side. We were accompanied by Elizabeth, Vito and Belle, who also ate lunch while talking.

 

I took a small hairpin to fasten Ace's bangs that fell forward causing him trouble as his eyes were covered by his bangs.

 

"He looks a lot like Sebastian," Max said in his typical flat voice.

 

"He's his father." I replied. "I don't know if I should be grateful or not,"

 

Max snorted. "You should be, but if there's no him then there's no Ace..."

 

"Yeah, I don't know how to explain it but I'm thankful about Ace's existence." I replied. "By the way you're already fit to carry your own child."

 

Max rolled his eyes. "Don't let my mom hear. She'll be inspired."

 

"Why not? You're at a mature age to get married. Is there no one you like or are all women too low for your taste?" I sarcastically asked.

 

He just chuckled. "For someone whose marriage failed, you're pretty brave,"

 

I grimaced at his sarcasm. "Yeah, sorry about that. Looks like I really forgot to look in the mirror,"

 

He snorted in exasperation.

 

"But I didn't mean to attack you, I just wanted to ask." I shrugged. "Because I've never seen you with a woman, or... are you gay?"

 

"I still like women. Absolutely adore women," he replied.

 

"So?"

 

"I just don't want to do it." He shrugged. "I'm already comfortable being alone."

 

"Yeah, it's your life. Whatever you want to do."

 

"Regina said Sebastian is coming over tonight. What about that?" he asked suddenly.

 

"I'll be home later in the afternoon."

 

"Tonight is the highlight of the event, Bella. You can't go."

 

"I told Regina I could go," I squinted at him. "She understands that."

 

"But your grandma is stubborn about keeping you here."

 

I frowned. "Well, she hasn't told me anything."

 

"Not yet."

 

"She will understand."

 

"Granpa won't."

 

Yeah, and I'm sure that Grandpa would be happy to welcome my ex-husband. There's no denying what would have happened if I were still here. And then... was... was Killian's guess right? That, somehow, he had told the Sanchez family about Ace?

 

My heart was racing. Even though Grandma told me that she told Grandpa not to say anything to the Sanchez family about Ace... still... 

 

Now Killian's words were haunting me.

 

He was right. My grandpa was the greediest man in the world. There was nothing anyone could do to block his path to power, and he could have already told Sanchez's.

 

Oh god.

 

"Do you think grandpa told them about Ace?"

 

Max shook his head. "You may know grandpa as a cruel man, but no... he didn't."

 

"How can your sure about that? It could have been-"

 

"He was a jerk but he wouldn't break his promise." Cut him. He was watching me with a frown on his forehead. "You haven't met him while you've been here?"

 

I shook my head. "I haven't and I won't."

 

"Go see him. You'll be surprised about his change."

 

"Doubtfull."

 

"Debatable." Max's reply was short.

 

I couldn't reply to anything about that and chose not to think about anything else. But Grandma came over along with Regina, who embraced her hand. "I'll get your food," Regina said before letting our grandma sit beside me.

 

"What are you eating, my dear?" she asked Ace, still stuffing cream of chicken soup into his mouth.

 

"Soup cream. My favorite." Ace replied.

 

"Did your Momma make it?"

 

Ace nodded. "Momma is the best chef."

 

I pulled a smile and ruffled his hair before turning to Grandma. "I'm going back to the hotel."

 

"The main event is in the evening, I want all my family here."

 

"You don't understand."

 

"Your ex-husband is coming, I already understand." She replying like that was lighthearted. "If you're afraid he'll find Ace, you don't have to. Ace can be with his nanny or someone."

 

"I can't stay away from Ace." My thumb pressed against my temple as my head throbbed.

 

"Just for a little while. You can go after the cake cutting." She said.

 

"And why do you insist?"

 

My grandma sighed, and closed her eyes briefly. "The President's family is coming, and he wants to see you."

 

My head was like an intricate rope now, the wrinkles on my forehead deepening. "And why?"

 

"Because his son likes you, and he wants you to get to know each other."

 

An incredulous laugh escaped my mouth. "I can't believe this."

 

"Grandpa wants you to stay here."

 

"Oh, I see." I said. "He plans to use me again as a tool of his power. This time it's the President's son." 

 

I was well aware that our extended family wasn't of ordinary means, but even so, my father had never really drawn a penny from their business empire. He'd always been on his own since he'd been the only dissident son to marry my mother, who wasn't of the same family. But now, lo and behold, I, the child of a son he didn't like, became a tool for him to achieve his glorious power, once with Sanchez and now with the Italian President's family.

 

"Does he know that I'm a widow and have a son?" I continued.

 

Grandma sighed. "You just need to get to know each other. I won't let it go any further."

 

"And what if I don't want to?"

 

"I'll tell Sebastian Sanchez about your son. How about that?" The cold voice from behind me startled me.

 

So did everyone else at the table. Everyone stared at the man behind me.

 

I closed my eyes.

 

Frustration ruled my head, and I looked at Ace who was staring at us innocently.

 

I was trapped.

 

Again.