Chapter 158: Love Of A Mother |
In the luxurious and secretive auction house, a place where the upper echelons of society mingled under the guise of anonymity, Nadia found herself at the center of attention, thanks to Lucas's tight grip around her waist.
His arm wasn't just a gesture of possession but also a statement, marking her as his in front of her husband.
Yiman, his curiosity piqued by the mesmerising pregnant beauty sitting so close to Lucas, couldn't help but try to peer beyond the veil that obscured her identity, "I wonder from which noble family you've plucked such a rare flower. It's curious, Lord Bai, you've never mentioned having a wife. She hasn't been seen at any gatherings, nor have you spoken of her. And what of Olivia? Does she know of this?" His voice carried a hint of suspicion, his gaze sharpening as he scrutinized the veiled woman.
The mention of Olivia sent a shiver down Nadia's spine, a cocktail of guilt, shame, and fear stirring within her.
She desperately hoped Lucas wouldn't complicate matters further, especially with Yiman putting the pieces together about his son-in-law's marital status.
Yiman wondered if his daughter knew that the man she married was already having a wife and if Bai Ling was planning to treat his daughter as his mistress.
Lucas, unfazed by the probing question, met Yiman's gaze with a chuckle, his tone light yet carrying an undercurrent of something darker. "Ah, you misinterpreted the situation, father-in-law. While she may seem akin to divine artistry, this woman is from nowhere of note. A person of no consequence, you could say. She was on the brink of despair, forgotten by the world. I offered her salvation, and in return, she has devoted her life to me. Isn't that right, mother?" he said, turning to Nadia with a look that demanded her agreement behind a smile.
Forced into a corner, Nadia mustered a weak smile, her voice barely a whisper as she echoed Lucas's sentiment. "Of course, my son," she agreed, her heart aching with each word while touching Lucas' face.
Yiman raised his eyebrows. "Mother? Son? I am sorry. Are you two related to each other?" Yiman was puzzled upon hearing the affectionate way they addressed each other yet with such a strong sexual tension between them.
Nadia rolled up her fingers into a fist as she slowly looked at Lucas, wondering if he really believed he loved her. If he did, why did he abandon her?
"It seems like your mother must have also loved you a lot." Yiman said with a hint of heaviness in his eyes as the face of his own mother flashed in his mind.
Lucas wryly chuckled. "I thought she did until the moment she gave me up for power. No, she didn't just give me up. She first used me as an excuse, broke my heart to protect herself and finally she abandoned me so that she could follow her pursuit of power. It would never have been possible for her if she stayed with me."
Nadia's teeth pressed onto her lips as his words stung her heart. How could he say it with such confidence? Everything she did, everything she endured was for him!
All she wanted was to protect him even if it meant sacrificing her dignity and pride. Why couldn't he understand that?
Lucas continued with a scoff. "But the funny part is that she doesn't want to admit that. She thinks it was the only way she could protect me since I was weak at that time. But why don't you tell me. If a mother really loves her son, would she do everything to make him happy or do everything selfishly believing it is for her son? I am sure you can give the right answer since I heard from the empress how much she loves you."
Yiman narrowed his eyes, not expecting his mother to even talk about such private matters with Bai Ling. Just how much does she confide in and trust him?
Yet with the question Bai Ling posed, Yiman didn't have to think as he answered while thinking of his mother, "If she had a choice then she should have done everything to make him happy no matter what. It sounds like your mother was lucky to have a choice and yet she must have been a rotten one to have abandoned you like that."
Nadia's eyes widened in disbelief, not expecting someone like Yiman to have such an opinion. How dare he after everything he did to make her life miserable?!
Yet his and Lucas' words, specifically the part where Lucas stated that she should have done everything to make him happy stuck with her.
Did she really not want to make him happy? How could not doing what was best for him not be the right thing to do instead of making him happy?
Lucas nodded with a smile. "I am glad you agree with me on that, father-in-law."
Yiman asked curiously. "From the way you said it, is she still alive?"
Lucas shook his head with a cold smile. "No. To me, she has been dead for almost two decades."
"But aren't you angry at her? About what she made you go through?" Yiman asked as he remembered the anger he felt when he initially didn't know why his mother left him.