CHAPTER 64: DECIDE!

The Burke family and Deborah gathered in the living room for Alpha Maxwell’s grand announcement.

Alpha Nelson looked at his son. "What is this meeting about, son?" he asked calmly. "Don’t tell me you don’t want to marry Deborah again?" he asked, raising a brow.

Deborah held her breath anxiously, waiting for Alpha Maxwell’s announcement.

Alpha Maxwell shakes his head. "No. That issue has already been settled between her and I. I will marry her to make her happy," he said, his eyes gleaming diabolically.

Deborah eyed him suspiciously. Right now, she didn’t like the way he looked at her as if he was planning something nasty behind her back.

"Glad to hear that, son." Alpha Nelson smiled, pleased to hear such a statement from his stubborn son. So, what are we going to discuss today?" he asked curiously.

"The kidnapper will finally release my son with Naomi. She wants to keep our son with her. Unfortunately her family doesn’t want to do anything with the baby, so I will take custody of my son. I will bring him here," Alpha Maxwell declared.

Everyone gasped, surprised by the unexpected news.

"No, you can’t bring that woman’s son here! I will object!" Deborah protested vehemently. "Don’t insult me by bringing another woman’s child into this house! I will never allow it," she added indignantly.

Alpha Maxwell gave her a death stare, hating her cruelty. "It’s my son. You can’t stop me if I want to bring him here. It is my duty to raise him because I’m his father."

Grandma quickly interjected, "Guys, the baby is innocent. He has nothing to do with the sins of his parents. Besides he is a Burke! He is part of our family no matter what you say. Look deeper into your heart. Aren’t you excited to see baby Jacob? The blood that runs through his veins is also our blood. It is only right and proper that we accept him with open arms," she stated in a firm voice, making sure everyone understands the importance of acknowledging the baby’s lineage.

The murmurs among the Burke family members grew louder.

The older couple hadn’t said anything yet but they were discussing the problem in a hush-hush voice as if they were arguing.

Glaring at Alpha Maxwell, Deborah shouted: "I will object to your plan. You can’t bring your bastard son here!" She repeated in a loud voice. She knew that if the majority opposed baby Jacob’s presence in the house, there was nothing Alpha Maxwell could do about it. She knew the majority always won. She was desperate for them to support her.

Alpha Maxwell said, "Guys, please listen to Grams suggestion first..."

Grandma took a deep breath, ready to defend her decision. "The baby is innocent, we all know that. Please don’t hate the baby. It is not right to hate an innocent infant. If you don’t want to see the baby in this house, I’m willing to live in the recently renovated bungalow house at the back with a nanny, so I can take care of baby Jacob and raise him well. You don’t have to see the child if you don’t want to. I will never bring him here to prevent offending everyone. It’s important for baby Jacob to receive love and acceptance and I’m willing to give him that. That’s what my heart wants and I hope you all respect my decision."

Silence engulfed the living room as the entire family weighed their options.

Deborah fidgeted from her seat. She felt restless, losing her mind every second. The silence around her is deafening. She was tense because nobody had supported her objection yet. Even Becca, her friend, avoided her gaze. She was furious. She couldn’t bear the thought of Naomi’s baby living in the same place as her because that boy would steal Alpha Maxwell’s attention from her and her son. She wanted his attention all to herself.

What can she do to turn the tide in her favor?

Her protest seems not enough. But she still needs to fight for her rights. She and her son must be Alpha Maxwell’s top priority!

"Guys, please don’t agree with Alpha Maxwell’s decision to bring his son here. It’s a big insult to me as his wife! I can’t tolerate seeing that son of his with the other woman. It will destroy my sanity and put me in a bad mood every day!" Deborah said desperately, trying to convince everyone how troublesome it is to keep such a child in the mansion.

She looked at their faces, pleading with them to support her because her happiness was at stake.

Alpha Maxwell glared at her. "Shut up Deb, leave my son alone! Stop dragging him with your greed and jealousy. You already got what you wanted from me. I’m willing to marry you — what more do you want?"

