chapter 25

Chapter 25

All attention turned to the boy's mother. She bent her face in embarrassment. Who would have thought that her four-year-old kid was eavesdropping on her late conversation with her husband?

"Selena! What have you done?" Elena yelled in anger.

Selena, the boy's mother, went to her knees immediately.

"I'm so sorry, my lord. I never mentioned those words to him. I swear I didn't know where he heard it from," Selena pleaded.

Darien's head remained bent. Not because he didn't know what to do, but because he felt guilty. The child was right to call him a wicked man.

"It's fine. I don't blame you. I know each and every one of you has your own opinion about this. I know you are all eager to voice it out but dare not. Hearing him say this reminds me of my past mistakes. It's okay, boy. I like your courage. You can still have the gift," he forced the small box into the boy's hand and then turned to face Wren.

"You should have told me this was your plan? Bringing me here for your kid to insult me? It's fine. I did as promised. I showed a willingness to get embarrassed. I will take my leave now." With that, he stormed out of the hall.

Wren faced Aaron, glaring daggers at him.

"Are you happy now? You are satisfied, right? You've succeeded in tagging me as the bad father who couldn't even raise his child properly." The boy moved back fearfully.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I was only telling the truth. He's a wicked man. Please, Dad, don't beat me," Aaron pleaded, breaking down into tears.

"Why are you crying? You should be happy you finally succeeded in ruining things for me. Wipe your stupid tears before I lose them completely!" Wren barked in anger.

"I'm so sorry, my lord. It's my fault for not teaching him properly. I never knew this was what he had in mind. I wouldn't have begged you to go talk to the alpha," Elena muttered.

"It's all my fault; if I had trained my son properly, he wouldn't have told Aaron what he heard. Please, Mr. Wren, forgive me," Selena insisted on taking the blame.

"It's okay. Now isn't the time to be shifting blame. Let's just find a way to calm the alpha down," Wren concluded.

"Dad, can I come to hug you? You've forgiven me, right?" Aaron pouted.

"No way! I wouldn't dare! Don't come close to me!" Wren snapped in anger, then walked out, leaving the guests behind.

"Birthday party went wrong," David rolled his eyes in frustration.

"Shut up! It's all your fault!" Selena pinched his mouth.

***

Darien's POV

As I walked out of the hall, all I felt was anger and embarrassment. So this is what Wren has been feeding his kid all this while. I know he refused to forgive me, but telling his kid about it is way more than I expected.

"Welcome, my lord." The silly maid from yesterday hugged me from behind as I tried opening the door.

She's overestimating herself, and it's all my fault.

"How dare you?" I grabbed her neck, pinning her to the wall.

"Please, my lord, I'm so sorry. I... I..." She stammered.

"You should have thought twice before deciding to touch me with your filthy hands! I only slept with you yesterday because I thought it would make you stop forcing your ugly self on me. But at this point, I feel you want something else, and that's death. I will do you the favor of fulfilling that wish!" I tightened my grip on her neck.

She struggled to breathe, throwing her legs in the air, attempting to free herself. But no! Not with my grip. She was nowhere near my grip.

"Please. I swear I won't do it next time. Just don't kill me." I finally let go of her neck. She landed heavily on her butt.

"Now get lost and never, ever show your ugly face to me, bitch!" She stood up and ran away, her footsteps fading into the lonely corridor that led to the room.

I slowly opened the door and entered. I banged the door and took a seat on the bed tiredly.

Why is everyone rubbing my mistakes in my face? First, it's someone who looks like my dad but claims he doesn't recognize me. Why is life treating me this way?

An idea crossed my mind: my dad. I think it's high time I go in search of him again.

I could remember telling my guard to trace his wolf scent, but the old man turned out to be smarter than I imagined. He didn't leave any clues. I could remember seeing him in the market. This means he stays somewhere around the market. Yes, I must go back there in search of him.

I quickly put on my shoes and left again.

**

As I walked deeper into the market, I kept looking around, hoping I would see him like the other day.

"Please, do you know anyone who bears the name Alex? He's not too tall, nor is he short. He has a mole near his nose. Please, do you know anyone with such features?" I asked the young girl I met, ignoring her seductive attitude.

"You mean the stupid old drunkard who usually drinks and then ends up getting beaten by his wife? Yeah, I know where he stays with his wife," the girl stupidly questioned.

What? He's remarried? But how come? Or is he not my father? Questions flooded my mind.

"Please, can you take me to where he lives?" She pushed up her breasts, almost pushing them out of her bra.

"Sure. Follow me." I quickly followed her until we got to a building.

"This is where he stays. You can go ahead and knock." She walked away, leaving me stranded and helpless.

I slowly knocked on the door, waiting patiently for the lady whose voice I'd heard to come to the door for him.

"Where's your husband?" Darien asked the old lady who opened the door.