Chapter 47 47

Chapter 47 47

Chapter 47

Fabian stepped out of the car, unfazed by the heavy rain, and walked quickly toward the door. Just as he was about to open it, it swung open by itself—and Sonia and Vladimir immediately embraced him tightly.

"Fabian! You're home, welcome— kyaah!"
Sonia let out a shriek as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky. She covered her ears instinctively, then ushered Fabian and Vladimir inside before the thunder rolled. Once inside, she hugged them both again.

Across the living room, France was closing the curtains and glass doors. Vladimir, now between Sonia and Fabian, kept glancing outside, visibly anxious.

Fabian knelt down and hugged both kids tightly. “Stay in our room, alright? Don’t go outside. The storm will pass soon, okay?”

He had been so busy these past few days that he didn’t even realize a storm had arrived.

“I’ll take a quick shower. Stay here, don’t go wandering around,” Fabian said. Sonia held the kids close, her gaze fixed on the sky now shrouded in darkness.

“Hic.”

Sonia paused and looked down to find Vladimir clinging tightly to her, hands over his ears, clearly frightened.

“Vlad…” France said, concern etched on his face. He remembered how scared Vladimir always was of loud noises. Even a sudden bang made him jump.

Sonia wrapped her arms protectively around Vladimir and covered his ears. She closed her eyes tightly—
—and with every crash of thunder, her memories rewound like a broken record.

The accident.
The one that took her parents’ lives.
The one that nearly killed her son.

France didn’t know what to do to calm both his mother and brother… until he remembered—he could sing.

“The cold wind wraps around me
I hear the pouring rain
I feel like I’m up in the clouds…
I’m afraid of the dark,
Afraid of heights—
But I still love the skies and clouds
Because they give me peace…”

Sonia slowly opened her eyes upon hearing her son’s gentle voice. Vladimir, too, looked up at his big brother.

Fabian, now stepping out of the bathroom, heard the singing and immediately grabbed his guitar from the table. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he began to strum along.

France smiled as he continued singing, comforted by the music, and Fabian couldn’t help but smile as he watched his family—his heart full.

In that quiet moment, both Sonia and Vladimir eventually calmed down and fell asleep. France followed shortly. Sonia and Fabian lay on either side of the bed while France and Vladimir slept peacefully between them.

Fabian turned on his side, propping his head on one arm, and simply watched them.

He had never imagined this—
That he’d one day have a family.
That he’d find peace and joy just lying there with them.

Before long, the gentle hum of the rain, the cold air, and the warmth in his chest lulled him into sleep beside the people he loved most.

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming in through the windows. I got up and looked out toward the veranda.

The rain had stopped.

I turned to check on Vladimir and—

Paused.

A soft smile tugged at my lips as I saw my boys and Fabian fast asleep.

I remembered last night… how France and Fabian kept singing until Vladimir and I were finally asleep.
Somehow, tears had found their way down my cheeks without me noticing.

I quickly wiped them away and sat upright.

“Why are you crying?”

I looked up to see Fabian still lying on his side, eyes already open and on me. He sat up and got out of bed, walking over.

Just like always, he pulled me into a tight hug when he saw the tears.

“Thank you, Fabian. Really… thank you for giving me all of this,” I whispered.

His expression softened. “There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t give you… if you just asked.”

Later that morning, the kids woke up excitedly and greeted us as they ran to the dining table.

“Since it’s Sunday today,” I began, “how about you both come with me to the set? Just promise to behave.”

Fabian looked uncertain. “You sure about that?”

“I’m only dropping by the office later. If you’re worried no one’s home with the kids, I can take them home early.”

I handed over a plate of sandwiches I had just prepared.

“You’re going to the set around 4 p.m. too, right?”

Fabian pressed his lips together. Shoot. They hadn’t talked about the kids’ schedule today.

“It’s fine, Mom,” France said. “Vladimir and I can stay home. The maids are here anyway.”

But deep down, France was unsure. That setup used to be normal when it was just him and Fabian—
But everything changed when Sonia came.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about seeing her leave again.

“If the kids want to come with me, I’ll make time to keep an eye on them,” Sonia said.

France and Vladimir both looked up.

Fabian glanced at them, then gave in. “Fine. But wherever we leave you, we better find you in the same place. Got it?”

“Yes, Dad! We won’t misbehave!” they promised.

Sonia smiled. She knew that. The boys had always been well-behaved—more mature than most their age.

After breakfast, the maids helped the boys get dressed while Sonia prepared Fabian’s outfit. Then she showered and started doing her makeup.

“Need help?” Fabian asked from behind. He was already dressed.

“Can you blow-dry my hair?” Sonia replied.

Fabian smiled, bowed slightly, and said in a playful tone, “As you wish, my queen.”

Sonia chuckled. “You’re so annoying.”

Fabian grabbed the hair dryer, removed her hair towel, and began drying her hair gently.

“I want to help too, Mommy!”
France and Vladimir came running.

