CHAPTER 77: MY MOTHER ISN’T A MURDERER

At the backseat of the car, Ash rested his head against Adrian’s shoulder, still pale and trembling.

A notification pinged on Adrian’s phone. He glanced at it and froze; a trending video showed Ash’s mother being arrested for the murder of the two doctors. He shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Lucien...what kind of plot twist have you set up? You know what...you’re in trouble with Ash. I’m out."

Ash stirred, sweat beading on his forehead, his body growing hotter. Adrian’s worry deepened. He exhaled slowly, letting his pheromones ripple gently, trying to soothe Ash, but the heat only seemed to intensify.

"Shall we... go to your doctor, Eric?" Adrian murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair from Ash’s damp forehead.

Ash shook his head weakly. "Take me...to grandmother," he whispered.

Adrian nodded without another word and turned to Bravin. "Drive to the airstrip. Now."

Bravin adjusted the route and pulled off, heading toward the airstrip.

...

When they reached Grandmother’s house, Adrian knocked on the main door.

Grandmother, who had been asleep, stirred, puzzled, and rose from her bed, wondering who could be at the door at such a late hour. Another knock came, louder this time, accompanied by a voice over the intercom: "Granny, it’s Adrian!"

Half-awake and still in disbelief, she hurried to the door. When she opened it, she froze. Adrian stood there, carrying Ash in his arms, his weak pheromones flickering faintly.

"Oh my...what happened to him?" she asked, panic threading her voice.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. "It’s a long story. Right now, he’s heated and sweating, drugged by his mother."

Grandmother’s face hardened with worry. "Take him inside. Place him on the couch."

Carefully, Adrian laid Ash down. Grandmother sat beside him, touching his neck and temples, her frown deepening. Her eyes fell on Ash’s tongue, now tinged yellow. Realization struck.

"His mother drugged him with Gerd powder," she muttered under her breath. "Luckily, you brought him in time, within eight hours, or else..."

Adrian’s brow furrowed. "Or else what?"

Grandmother’s voice was steady, tinged with concern. "It’s a powder that weakens Ash’s kind, making him vulnerable. And because he’s carrying a child, it attacks his system even more. I can’t understand why she would do this."

Adrian’s gaze softened as it fell on Ash, guilt twisting through him.

Grandmother stood and headed toward the kitchen. "Let me boil some herbs to help flush the powder from his system." She disappeared into the kitchen.

Alone with Ash, Adrian gently smoothed the damp hair from his forehead, tears sliding down his cheeks. "Having my child...it almost cost you your life. I...I regret making you pregnant."

A few minutes later, Grandmother returned carrying a bowl filled with warm, fragrant herbal liquid and a spoon. She sat beside Ash, carefully scooping the herb and bringing it to his lips. She fed him a few spoonfuls, gently coaxing him to swallow, before settling the bowl aside.

Adrian, his worry evident, asked softly, "Grandmother...is he going to be okay?"

She nodded reassuringly. "Yes. Tonight, I will sleep beside him, to soothe him with my pheromones until morning."

Adrian gently lifted Ash and carried him to Grandmother’s bed, laying him carefully. Grandmother’s wrapped Ash in her arms, releasing calm, comforting pheromones that seemed to settle the child’s racing body.

Adrian moved to the couch, lying down and staring at the dark ceiling, thoughts heavy, tears slipping silently down his cheeks.

From the bed, Grandmother’s voice rose in a soft, steady rhythm, singing an old traditional lullaby:

"The storm may rage, the night may press,

But dawn will come, and hearts will rest.

You are stronger than pain you feel,

Breathe, and let the hurt slowly heal.

The night is long, but it will pass,

Take heart, take ease, let peace amass.

All will be well, the morning near,

Let your soul soften, shed the fear."

Adrian’s lips curved in a faint, tired smile. Slowly, his eyelids closed.

The next morning, Adrian woke to the sound of playful laughter drifting from the kitchen. Curious, he got up and stepped inside, only to freeze.

There was Ash, smiling brightly, moving around beside Grandmother, their hands busy with flatbread. Ash’s laughter rang through the room as he rolled and pressed the dough, brushing on oil with ease.

Seeing Adrian, Ash’s eyes widened. "Hubby! You’re awake! We’re almost done here, only two flatbread left to oil."

Adrian, still processing the scene, asked softly, "Are you...alright?"

Ash nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Mmm. Go wait at the dining table. I’ll bring you breakfast in a few minutes."

Grandmother added with a gentle smile, "I promised you, he would be fine. Though I do regret letting him sleep beside me last night, I received a few mosquito bites."

Adrian chuckled quietly.

"But Grandmother," Ash said, turning to her with a small pout, "I was too comfortable...didn’t even notice it was you beside me."

Adrian shook his head with a soft laugh, warmth spreading through him at the simple, homey scene, as he walked toward the dining room.

Ash, I wish I could always see you this happy, he thought.

