Chapter 88 7 years later
7 years later.
“Mama, you cry far too much,” Liam said calmly.
“You cry at every little thing. This is an occasion where everyone is happy, yet you are crying. What exactly am I supposed to do with you?”
Seven-year-old Liam stood with his hands folded behind his back like an old man weighed down by wisdom far beyond his years. His hair was jet black, his hazel eyes sharp and observant just like his mother’s.
Heaven laughed softly through her tears, clutching her certificate to her chest and looking down at her son. She had studied relentlessly even after Liam was born. Sleepless nights. Endless sacrifices. Every tear had been earned.
“You wouldn’t understand, Li,” she said gently. “It took me six years to get this.”
“Which is precisely why this is a moment of joy,” Liam replied.
“The process has concluded. The objective was achieved. Tears are typically reserved for distress, not success.”
He tilted his head slightly. “Frankly, I am unable to distinguish when you are in danger and require protection. You are confusing me.”
Heaven blinked, amused.
Before she could respond, Rayan swooped in and lifted Liam off the ground.
“And how exactly do you plan on protecting anyone,” Rayan teased, pressing loud kisses onto Liam’s head, “when you’re barely above ground level?”
Liam stiffened in visible disgust, wriggling his feet.
“Uncle Rayan,” he said flatly, “put me down.”
Rayan laughed loudly but complied.
“I miss when you were smaller,” he sighed dramatically. “You never resisted my kisses then.”
“That period of my life was marked by vulnerability,” Liam replied. “I have since evolved.”
Fabian approached just then, having witnessed the exchange. He handed Heaven a bouquet with a warm smile.
“Congratulations, Doctor Vera.”
“Thank you, Fabian,” Heaven said, sniffing the flowers. “I thought you said you were busy and wouldn’t make it.”
“I was just pulling your leg,” he replied easily. “There was no way I’d miss this.”
He reached up and adjusted her cap, straightening the tassel. “I told you, you’d pull this off.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said softly. “There’s a higher doctor for a lower one.”
Fabian chuckled. “A neurology certification is no joke. You did this while raising a child. I can’t hold a candle to that.”
He bowed exaggeratedly.
“Still with your help, how would I have done it without you.”
Off to the side, Rayan watched with Liam.
“My mama is remarkably oblivious,” Liam muttered, “and Uncle Fabian is exceptionally dense.”
“Child how can you say that..”
“I am not a child,” Liam interrupted calmly. “However, I would like to relieve myself.”
Rayan scoffed. “You claim not to be a child, yet you require assistance to pee.”
“There are many people present,” Liam explained patiently,
“and unfortunately, I have not yet reached the height I desire. If I were to go missing, my mother would cry excessively and I would prefer to avoid that outcome.”
He paused. “Therefore, your assistance would be appreciated until nature remembers me.”
Rayan stared at him, then laughed, he wondered what went through this boy's head .
As they walked toward the restroom
“Maybe if we leave them alone, they’ll marry each other.” Liam muttered lowly but Rayna heard him Loud and clear.
He arched a brow
“Would you really want your mama to be with uncle Fabian, don’t you want to know your real father?”
Liam considered this briefly.
“Anything my mama wants, I want,” he said simply.
“I would like to know my real father because I have several questions for him. However, I do not want my mama to feel pressured, especially since she doesn’t remember.”
Rayan stopped walking.
The depth of love in this boy for his mother stunned him.
“You promised to take me for target practice,” Liam added. “I hope you are not having a change of mind.”
“You know your mama wouldn’t approve,” Rayan sighed.
“You’re too young for guns. Why do you even bother with training so hard? Are you planning to join the military huh..”
“I want to protect my mama,” Liam replied calmly.
“From the men who were chasing her while I was still inside her.”
Rayan froze. He now understood the child’s emphasis of protecting his mama
He crouched to meet the boy’s eyes.
“How do you know that?” he asked carefully. “Did you overhear something?”
Liam shrugged.
“I know many things. For example, the Johnsons are mafias. And there is a reason we live in Sun City instead of Ivory City.”
