CHAPTER 544: MUM!!!

In the dining room, the conversation turned mundane after Brad and Alicia had gone out. They mostly seemed unperturbed about the absence of the two.

"Shelby dear, can you check in with Rocky and Ava as to when they will arrive?"

"Yes," Shelby said sweetly, and then Ian interrupted,

"Don’t worry my wife with trivial things like that. Let Currey do that."

Though Currey was not in the room at that time, no one was surprised that, a few minutes later, he returned as if summoned. He bowed deeply to Geneva, a gesture that was surprising for all the humans in the room.

"There’s been some delay, Madam Geneva. Sir Rocky and Miss Ava might not be able to make it as intended."

"That’s okay. I should be the one visiting. Our dear Ava has been through a lot, and she needs her rest."

Currey waited till Geneva added,

"Tell them to rest and take care of themselves. We can always meet later."

Currey nodded and left the room immediately, causing Ian to smirk at an inside joke that only he understood.

Geneva shared a sweet look with Alex and continued their meal. She noted that he would, however, occasionally look over at the doorway. He tried to hide it, engaging in a low conversation with Geneva and nodding at comments from the kids while sipping his tea, but Alex’s eyes always found their way back to the entrance, as if drawn by a magnetic thread.

No one commented on the obvious, not even when his fork paused mid-air.

Geneva, seated beside him, didn’t speak of this. She simply smiled to herself at the quiet concern carved into his face. Alex was like that lately when it came to his grown sons, and maybe it was because Brad had been cornered really well, which made Alex worried.

Despite this, he knew it was best not to question his wife and first son about their actions. Well, Alex had been there with them through the planning, so it was not like he was in the dark on this.

Geneva shook her head and was about to return to her meal, reaching for a roll, when her gaze flicked across the table—and then froze. It was more of a subconscious action; there it was.

Nestled just above Shelby’s heart: the necklace, Roman’s last keepsake.

The light struck it just so, making the stone gleam faintly — a colour so deep and bright, it looked like ocean trapped in crystal.

Geneva’s breath caught for a split second. The silverware in her hand trembled, but only slightly. And then... she smiled.

Her eyes glistened with something old. Something heavy and soft and bittersweet.

Then, almost inaudibly, she whispered, "It’s okay. It’s found its home."

She reached for her teacup once more, and took a sip — eyes misty, heart full.

And across the table, as if sensing the quiet significance of the moment, Shelby looked up and met her gaze.

For a heartbeat, no words were exchanged.

But something passed between them — a smile of understanding.

And then the morning continued, as if the necklace hadn’t just returned to where it truly belonged.

"At least, with this, we can assume that meant Roman approved of his daughter-in-law!’ Geneva murmured.

Then, as if to get her mind off that, she said,

"Oh, you know that former friend of yours? That rich, spoilt brat? She finally got found and caught."

Geneva turned back to Shelby, gauging her expression.

"Brainna?"

Yes, that one. I hope you don’t feel bad for someone like her! — The girl isn’t worth anyone’s time, and she got exactly what she sowed. The fact that she didn’t know how to use her brain and tried to murder her own supposed best friend, who was also a Thornston, is beyond me.

Her level of stupidity is through the roof! Even her parents got their share! As the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She truly is a chip off the old block, matching her equally foolish parents who encouraged that behaviour!

Shelby was quiet for a while, making Geneva think the worst.

"To you three..."

She turned gently to the children, her voice soft but steady.

"You’re still young, I know. But some lessons can’t wait until you’re older ... they’re too important."

They looked up at her, wide-eyed, sensing the seriousness in her voice.

"Friends are meant to be special," Geneva continued, her gaze moving from one little face to the next and lingering on Samantha’s, maybe because Samantha had already had a practical taste of this and therefore understood more than the other two.

"Friends are supposed to lift you up, stand by you, and guard your secrets as if they were their own."

She paused, a shadow flickering behind her eyes.

"But you’ve seen what happened to your mother... what trusting the wrong people can lead to."

Geneva held each child’s gaze, creating that moment with them.

"Treat your true friends like treasure—rare, precious, and worth protecting. But those who show you they’re not worth your trust? Don’t waste another second on them. Not your time, not your tears."

The room had quieted, her words sinking in.

"Be kind," she finished gently. "But never let your kindness blind you. Be vigilant."

The children nodded slowly — maybe not fully understanding, but feeling the weight of it, nonetheless.

"Like Aunt Ava?" Ingrid asked, and Geneva beamed!

"Exactly like her!"

Ingrid nodded, thoughtfully, while Samatha’s mind went back to her schoolmates.

