Surprise...
I know I said the update will be after 25th July but here it. I was shocked too when I completed this chapter.

Happy or Sad reading?
(P.S do let me know🤭🤭)

Unedited.

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Aaron stare at Salina and Aaiden for a while before leaving them, their. The car drive was silent as he looked out of the car. His mind blank as the car pull on the drive way. He walked into the the house, the maids stared at him. Some afraid and some of them are curious.

"Call Bella" He stated coolly as the maid standing right in front of him run to find Bella. He take a sit on the couch relaxing when Bella rushed in.

"Yes! Sir?" She said.

"Wake, Priscilla up. I need to check on her" He said closing his eyes sighing. Pricilla slowly walked down the staircase while Bella bring a medical kit with her. Aaron turn to look at her.

She took a seat infront of him. Aaron changed her bandage checking her pulse.

"Anything unusual?" He asked while Pricilla just stare at him.

"No, I just feel a bit pain on my head once in a while" He nod his head.

"I am giving you painkillers if it gets too much. Once the wound heal, you need to do a CT scan for safety" Aaron stated, he straighten up.

"I will be going, then. If there is any emergency or you feel nauseous call me" Priscilla nod her head waiting for him to talk about the stunt he pull this morning but he just smiled at her that's it. Should she bring it up? Priscilla sighed.

"Are not you going to ask how I like your gift?" She asked coolly with a smirk. Aaron raised his eyebrow narrowing his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips as he take a seat.

"So, how did you like my gift?" He asked, she flinched at his mocking tone. Word dried off in her throat, Pricilla could not come up with anything to say while Aaron wait for her answer. He have a good way too throw people off of their track. As usual Priscilla could not for the sake of god understand what he is thinking. She never did.

But there is something she understand quite well though. She narrowed her eyes before asking a controversial question to catch him off guard.

"Are you jealous of your own son?" Aaron stared at her for a while before busting out laughing, freezing her. She waited.

"Is that what it seems like?" He chuckled shaking his head. Her heart drop to her stomach. She was so sure that she got him.

"Salina have a mental break down, Aaron. Right infront of me. Do you think it's normal?" She asked. Priscilla could not stop her words wrapped with bitter feeling. Seeing her like that filled her with a dread, she could not put her finger on.

"Do you think taking away Aaiden is the right thing to do?" Aaron stopped laughing, his eyes narrowed.

"Are not you going ahead of yourself?" He asked sighing.

"When did you start caring for someone else?" He asked. She gulped down a lump. The dread she was feeling only increased at his words.

"Aaron I..."

"I think you are fine" He said cutting her off. Aaron stand up.

"One day you will regret this. What will you do then?" She asked.

"Regret?" He narrowed his eyes coldly.

"There is a line you should not cross, Pricilla. I never give a damn that you married my father or cheated on my brother. I really don't. But if you don't stop putting your input in my and Salina's life. I will have to give a damn" He said, his voice soft. It does not seems threat at all, yet she feel her finger turning cold.

"No one.. Not even father tries to get between our relation. You should know by now. Don't you?"

He looked at her with a smirk as if looking down on her.

"Or things will go real bad for you. I will make sure of that" She feel a shiver run down her spine.

"Do you think I don't know, what you did? Priscilla. How you provoked Salina?" He asked bending down leveling his eyes with her. She flinched back. She should be used to dealing with Valentine men by now. But here she is.

"Salina might have a bad temper but she never reacts violently until or unless  provoked. The only reason she took the burnt not you is because she annoyed me..." He smiled his eyes cold as he narrowed his eyes.

"But now, you are annoying me too" He straighten up chuckling, his head tilted. She know that was a warning for her. Aaron turned to leave but paused.

"Should I start with Avan?" Priscilla paled.

'He knew, he knew all along' She release a shaky breath rubbing her face. Aaron walked out without turning back. That should be enough of a warning for Pricilla to back out. His smile dropped his face devoid of any emotion.

******************

Tara went to Henderson's house to see a frantic David running around his study room. Collecting files and shoving it inside a bag.

"What are you doing?" She asked staring T him her armcrossed. He stopped looking at her. She could tell something is wrong.

"What happened?" She asked. He sighed.

"I find something, Tara" He said rubbing his face a bit nervously.

"Is not it a good thing?" Tara frowned.

"I don't know" He said with a bitter smile. Tara looked down she was here to tell him that Salina took a vacation for seven days.

"After searching for three years all I have are vague answers. I could be trialing behind a false lead, Tara" he went to get another file.

"I will be out of town. I will be back as soon as I can" David told her.

"Why are you following a blind trail?" She asked there must be something right, he is going as far as looking for it himself.

"I found a lawyer who might be a part of everything  that happened or this could be a total miss" He said narrowing his eyes he is missing something but what?

"If I get any records then I will be able to bring my daughter out of that hell" He said determined. Tara could not understand his words.