His hazel eyes turned cold.
Rayan shivered.
“You know things far beyond your age, Liam.”
“It is not my fault,” Liam replied. “I have sharp ears.”
They reached the restroom. Rayan bent to help him unbuckle his belt.
“Uncle,” Liam said firmly, “I can handle this portion myself. Please wait outside. I will be brief.”
Rayan scoffed, shaking his head. He used to change this boy’s diapers. Now he wasn’t even allowed near his belt.
His phone rang. He stepped away to answer.
Minutes later, Liam exited but Rayan wasn’t there.
Concerned, Liam went looking. He needed to return to his mother.
His small feet carried him toward the back of the building.
That was when he saw it.
Three boys older, taller surrounding a blonde-haired girl. They were taking her belongings, shoving her when she hesitated. She didn’t fight back. She stood there quietly, submitting, like someone who didn’t belong here.
A visitor.
Sun City was not known to many.
Liam hesitated.
His mama always said to stay out of trouble. But he had recently mastered a new kick. And opportunities to test skills were rare.With a small sigh of resignation, he stepped forward.
“Are you boys not a little too old,” Liam said calmly, “to be robbing a girl smaller than yourselves?”
The boys turned.
Looking at the small boy who spoke.
“Little boy,” the one with the low-cut hair sneered, obviously the leader.
“You better stay out of this. It’s none of your business.”
“It’s my business now because I hate being called little.” Liam replied calmly.
He glanced at the blonde girl. She looked terrified, clutching her bag like a lifeline.
The boys burst out laughing.
“How can you hate being called what you are?” the one with a mohawk mocked.
Liam sighed softly, almost disappointed. “I do wonder,” he murmured to himself, “when nature is finally going to remember.”
The leader scoffed. “What are you mumbling about, shrimp..”
“At least I’m not fat,” Liam added flatly. Hitting the boy where it pricked him.
The laughter died instantly.
The leader growled and shoved Liam hard. Liam hit the ground, landing on his butt.
The boys erupted in laughter again.
Liam blinked, sitting there for half a second. Mama said only fight to defend yourself. He nodded to himself.
“Alright,” he muttered. “This qualifies.”
In one swift, almost effortless motion, Liam kicked upward his leg slicing clean through the air.
His heel connected with the leader’s chin.
The boy went down like a sack of bricks.
Silence.
The blonde girl gasped.
“I need more height,” Liam muttered seriously, already adjusting his stance.
The second boy lunged.
Liam spun.
A sharp kick landed squarely in his mouth.
Blood spilled instantly.
“Hm,” Liam said, unimpressed. “Higher.”
The last boy charged in rage.
Liam leapt.
His foot slammed into the boy’s nose with precision.
Crunch.
The boy dropped, screaming.
Liam straightened his shirt proudly.
“Yes!” he cheered under his breath.
“Uncle Rayan absolutely needs to see this ha!”
The blonde girl stared at him, wide-eyed, something like awe flickering across her face.
“Havilah!” a sharp voice called out.
The girl flinched and turned.
“Liam!” Rayan shouted at the same time, rushing toward him.
He took in the three boys sprawled on the ground.
He didn’t even ask.
“I was attacked,” Liam said calmly, shrugging.
“And I am permitted to fight strictly in self-defense.”
He paused. “I also executed the legendary kick.”
Rayan stared at him half furious, half relieved.
“You scared me to death!” he snapped. “Do you have any idea how long I was looking for you?”
Liam hesitated.
“I’m… sorry, Uncle.”
That was all it took.
Rayan pulled him into a tight hug.
Behind them, a blonde-haired woman rushed toward the girl.
“Havilah!” Eva exclaimed, cupping her daughter’s face, eyes shining with relief.
The girl, however, didn’t look away.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the boy who had saved her.
Eva followed her line of sight.
She saw a little boy whose back was turned talking to a curly-haired man.
“Come,” she said softly to her daughter.
“Your uncle is waiting. We’re going to meet Daddy.”
Havilah nodded but she looked back one last time.
At Liam.