“Julie, I’m asking you. What are you doing here?” I asked as I entered the mansion. 

“This is not how you should talk to someone who saved us.” I heard my mother speak from beside Dima, who had her palms resting on her head. 

“Dima, you all right?” I asked, ignoring everyone. She looked so unwell, and I blamed it on me, as I never really attempted to take care of her as I promised. 

“How would she when her so-called daughter does something so horrid?” I heard my mom again. I was still crouched on my knees and looked at Dima, waiting for her answer, but my mother’s constant blubber didn’t help me. 

“I came to my friend’s house that’s nearby and saw a commotion around the corner. When I walked closer, then saw people gathering around them and spouting bad words about Liara. That’s when I knew this was her house.” Julie said, and I just stared at Dima instead.

“Yes, and if she wouldn’t have come and these neighbors wouldn’t have saved us, then we would have been crushed under the large group.” My mom again spat angrily. 

“Dima,” I urged her to speak something. 

“Is my princess alright? She must have a hard time.” She spoke. Her voice broke along with my heart. 

“You are still thinking about that girl who doesn’t even care about you?” My mom again. I never understood her hatred behind all this and chose not to as well. 

“Dima, you know how strong she is. You should also be strong for her.” I said and looked at her in shock when she suddenly wiped off the tear stains and cleared the wrinkles off of her dress and smiled at me. 

‘’Now am I good?" She asked, and I smiled at her. 

“As always.” 

“Good, so you just gonna let her in the dark and say nothing about the crime she committed?” I had enough of my mother’s blabber, but before I could even answer, Dima said, “You know nothing about my princess and I would not let you speak even a single word against her. I know how troubled she must be right now, and I chose to rather keep quiet than burden her even more by blaming her for something I’m sure she never did.” My mom just scoffed at her words. 

“She should be thankful to these men and Julie for taking care of us and Lilly.” My mom said, and I looked at Julie, who hid behind my mother. I felt something was wrong but couldn’t come up with any solution.

“I heard Julie is your friend and the owner of Shimmers before Liara took over to do that shitty work.” My mom said I was getting a headache. Julie mustn’t have said something so ridiculous.

“And who told you that?” I asked, my eyes on Julie.

“I heard some in the news and this pretty girl told me her sad story.” My mom hugged her. I glared at Julie for how ungrateful she was. She knew who was behind this and yet molded the story otherwise.

“Ma’am, I’d suggest please try to understand your daughter-in-law. It’s all a misunderstanding.” Dima said humbly to my mother, but it was as if it fueled her with rage against Liara.

“That girl can never be my daughter-in-law. She doesn’t even care about you, Diya, when you suffer from such a severe disease and leave you alone.” 

“What?” Dima was sick? Why didn’t Liara tell me? Does she even know about it? I stared at my mother because I never realized Dima was sick and she just knew it in a day.

“What? Your mother is well aware of the medical field, as she was a doctor herself.” She said proudly and alas, this made me realize how little I know about my mom. 

“I saw her taking meds and understood that she was I’ll. Does your wife even know about it?” She accused her but, she doesn’t even know how deep Liara and Dima’s love for each other was. There must be a misunderstanding. 

‘’Dima, does Liara not know about your health?" I inquired. Everything was so winding for me that I couldn’t grasp what to think and what not to do.

“I didn’t-‘’ Dima started but Julie interrupted her and spoke instead, ‘’Do you not know about this?” She asked. I shook my head, having no idea about anything.

“I didn’t want Princess to know about my health. She is already broken, and I chose not to break her more. She lost all her loved ones and had only me beside her until Zearo came as a blessing. I’m so glad that now I can leave peacefully.” Dima looked at me with so much love that it hurt me. I averted my gaze away from her, as I was not what she was expecting.

“Bullshit!” my mother snapped. “You only have a few months left and still wondering how her life would be?” I was seriously getting a headache from how shrill my mom’s voice was. She was only making matters worse. 

“Mom, can you please calm down? This is not the time for this discussion. Dima is already stressed.” I urged her. 

“Dima!” We all turned towards the door when we heard a frantic voice. Liara practically ran towards Dima and hugged her tighter, as if her life depended on her. As if she was lack of air. 

I took a few steps back and gave them space, urging my mom to shut her mouth for a minute. 

“I was so worried when I saw those men gathering around the house. I’m so sorry!” She said breathlessly. She was shaking, I could tell, but Dima held her close to her chest.

“I told you not to stare at those CCTV of our house while at work, didn’t I? Why don’t you listen to me?” Dima asked Liara hugging her back with a small smile on her face. 

“How could I not? When I am always worried about you.” Liara said. Her voice was muffled as she buried her head in Dima’s shoulder. 

“Shush, I’m good. I’m alright.” She cooed as if soothing a small kid. I heard my mom scoff and then saw Liara looking at my mom, and then I bit my tongue when I saw her eyes land on Julie. 

“What is she doing here?” Her tone was harsh and accusing. An edge that just could slice your heart. 

“Why are you getting angry at my son? She was nearby and helped us when we were in chaos. If it was not for those young men and this cute girl, do you think we’d be even alive right now?” 

“Mom!” I raised my voice at her, but she ignored me. 

