Chapter 95 - Clara

I tapped my feet anxiously as we waited for the little boy's mother. I was so nervous; I didn't know what to expect or how I would react. "Madam Clara, we can't stay here any longer. It's getting dark, and there's still no sign of her," Steven pointed out. But I didn't want to leave, not yet. I felt she would show up, and I wanted to ask her why she had abandoned her child. I stared down at the little boy sleeping on my chest, smiling as I caressed his back. Gwen and his nanny had cared for him while I was with Damon. I hadn't spent enough time with him, and now he might leave me.

The sun was setting, and we were about to leave when I heard someone call my name. "Madam Donovan, please wait!" I turned and saw the boy's mother running toward me. As soon as she saw him in my arms, she began crying and fell to her knees. I wanted to help her up, but she didn't need it. She stood, then sat on the bench beside me. We were silent for a while; I could see her staring fondly at the boy. I didn't want to admit it, but she did have that motherly look in her eyes.

"What's his name?" I asked. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze from the boy and looked at me. "Levi," she murmured. "His name is Levi." I nodded slowly. "Will you explain why you tried to kill your son? Why did you abandon him in the river?" I asked, going straight to the point. She shook her head frantically. "It wasn't me. I would never do that. I love my son," she uttered, and I scoffed.

"I saw you leaving…"

"Yes, I admit you saw me, but that was my other personality, Jane. I have dissociative identity disorder. Jane doesn't like him, and that's why I try to avoid being around my son when I know I'm about to switch. But that day at the park was unexpected. It just happened, and I couldn't fight it. After I regained my senses, I tried finding him and actually thought I had killed my son…" She paused, crying silently. My heart broke for her.

"You have Madam Donovan to thank for that. She risked her life trying to save your son," Steven said, and I glared at him. It wasn't her fault she had DID. If anything, I felt sorry for her because she knew she wasn't always safe with her son—the worst thing for a mother.

"Thank you, Madam Donovan. If Beta Luca hadn't contacted me and told me everything, I would have lived with the guilt of unknowingly killing my only son. I cannot thank you enough," she murmured. I pursed my lips, then looked down at Levi, a small smile appearing. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. You have a brilliant son," I said. She chuckled lightly. "He takes after his father," she murmured. I smiled slightly. "His father is still in the picture?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, my mate died months ago." So Levi was all she had left to remind her of her mate. I couldn't take that away from her.

"As long as you have DID, you know he's not safe with you, right?" I asked softly. She nodded. "I'm going to get help, and he'll stay with his grandparents in the meantime." She had thought it all out. "Oh, well then," I murmured, forcing a smile. "You can take him." She wasted no time taking the boy from my arms. As soon as she held him, he woke up, saw her face, and began to laugh. His eyes seemed to sparkle. He recognized his mother instantly. In that moment, I wished she could easily forgive and forget, perhaps forget about her miscarriage and Levi.

I left after giving her the gifts I'd bought for Levi. We got in the car, and Steven drove off. The car ride home was quiet. I felt Gwen's worried gaze, but I didn't turn. I was afraid that if I saw pity on their faces, I would break down. As soon as we reached the mansion, I ran to our room, fell on the bed, and cried until I couldn't cry anymore. I wanted to call Dahlia, but I didn't want to bother her, so I slept instead; my body felt weak from crying.

Later, I felt the bed dip. It was Damon. He got in bed, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my cheek. "You're late," I murmured. He sighed. "I'm sorry, I…" Before he could finish, I turned in his arms and began crying on his chest. "She took him, Damon. He's gone…" (This is property © NovelDrama.Org)