Chapter 316: Aurora

Dane sprang to his feet, rushed forward, and took the hides from Evander. "Hi, Dane… missed me?" Evander asked, smiling. Dane turned to me; I was still glaring at Evander, anger burning through me.

Dane assessed the situation and faced the children. "Come with me… I think Mama has some unfinished business with your uncle."

"Unfinished business?" Evander asked, raising an eyebrow. I was certain he was feigning confusion.

Dane left the room with the children. "Let's get something to eat… I'm sure you're both starving."

"Yes, Dad," Seraphina said as they left, but Tristan remained. Tristan kept his eyes on me. I knew he sensed my tension. He's just as sensitive as Dane when it comes to me.

"Why have you come?" I asked, rising to my feet.

Evander stepped inside. "Aurora… Why are you asking such a question?"

I furrowed my brows and stepped back as he approached. "Stay away from me…" I growled.

Evander gulped and raised his hands. "Fine…" He leaned against the wall. "What's the problem with you?"

I gritted my teeth. "Problem with me?" I asked, chuckling.

I nodded, crossing my arms. "Fine… let's start by asking you a few questions then."

Evander nodded. "Cool… but I didn't expect such a cold welcome, Aurora… I thought I'd surprise you by bringing the kids after being away so long for family business… but here we are…"

"Cut it," I said, raising a hand to his face. "I'll do the talking."

I walked to the table and picked up the telephone, dialing a number. "Hello, Piper… bring the files concerning Evander."

I turned to Evander; he smiled. "Piper…"

I furrowed my brow, hanging up the phone. "You have a problem with her?"

"Nothing… I've missed her."

I narrowed my gaze at him, then looked away, waiting for Piper. I was going to expose him and end his charade.

After a few minutes, Piper rushed in, handing me the papers. "Here. Aurora."

I placed them on the table and spread them out. "How do you explain these?"

"Well… let me take a look…" Evander said, approaching me.

Piper jumped, whirling around at his voice. "You?" she asked, shock etched on her face. She faced me. "Him?"

I nodded, gesturing to the papers. "See this… and this… how do you explain all of this?"

"Hi," I heard him say, furrowing my brow. That wasn't the reply I expected.

I turned to see him and Piper locked in each other's gaze. "Hey," Piper replied, more harshly.

I cleared my throat, and he turned to me. I gestured to the papers.

Evander rushed to them, his eyes narrowed, running a hand over them desperately. "How did you find these?"

I clenched my fists, watching him. Evander was clearly guilty as charged. He is a traitor… my own blood. I sniffed, my eyes burning, welling up with tears again.

"Evander," I growled loudly. He turned, and I slapped him across the face. "How dare you betray me this way?"

Piper gasped, covering her mouth. She must have been shocked, but I was too hurt to think straight.

Evander touched his cheek, staring at me in shock.

"Mum!" I heard Tristan's voice from behind. I turned to see him glaring, his eyes brimming with tears. Tristan hardly ever cries; seeing him like this shook me.

"Tristan?"

"Why did you slap Uncle Evander, Mum?" Tristan asked, his voice softer.

"Baby… I'm sorry…" I tried to reach him, but he clenched his fists and ran away. "Tristan?" I called, reaching out, but he was gone.

"Tristan!" Evander shouted, rushing after him. "Evander… come back," I called, but he was gone too. "Ughh!" I ran my hands through my hair, pulling at it, and growled in frustration.

"Piper… please go with him… make sure Tristan is safe… now that Evander knows we've caught him, he might do something…"

"You think he could hurt Tristan, his little nephew?"

I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. "I don't think I know him anymore, Piper."

She nodded and raced out.

I sat there. The quiet calmed my nerves as I closed my eyes and leaned back. "What a mess… Why did I slap him in front of Tristan? I know how much Evander means to him."

I sighed. "He must feel terrible, seeing the two people he loves fighting… I messed things up."

I fell back on the bed. "Baby."

I opened my eyes to Dane standing before me. I took his hand, and he helped me sit up.

I looked around, unable to find Seraphina. Dane understood. "She's asleep… in their room."

He looked around. "Where's Tristan? I thought he was here."

My heart pounded, thinking of Tristan. "He saw me slap Evander and ran away… Evander followed him, and I sent Piper after them."

"What?" Dane exclaimed. "Why would you slap Evander?"

"My emotions got the better of me… I should have—"

He pulled me into a hug. I hugged his waist as he patted my head. "It's fine… I'm sure everything will be sorted out."

"Will it?" I asked.

Piper burst in. "Aurora… I can't find Evander or Tristan."

"No," I mouthed, feeling faint.