Chapter 93

Nan’s POV

Lionel’s wife is alive.

That was the only thing I could think. It felt unreal. Like a dark joke.

But the DNA did not lie. Every possible test on her identity came back positive. It is her.

The entire thing has been kept under wraps. No one outside of Lionel’s inner circle was aware. Nobody wanted a press of vultures sticking their noses where they did not belong.

Telling the girls…that was the most complicated part. Lionel wanted to inform them immediately once the results were back. I was more hesitant.

I have no idea what to do about this situation.

Katya Farkas was alive. Lionel’s wife. The mother of Vera and Patti.

I know Lionel had mixed emotions about it. I could see his obvious joy at her survival…and his guilt. Though the origin of his guilt remains undisclosed to me for the time.

“Mom, is it true?” Vera asks me.

The hope shines like liquid caramel in her eyes. I glance at Lionel. Waiting for his decision.

‘It’s his wife after all,’ I think with a churning stomach. ‘That means it’s up to him to decide.’

He kneels down in front of our daughters until their faces are level with his. “Yes. Your mother is alive.”

A wonderous smile lights her face. “I can’t believe it! How?!”

Lionel chuckles. “I will let you know everything once we find out.”

There is an excited energy to her. A rare break in her usual arrogant attitude. One she reserves only for her family.

That idea makes my stomach sink further.

Vera turns to chatter at Patti. “I can’t wait to meet her. I’ve always wanted to meet our mom.”

A slight frown is playing at the corners of Patti’s mouth. One that only I notice. Patti’s own reaction is rather muted.

‘I’ll have to keep an eye on that.’ I note.

“Sure.” Patti says neutrally.

Lionel exchanges a glance with me. I shake my head. ‘Not yet.’

Vera does not notice. “When are we going to meet her?” She asks Lionel.

Lionel ruffles her raven curls. “Nan and I are meeting with her tonight. You’ll meet her soon.”

Vera whines a little at that. She only relents with promises of extra dessert. Patti remains indifferent.

Our meeting comes all too soon for me.

Katya is utterly stunning. I remember the way Lionel described her at once. I realize he was not exaggerating.

She walks with gracefully sensuality. It’s a paradox. Yet this woman somehow pulls it off.

Her hair falls to her waist in a waterfall of gold. Her face is sculpted in a way that would make supermodels cry in envy. Her voice is cultured and self-assured.

I understood how many could fall under her spell. I might have too if not for Lionel’s warning of her true nature. Or my own growing crippling insecurity as she continues to draw in the room.

It was meant to be a questioning. Unbiased and informative. A demand for answers of her whereabouts for the last 6 years.

It becomes something else as Katya spins a tale of betrayal and survival.

Everyone is sympathetic and impressed. Yet something feels off to me. A certain lack of sincere emotions in certain recounts.

‘You’re just being paranoid and jealous Nan.’ I tell myself sternly. ‘Lionel knows her best…and he does not doubt her.’

The growing guilt in his eyes tells me this. So I let my suspicions go. I have no room to judge this poor woman.

Everyone expresses their congratulations on her survival.

A middle-aged man approaches her. “I am so sorry that you have endured so much. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are glad you have returned to us.”

She beams warmly at the man. “Thank you everyone…I appreciate your support.”

It is obvious that this should be a celebration.

I could only fake my enthusiasm through the knots in my stomach and tightness in my chest.

If Katya was back…where did I belong?

Could I still be with Lionel if his wife was alive? Legally, wouldn’t he still be married to her? It made me nervous to consider this.

Most all…was I still the girls’ mother? I hate the idea of giving up my place as their mother. It makes me want to run.

Everything feels too scary to face.

Katya approaches us. “Lionel…” She stares at him.

Lionel swallows. “Katya…I had no idea.” He says roughly.

She waves away his regret. “It’s okay. I forgive you…you couldn’t have known.”

Then she turns her attention to me. I meet her gaze head on. Not knowing what she will say or do.

‘I’ve never seen eyes like those.’ I think distantly. ‘Deep green and yellow…like a cat.’

I can’t get a read on her. There is no expression in those cat-like eyes. I almost feel like a mouse caught under a predator’s paw.

Then she smiles. “You must be Nan.”

“You’ve heard of me?” I ask.

“Yes.” She says kindly. “Lionel told me about you.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. ‘When did he have the time to speak alone with her?’ I cast a glance in his direction.

He is watching me softly. His usual love shining in his eyes. It softens the sting of her words.

I look back at her to find her gaze still trained on me. A wide, welcoming smile stretches across her crimson mouth. She continues.

“I just wanted to thank you. I am so glad my daughters have had someone to give them a mother’s love.” She tells me.

I blink. Not expecting that. Very conscious of the possessive nature of mother wolves.

“Uh…I don’t know what to say.” I reply.

She lightly takes my hands. I am too surprised to stop her. She holds both of them between her palms.

Her hands are as soft as silk. That fact trickles in the back of my mind. My train of thought is interrupted by her voice.

“Do you think you could help me?” She asks.

My left-hand twitches. “How so?” I ask cautiously.

“I am looking forward to getting to know the girls. But I don’t want to push them or make them uncomfortable with my presence.” She replies.

I feel the warmth radiating off Lionel as he shifts closer to me. A tension releases within me when he does. I already feel comforted knowing he has my back.

“That’s admirable, Katya. But how would Nan be of any help to you?” He asks impartially.

“Who better to introduce me to the girls than the one who knows them best? Only a mother could know their daughters so deeply.” She responds.

Lionel is silent. His expression close off. A feather light trace of his fingertips on my lower back signals to me that he will let me make the decision.

Truth be told…I don’t like this. I don’t want to help this woman become closer to my daughters. To risk that her gaining their favor over me.

I also don’t quite trust her. Something about her seems off to me. False.

But could I really deny my daughters the chance to get to know the woman who gave birth to them?

Now knowing about my adoption and the idea that I might never get answers…

I resolve to support my family. I will follow their lead. Maybe everything will be alright.

“Okay.” I force a smile. “I’ll help you.”

Third Person POV

‘What a gullible woman,’ Katya thought.

Katya despised this woman.

Nothing had gone according to plan since that commoner came on the scene.

Katya had not thought kindly of her anyway. She had revealed that that weak pup of hers survived. Katya was not pleased.

She had gotten rid of the brat for being born as she was. Katya could not tolerate that stain on her reputation. She had hoped the brat would die.

Then that dumb woman had the nerve to steal Lionel’s heart. It was unacceptable. Lionel belonged only to Katya.

Katya had never loved him. However, he was her favorite toy to play with. She had worked hard, even faking her death to completely own him.

And she wanted her toy back.

Oh well…this worked well enough for her plans. All she had to do was wrap those little brats back around her fingers. It would be her easiest game yet.

She had already sewed a few seeds of discord. She sensed it in the jealousy of the woman when she mentioned that Lionel and she had spoken alone. It was just too easy.

Soon the fireworks would start…and Katya would watch.