Chapter 29
“Mommy, you look beautiful,” Ace said as he watched Emerald do her makeup. As usual, it was very light since she never changed her preference.
“Really?” Emerald asked happily. She is used to her son’s flattery, and of course, she believes him even though she thinks that he was only saying that because he’s her son.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
“Yes, Mommy. I’ve never seen any mother who matches your beauty.” Ace replied, making young Morgan laugh louder. She faced her son and kneeled to almost level her son’s height and said,
“You are my son. You know how to make me feel loved and happy.” Then she caressed his face and couldn’t help but see Jace in him. No matter where she looked at Ace, Jace’s face quickly appeared in her thoughts. That’s how exactly they look the same. From his jet-black hair and blue eyes. Even at such a young age, Ace’s chiseled jaw face is considered his best facial feature and matches his cleft chin.
“I am your son, making me the most handsome kid you will ever know.” the boy replied, making them both laugh.
“There’s something I want to tell you,”
“What is it, Mom?” the boy asked curiously.
“You look exactly like your father,” she said, looking intently at the young boy’s eyes. She wanted to know his reaction, but Ace looked stunned.
“We looked alike?” the boy asked, confirming what she had just said, and Emerald nodded in agreement. She didn’t want to deprive her son of simple things that would make him recognize his father at first sight. She wanted to prepare him so he would know what to do or react in the future.
“I will tell you about him one at a time until I am ready to tell him about you and meet him. Is that okay with you?” she asked. Ace’s eyes started to water before he hugged her.
“Everything’s okay with me, Mommy. As long as you’re ready”, the boy replied sincerely. Emerald sensed the happiness in his voice, and that made her feel relieved. She thought she was lucky to have a very understanding son.
“Then, it’s a deal. I promise to let your father know about you and have you two meet.”
“Will he like me?” Ace asked worriedly.
“No father would never like a son as understanding, loving, and caring as you, baby,” Emerald replied, although she wasn’t sure. She just hoped that Jace would accept him since he could see how their son looked, and she still believed that Ace would be very hard to resist once he got to know him.
The mother and son ended their conversation since Emerald needed to attend her party. She had waited for this time when she could finally show herself to her family as different from what and how she was. She wants to show her parents that she’s their youngest daughter-the daughter they despise and consider a jinx in their family-before she takes control of the family business they worked hard for and struggled to save for the third time.
Creep drives for them. His wife, Elise, sits in the passenger seat, and Emerald and Daryl are in the backseat. They arrive at the venue, and they are confident about the event since Elise hired the organizers.
Emerald went straight to the green room, where important guests stayed during an event for people waiting to be called, while the other three went to the hall to check the program.
With her back on the couch, Emerald closed her eyes while waiting for Daryl to return and get her. Being alone, she thinks about her life with her family. Until now, she couldn’t believe that she was treated that way, making her doubt her existence. Yes, she was happy it was time to finally show her parents her worth, but she still felt sad that she had to do it.
As a family, they should help and support each other. But an unanswered question lingering in her head, ‘Why are they making me feel like an outsider? Why don’t I feel loved? Why do I feel like I don’t belong?’ she thought.
Young Morgan didn’t know how long she had stayed in the room until she heard the door open. Emerald didn’t bother looking at it since only the four of them knew she was there.
“Daryl, is time already?” she asked. Then she felt a hand gently massaging her shoulders, so she opened her eyes and looked up. “What the!” she exclaimed when she saw Jace’s face looking down on her. She tried to get up, but young Higginson stopped her and pushed her shoulder a bit so she wouldn’t be able to move and said,
“Relax, Emerald. I am not going to do anything to you.”
“What are you doing here? How did you know that I’m here?” she asked continuously. As much as possible, she didn’t want to get near him. How much more, feel him? With his hand gently caressing her shoulders now, young Morgan felt tense and sensual.
Jace stopped what he was doing, but instead of leaving her alone, he went in front of her. Emerald looked up and was about to get up, but young Higginson leaned forward and got support from the armrest of the couch she was sitting on, making her appear caged in between his long and strong arms. “What do you think you’re doing, Mr. Higginson?” Emerald asked, rattled. She didn’t like their position because their faces were so close to each other that she could feel him fanning her face with his breath as he breathed. Young Morgan couldn’t help but close her eyes after smelling his breath.
“What’s wrong, Mrs. Higginson? Do you want me to kiss you?” she heard Jace ask, making Emerald open her eyes abruptly and see her husband smirking at her. She felt nostalgic hearing what he had called her.
“In your dreams,” she replied, arrogantly even though she already felt her knees weaken. It was good that she was sitting because if not, she would be on the floor with her wobbly legs.
Jace smiled after hearing her and said, “Yeah, I’ve kissed you many times in my dreams.” Emerald was speechless and didn’t know how to respond. And before she could think of something to refute, young Higginson continued, “And it will be a dream come true for me if I am going to kiss you now.” Then, without a word, he pulled her head gently closer before his lips met hers.
It was a gentle kiss at first because Emerald was too shocked to react. Then Jace became aggressive and deepened their kiss, making young Morgan feel desired. She kissed him back without realizing she had already gotten up from the couch with her hands around her husband’s neck and Jace’s arms around her waist, never wanting to let her go.
“It’s really a dream come true,” Jace said after their lips separated to catch their breath. Emerald, with wide eyes, tried to push Jace after realizing what she had done, but he was like a wall that she couldn’t move.
“Let go of me,” she said in a low and commanding voice. But Jace didn’t move and just looked her in the eyes. He wanted to know whether she wanted him to do what she had said, and he could see fear and, at the same time, anger.
Jace wanted to take the chance and apologize to her, but the room door opened before he could open his mouth, and Daryl emerged. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’ll go back,” he said,
“No, it’s fine.” Jace was the first to react and let go of Emerald, who was now sighing in relief. She wanted to stay longer in his arms but didn’t want to appear wanton.
“Is it time?” Emerald asked,
“Yes, M.”
“Then, let’s go,” she replied, and she started walking out of the room where Jace was left in deep thought.