Valerie woke up to the soft bouncing of the bed as someone carefully climbed onto it. The mattress dipped beside her head as a whisper entered her ear.
"Mommy, wake up."
Valerie moaned, dragging the blanket over her head.
"Baby, five minutes…"
Sighing, Little Roe laid down beside her quietly for a while before he started playing with her hair.
Getting bored staring at the ceiling, Little Roe began whispering in her ear, "There's a bat-car bed and fishes swimming outside!" Thinking his mother might feel he explored the place without her, he quickly added, "I will see the rest with Mommy."
"Roe," she muttered, her face swollen after crying herself to sleep. "Baby, why don't both of us sleep?"
She still didn't want to see his face at all. Last night, she had made a fool of herself sobbing. Even his assistant must have heard her...
After she focused on her career, she gained many things. The only thing that didn't change was the mocking whispers and glances.
Perhaps it wouldn't change even now. Before, she was a slut. Now she would be a homewrecker. His toy mistress turned wife.
Little Roe quickly got up, rushing to get off the bed with his chubby legs, when he was pulled under the blanket.
"Mommy!" he gasped, trying to get away from her. "Don't wanna sleep! Roe needs to find Daddy too!"
Her eyes shot open. "Your father isn't here?"
Little Roe shook his little head.
Valerie got up immediately. "Okay, I am up."
Still groggy, it took her several seconds of blank staring to realize where she was.
The more her eyes took in, the more they widened. She didn't get a look last night in the dark when the older woman led her to 'her room'.
The ceiling stretched high above her, sleek and minimalist, lined with recessed strip lighting set into dark matte panels. The spacious room was modern, manly, and screamed rich.
Floor-to-ceiling smoked-glass windows dominated one wall, partially shielded by dark curtains. Black steel shelving lined another, sparsely decorated. The furniture was all dark oak, marble, and muted stone.
She could totally see that heartless man living in such a desolate space. Classy and cold.
"Mommy?"
She looked down at the little boy looking up at her, his eyes sparkling with enough morning energy to power the city.
"Let's get fresh," she said, rubbing a hand over her face.
Scrambling off the bed, he grabbed her wrist. "Let's go!"
The spacious black marble bathroom, bigger than her previous room, had not only toiletries for them but even a small bear-themed stool, looking out of place in the luxurious bathroom.
"His helpers have an eye for detail," she muttered, helping Little Roe climb onto the stool while admiring the big stone bathtub.
"Mommy, brush!"
Valerie exhaled softly, going through the motions.
By the time they came downstairs, Roe was freshly washed and somehow even more energetic than before.
Little Roe rattled on nonstop as he tugged her through the halls. "Mommy, see! Daddy's fishes!"
She nodded busily, trying to call a cab with no hope. Apparently, this wasn't a normal gated community, and she needed permits to call a cab. They had gone through several security clearance checkpoints last night too.
Pursing her lips, she dialed Uncle William. She could only count on his connections to come get her.
They needed to reestablish the rules in this relationship, and she couldn't do that when she was in his lair.
"Young Mistress. Little Master."
A woman in her late fifties called out, her face instantly lighting up at their sight.
Valerie looked up from her phone.
The woman smiled kindly. "I'm Valentina. You can call me Vale, Young Mistress."
"Oh, nice to meet you." She prompted Little Roe by patting his back.
"Hello, Grandma!"
"Hello, Little Master."
"Oh, none of that, please. Just Valerie, and Roe is fine."
Valerie tried dialing her uncle again, but he wasn't picking up. She left him a message to call her instead.
Valentina smiled at the rosy blonde beauty.
Valerie wet her lips, looking around hesitantly. "...Where's he?"
Valentina stilled mid-step. "...Young Master hasn't returned. Why don't I show you around the place?"
With nothing else to do, Valerie nodded.
Little Roe excitedly grabbed her hand. "Mommy! Come see my room!"
And just like that, she was swept into a guided estate tour with Vale and Little Roe.
The whole place was minimalistic, screaming expensive in muted colors and marble as cold as the man of the house.
Wide open spaces flowed seamlessly together, all cool modern architecture, untouched by any traces of warmth.
Little Roe proudly showed off his cartoon-themed room, a big contrast against the rest of the place.
Remembering something, Valerie turned abruptly toward Valentina. "Is there a bounce house here?"
Little Roe gasped, remembering too. "Yes, Roe's bounce house!"
Valentina's face lit up instantly. "Oh, yes! How could I forget?"
She led them outside to the side of the garden, and Valerie's jaw nearly detached from her face. Azrael wasn't bluffing!
A part of the property had been transformed into what could only be described as a private inflatable amusement park.
It was obscene!
She almost wanted to smack her little troublemaker for his ridiculous request.
The giant colorful monstrosity, looking out of place in this pristine mansion, had towers, tunnels, obstacle courses, slides, and enough bouncing surface to host an entire elementary school.
"Woah! Mama, see!"
Before she could decide how to react, her phone vibrated. She raised a finger at Little Roe and accepted immediately.
"Uncle—"
"Stay there, we're on the way."
"What?"
"I'll explain once we get there. We'll be there shortly."
Her brows furrowed. "How are you getting through security? There are several strict checkpoints here. You'll need clearance."
"Azrael's assistant helped us. Wait a sec, we're almost there."
He cut the call. Something about his tone made her stomach tighten. He sounded somewhat tense.
"Mommy, let's go?" Little Roe tugged at her sleeve, his puppy eyes gleaming with excitement.
Valerie sighed. "Grandpa and Grandma are almost here. Let's go."
On cue, his lower lip jutted out, but before he could insist, she pecked his pout.
"Don't you want to show them your bounce house too?"
Little Roe reluctantly nodded, unwilling to move. She picked him up.
By the time they stepped inside, Valerie was pacing near the foyer, repeatedly checking her phone.
Her pulse refused to settle.
"Should I serve breakfast, Young Mistress?" Valentina's warm voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.
"No, wait. My family's almost here." Valerie waved a distracted hand. "And I told you, just Valerie is fine."
Her mind raced through uneasy possibilities. Her footfalls echoed softly against the polished marble floor as anxiety steadily coiled tighter in her chest.
Then the front doors opened.
Valerie spun around, looking at Uncle William's usually composed face, visibly strained. Aunt Eleanor hurried in right behind him.
The moment Little Roe spotted them, he lit up.
"Grandma!"
But before he could run farther, Aunt Eleanor was already kneeling, pulling him into a fierce hug.
Victor crossed the room in quick strides. Grabbing her arm, his frantic gaze swept over her from head to toe.