Chapter 0245
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Jai sighs and shakes his head. “Zaia, it's not that. We were just concerned, Se- The Black Beast he... | don’t know.
| feel we need to talk to him-"
“Do not question me. As far as | am concerned, The Black Beast is just another enemy. From this day forward, |
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. | 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, | know you're hurting-“I cut Valerie off, my eyes flashing, not wanting annoyance to seep into my voice
with the children here.
“No. | don’t want sympathy. | messed up once and | won't again. Forgivefor not. allowing myself to feel
sympathy for him. He will meet the send as the others. Whatever that may be.” | say, standing up and
forcing myself to smile down at Sia,
who is watchingwith concern.
“He's their father,” Jai says quietly, makingpause and | turn back, looking at him.
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“And?” | ask challengingly.
“Give him a chance to explain, maybe he had a reason-" Jai begins.
“I said enough! Jai. This is the last t| want this topic brought up. If either of you
wish to join his side, you are welcto leave.” | say coldly. “Take this as my final
warning. Good night.”
Silence follows as | place my mug down and look at Zion.
“Zion, shall we head to bed?” | say, sensing Sia watchingintently.
I look down at her, smiling gently as a wave of guilt rushes through me. The
children shouldn’t sense that something is wrong. | need to do better.
“Come, let's get you to bed,” | say gently.
She nods and | leave the room with my children and, for a moment, although I'm not alone, | feel it...
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Mom was always there, but now I need to step up. | can’t keep relying on Valerie either, since she has her own
life.
| was and still am a single parent... Mom managed it, and | will too. I just need to make sure | survive this war for
them...
| shower them, messing around to distract them, making sbubbles from the soap and giving them soapy
beards. They giggle and laugh and for a few beautiful moments; | forget my troubles, the song of laughter like a
soothing remedy for the pain within me.
“Ok! Let's grab our pyjamas!” | say after we have brushed our teeth.
“Oh, is Mommy going to sleep with us today?” Zion asks hopefully.
I smile. “Do you wantto?” | ask, crouching down in front of him and towel-drying his hair. He nods vigorously.
“Then that is exactly what we'll do,” | 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
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frowns.
“Hey... you two, no fighting alright. You two are siblings and siblings don’t fight, right?” | 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 playing up because of it?
“Look...” | pull them both close. “I'll make sure | am with both of you, and I'll sleep in the middle,” | say, trying to
calm them both.
“See, | said that. It's always Sia Sia Sia.” Zion says pointedly, rolling his eyes.
“Zion...” | 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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Chapter 0246