Chapter 28 Chapter 28
Cynthia's POV
It's been fifteen days since we shifted here.
It was all chaos that day but now it is silence.
Adrian didn't want to shift, but I packed my bag, and he followed me, not wanting to leave us alone, especially in this condition.
Adrian, quickly arranged the transfer of Aurora's school. We didn't want her studies to be impacted because of what's going on in our lives.
I let out a sigh, my eyes flicking toward the door once again.
Today, I got my period and was having bad cramps, so Adrian went to pick up Aurora from school. I don’t have to tell him everything; he just understands. He handles things before I even have the chance to ask.
"Mummmaaa..."
The door burst open and my harmless little terrorist barged inside. A wide smile made its way to my lips as I sat on my knees, and spread my arms for her to run straight into them.
In her excitement, she tossed her shoes aside at the entrance and sprinted toward me. Adrian fixed them for her with a tired smile.
I hugged my baby girl tightly and kissed her head. Every worry vanished the moment she squeezed me back.
"How was your day?" I asked, pulling back slightly. My arms were still wrapped around her tiny waist.
"It was gooodddd," she dragged out the word.
I smiled and pinched her soft cheek. She looks extra happy today.
"You know Mumma, I met a friend today," she babbled, just like she always does. She has to tell me everything that happened at school before she does anything else.
"Met?" I asked, a bit confused.
"Made," she corrected with a sheepish smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
I nodded.
"He is very good."
I chuckled.
I’m happy she’s finally making friends; I was worried she would struggle in a new school.
My attention was fixed on her head as she tucked her hair back again.
Where was her clip?
"Aurora, where is your clip?" I asked softly.
She froze, and the smile on her lips slowly died.
"I... I don't know," she stuttered.
"Aurora..." I pressed, but before I could say more, Adrian intervened.
"Oh come on, Cynthia. It was just a small clip. She probably lost it somewhere," he dismissed.
With her lips tightly pressed, Aurora nodded.
It wasn't just a clip. It was her favorite. She barely let anyone touch it. How could she stay so calm about losing it?
My focus diverted when she reached into her pocket and pulled out some chocolates.
"Who gave these to you?" I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Me," Adrian said, walking over to us. He stood over us with his hands on his hips.
"Now, she will throw tantrums while having her meal"
Aurora just smiled up at Adrian which was enough to melt him.
"I’ll make sure she finishes everything," he promised, ruffling her hair. "For now, let her enjoy her chocolate."
I rolled my eyes and reached for her backpack. I pulled out her half-eaten lunch and showed it to Adrian without a word. He just cocked his head, silently asking me to let it go.
For Aurora, Adrian is her best friend because he lets her do everything she wants, while I am a strict mother.
That doesn't mean I love her less. I am just concerned about her.
I let out a sigh and was about to zip up her bag when my eyes caught the sight of something unusual inside.
My hands reached out, and I was shocked to find a stuffed toy.
My breath hitched in my throat when I pulled it out.
It was the same stuffed toy that Lucien took.
"From where did you get this?" My voice came out louder and sharper than I intended.
Aurora flinched slightly and stopped biting on her chocolate. Her eyes drifted to the stuffed toy. She tried to reach for it but I pulled it back.
"I asked you something" my voice was very firm this time.
"Someone gave this to me" she said, blinking innocently.
I can bet she is hiding something behind those innocent eyes.
"Who?"
She didn't answer
"I asked, who?"
Silence.
"How many times have I told you not to accept anything from anyone. When will you understand!"
I was about to throw the toy away when she held my wrist.
"No mumma, please" she begged "it is my favourite"
"Aur..."
"Cynthia, calm down," Adrian intervened, taking the toy from me.
He turned it over, inspecting it with extra caution. It could literally have anything inside. With everything happening, I can’t trust anyone or anything that doesn’t come from Adrian or me.
"Give me your phone," Adrian said.
I hesitated but gave it to him. He dialed a number and put it on speaker.
"Hello, this is Adrian, Cynthia's gaurdian"
"Yes sir, how may I help you?"
I let out a breath, knowing he has dialled Aurora's teacher.
"We found a toy in Aurora's bag. Do you know how she got it?" He asked in a calm voice, as if he were just double-checking.
I would have been shouting. Maybe that’s why he didn’t let me make the call.
"Yes sir. Those were distributed today by one of the shareholders. They are safe and sanitized. We mentioned the toy in the diary. Didn't you check it?"
His eyes snapped to mine. His raised eyebrows said it all: See? You’re overreacting. "Thanks for the clarification. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Adrian sighed heavily and handed me the phone. Aurora quickly snatched the toy from his hand and sprinted into her room.
"I understand your concern, Cynthia, but sometimes you really do overreact."
I looked away from him. He doesn't understand my fear.
"Relax." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "I’m here. I won't let him touch Aurora again."
I swallowed hard.
From the corner of my eye, I saw something slide under the front door.
Slowly, I walked toward it and found an envelope. My heart thudded in my ears as I picked it up and tore it open.
My eyes widened and my face turned pale.
A court notice.
Petitioner: Lucien Thorne Vaughn. Respondent: Cynthia Vale.
Matter: Emergency Petition for Full Legal and Physical Custody.
Suddenly the air became too thick for me to breathe. My throat choked with emotions that I couldn't even swallow.
"Cynthia? What is it?" Adrian’s voice sounded miles away.
I couldn't speak. My eyes burned with a sudden, stinging heat.
Adrian's gaze flicked between me and the envelope before he took it from me. And his expressions changed too.
My phone buzzed. I looked down to find a message from an unknown number and a shiver ran down my body as I read it.
"Give her one extra strawberry today"