Chapter 13: Mother
I set my teacup back onto its saucer, watching Mom’s phone screen go dark. A genuine curiosity tugged at me. Up until now, everything about my new family had revolved around Dad, Mom, and the absurd scale of the Fernando estate.
"Mom," I began, leaning forward slightly. "Since you brought up my cousin... what’s the rest of our family like? I know Dad’s side is just him, but what about yours?"
Mom smiled softly, resting her hand over mine. "Your father’s side has always been small, Seth. He’s the last of his line, which is why the estate feels so massive and quiet with just the three of us. But my side?" She smiled. "The Rothschild family is vast, darling. And very famous."
She let out a soft chuckle, though a subtle flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes. "I’m the youngest daughter of the main line, so... I was terribly spoiled growing up. Whatever I wanted, my family simply threw money at."
Mom looked down at our joined hands, her voice growing quiet. "When I found you... I realized I didn’t actually know how to be a proper mother. I don’t know how to show affection or make up for all those lost years except by giving you everything money can buy. That’s just how I was raised."
She paused, biting her lower lip as her eyes began to glisten. "Sometimes I lie awake worrying that I’m failing you. That maybe... maybe I’m overdoing all of this because we don’t share the same blood, and I’m desperately trying to bridge that gap with material things."
Her confession hit me right in the chest. Looking at her now, I could finally see the quiet insecurity hidden beneath her effortless elegance. She wasn’t spoiling me out of vanity. She was terrified she wasn’t enough.
"Mom," I said quietly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Look at me."
She looked up, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears.
"You’re a better mother than most people could ever dream of having," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And you’re not just throwing money at me. If you were, you would’ve forced me into clothes I hated or dragged me to that banquet without asking. Instead, you listened to me. You cared about what I wanted, what I felt, and what made me comfortable."
I smiled warmly at her. "I see how hard you’re trying every single moment. I see the love behind everything you do, and I love you for it. It doesn’t matter whether we share blood or not, Mom. To me, you’re my mother. That’s all that matters."
A tear finally slipped down her cheek, but it was accompanied by a radiant, deeply relieved smile. She dabbed at her eyes with the silk napkin from her lap, letting out a soft, breathy laugh.
"Oh, look at me," she murmured with a small laugh as she composed herself. "Making a scene in the middle of lunch. You really are far too sweet for your own good, Seth."
She cleared her throat and smoothed down her dress, her usual energy returning almost instantly. "Right! We completely got distracted from the main topic."
"My cousins," I reminded her with a chuckle.
"Yes! My side of the family is massive, and to be frank, your cousins can be quite chaotic in their own ways," Mom said, her eyes glinting with fond amusement. "But they’re good kids at heart. They all adore me, which naturally means they’ve been dying to meet you ever since they heard you were back."
"So who’s coming today?" I asked.
"My fourth brother’s daughter," Mom replied, taking another sip of her tea.
"What’s she like?" I asked. "Is she quiet? Loud? Should I prepare myself for another whirlwind?"
Mom only smiled over the rim of her teacup, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "That, my dear boy, is a secret. It’s much better if the two of you meet in person."
I shook my head with a smile. "Unbelievable. Keeping secrets from your own son."
"It builds character, darling," she teased.
It was time to head back home, which I certainly didn’t mind after an entire morning of shopping and emotional conversations.
Once the SUV pulled up to the main entrance of the Fernando mansion, I climbed out and stretched, enjoying the calm rhythm of the afternoon. As I walked down the wide, marble-lined hallway toward the residential wing, I heard a familiar set of crisp footsteps following behind me.
I stopped and turned around. Val stood three paces behind me, her hands clasped neatly behind her back, looking as alert and composed as ever in her tailored suit.
"Val," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Didn’t you guard my door all night?"
"I did, Young Master," she replied without hesitation.
"And then you worked out with me this morning, came with us to the mall, and stood guard all day?"
"That is my duty."
"So when exactly do you sleep?" I asked, folding my arms. "Or are you secretly a robot running on high-grade lithium batteries?"
The corner of Val’s lips twitched, though her voice remained perfectly professional. "Security personnel are trained to operate on minimal rest for extended periods. You do not need to concern yourself with my schedule."
"Well, I am," I said, putting just enough authority into my voice. "So here’s an official order from your boss’s son. Go to your room, change into something comfortable, and get at least six hours of sleep."
Val blinked, clearly caught off guard. She opened her mouth to argue, but I held her gaze without backing down.
She let out a quiet, resigned sigh before bowing her head. "Understood. However, I am only complying because we are inside the core perimeter of the Fernando Mansion, where the defense systems are active. Otherwise, I would object."
As I watched her crisp posture relax ever so slightly while she headed toward the security staff quarters, I shook my head with a smile. She really did take her job too seriously, but I couldn’t deny it felt nice knowing someone cared that much about my safety.
I turned back toward my wing of the mansion, my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. As I rounded a wide archway, I heard quiet voices drifting from the other side.