Chapter 185 – The Truth We Both Carried

Chapter 185 – The Truth We Both Carried
“I’m so sorry…” I couldn’t even look at him properly.

“I’m so sorry, Edward…” The tears came harder now.

I shook my head, my vision blurred. “I didn’t mean to hide it from you… I didn’t mean to lie…”

My voice cracked. “I was scared…” That was the truth. The simple, painful truth.

“I’m just a maid in this house,” I continued, my voice shaking. “I didn’t think… I didn’t think you would ever accept me if I told you…”

I wiped my face quickly, but it didn’t help.
The tears wouldn’t stop.

“I didn’t think you would believe me… or even want me…”

My breath hitched.

“I didn’t want to lose you.” That was the fear.
The one that kept me silent all these years.

“I love you so much, Edward…” My voice dropped to a whisper.

“You’re my son… you’ll always be my son… and I only ever wanted the best for you…”

Memories flooded my mind. Every moment, every year, every silent prayer.

“I watched you grow… I stayed close… I did everything I could to take care of you…” I looked at him finally. Through tears.

“I prayed for you every night… I begged the Moon Goddess to protect you… to heal you… to give you happiness…”

My voice broke again. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to keep this from you…”

Heavy silence. I waited for anger or disappointment. Anything.

But Edward… he didn’t look angry. He didn’t look shocked.

He didn’t even look surprised. He just… looked at me like he had been waiting for this moment.

“It’s fine.”

I blinked. My tears paused for a second.

“What…?” I whispered.

“It’s fine,” he repeated.

My brows pulled together confused.

“You’re not… angry?” I asked softly.

Edward shook his head slightly. “No.”

I stared at him.

“I’ve always known,” he said.

The world stopped. “What?” I shook my head immediately.

“I’ve always known you’re my mother.”

My breath caught in my throat.

I stared at him like I was hearing something impossible.

“How…?” I whispered. “How did you know?”

Edward leaned back slightly. “It was obvious,” he said.

Tears filled my eyes again.

“The way you cared for me,” he continued. “The way you always looked at me… the way you protected me… it wasn’t just loyalty.”

My chest tightened.

“It was love.” A tear slipped down my cheek again.

“But that wasn’t all,” he added.

I swallowed.

“What else?” I asked softly.

“The book of bloodlines,” he said.

My eyes widened. “The… book?”

He nodded. “Your name is written in there,” he said. “Right beside my father’s.”

My heart skipped.

“The book records those the Moon Goddess has bonded… those fated together,” he continued.

My hands trembled.

“And you were there.”

A deep pain settled in my chest.

“My father…” Edward added quietly, “…rejected you.”

The words hit hard. Even after all these years, even after I had learned to live with it. It still hurts.

“It was unfortunate,” Edward said softly.

I couldn’t speak, I just stood there trying to hold myself together.

“I’ve been waiting for you to tell me,” he said.

My breath caught.

“All these years… I knew… but I wanted you to say it yourself.”

Tears fell again.

“I didn’t want to force it,” he added. “I wanted you to come to me when you were ready.”

My legs suddenly felt weak.

“I’m glad you finally did.”

That was it. My strength gave out completely. I dropped to the floor.

A sob left my lips. “Edward…” I couldn’t even form words anymore. I just cried and cried. Then suddenly his wheelchair moved toward me.

“Come here,” he said softly.

His hands reached for me. Helping me up gently, like I would break.

And the moment I stood, he pulled me into an embrace.

I held him back tightly. My son, my child.
The one I had loved from a distance for so long.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered again into his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” he replied.

After a while, we pulled apart. I wiped my face, trying to compose myself.

Then he looked at me again. “How is Elara?” he asked.

The question came suddenly. I smiled faintly.
“She’s doing well,” I said. “Seraphina stayed with her last night,” I added. “She didn’t leave her side.”

He nodded slightly.

“She has a little fever,” I continued. “But it’s normal. It happens when someone shifts for the first time. She’ll be fine,” I assured him.

“I’ll go check on her after this.”

He nodded again. “Okay.”

Then I hesitated before speaking again. “Edward…”

He looked at me.

“Elara loves you,” I said softly.

His gaze shifted slightly.

“She cares about you deeply,” I continued. “She wanted to heal you… she just didn’t know how yet.”

He didn’t respond immediately.

“I told you,” he said after a moment, “it’s fine.”

But I could still see the disappointment.

“I was just hurt,” he added quietly. “because she didn’t tell me,” he continued. “About being a healer… about meeting Felix…”

He shook his head slightly. “I thought she could tell me everything.”

I stepped closer.

“Just give her another chance,” I said softly. “She was scared.”

He didn’t argue. “I still love her,” he said simply.

My heart softened.

“And I won’t stop loving her.”

A small smile touched my lips. “That’s enough,” I said.

He nodded. Then added. “We’ve started investigating.”

I looked at him. “Felix,” he said.

Hope sparked in my chest.

“We’ll find him,” Edward continued. “Hopefully soon.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

He gave a small nod in return.

“I’ll go check on Elara now,” I said.

“Okay,” he replied. “I’ll come later in the day.”

I smiled, then turned and walked out.

When I got to Elara's room, I knocked gently before stepping in.

She was awake, sitting up in bed with Seraphina beside her.

“Elara…” I called softly. She turned immediately.

Her face was pale but her eyes brightened slightly when she saw me. “Ma’am Albright…”

I walked closer. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

“A little weak,” she admitted.

I touched her forehead lightly. “Yes… a little fever.”

Seraphina nodded. “It’s normal,” she said. “First shift always comes with it.”

Elara let out a small breath. “I feel strange,” she whispered.

“You’ll adjust,” Seraphina assured her.

I smiled gently. “You’ll be fine.”

Elara nodded slowly, then looked at me. “Did you… speak to Edward?” she asked softly.

I nodded. “Yes, I did.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“I told him everything,” I continued. Her hands tightened around the blanket.

“I told him about your promise to heal him.”
She held her breath. “He understands.”

Relief flooded her face immediately. Tears filled her eyes.

“Thank you…” she whispered.

I shook my head. “You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

She nodded quickly. Then I hesitated before adding. “I also told him… that I’m his mother.”

Seraphina froze. “What?”

Elara’s eyes widened. “You told him?”

I nodded.

“And…?” Elara asked.

I smiled softly. “He already knew.” Silence filled the room.

“What?” Elara said.

Seraphina blinked in shock. “He knew?” she repeated.

I nodded again. “Yes.”
Seraphina sat back slightly. “You’re… Edward’s mother?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said gently.

Elara’s face lit up with happiness. “Thank the Goddess…” she whispered. “Everything is okay now… for you and your son.”

I smiled. “Yes.” Then I added softly, “Edward has started investigating.”

Elara looked at me immediately.

“Felix,” I said. “He’s looking for your brother.”

Hope filled her eyes like something she had been holding onto was finally real.