Chapter 215 THE SICKNESS OF HUMANS
AURORA’S POINT OF VIEW.
My breath caught in my throat, a violent shudder releasing from my body. “H-how could….how is that even possible?” I gasped.
“Marloise was not stable….she never was. Whenever she fell pregnant, she’d suddenly develop bruises from falling down a flight of stairs, and then the baby would be gone too. She always waited for the pregnancy to mature at exactly three months. Silas would be gone for work or on some trip, when it happened.
At some point, it happened too often. And a heartbroken Silas decided to stay with his wife whenever she fell pregnant. Hell, he told me he considered not getting her pregnant anymore, because she was more important to a love-sick man like him.
When I suggested adoption to her, I hated myself. Because I knew Marloise had a thing for hurting children. She didn’t do it because she suffered from trauma; she was the only daughter of five boys… her parents doted on her every word.
But Marloise…..I don’t know, Aurora.” Mom sighed, wiping her tears that did not seem to stop. “After some time, Marloise didn’t get pregnant again….and she seemed….happy. I thought finally, the medication Silas snuck into her food helped her with her episodes.
But fuck was I wrong. Kids had started going missing….little boys of at least five years. And then, their bodies would turn up in a lake or river nearby. I wanted to trust Marloise; my best friend for years would never do such a thing.
But at the same time, I never questioned her or informed the police. Then, she fell pregnant with Kai. Silas and I feared she would lose this one, too; I feared she would kill it before or after she had it. Eitherway, Marloise was a nightmare, an accident waiting to happen when children were around her.
But to my surprise, she had him….I remember that night in the hospital, his little cries as she clung to him. Although I was fearful, I knew a man as proud as Silas was, too.
He never admitted it, but he was terrified, and he also wanted a child. He loved Kai fiercely….he still does. He’s just…very guilty, as I am for ever marrying Armando and giving you this life.”
“Mom,” I whispered, holding onto her again.
“I know, baby….I know.” She whispered too, leaning into my hold. “For weeks after Kai was born, I watched Marloise like a hawk. While Silas was away for business, I stayed behind. I did it for two years… but then, I fell pregnant too. And I had to stay away.
That was both my biggest blessing….and my greatest regret.” She shuddered again, her eyes zoning out. “I had to recover, nurse you, and be your mother as well. Armando tried too… he really tried. I left Kai all alone, and Silas was always so concerned about work. He was rarely ever around. We also did not live so close by, and that worsened things.
I should have said something.
For some time, Marloise was light. It felt like Kai had saved her from herself. But then, I saw it. There was a bruise on little Kai’s arms……I swore it was just my eyes. Perhaps I’d seen wrong….Maybe I was hallucinating.
But at some point, I noticed he limped….children don’t just limp out of nowhere. When I asked his mother, she claimed he got a football injury. I knew it was a lie.” She was right….Kai doesn’t play football….not anymore, he plays hockey, and lacrosse.
“So, I asked Silas. I warned him to take care of Kai, be more present, and take Marloise to a psych ward. He did not listen….he was still so…”
“Blinded.” I finished for her. She nodded, a sad smile tugging at her lips.
“Then, next thing I knew, Marloise and Kai disappeared from our lives….nowhere to be seen, no matter how hard we searched.”