May
In the distinctive residential zone of MRA, surveillance extended beyond the streets; each residence boasted CCTV cameras outdoors and indoors.
Consequently, the camera positioned at the Shawn’s mansion’s entrance documented the interaction between him and Yvonne the previous day, capturing not only the visuals but also their spoken words.
Initially, as Mia tuned into the footage, her expression soured even more. However, as she continued to observe and listen to the recording, disbelief widened her eyes.
Wide-eyed, she shifted her gaze to her husband, finding him nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.
As events unfolded, she realized her initial judgment had been off. The stranger had planted a kiss on her husband, who seemed utterly oblivious.
“I’m sorry,” Shawn mumbled, his grey eyes locking onto her honey brown ones.
“No, no.” Little One delicately stowed the laptop away, guilt tainting her expression. “I’m the one who’s sorry-for jumping to conclusions… I apologize.”
Shawn’s heart warmed as he smiled, appreciating the girl’s sincerity.
“It’s okay. Misunderstandings happen,” he reassured. Pausing, he added, “Just remember, when something makes you uncomfortable, challenge me. I’m your husband.”
Mia blushed deeply at his words. “My husband,” she muttered, cheeks as pink as flamingos, fingers twisting shyly.
“Un.” Shawn chuckled at her childlike demeanor, consistently amused by her antics.
Suddenly, Mia’s brows arched as recognition dawned. The woman in the video seemed strangely familiar, like the one from the bar.
“She’s Damien’s sister,” Shawn confirmed, acknowledging her suspicion.
Ah… She nodded mentally, recalling how Damien’s sister had clung to Shawn.
‘She must like him.’ Jealousy gripped Mia.
Shawn observed his wife with amusement, the tip of his finger between his teeth.
“Jealous?” He inquired.
With a nod, she affirmed her feelings, eyeing him.
He chuckled, then frowned.
“You too, why are you always with Damien? I don’t want to see you with him ever again. You make me jealous that way,” he pouted cutely.
Butterflies fluttered in Mia’s stomach as her gaze lingered on his rosy lips-tempting, as if pulling her in for a kiss.
Just then, Shawn’s words registered in her mind, and she scrunched up her face. “What do you mean by ‘always’? You’ve only seen us together once.”
Shawn snorted, “as if.”
Mia eyed the man skeptically before heaving a sigh.
“I need to head back to the hospital. Only came home to take a bath…” Pushing her weight off the chair, she started making her way to the bathroom.
Midway, she stopped and turned to look at her husband.
After a while of silence, she spoke, “I know you have questions… but can you give me some time?”
Shawn offered a charming smile and replied, “Take all the time you need, Little One.”
“Thank you,” Mia whispered tearfully, then headed straight to the bathroom.
A while later, she finished dressing up. As she moved to leave the room, Shawn wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“Be careful.”
“Always inform Jasper of your whereabouts, okay?” His voice carried concern as he spoke.
Mia smiled cutely. Phew! She found even his words of caution so sensual, and the proximity between them, his breath feathering the crook of her neck, made her toes curl up involuntarily.
“Okay.” She quickly removed his hands from her and hurried out of the room before losing all sense of thinking.
Shawn mused.
However, his face soon returned to normal as concern washed over him. His inability to sleep had been solely due to a single reason-the threatening message.
Immediately after receiving the message the previous night, he had asked Lucas to track its sender’s IP address. However, as expected, it led to nothing-it was untraceable.
Who sent the message and for what reason, the meaning behind it-all remained a mystery to him.
Perhaps there was more to his mother’s death than met the eye.
The case would have to be revisited by the inspector general of police.
__________
A couple of weeks later.
Mia’s mom had now been discharged from the hospital, and was appearing much better by the day. The only lingering issue was her amnesia.
While discharging her, the doctor had suggested that being surrounded by familiar people in a familiar environment, engaging in regular activities, might aid in a speedier recovery.
“She should also take her medicine regularly, never miss her check-ups, and ensure she continues exercising.” Were his last words to Mia.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Feeling that taking the woman to her husband’s house would be an inconvenience, Mia arranged a nice apartment for her mother, complete with a maid for assistance when she wasn’t around.
Well, she had her husband’s wealth to thank for that.
Plus…
“I’ve gained admission to the university,” Mia squeaked excitedly as she rushed into the apartment.
“Really?” Her mum’s face brightened at once. She immediately set the flower vase aside and dropped the pair of pruning shears in her hand.
Although things were quite awkward between the mother and daughter during the week the woman’s eyes first opened, gradually, the uneasiness seemed to be dissipating the more they spent time with each other.
Mia made sure to always keep May Thompson’s company almost every second of every day. Sometimes, she even spent the night with her. And that way, their relationship had been revitalising rather well.
“That is great news, Mia!” May was grinning from ear to ear as her daughter gently pulled her to a couch.
“There’s more, Mom. Guess what?”
“Spill the beans!”
“I’ve also landed a part-time gig as a TV Host at a reputable firm…”
“Oh my! That’s huge. Congratulations, my darling,” May Thompson exclaimed, super duper happy for her child.
Just then, the smile on Mia’s face faded.
Noticing the shift in the girl’s expression, May frowned, “What’s the problem?”
Mia sighed, “Mom, I won’t be coming here as often as before due to… you know…”
Her mother simply chuckled. “I understand. You have to balance your studies and your job. It won’t be easy combining those two… I clearly understand.”
“I’m sorry.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“Don’t be. It would make me sad to disrupt your studies and job. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I have Claire, remember? I’m recovering very well too… You have nothing to be concerned about.”
Claire was the maid Mia had provided.
Only after seeing that her mother was completely okay with the news did Mia heave a sigh of relief.
“You’re my only family, and your success holds immense importance for me-go be you!”
Upon hearing her mother’s words, guilt washed through Mia. ‘The only family she has…’
Unaware of her daughter’s emotional shift, May snapped her fingers as if she had just recollected something, drawing Mia back from her thoughts.
“You haven’t brought your husband to meet me,” May remarked.