Chapter 33 - Sylvia’s POV

Jax’s laughter was music to my ears. He laughed and shrieked like there was no tomorrow. I smiled, then I suddenly bolted up the bed when I realized Jax was not beside me. In fact, I am alone on the bed right now.

I felt like a bucket of ice got poured on me. Oh shit, Jax! I hurriedly got out of the room and ran towards the stairs.

“Sylvia, what do you think you’re doing?” Mama shouted at me from the foot of the stairs. Her hands on her waist. “You go back to your room and make yourself look decent.” Only then did I remember I did not wear my pajama bottoms because Jax cried when I was changing in the bathroom.

Jax and Dean were in the living room, sitting on the floor, and looked like they were playing Legos. Jax looked confused as his tiny eyes looked at me, while Dean looked amused. His eyes were not on my eyes but on my exposed extremity. A playful smile appeared on his lips before his eyes moved up to meet mine. I felt myself burn from the tip of my toes up to my scalp. I made an about face and scurried back to my room to change.

“Good morning,” Dean greeted, his mischievous smile still on his lips. I rolled my eyes at him in response to which he only chuckled.

“Mama, this is Dad,” my son introduced Dean to me like he’s just a new playmate he met. “Hmm” was the only response I gave my son.

“Dean, Via, come on, let’s have breakfast.” Papa called. I followed them, carrying Jax on my hips. I held him close to me like I’d lose him.

I sat Jax in his high chair and prepared his food. Scrambled eggs without salt and less oil. I also sliced him some strawberries. He ate on his own and all I need to do is make sure he isn’t choking on his food.

“Jax is really the spitting image of Dean, right Pa?” Mama stated as she looked at Dean and Jax while she dunked her bread in her coffee.

“Yeah. I really thought he’s Hunter’s son,” Papa seconded.

I choked on my father’s response.

“Hunter?” Dean arched his brow at me.

“Oh, he’s Via’s friend from Australia. They met in Malta.” Mama explained.

“Oh, I see,” Dean answered with no emotion while he glared at me.

Why is he mad at me? Was I the one who said Hunter was Jax’s dad?

I did my best to ignore him and focused on my food and attending to Jax.

I bathed Jax after our meal. Dean insisted on joining us and bathed Jax. I ended up being his assistant, handing him Jax’s shampoo, body wash, and giving him instructions on what he needs to do. Same with putting on Jax’s clothes. He dressed our son and gave him instructions on what he needs to do. The only task he could not insist on doing was feeding Jax because I fed him.

Jax and I were on the rocking chair, facing the mountain. The blue sky is a rare sight since it’s mostly foggy during this season. My phone kept vibrating on the table beside me. It’s Joey. I am not ready to talk to her. Her betrayal is still fresh in my mind, so I let my phone vibrate.

“It’s Joey, aren’t you picking up?” Dean asked from behind us.

How long has he been standing there?

“Nope.”

“It could be something important.”

“Nope.”

“Joey, yes, Dean here…” I turned my body to glare at him. He only lifted his index finger, shushing me. Argh!

“Who told you to answer my call—”

“If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t know you’re being evicted.”

“What?”

“Jared sold the house, and the new owners were moving in.”

“What?!?” He’s such an asshole.

“I’ll have somebody take care of your stuff.”

“It’s fine, I’ll—”

“I said, I’ll take care of it.”

Dean took his phone from his pocket and called somebody. I heard him give my address and gave instructions to transfer every piece of furniture to someplace else.

“Dean, my plants on the rooftop.” I told him, and he nodded, then told the person on the other line about my plants.

“Anything else?” he asked, to which I answered by shaking my head.

“Joey said Jared’s lawyers will contact you about splitting your assets. You’re splitting assets? What are you? A married couple?”

“Almost. We have some investments and properties under our names. Some we bought with our savings, others were gifts during our engagement.”

When Jax had fallen asleep in my arms, I fixed my shirt and placed him on the bed. My phone rang again. This time it’s from an unknown number. I answered. It’s Jared’s lawyer asking for a meeting the following day. I chewed on my lip as I tried to think about what to do. There’s no way I would ask Mama and Papa to help me find a lawyer. If only Ocean were here.

“What’s wrong?” Dean’s voice broke my thoughts. He sat on the bed beside my son and was scrolling something from his phone.

“Nothing.” I answered and again chewed on my lips as I searched my head for contacts.

“Nothing? Then why do you look like somebody has given you a death sentence?” His brow hitched as his eyes fixed on me. “Don’t tell me it’s something personal because Sylvia, there’s no such thing as personal or private between us anymore.”

“Excuse me?”

“You want me to spell it out?”

“Look, Dean, I know we fucked, but that does not—” He got out of bed and in seconds he’s standing in front of me. His blue eyes burned from anger, his lips pursed into a tight line, and the hand that held my arm squeezed me a little tighter than it should.

“Say that again and I’ll show you how a fuck is done,” he said through gritted teeth. He scared me. I thought I’d already seen him angry. I guess I haven’t yet.