Chapter 93 When Blood And Blame Collide
Jack and Johnny exchanged glances, unsure of how to diffuse the news. "Oh sorry, young men. We haven't seen him either since we got here. Jack answered.
"Thanks." Mason said. He turned to Tyler. "Let's go. I want to be by mom's side when she wakes up."
They watched the kids walk away before they exclaimed simultaneously. "Wow"
"Creation has favored you man. I think you should go claim your children right away." Johnny said smiling. "They are smart"
"And the same reason it will be difficult for him to win them over." Jack chimed in. "They know too much for their age. 10 year olds don't…"
"Eight!" Rowan interrupted, correcting Jack. "They are eight."
Jack grinned mischievously at Rowan, "he deserves the Mr. Father of the Year award for at least knowing the age of his kids."
Johnny joined in, "Looks like fatherhood came knocking sooner than expected, Rowan. How are you planning to handle this genius squad?"
"You will definitely have to brush up on your astrophysics and medical jargon." Jack continued.
Jack laughed, "Imagine bedtime stories about black holes and surgical procedures."
Rowan stood still but his gaze shifted from Jack to Johnny as they spoke, allowing their teasing to sink in. Although he was enjoying their banter, reality began to catch up with him. "I am a father of four kids and they are eight years old. How do I begin?" He asked himself.
It's been six days since Wills died. Amanda had recovered pretty well from the external bruises but still aches from the pain of losing Wills. The children were now aware that Wills is no more. The house seemed desolate and everyone tried to figure out how to manage their pain.
"Is Rowan coming today?" Mrs. Roberts asked. He had been consistent in his visitation in the last four days since Amanda was discharged.
Amanda glanced at the clock hung to the wall, "there is enough time for him to show up if he wants to."
Just as she said that, a commotion echoed from the compound. There was a loud screech of a halting car and before they could figure out what was going on, Wills' parents, accompanied by a lawyer, barged into the room with a dramatic flair.
"What are you still doing here?" Mrs. Wills exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Amanda. "You killed my son, now you are in his house trying to inherit him. It is not going to work, you evil woman."
"Mom is not evil!" Adora yelled.
"Oh, I see. Right from this young age you have taken after your mother." She turned to Amanda, "how did you bewitch him? You came into his life with baggage, four children and even your mother?"
She smirked, "isn't that wickedness?"
"Calm down, please." Mr. Wills interrupted. "We are not here for this.
"But she killed my son. She should be held responsible."
"She didn't." Rowan exclaimed as he walked in, "my brother did."
Rowan's statement hung in the air, causing a momentary silence in the room. Mrs. Wills, still visibly upset, glared at him.
"Who is this and why are you spewing nonsense? " she retorted. "How dare you interfere in my matter"
Wait…You are Rowan Xi?" Mr Wills asked, trying to figure out his identity.
"Yes. I am Rowan Xi and my brother Wilson Xi killed your son." Rowan responded. "He is currently in trial as a murderer and my father has chosen his image over his son by dissociating himself completely from him. Which means no Xi lawyer will defend his case."
He turned to Mrs. Wills, "isn't that the justice you want for your son?"
Mrs. Wills seemed taken aback. The lawyer that accompanied them exchanged a concerned glance with the Wills family.
"But I still find her responsible for Wills death. She destroyed his life. She is only here for his money. Wills would have resigned from his police work if not for her. Every time I reminded him, he always said he would after sorting Amanda's case. He had a trust fund that would last him for eternity."
Mrs. Wills wiped her tears and continued, "this devil would not even agree to marry him. He had asked her several times but her response was no yet she lives here with her four kids and mother, all my son's responsibility."
"She destroyed him, stopped him from living his life because of her selfish gain and eventually led him to his grave."
"Stop alleging my daughter" Mrs. Roberts snapped at Mrs. Wills, frustrated.
"Mother, please." Amanda stopped her mother from speaking further. She took a step further, closer to Mrs. Wills.
"Wills was a definition of support. He stood by me at my lowest, at every point I needed someone ever since I knew him. I can stand right here, anywhere and say, your son was great and his death would be my greatest loss."
She wiped her tears, "but I want you to know one thing, I never came into his life because of his money because I didn't even know he had any. The man I knew was just a police detective, earning a stipend I doubt would be enough to feed a family of six"
Amanda continued, "and that is why I have turned him down everytime. I refused to be married to him until I have a job that could free my family that you called baggage. Your son was secretive. He never told us he wanted to quit being a police detective. But I think I know why? He enjoyed the evaluation my kids gave him as a detective."
"So I beg you, please stop this allegations. I am sure Wills doesn't want this." Amanda pleaded.
"Easy to say. You have your kids and I am sure you know how painful losing one would be." Mrs. Wills remarked.
"Stop dragging my kids into this" Amanda yelled, losing it.
"Then you shouldn't have dragged them into my son's life." Mrs. Wills yelled back. "If you were so lose that you do not know the father of your kids, you could have dumped them somewhere instead of making them another man's liability.
"How dare you?" Mrs. Roberts yelled.
"Enough!" Rowan said, stopping everybody abruptly. "One more accusatory word and I would be pressing charges."
The lawyer, realizing the shift in the situation, advised, "Perhaps we should discuss this matter with our legal team. Emotions are running high, and it's not the best time for accusations."
"Of course," Rowan exclaimed.
"I hope you know what that means. Since she is not married to my son, she will not be entitled to any of my son's properties. That is our legal stance" Mr. Wills explained.
"She would not be needing any of that. And if that is the case, there is no legal stand."
"She is still living in my son's house" Mrs. Wills chimed in.
"Then she leaves this instance" Rowan answered. "Anything else?" He added.