Fabian stepped in front of them. “Nope! Daddy’s handling Mommy duties today.”

“But we want to be knights too! Like in fairytales!” France protested.

“Go find your own princesses,” Fabian teased.

“Fabian, are you seriously arguing with children?” Sonia laughed.

“Then make us baby sisters!” Vladimir blurted. “That way, we’ll have our own princess!”

Sonia and Fabian both froze and looked at the two boys who were staring innocently up at them.

“We want a baby sister who looks like Mommy!” France declared proudly.

“She’ll be pretty, just like her,” Vladimir added.

“You guys sound like you’re ordering takeout,” Sonia said, laughing.

Fabian slung an arm over Sonia’s shoulder. “Well… we did talk about it.”

“But not now,” Fabian added, raising a finger to his lips. “Mommy has an important role to play. We’ll have to wait.”

Sonia blushed and turned back to the mirror. “You—stop saying weird stuff to the kids.”

Fabian grinned and kept drying her hair.

The boys wandered over to the bed and saw their mom’s heels and dress laid out.

When Sonia finished her makeup and stood up, the boys eagerly handed her the dress.

“How cute!” Sonia said, giggling. She bent down and kissed both their cheeks. “Thank you, my little princes.”

Fabian pouted. “They get kisses? What about me?”

France stuck his tongue out. “No kiss for you! Mommy loves us more!”

“What?! What did you just say?”

Sonia stepped in and stopped Fabian from chasing the kids, laughing. She asked Fabian to prepare f

“You’re acting like a child,” she told Fabian, who was still pouting.

“You want me to leave,” he said dramatically.

“You still have to go to your office. Manager Jomari will scold you again if you’re late.”

At the set, I arrived with France and Vladimir. Some of the staff whispered when they saw me, but I ignored them. Suddenly, Amara popped up.

“Good morning!” she greeted.

I smiled and greeted her back, introducing my kids.

“Perfect timing. Your tent’s almost ready. Need help with your stuff?” Amara offered, accompanied by her younger brother who gave a shy bow.

I thanked her and nodded. Then I introduced her brother to my sons.

“He’s deaf,” Amara said after crouching beside them.

France and Vladimir didn’t flinch. Instead, they smiled.

“We don’t mind,” Vladimir said sincerely.

I smiled as I watched the boys gather around Anthony and try to communicate with him.

“Some new cast members are arriving today,” Amara said nervously. “They’re all experienced actors. I’m kind of intimidated.”

I nodded. The industry was small. I already had a feeling who some of them might be. With the high ratings of season one, big names would definitely want in.

A while later, the assistant director arrived, excited to see me.

“Script reading is at 3 p.m., but we’ll introduce you to the cast now. You have the most scenes—it's important to build chemistry.”

I nodded. It really was important to form good bonds for smoother acting.

“There’s Victor.”

A commotion stirred nearby. Victor had arrived and immediately locked eyes with me. His stare was cold—lifeless.

Then he turned and walked away.

“He’s scary,” Amara whispered. “Is he… grieving?”

I wasn’t sure. But something told me Victor was deeply connected to what happened to Themarie. I still didn’t believe it was just an accident.

It was too clean—just like how my son and I were nearly killed.

To this day, we still didn’t know who owned the vehicle that hit us.

Meanwhile, Fabian exited a flower shop carrying a bouquet.

“Flowers for Miss Sonia?” the florist asked.

Fabian grinned. “Only two women in my life—who else would I give flowers to other than Mom?”

Jomari laughed and asked, “You want me to wait for you?”

“No, head to the set. I’m dropping by the mansion to change first. The kids are there—I’ll watch over them while Sonia busy today.”

Back on set, France, Vladimir, and Anthony were sitting in front of the tent, happily munching on cookies and watching Sonia from afar.

Sonia, meanwhile, was being swarmed by new cast members, clearly overwhelmed.

Just then, her manager Tania arrived.

“What the f— Move aside!” Tania barked at the actors. “We’ve got work to do. Shoo!”

Sonia scratched her cheek, flustered.

“You’re early,” Tania said, narrowing her eyes. “Wait, were you still sleeping when I called?”

She looked exhausted—dark circles under her eyes, hair a mess, carrying stacks of paperwork.

“I was dealing with your issue with Miss Themarie all night. Contracts, interviews, lawyers—you name it.”

Sonia winced. “Want some coffee? I’ll buy you one.”

She hugged Tania’s arm. “Sorry for the trouble…”

“How can I stay mad at you when you’re this clingy?” Tania muttered, rolling her eyes.

“I love you,” Sonia teased.

“Don’t buy anything. There’s media outside—you’ll just end up in another headline,” Tania warned.

Amara peeked in. “I brought a coffee machine. Want some?”

The three of them sat together, laughing and sharing coffee.

But across the set, Victor’s eyes glared toward them, his jaw clenched.

“This is all your fault, Sonia.
I will never let you be happy.
You made a promise—
We made a promise:
For better or worse, we’d be together… just us.”