The silence that followed was gentle, reflective. Until Gabriel piped up, running to Shelby’s side and leaning against her,

"My best friend will always be Mama," he declared proudly, his little voice firm with the kind of certainty only children possessed. "She never lies, and she says that I am her little angel."

A soft ripple of laughter moved through the room.

Shelby chuckled, pulled him into her lap, and kissed his temple. Ian frowned but didn’t interrupt, glaring at Gabriel, who ignored this.

"You little flatterer," she murmured. "But I’ll take it."

"I mean it!" he insisted, looking around as if daring anyone to disagree. "Even when I get big, I’ll still be Mama’s best friend."

"... and so will Mama."

Then, Shelby turned back to Geneva,

"Don’t worry, Mum, I am not that soft. Besides, I am sure she’s just reaping what she sowed."

Frankly, Shelby had not even spared a thought for Brianna since the last time they had met. She felt that it was not worth her time at all.

"Good! I like this new Shelby!"

Warm smiles spread all around the room. The conversation was that of a close-knit family during this time, making Shelby feel even warmer. Life couldn’t have gotten any better for her.

Then, just as Geneva lifted her teacup again, the dining hall doors creaked open.

All eyes turned promptly, except Ian’s. His eyes remained on Shelby, and he gently moved Gabriel from Shelby to his lap instead. No words spoken. Gabriel pouted but could only meekly stay there.

Brad and Alicia walked in together. They were not touching but walked close.

The two were speaking softly and laughing. Shoulder to shoulder, heads tilted toward each other, their eyes crinkled with some private joke. His brow, which had been tense earlier, now sat relaxed. Her hand still rested loosely at her side, but her smile was as real as daylight.

They didn’t notice the table had fallen silent.

Alex let out a loud sigh, and the tension and worry left his body. Geneva raised one elegant brow, a slow smile creeping across her face as she looked from her son to the woman beside him.

"Well," she said at last, her voice rich with amusement. "I was beginning to think breakfast would turn to lunch."

Alicia dipped her head apologetically. She was not used to such talks. Growing up with her dad mostly, this large, warm family put her on the spot, but she loved it. The slight glow in her cheeks gave her away.

"We had a little... erm ... detour," she said.

Brad was more himself at this time,

"It was nothing serious, Mum, we just had a little talk", he added quickly, sliding into his seat and pulling her chair beside his without thinking.

Alicia murmured a ’thank you’ and sat.

"So, what were you talking about?" Brad asked, hoping to divert the conversation from him and Alicia.

Ian shrugged, sipping tea. "It’s already been decided."

"What’s been decided?"

He asked, picking up a grape and popping it into his mouth.

Geneva’s smile turned sly as she nodded, as if agreeing to whatever Ian was saying. "Yes, it’s been decided. After all, peace has returned to the house. What better time to plan a wedding?"

Brad’s eyes widened, not catching the teasing tone. "Whose wedding?!"

Shelby joined in, smiling and gently rubbing her stomach. "Yours, of course. Who else?"

Brad raised in hands in a defensive stance. "Nope. Nope. You people are all possessed. Didn’t you raise the marriage issue a few minutes ago? It’s been barely an hour!"

Laughter erupted from the table. Even Alex chuckled without lifting his eyes from his toast.

"Better possessed than lonely, son."

"What?!!!!!"

Brad didn’t know that he had played right into their plans.... Again!

"Ah, and before I forget. It’s time for you to start preparing for babies! Your brother is already way ahead of you! I have many grandchildren now, but the more, the merrier, so.... How about starting tonight?

"MUM!!!!!"

Brad said exasperatedly. He had seen this happen to Ian and had thought it funny then. It turns out that it was not!

"What?! Why are you shouting when I am at the same table as you?"

Brad turned to whining, "But muuuuum! He is older ... got married first and they’ve had months to prep!"

"Exactly! It’s not like you’re getting any younger yourself. I’m glad that you get the point now... So, there’s no time to waste!

Brad was speechless, but he could not even turn to Alicia because he felt so embarrassed.

"Mum? Pl-"

"Shhh.... It’s all settled now."

Brad lowered his head in defeat. He could shut old men up with just a few cold words, but when it came to his mother, he was still that little boy. However, it was not like Geneva controlled his whole life. Geneva let her sons be independent in all they did, but when she wanted something of them.... It was a whole different story.

Alicia was also on the spot, but instead of being offended, she was touched.

’So, this is what having a mother is like?’

Then, Brad heard Geneva mumble,

"... especially after tonight!"

"What’s happening tonight?" he asked, narrowing his eyes,

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" Geneva replied with a gleam.

As the family dissolved into laughter again and the workers began serving up fresh glasses of juice, a gentle peace settled into the chaos. For the first time in what felt like forever, they were whole. Happy. But the night had its own handful of events.

*********

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