Later, they sat at the dining table. Heavy milk tea and fresh flatbreads sat before them. Grandmother poured a cup of milk tea for Adrian and placed two flatbread on his plate, adding a quarter slice of avocado. "Take a bite of the chapati and tell me how it tastes," she instructed, while she and Ash watched him curiously.

Adrian took a bite, chewed slowly, and swallowed. His eyes widened. "This chapati...it’s the sweetest I’ve ever tasted! Granny, what did you put in it?"

Grandmother smiled simply. "I mixed grated carrots with mashed pumpkin into the dough."

"Woah," Adrian murmured, then added playfully, "Granny, please...let me marry you. I can’t hold on."

Ash pouted, giving Adrian a sharp look, then turned to Granny with a mock fierce expression.

Granny waved her hand jokingly. "Adrian, if you want to stay in one piece, behave yourself with him!"

Adrian and Grandmother both laughed, and Ash let out a small sigh, smiling.

"I’ll wrap four flatbread and take them to Lucien," Ash said, his eyes sparkling. "I can’t wait to hear his response." Then he asked Adrian, "Didn’t he call you?"

Adrian shook his head. "Since we left him at the hospital, I haven’t heard from him."

Ash leaned closer. "Lend me your phone, I want to video call him. My mother didn’t return mine."

Adrian paused, taking another bite of flatbread and sighing heavily. "I think he must be asleep by now."

Ash frowned. "At this time? No...I know him. He must be wide awake."

Grandmother nodded, "Just give him your phone. Ash must be curious to know what happened after you left him at the hospital. He already told me everything that happened."

Adrian hesitated, then reluctantly handed Ash his phone.

Ash took it, but before dialing Lucien’s number, a thought crossed his mind, he should call Naomi first, to give her and Martin an excuse about missing the school trip they had planned.

When he called, Naomi picked up almost instantly. "Hello? Who is this?"

"It’s me, " Ash replied softly. "I’m using Adrian’s number."

Naomi gasped. "Finally! I’ve been trying to reach your phone in vain ."

"I’m here now," Ash said quietly.

Naomi’s tone grew serious. "Ash...this morning, I saw the news, your mother’s been arrested for the murder of two doctors from Backstreet Medical Hospital. What’s going on? I couldn’t believe it until I heard from you."

Ash froze. His hand trembled slightly as his gaze lifted toward Adrian. Adrian avoided his eyes, muttered something under his breath, and excused himself, walking outside.

"I’ll call you later," Ash said quickly and hung up before Naomi could say more.

He followed Adrian to the garden. "Wait, Adrian!" he called, his voice tight. "I need an explanation."

Adrian turned, his expression unreadable. "What explanation do you really need, Ash? You’ve already heard everything."

Ash’s anger flared, his voice shaking. "My mother isn’t a murderer! Tell me it was Lucien who did it!"

Adrian’s tone was cold but steady. "Lucien doesn’t break promises. As long as he swore not to do it, then no, he didn’t."

Ash’s voice cracked. "So you’re saying my mother did it?"

Adrian exhaled sharply. "We can say that, she was found red-handed, holding the knife."

Ash’s eyes filled with tears. "But my mother...she’s not a murderer."

Adrian’s composure finally broke. "Not a murderer? She tried to terminate my child inside you, Ash! She almost cost you your life!"

Ash went silent, tears streaming down his cheeks. "But..."

Adrian cut him off, his voice trembling with anger and pain. "If you had died during that abortion process, or if I had been a minute late bringing you to your grandmother...do you think I’d still be standing here right now? My life is useless without you. So stop defending her. I’m still suffocating from what she planned to do to you."

Ash pressed his forehead to Adrian’s chest. "I’m sorry," he whispered.

Adrian tighten his arms around him, voice low and steady. "It’s okay. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine." His eyes hardened for a moment as he thought of Lucien. Lucien, get this sorted, and do it quickly. I don’t like seeing Ash confused and hurt.

...

In the visitors’ area of the station, Lucien and Ash’s mother sat opposite each other at a metal table. The room smelled faintly of disinfectant; a glass partition separated them from the cells.

Ash’s mother stared at Lucien, anger flaring.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

Lucien’s smile was calm, almost casual. "Simple," he said. "No one can pull you out of this place, not even Adrian’s father." He let the sentence hang, then added quietly, "Only I can help you."

Her expression shifted- hope, then suspicion. Lucien leaned forward. "Do you know the judge handling your case?" he asked. "He used to be my omega, before I met your son."

She blinked at him, torn between irritation and silver hope. Lucien watched her closely, his voice soft and controlled. "Old bonds matter. If I speak to him, he can influence the outcome. He could dismiss the charges."

He paused, letting that possibility sink in, then set his terms without hurry. "To make that happen, you must let Ash keep the baby, and you must allow me, and Adrian, to remain in his life. Agree, and I’ll talk to the judge. Refuse...and you should prepare to rot inside."

...

NB: flat bread is also called unleavened wheat bread.