Chapter 57 — Fight The Truth

Zinnia.

Truth.

We had to break the truth to Draven today.

Liliana came here, and we discussed everything. She said the chances of me keeping Draven was more, considering the fact I raised him well until now and Francis was not even there. However, the day after tomorrow, we had to go to court, so before that, she suggested preparing him mentally. Otherwise, it would all come as too much of a shock during the trial, and he wouldn’t be able to take it.

Fabian couldn't come due to feeling sick, but Ava sent Flora here, who was playing with Draven and Mysa at the moment. It wasn't tough for Mysa to come here as she lived on the next block with her maternal aunt, who was raising her after her parents died last year.

I was in the garden along with Clave. I told Ryker to send Draven here alone, so we were patiently waiting for him.

I could feel my heartbeat fastening with fear and anxiety with each passing second. It would be so tough for a six-year-old. Just putting myself in his shoes made my heart clench. I wish I could have spared him this pain.

We locked the main door and ordered the guards at the gate to keep an eye out just in case Draven tried to run away, even though we had faith he wouldn't.

I could feel Clave's warm hand entwining with mine. I looked at him, and he just assured me with his eyes.

"We got this," he uttered, making me nod my head.

Having Clave next to my side was really comforting. He was my pillar of strength. He made me feel like we could actually get through this, no matter how painful the journey might be.

"Mom and Dad? Did you call for me?" We heard Draven's voice and immediately glanced at him. He was looking at us innocently with his blue eyes.

Just looking at his pure face, I lost all my confidence at once.

I couldn't do this.

I was about to get up and run away, but Clave held me back and gave a light squeeze to my hand as if already sensing my panic. I again looked at his face to bring back my confidence. It took me a minute to be composed again. This time, I made a firm resolve not to back away.

I took a deep breath and let go of his hand before approaching Draven.

"Come, let's sit on the bench," I told him and held his tiny hand in mine as we walked to the bench.

Clave was standing far away now, watching us with his hands in his pocket. When he noticed my eyes on him, he just gave me a small thumbs-up and a reassuring smile.

At first, I would talk to Draven, and when I would need support, I just had to look at Clave. This was the plan.

"What is it, Mom?" Draven asked, his voice lingering with pure concern.

This time, I held both of his hands in mine and started, "Draven, you know, some people have two mothers and fathers."

"How is that possible?" He tilted his head to the side, sounding confused.

"For example, one mother gives birth while another mother raises the child. And the same goes for the father." I thought this was the best way to tell the truth to Draven. "Those children are quite blessed in my opinion, but sometimes the children don’t always see it that way."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why is that, Mom? I have my superhero, and I already feel blessed to have him as my dad."

"Right?" This was the time. I channeled Clave’s calm voice in my head and continued speaking, "Draven, I want to tell you something about this. But before that, just know that Clave and I love you a lot. We will always be there by your side, okay?"

"What is it, Mom?" he said almost in an inaudible voice as if he was afraid of my response.

Despite my eyes stinging with tears, I cupped his cheeks and let out, "Your real father wants to take you with him. He contacted us, and we have to take you to the court tomorrow." Draven's eyes grew as wide as saucers, but he stayed quiet. So I further continued, "A court is not a scary place. We will just go there and tell him that you will stay with us. You want to stay with us, don't you?"

He was still quiet, still trying to process what I just said.

"Draven, say something." I tried hard not to cry in front of him. Even though I understood how much shocking the news must be to him, I was desperate to be assured by him that he wanted to stay with us.

On the off-chance, what if he didn’t—

"Will he take me away?" was all he mumbled.

I shook my head immediately and pulled him closer to me. "No, baby. He cannot take you away. You will always stay with us. Your dad is taking care of everything to keep you."

"Okay... Then I don't have to be scared, right?"

"You don't," I said with assurance. I knew Draven wouldn't react that much on this. God, what was I thinking for a moment there? I was stupid for even letting that thought of him not wanting to be with us cross my mind. Nevertheless, he needed to know who his actual father was. Because without a doubt, they would be seeing each other at the court. "Draven, do you remember Francis?" When he nodded his head, I mumbled, "He is your real father."

"What?" Draven scrunched his nose in disgust. "No, Mom. I don't want him to be my dad!"

"It's the truth. He is your real dad, but you don't have to stay with him," I tried to make him feel better.

He shook his head and turned his face to somewhere else, hollering, "Dad!"

Clave ran to us almost in an instant. Draven stood and hugged him.

"He is my dad, no one else!" he announced sternly, making us chuckle.

Clave just ruffled his hair. "Yes, Champ, I am your dad, and no one else."

Finally, this was done. Now I had to reveal the truth about Kavita being his real mom. I didn't want to because I didn’t think it was necessary for this case, but Liliana said that Francis might reveal it to Draven to win custody, so it was safer to not take any risks.

"But Mom," his voice brought me out of my thoughts, "how did you not know Francis if he was my dad?"

"Draven..." I had no way to put it nicely, so I sucked in a deep breath and let out, "I didn't give birth to you, Kavita did."

"What?" he asked in disbelief. "Stop joking, Mom!"

"I am not joking, Draven." I was about to go near him, but he took a step back.

"Superhero," he called out to Clave. "Please tell me it's a joke."

Clave became silent, which was a sign to Draven that we weren't joking. He looked like his entire foundation was shaken. I knew this would impact him a lot. After all, to Draven, I was the person he had known his entire life. Now suddenly, I was telling him that I didn’t give birth to him. Of course, he would be shaken.

"Draven..." I mumbled as he slowly walked to me this time.

He placed a hand over my stomach. "I didn't come out of your tummy?" his voice was quavering. "I wasn't in here?"

"Draven, baby, listen." I bent to his level and cupped his cheeks. "I am your mom. Kavita just gave birth to you, that's it. You will stay with me forever."

"I was in Aunt Kavita's tummy?" He shook his head, still not believing us. "You are lying! She cannot be my mom! I am your son!"

I nodded, trying hard to hold back my tears after seeing the anguish on my son’s face. "Yes, you are my son."

"Then how come someone else give me birth?" he broke into tears, which made me bite my lips to not let out a sob.

"Champ," Clave also bent to his level and said, "we just wanted you to know so that no one can take you away from us. Nothing will change. Everything is the same, look."

"How?" he questioned Clave. "I have two moms and dads. Now I know why some babies feel unlucky."

"Baby, as your dad said, nothing changes. Just because I didn't give birth to you doesn't mean I am not your mom," I reasoned out, my voice breaking.

"I don't like Aunt Kavita. Now I don't like Francis too. He wants to take me away." He held mine and Clave's hand to his chest. "I don't want to leave you. You two are my mom and dad. I am Zinnia and Clave's Draven!"

He was a crying mess already, and I could feel tears pouring out of my eyes as well.

"Yes, Champ," Clave muttered, his voice trembling. "You are Zinnia and Clave's Draven."

"We won't let you go away from us, baby," I managed to say.

"St-star pro-promise?" He hiccuped.

"Star promise," Clave and I let out in unison and pulled Draven into a tight hug.