Chapter 9: Unspoken Tensions and Unseen Dangers

Maria's POV

As we drove home, Andrew and I never said a word to each other.

It was starting to look like a breathing competition. We couldn't stare at each other in the eyes after what happened.

Andrew understood the assignment and knew I needed to be left alone

And the kids? They won't be disturbing me with their unnecessary demands.

Fortunately for me, Patty was there to put them to satisfy their cravings. I don't know what I could have done without her presence.

We finally got home after a fifteen-minute ride. The relief I felt that can't be explained.

I could only think of one thing; heading inside my sturdy to reflect on everything that has happened in the last couple of minutes.

"Please don't go yet.

I wanna have a word with you," Andrew whispered to me when he realized I was making plans to leave.

“Mom, aren't you coming with us?” Timmy asked me after he saw me stay back inside the car when everyone was out.

He's the most inquisitive among his brothers. The Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so they said.

Timmy reminds me so much of Ethan. The face, charisma, attitude, and resilience all scream “Ethan,”

It's safe to say that Timmy is Ethan's reincarnation. If they were of the same age, they would pass as doppelgängers.

“No son, I'll be with you shortly. Uncle Andrew and I want to have an adult conversation. Patty will give you whatever you want,” I told Timmy after a brief silence.

I wasn't expecting such a question from him. I thought he was gonna leave with his brothers.

Immediately, I referred to Andrew as Timmy's Uncle. I noticed the look on Andrew's face, and I could tell that he wasn't pleased with my use of words.

A thousand times, he has pleaded with me to have legal custody of the kids, but I refused.

I turned down his offer for a moment like this, which has finally arrived.

“Can I be part of the conversation, Mom? I love to be around Uncle Andrew,” Timmy insisted.

At age 3, he's still stubborn like his Father.

“One second, please,”

I told Andrew before stepping outside because I didn't see Patty doing the job.

She wouldn't want to apply the force on Timmy, knowing that It may get me upset.

With a calm heart, I bent to Timmy's height and held him close.

I kissed his forehead while I muttered the words of assurance. “Don't worry, Hun. Mommy will join you shortly. I promise to be back before your bird time,”

I needed to lie just to dismiss him.

I don't see Timmy leaving like that without a fight.

“Okay. Mom.

I love you.” He kissed my forehead and voluntarily followed Patty to the house without grudges.

I let out a little sigh and prepared myself before returning to the impatient Andrew inside the car.

I didn't celebrate too early when I saw Timmy leave after several failed attempts.

How can my heart be filled with Joy when I know that there's a pending score that needs to be settled with Andrew?

“You asked me to stay back. I'm here now. What do you want to talk about?” I asked Andrew while I folded my arms like a serpent that was about to change its skin.

He looked at me in the eyes and said. “Not relevant anymore. Let's go join the kids inside,”

I find his response quite absurd.

It wasn't enough to pretend that he had a lot to discuss with me; he still attempted to abandon me inside the car.

I pulled him back immediately.

Unfortunately for him, he had no idea that I was miles away. I knew his next move even before they were made.

“You're going to pretend like you don't have anything to say? This isn't you, Andrew.” I told him.

“Fine! I will speak,” he spoke in a placating tone for the very first time since we got married.

And all of this happened the moment Ethan resurfaced into my life again like a thief at night.

I pretend not to be pained by his mannerisms. I was curious to know what he had to say.

“So we all are going to pretend like you didn't refer to me as Timmy's Uncle?

When are you going to start addressing me as their Father?” Andrew spilled without leaving a stone.

I facepalm. “Oh, shit, I knew you were going to say this,”

I already saw that coming.

It feels to me like a Déjà vu.

“Andrew, can we not talk about this now? You already know what's at stake.

The last thing I want for myself right now is unnecessary stress, and that's what you are doing to me now,” I lamented but in a low tone.

I didn't want Patty or the kids to walk in us arguing like ladies.

“So you mean?” Andrew stuttered at every attempt to speak.

The words suddenly became too heavy for his mouth.

He acted as though he were being threatened at gunpoint not to speak.

So typical of Andrew.

He's a man of few words. He might be hurting inside and still be dying calm.

To him, the best way to express his anger and grief. That was the major difference between him and Ethan.

Ethan would have yelled the shit out of me or probably punch me in the face.

Seeing Andrew in that mood, it dawned on me that I needed to apologize to him.

I got closer to him and kissed him on the lips. That has been the remedy each time I got him upset.

“I am sorry.

It's just that…" I was about to speak when we heard someone banging at the gate aggressively.

The constant hard knock drifted our attention and forced us to come to an agreement.

“Are you expecting anyone?”

Andrew asked me.

“I don't think so.

Let's go find out,” I told Andrew.

Sadly, he kicked against my decision

“I can't let you go outside like that,

It's not safe out there.

What if they're hired assassins?

We should call the cops immediately,” Andrew suggested as he held me closer to him.

What a rollercoaster of a night it has been for us.

Some few minutes ago, we both acted like we despised each other.

Now we are acting as if we can't do without each other.