His jaw visibly loosened. "Are you okay?"
"...We are fine." Valerie blinked. "What's going on? You guys are scaring me."
They exchanged heavy glances.
Uncle William gave Aunt Eleanor a slight nod. She immediately rose, holding Little Roe.
"Sweetheart," she said softly, forcing a smile. "Why don't you show Grandma around?"
The boy had always been perceptive. Looking at his mother, Little Roe hesitated, glancing uncertainly toward Valerie. She managed a reassuring smile.
"It's okay, baby. Show Grandma your room."
He nodded and allowing himself to be carried off, but kept looking back at her over Aunt Eleanor's shoulder.
The boy was too preceptive for his age.
"What's going on, Uncle?"
The moment they disappeared down the hallway, Uncle William sat her down.
"Your uncle has made a mistake. Last night, several armed men raided our house looking for you and Roe."
Valerie's pulse quickened. "Why?"
Uncle William exhaled slowly, as though carefully choosing his words. "I made a mistake. I almost put you in harm's way myself."
"Bu-But why are they targeting us? What have we done?"
"It might have something to do with Little Roe's identity."
Color drained from her face. It meant no matter where they went, these people would try to harm her.
Her throat tightened. "So now…"
Her uncle shook his head. "I hate to say this, but there is no place safer than beside your husband right now. Don't go out for a while."
Valerie flopped back.
Her gaze shifted—and landed on Victor. His head was wrapped in bandages with several bruises here and there.
Guilt pricked at her heart. "I'll help in the kitchen."
She didn't want to stay here even for a moment, and now she had no choice.
Aunt Eleanor, who came back with Little Roe, followed her too.
They were helping Aunt Vale with small talk when she left to arrange the crockery on the dining table. Aunt Eleanor leaned into her.
"Vivi," she probed in a lower voice, "Do you like it here?"
Valerie nodded listlessly, flipping pancakes. "Yeah, the house looks like a hotel."
Aunt Eleanor slapped her arm. "You know that's not what I'm asking."
Valerie turned to her. "I feel trapped. It wouldn't matter how he treats me, I can't leave if I want me and my son to be safe. You saw how he was yesterday."
Her ideal man had always been a gentle man who communicated, vibed, did goofy things with them, and enjoyed small things; someone like Marco.
Aunt Eleanor sighed. She could see why her niece didn't like the dry man. Even she didn't like such a sly man for their simple girl.
Breakfast was served soon after. Valerie put the pancakes with chocolate topping, his favorite, before Victor as a quiet offering.
Victor looked up. "Roe, fancy some pancakes?" He put Valerie's peace offering in front of him.
Little Roe, who was grudgingly eating his pudding with his mind still on the bounce house, bobbed his round head in thanks.
"Roe!" Valerie looked at him like he was a traitor.
"I didn't eat it, Mommy!" Startled, the boy quickly pushed away the pancakes.
Aunt Eleanor shot the siblings a death glare. "Eat it, boy. They are just being childish."
Little Roe, looking at them cautiously, took a bite.
Valerie turned her betrayed eyes to glare at Victor, who looked mighty pleased.
"Mommy," Roe piped up again, swinging his legs under the chair, "when can we see the big bounce house?"
Valerie narrowed her eyes at the traitor. "After you finish the fruit you are hiding under your bowl."
He puffed his cheeks, begrudgingly taking another bite when he suddenly frowned, tilting his head.
"Mama, where's Daddy?"
Valerie's fork paused. Everyone looked at her too.
She cleared her throat. "He has some urgent work to handle. He'll be back soon."
Roe's lips immediately drooped into a pout. "Then Roe doesn't want to see the big bounce house!"
Valerie shrugged. "Okay, if you don't want to."
"Mommyyy!"
"Do you think I know magic?" She leaned over and poked his puffed cheek. "Daddy's busy at work. I can't materialize him for you even if I want to. He'll be back soon, but if you're not gonna be a good boy, I will tell him to take his time."
Little Roe turned his face away with a dramatic huff. "Mommy can call him."
"You saw I was dialing him, didn't you? He's busy." Valerie lied with a smile. Her gaze flickered to her family, who were looking at her questioningly.
She turned back to her plate. Frankly, she couldn't care less where that cold-hearted man was.
Once done, she nudged Roe, who was sulking in his chair with his chubby arms crossed.
"We are going to play in the bounce house now," Valerie said, glancing at him.
His lower lip pushed out into a pout. "I'll only play with Daddy!"
Valerie took a deep breath, summoning patience. "I won't ask again."
"…Mommy can try calling Daddy again." He sullenly played with his sleeve button, muttering weakly.
"I won't."
Little Roe looked up at her desperately. "But, but what if Daddy is hurt because we played in the bounce house without him!"
Valerie threw her hands up. "Fine! You can wait for him then."
"Mommyyyy…! Pretty Mommy, please!" He whined cutely. He couldn't wait to see the bounce house but refused to see it without his new daddy.
Victor crouched in front of him. "Uncle Victor especially came to play in the bounce house with you. He has never been to one."
Victor's eye twitched when Little Roe looked shocked at him before pitifully nodding.
Little Roe looked conflicted. "Then…"
He was about to relent when the front doors opened.
The sharp click of polished shoes against marble echoed through the foyer.
They turned to see Azrael enter in all black.
"Daddy!"