Page 45 of Eternal Craving
I shrugged. “He told me he found no value in your opinion.”
Felipe turned and headed back to his carriage.
“Would you like to know where Aaron’s remains are?” I called after him.
Felipe stopped in his tracks and spun round to face me.
“If that’s what a nine-year-old boy can do, imagine what I’m capable of now.”
It was a good lie – one that got to him.
His lips twitched. “Don’t ever sleep again, Daumia.”
I smiled. “I will bring down hell upon thee if I ever see you again.”
Fear…that’s what I saw in him, and a rush of devilish pride twisted in my belly.
Chapter Nineteen
Staring down at the lumpy mess, I knew I had to go through with it.
Although I’d considered how to get out of eating the baked biscuit prepared by Eduardo, my five-year-old, his hopeful gaze melted my heart. Annabelle, my wife, balanced Jacob our one-year-old on her hip, as she suppressed a laugh. The cook also wore a grin but diverted her gaze.
I disapproved of my oldest doing anything in the kitchen, but Annabelle insisted that he loved nothing more than to play with dough and flour. Eduardo’s penchant for making a mess could be best achieved here, apparently.
The biscuit tasted just how it looked. I feigned my delight and Eduardo’s face lit up. He ran into my arms, insisting I finish it.
And I did.
Annabelle gave a nod of approval. Cook offered me another biscuit with a familiar smirk. I gestured to Eduardo that I was full.
I still had to pinch myself with the realization of such fulfillment. As his small hands clutched at my shirt, and hesnuggled against my chest, I knew the responsibility of keeping him safe.
Keeping them all safe.
I followed Annabelle and the children along the corridor, and we made our way out onto the back porch. This shell of a house had become a home thanks only to the presence of my family. My children had redefined my world and, as only the young can, they helped me to perceive all things through an innocent perspective.
Annabelle headed farther into the garden carrying Jacob, with Eduardo trailing close behind. I leaned against the doorframe. Ilovedthese summer evenings. Our children’s bedtime routine played out night after night as Annabelle, the perfect mother, used up the last of their energy.
Annabelle strolled over the lush lawn and placed Jacob on a blanket that was spread over the grass. She grasped Eduardo’s hands and spun him round and round, much to his squealing delight.
Annabelle was the free spirit that the house of Velde needed. Eduardo and Jacob were in every way their father’s sons. Eduardo was the mischievous one, taking after me, off exploring at every opportunity, and Jacob, who took after Annabelle, with his dark complexion and large brown eyes, was a calm, sweet soul. Even aged one year, his kind temperament was evident.
Annabelle turned, picked up her skirts, and ran away from the house with little Eduardo running after her. I strolled over to Jacob and picked him up. Sublime innocence.
Giving my boys a happy childhood did in many ways make up for the loss of mine. Through them, I found myself reliving all that I’d missed.
Jacob stared up at me with that infectious grin of his and then vomited onto my shirt. Annabelle’s laughter rippled around the garden and Eduardo screamed. I, too, saw the funny side.Annabelle offered to take Jacob, but I gestured I was fine and planted kisses on the top of his head.
The sour-smelling stickiness had soaked through to my skin. Jacob stared at the gooey mess and giggled.
“Have I no power in this house?” I said, winking at Annabelle.
In an hour, the boys would be in bed, and I’d steal precious time with the woman who’d taught me how to trust and how to love.
I welcomed this happiness and the feeling of normalcy. This was not just serenity, but something quieter – a private grandeur. A hush within, where nothing claws or cries. A clean, lit room in the soul where nothing hurts, nothing else is wanted or needed. Only this strange, unfamiliar comfort.
Later that evening, I read the dispatch from Señor Teofilo’s office.
