Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Mother and Son

Gabriel lifted his eyes from the open file, his dark gaze locking onto the maid.

"What happened to Aiden?"

His voice was low and calm, but the maid immediately looked uneasy, lowering her head further.

Out of Gabriel's view, a flicker of hesitation flashed in her eyes before she finally braced herself and spoke. "This afternoon, Mrs. Wallace suddenly changed the meal plan. But according to past protocols, Master Aiden shouldn't be eating that."

"Changed the meals?" Gabriel's tone dropped a few degrees colder.

Seeing his face darken, the maid hurried on, "Yes, she even kept the chef out and made the food herself... I'm worried it might upset Master Aiden's health."

Before she even finished, Gabriel was already up, striding straight toward the garden.

Verity, who'd been lurking nearby, trailed after him with a gleam of schadenfreude in her eyes.

Lilah, now you're in for it.

Gabriel takes Aiden's well-being very seriously, and here you are messing things up without permission.

She'd been looking after the kid for three years-no one knew him better than her.

Gabriel won't let this slide.

Lilah, brace yourself!

Under a parasol in the garden, Aiden leaned cozily against Lilah's side, their heads nearly touching.

Lilah held a picture book, gently pointing at the illustrations as she read with soft patience.

"The round moon rose, like a gentle lamp in the sky, or a cradle swinging quietly among the stars. It lit up the little path like silver, whispering, 'Goodnight, little one.' And the child knew-Mom was always there, watching over him."

Sunlight brushed across her focused profile; Aiden listened intently, his little face full of trust and calm. Every so often he pointed at something in the book, asking in his soft baby voice.

Lilah wore a loose, elegant dress, hair tied up, showing her beautiful, serene face.

Her cool voice carried just enough warmth to make hearts itch.

This peaceful little scene caught Gabriel off guard.

His steps slowed without him realizing, the tight line of his jaw easing unconsciously.

Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest.

Aiden had his features, but his vibe definitely took more from Lilah.

When he smiled, it was like both their faces blended into one.

"Daddy!" Aiden was the first to notice Gabriel and called out with a happy grin.

Lilah looked up at the sound, a bit puzzled seeing Gabriel stride over with that intense look.

She gave Aiden a soft pat on the back. "Sweetie, keep reading for a bit, okay?"

"What did you eat this afternoon?" Gabriel cut straight to the point, eyes on Aiden.

Aiden hesitated, shrinking his shoulders. "Mom made me seafood risotto..."

He could tell Gabriel wasn't exactly pleased and looked a bit scared. Lilah frowned.

"Gabriel, what's going on?" She stood, gaze calm and steady.

Gabriel shifted his glare from Aiden to Lilah.

Whatever softness had just flickered in his heart froze over quick.

"You really went ahead and changed his meals? Didn't I say you're not supposed to handle that?"

Lilah met his sharp stare without flinching. "His old diet was too repetitive. What I've planned is more balanced nutritionally and tastes better. It suits his current growth needs."

"Is that so?" Gabriel's face stayed unreadable. "Funny, considering you've never really cared about him. How would you know what he needs?"

That one sentence hit Lilah right in the chest, making her heart sink.Thinking about how the original her was pushed to the edge for three full years just made her heart ache even more.

"I'm just trying to do what any mother should. Even if I went to a nutritionist, they'd tell you this makes sense. Aiden is my child-I'd never hurt him. Since when is a mom taking care of her kid something wrong?"

Usually so composed, Lilah finally broke down, voice catching halfway through her words.

Aiden tossed aside his picture book and looked up at her, eyes full of worry. He reached out, trying to wipe away her tears with his small hand.

Lilah bent down and hugged him tightly, her watery eyes shimmering under the sunlight, making her look heartbreakingly gentle.

His pure, innocent eyes made the pain in her chest worse.

In the original ending, Aiden died from neglect and a desperate act of rebellion.

Now, she just wanted to love him double-make up for everything.

Instead, she got shut down cold by Gabriel.

"Aiden's my son. Of course I know him best. You can switch back the meal plan, but don't question my love for him, ever. You're hardly around, and I'm the one here, being his mother. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

Aiden, flustered, clumsily used his sleeve to wipe away her flowing tears.

Still wrapped in her arms, he looked at his dad. Lilah met Gabriel's eyes with a steady gaze, unwilling to back down.

Gabriel didn't say a word.

Why did it suddenly feel like he was the villain in all this?

Watching them hold each other so tightly, he slowly crouched down.

The sudden move caught Lilah off guard for a second.

Gabriel looked at his son at eye-level. His voice was low, calm, but more serious than ever. "Aiden, tell Dad-do you really like the meals Mom makes? You really want her to keep doing it?"

Aiden lifted his head from Lilah's arms and nodded furiously. "Yep. I want Mom's food!"

"Alright then. She'll take care of it."

Gabriel stood up again, his eyes resting a moment on Lilah's tear-stained face.

It wasn't often he saw her cry.

Since when did she become this tearful?

It was like he'd been bullying her this whole time.

Verity arrived just then, clearly expecting a scene, her smile screaming "drama incoming."

Seeing Lilah in tears, hugging Aiden, and staying silent, Verity smirked, soaking it all in.

Knew it-Gabriel was about to tear into that woman.

Maybe today was the day she'd finally get kicked out of the house.

"Verity, perfect timing." Gabriel's tone shifted.

"Starting today, you're off Aiden's meal plan. Stick to your actual job."

His words were sharp-no room for discussion.

"Huh?" Verity froze, smile vanishing instantly.

"Lilah's in charge from now on. Got a problem with that?"

The way Gabriel narrowed his eyes, the way the air seemed to drop ten degrees-Verity panicked.

"N-Nope, no problem. Got it."

"I'll go let the chef and Mr. Reed know right away!"

That damn Lilah. Why did she always manage to turn it around?

Just because she's that brat's biological mom?

Verity dropped her gaze instantly, resentment burning in her eyes.

She didn't dare meet Gabriel's stare, turning stiffly and leaving in defeat.

Now it was just the three of them in the garden again.

Gabriel didn't walk away.

Lilah still had glistening tears clinging to her lashes-long and dark, like they'd been brushed by rain.

Her eyes, washed clear by crying, looked like they could see straight through someone's soul.

She didn't look a thing like the woman who used to scream and break down at the drop of a hat.

Gabriel had never really taken a good look at her before-not like this. And something inside him shifted.

Lilah blinked and met his eyes.

They were close. So close, even the tiniest emotions in each other's eyes were visible.

Time seemed to stretch, forming a pause between one heartbeat and the next.