"But it’s not enough! I will be the one to make the decision here because I’m the one who will suffer emotionally and mentally when that baby arrives here to remind me every day that his father cheated on me with his mother. This is so unfair! I can’t accept that boy in this house!" Deborah yelled resentfully. Tears of hatred sprang from her eyes.

Grandma raised a brow, looking at Deborah with annoyance plastered on her face. "Dear, did you hear yourself? You are like a broken record, repeating the same thing over and over again. Too blinded by your own anger and jealousy. For your information, in case you didn’t hear, baby Jacob and I will stay in the bungalow house to avoid upsetting you. Is that not enough for you?"

Deborah felt insulted by the old hag’s words. "But Grandma, please understand my side as well. If you were in my shoes, would you agree?"

Grandma sighed heavily. "You are trying hard to convince everyone to support you. Not everyone thinks like you. They have their own decisions to make. Don’t try to stir up trouble because if you only think wisely, keeping the baby by your side and trying to raise him as your own will make Maxwell’s heart soften towards you and he will help make your marriage peaceful and blissful. Just think about it before you complain..."

Deborah fell silent for a few seconds. Grandma is right! She will pretend to take care of the baby to restore her husband’s affection, but in reality she will torture Naomi’s child and make sure baby Jacob does not reach three years old. She will poison him every day until he dies. She can’t let this golden opportunity pass by.

"Please forgive me, Grandma. You are right. I know my mistake now. I’m willing to take care of Naomi’s baby as long as there is a nanny by my side to help me because taking care of two babies is difficult. And I also need to take care of my husband. My hands are already full. But I’m willing to make some sacrifices to make my husband happy and my family intact," Deborah said with a smile, feeling proud of herself.

But it was too late for Deborah. Grandma Franchia saw the evil lurking in her eyes. "Dear, thank you for your good intentions, but every time I remember what you have done to your own son baby Zed, dangling him outside the window just to get Maxwell to marry you is the most evil thing I’ve ever seen done by a mother to her child. I’m sorry to say this, I won’t entrust baby Jacob’s safety to your hands. I’m afraid you might be tempted to harm an innocent baby. So to protect your sanity and the baby’s safety I will be the one to take care of him. Period!"

Annoyed that the old hag saw through her facade, Deborah lowered her gaze, furious that she had fallen into her trap. One day, this old hag will suffer terribly at her hands for humiliating her. She will get her revenge one day!

"Alright, I suggest we vote, and the majority wins," Alpha Nelson finally said. "And if there is a tie we will toss a coin into the air. No matter what the result is, everyone must respect it, including me."

"I agree, we shall vote for what our heart truly wants," Luna Adela agreed.

Deborah quickly said, "I’ll vote first. I vote for no!" she said, hoping they would all follow her lead.

"I will vote yes. I will take care of my grandson and we will stay in the bungalow house," Grandma said.

"I vote yes for my son’s well-being," Alpha Maxwell says, feeling tense.

"I vote no," Zian said.

"I also voted no!" Theon seconded.

Alpha Nelson opened his mouth. "My vote is no!" he said loudly.

Grandma and Alpha Maxwell groaned in frustration, as defeat stared in their faces. Only Luna Adela and Becca were left to cast their vote. They all know Becca and Deborah are close friends.

Deborah smiled brightly, grateful that the majority of the family still supported her.

Alpha Nelson looked at his wife. "And what is your vote my darling wife?"

"I will follow my heart this time. I vote yes! I want to meet baby Jacob. I’m excited!" Luna Adela said enthusiastically.

Alpha Nelson groaned, annoyed that his wife had gone against him. But he couldn’t make a big deal of it. He would appear childish in front of everyone. So he kept his mouth shut so the voting would continue.

Alpha Maxwell beamed happily, grateful that his mother chose to side with him. "Thank you, Mom. It means a lot to me."

Luna Adela smiled, happy to do something for her son even if she went against her husband.

Deborah sighed inwardly, disappointed that her mother-in-law voted against her. But it’s okay, she still has Becca and her vote can help make her win. Already sure of her victory, she looked at her friend. "Becca, what is your vote?" she asked, expecting a favorable reply from her.