CHAPTER 75: "WHY...MOTHER"

Breathing heavily, she turned to Ash. "What did you just say?"

Ash repeated his words, his voice trembling. His mother fell silent, stunned, as she tried to process what she’d heard. Finally, she asked, "Lucien’s pregnancy? How does this involve you? And...who’s in charge?"

Ash spoke quietly, explaining how Lucien’s pregnancy was connected to him and that Adrian was the one in control.

She muttered a curse under her breath. "What the hell..."

After a pause, she looked back at Ash. "Who else knows about this...mess?"

"Dr. Eric...and Grandma," Ash said softly. " Also Enigma Stephene, but he only knows about Lucien’s pregnancy, it belongs solely to Adrian."

"So your grandmother knew all this and never told me?" she whispered, disbelief heavy in her voice.

She went quiet again, lost in thought. Ash watched her, feeling the weight of her shock.

"How far along are you?" she asked finally.

"Three weeks, I think," Ash replied.

"Mmm...not too far," she murmured, thinking for a moment. Then, meeting his eyes, she said, "This week you’re sitting for your exams. I want you to focus on that. After the exams, we’ll talk."

She added firmly, "During this time, I’ll take your phone, and you’re not allowed to see Lucien or Adrian. I’ll be the one driving you to and from school. Are we clear?"

Ash swallowed and nodded reluctantly.

"Understood, Mother."

She guided the car back onto the road, driving steadily toward the school.

The car pulled up to the school, and as his mother had instructed, Ash handed back his phone. Unease pressed down on him, the weight of recent events heavy in his mind.

In class, he wasn’t in the mood to talk, and neither were Martin or Naomi. Their exchanges were limited to a few quiet words, all three absorbed in thoughts of the upcoming exams.

At Lunchtime in the dining hall, Ash ate only the porridge his grandmother had sent, while Martin and Naomi poked at their food, lost in their own thoughts. It was then that Ash received two oversized success cards; one from Adrian, the other from Lucien.

Adrian’s card read:

"Ash, I know these exams are challenging, but I believe in you. You’ve worked hard, and your dedication will shine through. From now until your exams are over, I’ll be at the penthouse. I’ll also speak with your mother, so she can understand and support us. Stay strong-you’ve got this."

Lucien’s card read:

"Ash, trust yourself-you’ve got this, especially in mathematics. I know you’ll do brilliantly and make our school proud. I wish I could be there to support you, but as you know, only supervisors are allowed during exams. Focus and do your best. I believe in you."

Ash read both cards quietly, a mix of warmth and tension settling over him. He placed them carefully on the table, trying to set aside all other thoughts and focus on the porridge, and the day ahead.

Two weeks later, on the last day of exams, Naomi, Ash, and Martin walked side by side, leaving behind a classroom in chaos; torn books, shouting, and the usual post-exam frenzy.

Naomi turned to them. "Now that exams are over, both of you need to tell me what’s been on your mind all this time."

Martin added, " And you, Naomi, you owe us an explanation too."

Ash shrugged. "Let’s talk about it during our school trip."

"Yeah, that’s a good idea," Naomi agreed. Then, teasing Martin, she added, "And if you haven’t paid, remember, your sugar mummy’s got your back."

Martin rolled his eyes. "I’m already sorted."

"Oops," Naomi said playfully. "So who’s this new sugar mummy that’s taken my place?"

Ash asked, curious, "Who is it, Martin?"

As they reached the school gate, Martin pointed toward a motorbike waiting nearby. The rider removed his helmet, revealing Aster. Both Naomi and Ash froze in surprise.

Ash let out a small laugh. "Is this a joke?"

Naomi frowned, even more confused. "I don’t get it... Ash, your uncle, and Martin? How...how did this happen?"

"Chill," Ash said. "I’ll explain everything on the school trip tomorrow."

Naomi bit her lip. "I can’t wait."

Martin climbed onto the motorcycle as Aster handed him a helmet. The bike started, kicking up a small cloud of dust.

Naomi watched and murmured, "Now I’m the only one left single."

Ash chuckled, just then his mother’s car pulled up. "I’m off-bye, see you tomorrow," he called, dashing toward the car.

Ash sat in the car, glancing at his mother as she drove, her gaze fixed on the road, lost in thought.

"Mother," Ash said, forcing a smile. "The exams are over. Now we can talk."

She remained silent.

"Mother!" he called again.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she looked at him. "Yes? What did you just say?"

Ash frowned, worry creeping in. "Mother, are you okay?"

She nodded slowly.

"I was saying...the exams are over. We can now talk," Ash repeated.

"Oooh..." she murmured, a faint smile appearing. "But let’s talk somewhere else."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Somewhere else? Where?"

"You’ll see," she replied, turning onto a road they didn’t usually take.

As they drove, she handed Ash an apple. He took it happily, biting into it.

Minutes later, a wave of weakness and dizziness washed over him. He pressed a hand to his temple. "Mother...something’s happening to me."

She looked at him calmly. "I know."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked, alarm creeping into his voice.

"That apple..." she said softly. "It wasn’t just an apple. I syringed it with gerd powder, a substance that slightly weakens cellular energy. Your grandmother told me about her vulnerability. Since you and she are both SSS-ranked omegas, I guessed it would affect you too."

Ash’s eyes widened. Panic rose as he struggled to stay upright. "Why...mother? Why would you do this?"

"I can’t risk you harming the doctors who are going to terminate that pregnancy," his mother said firmly, her hands steady on the wheel.

Before Ash could respond, the car pulled up to a small, shadowed building- "Backstreet Medical." The sign flickered dimly, barely visible in the half-light.

The door of the car opened, and two men in white coats stepped forward. Ash tried to move, but his body felt heavy. His pheromones simmered as panic rose.

His mother’s voice cut sharply through the blur.

"Take him...terminate it now."

Tears ran down Ash’s cheeks as they lifted him from the car. He couldn’t fight, couldn’t speak.