"Did not you said that divorce is impossible between them?" He nod his head rubbing his face feeling exhausted.

"Yes but what if this is all a lie. A lie to trap my daughter. If I can prove that then I can break the contract" She gasped at his words. Something drawn on her. Trap, if this is a trap then who is the Mastermind? Is it really possible to manipulate someone like that? A shudder breath escape from her mouth.

"David? What if the truth involves Valentine family? It will hurt Henderson" Tara stated because a part of her knew, Valentine family is involved.

"Everything I built is for Salina, Tara. I had to bring my daughter's happiness even if it cost me my lifetimes earning"

"But that's your whole life's hardworking.Why are you doing this?"

"This is the only way I can save my daughter, Tara. I had too"

"When will she stop being your priority, David. You have a life of your own" Tara asked bitterly. She should be understanding right? After all these years she should know what his answer will be. Then why she had to hurt herself over that.

"She will always be my priority. Until I die" David voice was cold and sharp. There he put the wall she should not cross, never. Tara turned leaving him there while David looked at her guilty. He feel remorse yet he could not stop her.

5 days later.

Salina was staring at the clock ticking. Timing is running. Her gut twisted painfully as dread and despair filled her every thought, suffocating her. She take a deep breath rubbing her face. She needs to calm down.

Her eyes wander to her sleeping son, she take a seating beside him. She looked at the door, she locked.

"Calm down, Salina" She breathed out trembling. Salina take a few deep breath trying to clam herself desperately. Precipitation formed on her forehead.

"Everything is fine" She heard her own voice.

"Aaiden is still here, beside me" She take another few deep breath. Her eyes again looked at the door and window. She stand up and hurriedly went to lock the door which opens to the balcony. Sliding down against the door.

"What is wrong with me?" She whispered as a tear trickled down her cheek. Even after everything she is constantly checking the door and window. Her eyes looked at her son sleeping peacefully. She walked upto him, bending down pressing a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Happy birthday my love" She whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I love you so much that I don't know what to do with these feelings" She said rubbing her face chuckling a mixture of care, worry topped with an overwhelming protective constantly knocking inside her.

"He..he won't take you, Aaiden"

Why is she feeling this way? She take a silde beside him, hugging him close to her. Salina tried to go back to sleep but it seems like a far away dream. The more she tried the more difficult it was becoming. She at last give up and stare at him with a soft smile.

"My baby is growing big day by day" She softly cooed him, pressing a kiss on his cheek only to feel his small hand pushing her away. He mumble something before going back to sleep. She could not help as her lips turned up into a smile and she relaxed.

The sun was out before she could get a little bit wink of sleep. Aaiden moved around her. She closed her eyes tightly. He finger touched her cheeks poking her.

"Mommy?" He again poked her.

"Mommy?" He called her. She opened one eyes. He was pouting. She smiled before trickling him. He laughed.

"Happy birthday baby" She said.

"Mommy toilet" He pushed her or tried to. She let him go. Her eyes again wander to the locked door. How many times did she actually checked on that since last night?

"Mrs.Valentine?" She froze her eyes went to the door.

"Open the door" Salina panicked as she rushed towards the bathroom door locking the door. She slide down, closing her eyes, her whole body shaking as she curled her, rubbing her hand.

"Mommy?" A scared voice make her jump. Her eyes widen as she realized what she did.  She turn around opening the down.

"What are you doing?' Salina asked herself, gulping as Aaiden looked at her, his eyes filled with tears.

"I.. I" her voice falter. She rubbed her face.

"I am sorry.." She bit her lips.

"I am sorry, baby" She said cupping his cheeks. That's when she heard the door opening, her heart thudded. She froze, slowly turning around. It was suppose to be locked. She herself checked it. Aaron walked in with a  master key in his hand. She feel awfully cold.

Aaiden pushed her hand away and went to his father. Breaking her heart.

"No" She screamed grabbing his hand as Aaiden struggled against her.

"Daddy" He cried out. She turned her towards him.

"Why the hell are you calling him?" She asked shaking him. Aaiden eyes widen, his lips trembling.

"Salina, you are scaring him" Aaron yelled at her. She froze biting her lips. Aaiden was staring down scared, tears filling her eyes.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry, I did not mean too " She cupped his cheeks wiping his tear. Aaiden pushed her away.

"Enough of this. You are putting emotional stress on him" Aaron sighed picking Aaiden up rubbing his back.

"I am sorry.. I did not mean too  Aaiden. I.. please" Salina rubbed her face wiping her tears.

"Give him to me" Salina grab his shirt tightly.

"Do you want me to lock you up in this room?" He whispered narrowing his eyes. As much as she would like to snap back her eyes wander to her son.

"Aaiden" He buried his face in his father's neck. It pinched her heart, she glare at Aaron with a burning hatred but other then that keep quiet.

