Chapter 105

Nan’s POV

It all began with the gardener.

Nikoli’s testimony was astonishing on its own. Hearing such repulsing words from the mouth of an innocent babe was enough to win us the custody battle. That was clear in the disgusted and angry eyes of the reporters and the civil servants.

His tale was not the end…nor the beginning.

Lionel’s investigators were able to find many more threads once we finished visiting the boy.

The secret that the Farkas family desperately kept was not Katya’s bastard child. No…that was incidental compared to the ugly truth.

The secret was that Katya had met her fated mate.

The son of a lowly gardener.

Once her parents found out…they did everything in their power to bury the truth. Payments linking back to expert after expert on mating bonds. Recordings and files detailing that truth.

It’s why the betrothal was set between Lionel and her so early in their lives.

But of course…Katya could not stay away from her fated mate.

Nikolai was the result of their union. Sent away at birth. Kept a secret.

Katya’s marriage to Lionel was considered null at that point. Patti and Vera are not technically bastards under the law. But Katya’s claim on them is incredibly slim.

The investigation could have stopped there.

Then the death of the gardener was uncovered. It was murder. A murder that Katya committed herself.

The ultimate crime against the Moon goddess!

I felt nauseous and heartsick by the time the entire puzzle of Katya’s life was finished. I understood then that this woman was evil. A nebulous, dark void wearing the face of a person.

Lionel was not much better after what was uncovered. He did not hesitate to turn the evidence over to the police…or the media. That they would be waiting for her once the trial was done.

Katya had no clue that it was all over before the trial ever began.

“Ms. Farkas…” The judge pronounces gravely. “These accusations go for beyond the civil court.”

Her lawyer stood abruptly. “Your honor, this is defamation. The word of an extremely ill child is not adequate evidence of criminal activity of this degree…besides, this only a custody hearing.”

Lionel’s lawyer took back the reigns before Katya’s could regain control of the situation.

“The attorney is correct. This is only a civil case. Yet there is, in fact, ample evidence of criminal activity from the biological mother’s side…the only logical conclusion to this custody hearing is for custody of Vera and Patti be granted to her father.”

The judge glares at Katya’s protesting attorney. The man must eventually realize he is in over his head because he pipes down rather quickly. Katya’s face is stony.

“Granted.” The judge grants.

A sense of relief floods my system. Making me giddy and shaky from the joy of it. “Come on girls!”

Vera and Patti rush away from Katya’s security before anyone can think to stop them. It takes one…two…three…four seconds and then they are in my arms. I am already kneeling with my arms outstretched.

“Mom!” Patti sobs into my chest.

“Please don’t make us ever go back!” Vera exclaims fearfully. A sliver of rage heats my blood at the fear in my daughter’s voice.

I crush them to my chest. Lionel is already wrapping his arms around all of us. A protective barrier against prying eyes.

“Never. You will never leave us again.” Lionel promises them.

It is at that point that the police arrive in the courtroom. Silence falls at the sight. They walk straight toward Katya.

“Ms. Farkas, you are under arrest for murder and attempted murder…” One of the officer’s voice drones on. The list of charges long and jaw-dropping.

Her perfectly curated appearance is ruffled. Thinly veiled rage screaming out behind those cat-like eyes. She is in enraged predator.

‘I thought the sight would make me happy,’ I think numbly. ‘Yet…’

What was there to celebrate?

Yes, we had our daughters back. Katya had been defeated and ruined. She would never again be able to claw her way back into a position of power.

But the only thing I could consider at that moment is the confused cries of Nikolai at the sight of his mother in handcuffs. Distress and hurt making his pale face faintly flush. The way her eyes did not even glance at her sickly son.

Sorrow and pity filled my heart.

She had ruined so many lives. She had murdered her own fated mate…simply because he was not born wealthy. She had deprived her son of any true family.

“Why?” My voice cuts across the room.

Katya turns her hateful eyes to me. “Why what?”

“Why did you do these things?” I demand. “How could you kill your own fated mate…”

Shrieks and gasps echo around the room. But I can’t bring myself to pay that any mind. My entire attention focused on this despicable woman.

I push forward stubbornly.

“You have everything a person could ask for in life. Even if your son is sick, you have the resources to treat him. Why do any of this?”

That is what has boggled my mind. Murdering her own daughters to cure another child…there is always other options. Longer and complicated for sure…but better than using black magic.

It makes no sense to me.

In some way, I wish I had never asked. Perhaps ignorance would have been better to what I was told. Her answer haunting my dreams years after the face.

All of the previous hostility is gone from Katya’s angelic face. There is only a cold, blank expression. As though discussing the weather.

“I did it because I could.” She replies remorselessly.

My throat closes up. I cannot speak. I can only stare wordlessly at her.

‘This is evil,’ I think. ‘This is the true face of evil…’

Katya is taken away. I am relieved. Looking at her felt like peering into vast, dark abyss.

“Lionel.” I call out quietly. “What about Nikolai?”

‘He is their half-brother,’ I realize. I should have realized it sooner.

‘You were too busy using that sick child for your own means to care,’ A part of my mind whispers. I shove that ugly part of me deep down.

“Surely we can help the boy.” I say. “He does not deserve to pay for Katya’s evil deeds.”

“I agree.” Lionel responds. “I already have my curse breakers looking into it.”

“Can it be broken?” I ask curiously.

“Yes.” Lionel grimaces. “It’s just a long process because it involves cleansing all of the dark matter out of his body.”

“Will he survive it?” I question in worry. Not wanting the poor boy to die.

“It will not be an easy process.” Lionel warns. “But the curse breakers know what they’re doing…the boy has a high chance of making it.”

I sigh. “Does he have any family?”

“His father’s family has been contacted. They are eager to meet their grandson.” Lionel smiles.

A thought occurs to me then.

“If the boy’s father is not well off, how will they afford the curse breakers or treatments?” I voice.

Lionel’s eyes are soft when he speaks. “I’m paying for the curse breakers and have set up an account for his treatments.”

A swell of love warms my heart. “That was thoughtful. Very kind.”

Lionel only shrugs as he lifts our now sleeping daughters into his arms. The overwhelming emotions of the day knowing them out. Thankfully before Katya’s arrest took place.

“He is their half-brother. He may not be my pack…but they might want to know him one day.” Lionel whispers.

That night is a true celebration.

Tears and laughter are common. Rambling stories of mischief from the girls’ mouths make me both proud and exasperated. I am glad they did not give Katya an easy time.

We are all too tired for games or anything else. So Lionel puts on an old cartoon for the girls. Familiar and comforting.

The fall into a slumber in our bed. Nestled between the two of us. Safe.

Lionel and I are simply watching each other. Gentle and tender emotions on our faces. A content sleepiness weigh on me like a winter blanket.

Then Lionel says something I do not expect.

“Nan…will you be my mate?”