Chapter 89 SPECIAL CHAPTER 12

Chapter 89 SPECIAL CHAPTER 12
"Mommy, where are we going?"

Samantha and Spade were seated near the back of the bus. After overhearing Cedric’s cold words about taking his son away—directly contradicting his earlier promise—Samantha had made a desperate, split-second decision to flee.

She had told Aling Jacinta she was simply going home to give Spade a bath, but instead, she had packed their essentials and left immediately. She had even entrusted her wedding coordination business to her staff without a second thought. She hadn't even told Vladi yet, planning to call him only once they were safe in Bicol.

"We’re just going on a little trip," Samantha told Spade, her voice trembling.

"Is Daddy coming with us?" Spade asked. Samantha looked at him, her heart aching as she took his small hands in hers.

"Spade, honey, you love Mommy, don't you? Am I still your favorite person?"

"Of course, Mommy! But Daddy is my favorite person now, too," Spade replied with a bright, innocent smile.

"When you’re older, you’ll understand why I’m doing this. I won't let us be separated, anak. I won't allow it," she whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace.

She prayed silently that Cedric wouldn't come looking for them—that he would just let them return to the life they had before he ever knew Spade existed.

"The bus is full! Why aren't we moving yet?" a passenger shouted.

The conductor stood at the front, looking flustered. "I’m sorry, everyone. The driver stepped away for a moment. We’ve called for him, so please, just be patient."

Samantha took a deep breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart. Everything will be alright, Samantha. It has to be, she told herself.

"Sorry, boss, the bus is full," she heard the conductor say to someone outside. "You'll have to take the next one."

"I’m not here to ride the bus," a deep, familiar voice rang out. "I’m here for someone I know who boarded this vehicle by mistake."

The voice hit Samantha like a bucket of ice water. Her breath hitched, and her heart hammered against her ribs. Please... not him... she prayed, clutching Spade tighter.

The atmosphere inside the bus seemed to freeze as Cedric climbed up the steps. His eyes swept over the passengers with clinical precision until they landed directly on her and Spade.

"Daddy!" Spade cried out joyfully. He broke free from Samantha’s grip and ran down the aisle, throwing his arms around Cedric’s waist.

Cedric looked down at the boy, but his gaze remained fixed on Samantha. It was a look of cold, simmering intensity.

"I’m glad you made it, Daddy!"

"Yes," Cedric murmured, lifting the boy into his arms. "It’s a good thing I wasn't too late." He looked at Samantha again. "Let’s go. You have a lot of explaining to do, Ms. Camnice."

Without another word, he stepped off the bus. Samantha bit her lip to keep from crying. She had tried to save her son, but she had underestimated the reaches of the Prime Minister. Now, she feared her actions had only given him a reason to take Spade away sooner.

She stood up, her head bowed in shame as she felt the curious stares of the other passengers. She stepped off the bus just as the driver finally arrived.

Outside, Cedric stood waiting. Mihai held Spade now, standing beside another security guard. Samantha couldn't bring herself to meet Cedric’s eyes.

"So, you were running away with my son. Care to tell me why, Ms. Camnice?" Cedric asked. His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. The bus they were supposed to be on hissed and pulled away, leaving them in the dusty station.

"I carried Spade for nine months," Samantha burst out, the tears finally overflowing. "I suffered through the sickness, the labor, the years of raising him alone. I won't let you just take him from me because you suddenly decided you’re a father!" She looked at him through blurred vision. "I am his mother! You can't take him! Please... just leave us alone!"

Spade watched them from Mihai’s arms, his little face crumpled with worry. "Mommy, why are you crying?"

"I'm begging you, Mr. Prime Minister," Samantha sobbed, her pride completely gone. "I don't need you to be responsible. I don't want your money or your title. I can provide for him myself. Just... please don't take my son."

Cedric sighed, a flicker of something—perhaps guilt—crossing his face. "What are you talking about? Who said I was taking him away from you? Did we not already discuss this? You are both coming with me. Why on earth would you think I’d separate you?"

He stepped closer to her. He pulled off his coat and draped it over her head, shielding her crying face from the prying eyes of the crowd.

"You ran away because you thought I’d take him?" he asked quietly.

Samantha nodded, her shoulders shaking. "I heard you earlier," she hiccuped, reaching out to grip the hem of his shirt. "You said you’d take the boy alone and make sure his mother never saw him again. I’d go crazy without him, Cedric... I can’t do it."

Cedric took a long breath. He was used to seeing women cry, but for some reason, Samantha’s tears left him feeling strangely unsettled.

"Listen to me. There has been a misunderstanding," he explained, his voice gentler than before. "I am not taking Spade away from you. That is final. Both of you are coming to Romania as soon as the visas are ready. What you heard earlier... it wasn't about you or Spade. It was about a child his age who was being abused by his own mother. I rescued him so he wouldn't have to suffer anymore. That was the boy I was referring to."

Samantha looked up at him, her eyes wide and red. "You... you aren't taking him?"

"No. Who am I to take a child from the woman who raised him so well? Stop crying now. And don't ever think for a second that I would separate you two." He reached out, his thumb brushing a tear from her cheek.

"Thank you..." she whispered.

"Let's go home." Cedric placed an arm around her shoulders, guiding her toward the car.

"How did you know where we were?" Samantha asked once they were settled in the backseat, with Spade sitting on Cedric’s lap.

"I appointed guards to my Baba’s house the moment the media caught wind of my location," Cedric answered. "It was for the safety of all of you. They reported your departure immediately."

"I'm sorry," Samantha murmured. "I was just so scared."

"Misunderstandings are natural," Cedric said. "But next time, before you jump to conclusions, ask me first."

As Mihai started the engine, Cedric looked down at Spade and then back at Samantha.

"And... thank you, Samantha."

"For what?"

"For raising Spade the way you have. You've nurtured him with so much care and affection. It’s clear how much you love him, and I see that you've always treated him with respect, despite... well, you know what I mean."

Samantha looked down at her lap, a small, sad smile on her lips. "What happened eight years ago wasn't Spade’s fault. That was my mistake. Honestly, he’s been the greatest blessing of my life. Even when my parents turned their backs on me, I was happy because I had him."

She looked up at Cedric, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink. They were so close she could see the golden flecks in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly pulled away, smoothing her hair.

The silence was broken by a loud, growling sound coming from Spade’s stomach. The boy giggled sheepishly.

"Mommy, Daddy... I'm hungry."

Cedric chuckled. "You're only eight, but you certainly eat like a grown man."

"Mihai, find a restaurant," Cedric ordered.

As Mihai glanced in the rearview mirror, he couldn't help but smile. The cold, untouchable Prime Minister was beginning to look very much like a family man.