"Happy birthday" Aaron said. Aaiden pulled back his head looking at his father with a bright smile. Her heart ached.

'Don't look at him like that' She closed her eyes sighing. Salina turned away from them she needs to collect her thoughts. Aaiden stare at his mother walking away.

"M..mommy" Aaiden called her staring at her with his big innocent. She looked at him with a soft smile.

"I am sorry" She said. Seeing Salina walk away, his hand went towards her.

"Mommy" He called out loud. She sighed with smiled blinking her eyes. Salina walked towards him extending her hand, he readily take it hugging her tightly.

"I am sorry baby. Don't be angry" She pleaded softly pressing her cheek against his head. He giggle at that pressing his face in her shoulder.

"Let's brush out teeth and go for breakfast" She mumbled softly.

"Salina, don't lock the door" That's all Aaron said leaving them on their own. She rolled her eyes. Through out the day she feel everything was constantly pricking her. She was jumpy and anxious. Nothing seems to make sense to her.

***********

At evening..

Aaron organized a party for family members and invited Aaiden friends. He was happily playing. Yet, she could not control her thoughts. Her throat went dry as she take a glass of juice from the male servant. It's a kids party where only orange juice and cold drinks were served. She chucked the whole glass even after that her throat feel dry. She sighed feeling exhausted. It's  seems like the emotional stress is catching up to her now.

"Are you alright?" Clarissa, Aaron's sister was the one to ask her the question. She jumped staring at her eyes wide. Salina looked around to see Aaiden playing with some kid. She sighed.

"What happened?" Clarissa asked something is off about the situation but she could not put her finger on.

"Your brother" Salina said bitterly which leave a bad aftertaste in her mouth. Clarissa did not know if she should ask anymore or stop it. This is between them after all.

"It's not like anything else could happen to me" Salina mumbled looking away blinked her eyes. She won't cry.

"I..." Clarissa sighed shaking her head. She could not come up with anything before utter the most logical thing.

"Why don't you just leave him?" She asked. The casually way she put it burn Salina. Her jaw clenched as if that was an option for her to take.

"He would not let me go" She growled not bother that some people look at them. They could listen for all she care.

"Do you think I will stay with him? If I have an option" She said venomously. Clarissa sighed, that's why she should not have said anything in the first place. She didn't know their equation after all. Salina sighed closing her eyes trying to calm her nerve.

"Clare..." She turn towards her hopefully.

"Can't you talk too him? Please" She frowned noticing how distorted Salina was.

"About?"

"Can I talk to my wife?" Aaron walked straight towards them injecting those words. Salina glare at him as he pulled her away from the crowd to a schedule area, letting her go.

"What is it?" She asked annoyed. He just stayed silent grabbing a glass of juice. He stare at her without any comment slowly sipping. Salina glare at him waiting for him to say something but he did not.

"What is it?" She asked again grabbing his sleeve turning him towards her. Her face pale and she is worried sick. She look in the direction of the dance floor.

"Drink it" He pushed the drink he was drinking towards her. She let him go, throwing draggers at him.

"Have you fucking lost it?" She snapped, rubbing her face.

"Is this what you wanted to say?" Her lips tremble as she glare at him for wasting her time. She turned walking towards her son only for him to yank back.

The party was going on fulfledge.

"Easy their Mrs.Valentine" His voice mocking her, she feel a slight pain as he pulled her closer.

"Drink this and I might give Aaiden another day to stay with you" He said with a smile. Her inside burn. He is playing games with her. She won't fall for that never. There must be something in the drink, right? There had to be but he drink from it. She did not know what he wanted. She can't take any risk.

"I won't" She said gritting her teeth. He raised his eyes smirking.

"Fine" He let her go walking away from her. She breathed out not know she was holding.

Salina stand there not understanding what he was playing at yet. She rubbed her face. Her hand trembled. What if? No. She shake her head. She can't put a hold on her life for what ifs. She bite her lips. Her son. She needs to focus on him. Her vision blurred. She blinked her eyes taking a few deep breath.

She rubbed her face. What the hell is wrong with her? Is it because she did not sleep well? She hold onto the table to stand straight. She looked up her vision blurred again. What did he do? She did not drink anything from him. A slight pain. Her inside turned, did he? Her eyes again closing off. She forced herself to stay wake.

She take a deep breath her eyes closing off almost. She went to Aaiden with lots of difficult smiling down at him kissing his cheek. Standing was becoming a task for her.

She went to the couch collapsing.

"Something is wrong with you" It was a statement from whom. She can recognize the voice yet she can't put a name on it.

"Salina?" She feel someone shaking her. Wake up, She screamed at herself.

"Salina?"

She heard hurried foot step.

"I told you so" That's all she heard before everything went black.

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Thank you for reading dear readers.

Do share your thoughts and comment. These days I lack motivation and have way to many things on my plate. The only thing that keeps me motivated are your comments and votes.

Until next time.