Chapter 61
Zora’s POV
“I guess we won’t be eating together,” Darius remarked to his mother, disappointment evident in his voice. She shook her head, understanding his reluctance, and approached Darius with concern in her eyes.
“Please stay, son. It’s been a while since we’ve had quality time together. I assure you, Abelardo will mend his ways. He won’t question your choices or say anything negative about you or Zora again,” she pleaded, hoping to convince Darius. However, I could sense that Darius had already made up his
mind.
“I should probably leave. This is meant to be a family lunch,” H chimed in, about to make my exit. Darius intercepted me, his expression determined.
“You are my family, and Abelardo needs to accept that, whether he likes it or not,” Darius stated firmly, addressing his mother. He turned to me, a sense of protectiveness in his
gaze.
“Like I said, mother, you are important to me. I’ll still spend time with you, going for tea and strolls in the garden. But while Abelardo is around, I won’t share meals with you anymore – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Zora is my partner; I’ve
claimed her as my own, and I won’t tolerate any harm befalling her. I don’t care what others think. However, if anyone disrespects, insults, or poses a threat to her well- being, they’ll have to answer to me,” Darius declared, his determination unwavering.
His mother sighed, aware of his fierce devotion.
288 Vouchers
“You should have saved that special moment for your wedding night, son,” she chided with a smile, and he grinned in response.
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“Whether it’s now or on our wedding night, my decision won’t change, mother. Somehow, I suspect Abelardo let slip what you both discussed, and I have a feeling you said some hurtful things to Zora when she escorted you to your room,” he revealed.
I was taken aback that he had figured it out. Did I really wear my emotions on my sleeve that much?
She exclaimed, shooting me an angry glance. “You’re quite clever. So, you told him what I said,” she stated, disappointment evident in her eyes. I shook my head.
“There’s no harm in a mother looking out for her son. I simply asked her to prove herself to me. I asked her to demonstrate that her love for you is genuine and not just a strategic move for survival,” Nellie defended, and Darius burst into laughter.
“Actually, Mom, that was quite a sneaky question. Zora didn’t say a word, but I’m not oblivious. After Abelardo spoke and you let him finish without interruption, I realized you shared his opinion. You’re just not saying it outright because you don’t want to hurt my feelings. I know you won’t hold back when you’re alone with Zora, so I figured you must have taken the chance to tell her something.
But you know what? I don’t really care what you think or how you feel. I’m a grown man, not a child. I make my own decisions. Zora doesn’t need to prove herself to you or
anyone else. I won’t force you to accept her, but I strongly suggest you both show her respect, or else you’ll have to deal with me.
Sure, you’re my mother. You gave birth to me, protected me, and raised me. I’ll always love and respect you for that. But you can never take the place of my soulmate. You can never be my companion, my confidante, my lover, and the mother of my children. You have your role in my life, and Zora has hers. Don’t try to belittle her. My heart and soul belong to her. Let this be the last time anyone mentions Shanon’s name to me or brings up Zora’s ex–husband,” he said, squeezing my hand tightly.
“Excuse me,” he said, and he walked away, pulling me along.
“You should’ve just told me what she said to you privately instead of looking so downcast,” he remarked, leaving me speechless.
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“After we finish eating, you definitely deserve a little spanking,” he chuckled, and I felt relieved that we were dining in our own quarters, though I hoped it wouldn’t strain his relationship with his mother.
I long for the day when I can have children of my own, and I aspire to cultivate a strong bond with them.
Ensuring that Nellie maintains a wonderful connection with her son is crucial to me. I’ll have to have a conversation with
Darius when he’s in a better mood.
A week slipped by, and with each passing day, the anticipation of the dinner at Vino’s extravagant mansion grew stronger.
Kara hosted numerous tea parties in the garden, and
occasionally, Nellie attended them. Surprisingly, she treated me politely during those gatherings.
We were never alone, not a single moment to ourselves. With constant company, she never had the chance to express her true feelings to me.
Kara effortlessly achieved what she desired, radiating an undeniable connection with Marcel. I could tell he was completely infatuated with her.
Contrastingly, Eloise and Raphael seemed to be at a standstill, their relationship lacking progress. And I knew it was Eloise
who dictated the pace.
Darius made the decision for all of us to gather in the cozy dining area, just like we used to. His mother and Abelardo maintained their separate dining routine.
This change was a breath of fresh air, as eating in the same room had become monotonous and uninspiring.
We were still deciding on our attire for the dinner at Vino’s extravagant mansion. Kara wanted to meet me in the Beta’s section to chat about our outfit choices. Eloise and Kara preferred to steer clear of the Alpha’s domain due to
Abelardo’s presence. Nellie was delightful as always, but Abelardo’s incessant quarrels with Glenda only added to the
tension.
To my surprise, I also discovered that he indulged in orgies with certain women in the harem. Initially, I assumed he was exploiting them, but upon learning that it was consensual, I decided to turn a blind eye.
