Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"V-Val ..." I called Valjerome weakly and rasping as I entered the mansion.

He immediately approached and hugged me. "It's okay, everything will be okay," he comforted as he gently stroked my hair.

I shook my head. "It's my fault... It's my fault," I said repeatedly and leaned onto his chest due to weakness.

My tears kept on flowing. I can't imagine that Chaos would do that to me, to our son—to the boy who considered him as a real father.

"I-I shouldn't have left Erom like I used to," I whispered between my sobs.

"Ssshh. Don't you blame yourself, Jazzie," Valjerome whispered.

I shook again and then slowly let go of his embrace. With my blurry eyes, I stared at him.

"I can't take it anymore, Val. I can't afford to lose a child again," I said with great grievance. He looked at me softly and then pulled me again for a hug. "Don't think like that, Jazzie. I told you, I won't let anyone hurt you or our son," he said hoarsely.

Instead of calming down, I started to cry harder. I feel like I’m numb in pain and anxiety. Thousands of negative things come into my mind that I can no longer control.

My poor child.

"Calm down, baby..." He kissed my head. "I will save him, I promise."

"What if¾what if Chaos does something bad to him? Oh, my God!" I shuddered with the thought of Chaos hurting my child. "V-Val...I can't."

I almost gasped for breath in tears. I could no longer control my emotions. I was completely consumed by fear about Erom's condition.

"Jaime," I heard Valjerome call as he leaned over me.

"Erom... My prince, my son..." I uttered between my loud cries.

Valjerome caressed my back as he hugged me tight. "Sssh. Calm down, baby. Breathe," he murmured and showered my head with his kisses.

He repeated doing it until I felt something stab on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Jaime while holding a syringe.

"Rest, baby. I'm sorry, but I need to sedate you in order for you to calm down. Trust me, Jazzie. I will bring back our son, I promise," Valjerome's last words before darkness occupied my sight.

MOMMY?

Mommy, where are you?

Mommy, I'm scared.

Mommy, please help me...

"Erom?" I called desperately, scanning the darkness, searching for my child. "S-son, Mommy is here. Where are you, my prince?" I continued, shaking in fear as I started to hear my son crying.

Mommy, help, mommy!

Panicking, I ran in the midst of nowhere. "Erom?! Where are you, son?" my tears began to flow out of frustration.

I could see nothing but darkness. I tried to grope but my hands hit nothing.

"Son..." I muttered in the middle of my crying. "Where are you, son? Mommy's already here," I continued.

Mommy, I'm hurt... Please, help me. Papa's going to kill me, Mommy.

I shook quickly. "N-no…no... He won't hurt you, son. I'll save you... Daddy and I will save yo—"

My knees weakened when I heard my son groaned along with the loud gunshot. I felt my breathing stop as the trembling of my body, intensified.

"N-No... Erom... Son! No!" I started crawling, hoping I could touch my son. "S-son... Speak please."

Bye, Mommy...

"No. No! Son! Erom!" I cried harder. "Son! Don't leave Mommy, please!" I begged.

I love you mom. Good bye ...

"NO! Erom!" I immediately woke up as tears streamed down on my cheeks. "Erom?! Son?" I called, roaming my eyes around the room.

Feeling weak, I forced myself to get up and went to the bathroom. "Erom? That wasn’t a good joke, son," I said tremblingly as I looked around for him.

Slowly, reality dawned on me.

A dream¾it was just a dream.

I went back to the bed and lifelessly sat down. I started to sob as I was repeatedly recalling my son’s lines.

"Erom," I called desperately, as if it would bring my son back in front of me. "My child..." I uttered along with my loud cries.

I remained in that situation for a few minutes until I heard the ringing of my phone. With my blurred vision I rolled my eyes to find that. I found it on the bedside table. Thinking that it was Chaos, I quickly stood up and answered it when I saw his name on the screen.

"Give me back my son," I said sharply.

"Then be on his place, Jazzie. You, in exchange for your son," Chaos spoke.

"Why are you doing this Chaos? I've been good to you. Especially my son," I reminded.

I heard him scoffed. "I'm sorry, Jazzie. This is how it is. If it isn’t because of your ex-husband, my sister would still be alive."

"I don't know what you're saying, Chaos. But, please, don't involve Erom in this. My poor child..." I started crying. "He'll be traumatized by what you're doing."

"I don't care, Jazzie. You also didn't see how my sister committed suicide because of that person!" he kept shouting.

I closed my eyes tightly and tried to control my sobbing so that I could speak clearly. "Please... Don't touch Erom, Chaos. I-I'm begging you. Not my son. Let's talk about it. Besides…Valjerome is also your brother, Chaos. Erom is your nephew, please, have mercy on him, "I begged.

He laughed sarcastically on the line. "Talk? There will be no talking happening, Jazzie. And I will never accept that bullsh*t as my brother! I only have one sibling, and that was the one he killed! So everyone’s involved, Jazzie. Family for a family. "

I cried harder.

"If I do have care about our blood relativeness, then I hadn’t killed our father. But as you could see, Jazzie, I don't care. I loathed them. I loathed your ex-husband's father. I loathed your ruthless ex. Because of him, my sister committed suicide. The real sibling I only consider of."

I stiffened. "Y-you killed…Uncle?" I repeated.

"Yes, Jazzie. You heard it right. I'm the reason why the blood feud ignited again between your husband's Mafia and the group he fought back then before. I was the one who killed our father and sent a photo to your house. I am the one threatened your life. I am the behind all of these, Jazzie, "he said coldly.

"D-Did you ... approach me on purpose? Those...years… You were planning these all along?" My heart clenched with the thought of him, betraying me.

"Yes," he answered.

I shut my eyes tightly. "I-I...trusted you, Chaos," I said, almost whisper.

"If you want to save your son, get out of the mansion and ride in the coming van. You, in place of your son, Jazzie," he said in a cold tone.

I faintly bowed at the same time as the silent path of my tears. I remembered again the nightmare that I had dreamed of earlier.

That won’t happen. I need to save my son.

"I'll go. Make sure you bring my son back. Just take me instead, Chaos. Erom has nothing to do with all of this. If you want to revenge, just kill me. I'm begging you," I muttered.

"Just do it, Jazzie. My people are already waiting." Then the lined ended.

I faintly put my phone down and covered my mouth to cry. Even though I was weak, I forced myself to act. I cautiously left my room, I rolled my eyes around for a while to look for Valjerome but I did not see his presence. There were also his scattered underlings in the mansion but that was not as many as the usual. There I thought they might be with Valjerome and preparing for a dash.

I took a deep breath. I tried to fix myself and acted secretly. I pretended walking and comfortable with what was happening so the rest of the security is not paying attention that much to me.

"I'll just get some fresh air outside," I spoke to them.

Though there was hesitation in their eyes, they could do nothing but nod.

I started walking outside the mansion.  Just like what I did inside, I acted complacent about everything. I was only a short distance from the gate when one of Valjerome's staff called me.

"You can't go out, Miss. It's still dangerous right now," he said.

I forced a smile. "It’ll be quick, I just want to watch my husband and son return," I said.

Even though there was an objection in his eyes, he never spoke again.

Once again, I stared at the mansion¾the place where we came together in hardship and comfort. Where we started, ended and started again.

I'm sorry, Val...

I know the decision I made was dangerous, but my conscience will always chase me in case all of these had ended without me, doing nothing.

As I continued my walk out, I noticed the function of the black van approaching in my direction.

I smiled weakly.

Take care of our child, Valjerome.