Araceli POV
I pulled the car door open and sat in the driver's seat.
The car left the place quickly.
I parked the car in front of my house and pushed the door open to get out. Krish was already holding Valeria's hand and leading her towards the entrance of the villa.
"Valeria, go and bring me the drawing you have done recently."
I said as I walked over and stroked Valeria's head.
Valeria nodded and turned around and ran into the house.
I crouch in front of Krish and whisper, "Krish, are you upset because I'm with Mr. Lancaster now?"
Krish purses his lips.
"Mommy, you know exactly what's going on between Mr. Lancaster and Melany, so why are you still with Mr. Lancaster?"
"Actually, Micah and Essel..."
I froze for two seconds, not finishing the sentence.
The secret almost came out of my mouth.
I took a deep breath and didn't say another word.
Krish had been worried about me since I was a kid, trying to protect me and Valeria at all times.If I had told Krish about this, he would have been constantly thinking about how to help me get custody of Micah and Essel.
I could take my time planning alone. Krish didn't need to be involved.
I held Krish's little hand and whispered, "Baby, Valeria loves Mr. Lancaster, and I'm not going to stop her from accepting him as her father. I just want her to get well soon. You have to admit that Valeria has become a lot more cheerful after getting to know Mr. Lancaster's family..."
Krish interrupted me before I could finish my sentence. "So, Mommy, you're with Mr. Lancaster because of Valeria, right?"
I pursed my lips and didn't say anything, just shook my head slightly.
I stroked his hair. "Nah. I do think Raphael is a pretty nice man. He's been good to our family, especially to Valeria..."
Krish frowned, and there was worry and unease in his eyes.
However, we all have to admit that Valeria is almost cured of her autism...
"Mommy, I support all your decisions."
Krish said slowly, "I will always support you. You don't have to worry about me."
Days passed calmly one by one. I went to and from Creaty's office and home everyday, living a dull and happy life.
Suddenly, I received an email one day.
It was from Raphael.
It was an invitation letter from Essel herself. I then remembered that she had invited me to the Royal Pack party earlier. She said it was her aunt's birthday.
I replied "I'll be there".
A few days later, I took Valeria and Krish to Royal Pack.
I drove to the neighborhood. I was dazzled by the number of luxury cars parked there.
All kinds of lights were flashing. Many celebrities got out of their cars and headed inside. The reporters were frantically taking pictures, afraid of missing a moment.
I parked the car, opened the door, and walked out.
"Mommy, I miss you so much!"
I was startled and turned around. It turned out to be Essel.
Essel jumped into my arms and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I smiled and picked Essel up, saying gently, "Essel, when it's just a few of us, it's okay for you to call me Mommy, but today there are so many guests here, so, baby, I'm afraid you'll have to call me Ms. Chancey..."
Essel thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay! Mommy... no, Ms. Chancey..."
I laughed.
Valeria and Krish got out of the car.
Maddox was about to pick Valeria up when Valeria rushed into Raphael's arms.
Raphael picked Valeria up and looked at her tenderly.
Valeria hugged Raphael's neck and said, "Daddy."
I smiled in relief.
"Mr. Lancaster."
Krish walked over and calmly greeted Raphael.
Micah walked over as well, though his expression was as cold as ever.
He tilted his head and looked over at me, about to say hello when a familiar voice suddenly came from right behind me.
"Micah, come to me."
Melany approached Micah one step at a time, a gentle smile on her face, but anger and jealousy that simply couldn't be suppressed surfaced in her eyes.
Of course, I knew what she was thinking. She would be furious when she saw Micah and Essel being so close to me.
I had expected it, so I wasn't afraid of her at all.
Melany walked over to Micah, crouched down, pressed hard on Micah's shoulder, and said slowly, "Micah, I've been looking for you for a long time. What are you doing here? It's so cold outside. Come inside with me."
Essel grunted and rolled her eyes at Melany. I patted her back and comforted her. However, Melany didn't look at Essel and just led Micah towards the villa.
Micah pursed his lips and didn't resist.
"Stop."
Raphael's voice was cold.
"You can go wherever you want. Micah has to stay here."
Melany clenched her teeth in anger and trembled slightly.
Melany gritted her teeth and said, "Raphael, get this straight, Micah is my son! I can take him wherever I want! Are you even going to interfere with that?"
"A lot of Royal Group's business partners are coming tonight as well. I can't let them know that Micah is my son. I'll have Maddox escort them to the second floor."
Raphael said calmly, his voice flat. Melany froze in place, afraid to say anything else.
I took Essel's hand, my expression growing cold.
Micah was clearly my son! The shameless woman! How dared she say such words in front of me!
Did she think that after she took Micah, Micah would really become her son?
No way!
I would definitely expose Melany's true colors at an opportune time and let everyone know how shameless she was!
"Ms. Chancey, are you okay?"
I looked back and saw Essel's face. she frowned with worry in her eyes.
I quickly said, "Essel, I'm fine..."
"Araceli, you bitch!" Melany suddenly rushed over. "Have you lost your mind? You've pinched my daughter's wrists red! You evil woman! Essel, hurry to Mommy. This woman will hurt you! Come here immediately!"
Melany grabbed Essel's hand hard and tried to force her over.
I was afraid of hurting Essel, so I had to let go of my hand.
Essel wrapped her arms around me the next second and spat at Melany.
"Get off me!"
Essel stepped on Melany's high heels.
Melany's beige high heels had a small black footprint on them. She looked down and was so angry that her eyes were burning with fire, so she grabbed Essel's arm and tried hard to drag Essel over.
"Let go of my daughter!"
Raphael's voice rang out. I took one look into his cold-filled eyes and couldn't help but wince.
"Maddox, send Melany back!"
Luckily, there were no guests in this place at the moment, so the scene of Melany losing her mind wasn't seen by people.