Azrael couldn't release Little Roe in the car; the boy was clutching his shirt.
His small, sweaty body was tightly pressed against him. Luka at once moved to take the boy.
"Sir," but to his shock, his boss ignored him.
Shifting him higher, Azrael wiped Roe's forehead with his hand.
After a while, he stirred, blinking up at him. For a few seconds, he only stared, studying Azrael's face with his round green eyes.
His little fingers came up to Azrael's cheek before he pinched it!
Luka's shocked eyes met the driver's. Neither of them dared to save the poor little boy from the demon's wrath, but what happened next almost made their eyes bulge out.
The demon hand came up, caressing the boy's cheek.
Little Roe turned his head toward the front seat, then back at the man, then at the window outside, and froze.
"Mama…"
Stiffening, he immediately pulled away from Azrael's lap and shot up to the other side of the seat.
"Where's Mama?" His voice trembled.
Looking at the unfamiliar people, his mind instantly went to what Uncle Vicky said. His lower lip quivered.
'Is mama really sending him to the orphanage?'
His chest expanded, drawing in breath, ready to sob, but Azrael slid his phone in front of Little Roe.
"Call your mother," he said. "Isn't this your mother's number?"
Little Roe blinked his big green eyes but quickly held the phone in his small hands, hastily wiping his tears.
Recognizing his mother's number, he quickly called. The line rang once and connected.
"He-Hello? Is there any—"
"Mama!" Roe's voice cracked, loud and desperate.
"Roe? Roe!"
"Mama!"
"Where are you, Roe? Where did you go?" Her voice echoed in the silent car.
"I—I couldn't find you, then I went in our car," he explained breathlessly, rubbing his eyes. "I hid to tell you about bad uncle Vicky, but then I slept. Then another uncle opened the car, and I was somewhere else, and then it went vroom and—"
"Roe! Where are you now?"
"I…" He looked up at Azrael and wriggled his brows, making Luka almost choke on air.
"On the way."
Little Roe nodded eagerly, "Mama, we are coming back!"
"Are you hurt?" she asked hurriedly.
"No. I'm okay. I was sleeping." He paused and looked up at Azrael, then added, "I'm with three uncles in the car."
"O-okay, baby, give the uncle his phone back."
Little Roe pouted, but let him take the phone.
"What is it?" It came out sharper than he intended.
"Thank you so much! I don't know how to thank you—"
"Stay where you are."
He cut the call, throwing his head back and rubbing his aching head.
…..
Valerie ran toward the sound of engines, her eyes desperately searching.
Even with ruined makeup and tear-streaked cheeks, she was as striking as that night. Azrael muttered a curse under his breath.
"Damn you, Vincent." He got out with Roe in his arms.
"Roe!"
"Mama!" Little Roe jumped into Valerie's embrace and started crying. "Mama… Huu… Huu…"
Valerie felt relief filling her whole body, covered him in kisses. "My baby!"
Azrael frowned at his empty arms.
"Mama won't throw Roe away, right? Mama… please don't send Roe with other uncles…" he sobbed.
"Roe!" She seriously looked at him. "You are Mama's little angel. I will never let anyone take you from me. Who said that I'm sending you away?" She glared at Azrael.
"U-Uncle Vicky." He cried out, collapsing in her arms.
Victor cleared his throat at the accusatory glares.
Valerie was enraged, but it wasn't the time to bash his head against her knee. Right now, her biggest fear was towering over her and her son.
"Baby, don't cry." She rubbed Little Roe's back. "You are making your mama cry. I love you the most in the world. Mama can't live a day without you."
"R-Really? Mama's telling the truth?" Little Roe looked up with red, puffy eyes.
Valerie's eyes softened. He was the light of her world.
She gave him a kiss on his pouting lips. "Promise! If Mama breaks her promise, she will grow a monkey's tail, won't she?"
A smile finally appeared on his face. "It's a promise?"
She nodded. "Promise!"
"Roe loves Mama a lot." He buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"I love you too." She lovingly patted his back.
Valerie looked up, and her eyes fell on the handsome man wearing a scowl and deep, dark circles under his eyes.
Her heart lurched in her throat. She stood on wobbly legs, pulling Little Roe to her.
"M-Mr. Hawthorne, I'll never forget what you have done for us."
Marco stepped forward, confusion written all over his face.
"Valerie… what is going on?" His eyes shifted between them. "Why is Mr. Hawthorne here with Roe?"
"Yeah. Since when do you know him?" Victor warily eyed Azrael.
Azrael finally shifted his gaze—but only briefly. The look he gave Victor was unimpressed. Then he looked back at Valerie, as though the other two were nothing more than background noise.
Valerie's fingers tightened protectively around Roe's small hand. His gaze sent a shiver down her spine.
His phone vibration cut the tension.
Azrael glanced at the screen. The name flashing there made his lips twitch. The Chairman.
Of course, he already heard.
"What is it?"
Even from where they stood, the furious voice on the other end could be heard blaring through the speaker.
"I'm coming back." He hung up, his gaze never leaving Valerie
He walked up, and she quickly jerked Little Roe behind her.
"I'll see you back in the country."
Valerie reluctantly nodded.
He gave one last look to Little Roe, peeking from behind the dress, before his SUVs rolled away.
Suddenly, a harsh grip turned her around, "You said you didn't know the father!"