“Thank you so much, guys.” I then looked at Liara, surprised when she thanked those men in the background. I completely ignored them until now and they all got down on their knees. Our eyes bulged in the shape of soccer as we looked at the scene. Five bulk men bowing down at Liara. 

“You don’t have to do this.” She rushed and touched one of the guy’s shoulders. 

“How could we not? We are ashamed of ourselves. We couldn’t protect your family as we promised. This time we were late.” As if on cue, every single one of them bowed their head guiltily. 

“Nick, you’ve guarded the house twenty-four-seven since the day you came to New York. I know that you’ve worked hard and I’m thankful.” She smiled at them. She genuinely smiled at them. The hell.

“Princess?” I saw Dima walking towards them. Even I had my share of questions and so did my mom, who stared at my wife in shock. 

“Oh, Dima. I’ve never let you meet them because of some issues. They are the members of Black Swan.” She introduced each one of them proudly to Dima. 

“They were guarding this house for so long and we couldn’t even thank them properly? I feel so bad, my child. Let me cook something delicious for you. It will take only a few minutes.” Dima said in a hurry, but the guys shook their heads. 

“We will have to take our leave. So sorry to decline your offer, ma’am.” They bowed, and giving no one a second chance, rushed out of the house.

“Where did you say they live?” Dima asked Liara.

“The house beside the mansion,” Liara said, holding Dima’s hand. I glanced at my mom, gesturing for her to see how Liara takes care of her family. My mom rolled her eyes instead.

“Dima, everything is taken care of. I just need a few more hours to get things sorted.” Liara slowly escorted Dima towards the couch and crouched in front of her and said. 

“My princess, I know you are hurting. You have not batted an eyelid after the uproar. I’m worried more about your health rather than some crazy news.” Dima held Liara’s face in her palm and the love in their eyes had my heart heavy. It was overwhelming. 

“Why are you worried about her when she doesn’t even know how close to the deathbed you are?!” 

“Enough!” I shouted at my mother because she was making things worse. Everything was stressful already and she instead of helping was increasing our problems. 

“I will not hear even a single word against my wife,” I said as a warning. 

“Do you even realize that I’ve been searching for you for so long but it was Liara who could find you and now that you are here away from danger, you are messing with her life instead of being grateful?” I had my hand wrapped into a tight fist. 

“Your son is a nobody. He did so many bad things to her, but she always forgave me. Why? Just because her family is happy that we are together. Her only wish from this marriage has always been for me to keep her family happy, and your ungrateful son couldn’t even do that.” I was heaving. I was frustrated and angry. Maybe it was more at me. I was realizing how many times she had to put up with things because of me. 

“Why burden you with her family’s happiness?” My mom just couldn’t get it. I took a step towards her but felt a pull. “Liara.” I would not stop before giving a clear concise of my mind to my ungrateful mom. 

“You should lower your voice, Zearo. Your mom is scared.” I heard a squeaky voice and instantly I knew who that belonged to. I forced my eyes shut and slowly opened them to see Julie standing between me and my mother. The situation was ridiculous, and I didn't like it.

“I don’t know why you are so angry at me, ma’am. But you are wrong about this I’ve never taken care of my family. I. I know about my Dima’s illness.” Liara confessed, and then it clicked. 

“Princess.” We heard Dima’s faint voice.

“Yes Dima, I’ve known about the therapy session you take after I go to the office. I’ve been in constant touch with the doctor as well.” Liara said. I could feel my legs getting weaker at how someone can love each other so much. 

“I didn’t want to burden you anymore.” Dima hugged Liara tighter and broke down.

“I know, and I didn’t want to let you know I know about it. I know you didn’t feel comfortable with me knowing about your health.” Liara wiped the tears away from Dima’s cheeks and I felt so helpless at the moment.

 Thinking as if they needed some privacy, I dragged my mother and Julie out of the house and away from Liara.

“You should leave.” I pointed at the main door and said to Julie. 

“Why are you being rude to this innocent girl?” My mom was slowly making me regret the decision of finding her. 

“You will not utter a single word unless I ask you to. If you do, forget that you had a son. Oh, you already did that once, so let’s think about it this way. I am going to take you to Muris myself.” She looked hurt, but I couldn't care less at the moment. I cared about those two ladies inside the house who chose me even after all the stuff I did. 

“And you are not allowed anywhere near this mansion ever again,” I said to Julie. Blowing off my steam, I stared at the flowers that bloomed in the dark sky. 

“I’ve called a taxi. You may leave.” I didn’t know whether I should have been thankful to Julie or whether what I did was right. But it felt as if I had to do something before I blasted.

“And mom you -“ Before I could realize it, my mom rushed back inside and Liara interrupted me when I was about to put some sense in her. Julie walked away from me, teary-eyed. 

“I don’t think you should talk to her the way you did.” Liara scolded me. I looked at her, surprised as I was supporting her, but I was the bad guy. 

“Doctor said she is still in shock and is very sensitive to matters around her and the commotion just worsened the situation.” She said, but I could only look at her red eyes. She must have cried a lot. 

“So, can you just give her time to adjust?” This was her last request and, to be honest, I wasn’t ready to let this go. But I couldn’t do much, so just let this thing go. 

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