The Don's Memorial Obsession

"Mamma, why are you bringing that up again?" Adrian's voice pulled me back to the present. He glared at me with disgust. "Why are you always fighting with Papa? Aunt Miley never does. She's gentle and beautiful, and she even took me skiing. I don't like you."

A child's words, spoken without malice, are often the cruelest. Especially from the son I had raised with my own two hands.

I smiled, but my eyes swam with tears.

Adrian just pouted. "You're always controlling me, never letting me touch the weapons or join the family training. You're a disgrace to the family! I want Aunt Miley to be my mom!"

Hearing this, a triumphant smirk bloomed on Miley's face. She crouched down, hugging him with sickeningly sweet sincerity. "Adrian, sweetie. How can you talk to your Mamma like that? But... since you like me so much, you can call me 'Mom' from now on."

She shot me a provocative look, as if showing off a prize.

A wave of bone-deep exhaustion washed over me.

Ten years of my love, erased by a few sweet lies.

Suddenly, none of it mattered anymore.

I took out the dissolution papers I’d already had drawn up and threw them on the table in front of Caspian. "Sign them. Then we're even."

Caspian was stunned, still thinking I was just challenging his authority. "Aurelia, are you out of your mind? You're going to leave the Family over a canceled vacation? Can you stop being so childish?"

Adrian rushed over, pounding on my legs with his little fists. "Bad Mamma! You're betraying the Family! I hate you!"

Miley immediately stepped forward to pull Adrian away, playing the saint. "Aurelia, please don't be angry. This is all my fault. If you really can't stand the sight of me, I'll leave right now..."

Her sanctimonious act made my stomach churn.

I slapped her hard across the face. "The one thing I can't stand," I said coldly, "is a phony."

Miley shrieked, clutching her reddening cheek.

Caspian surged forward, shielding her behind him as he roared at me, "You crazy bitch!"

Just then, Adrian charged and gave me a hard shove. "You're a bad person! Don't you dare bully Aunt Miley!"

Caught off guard, my head slammed against the stone base of the fireplace. I hissed in pain as I slid to the floor, my vision blacking out for a second.

Caspian didn't even glance my way. "Stop faking it!" he shouted impatiently. "Don't be so dramatic. Adrian doesn't have the strength to hurt you."

Then, he helped Miley up, his voice softening. "Are you alright? Let's get you to your room. Ignore this madwoman."

I watched their retreating backs, and silent tears finally streamed down my cheeks.

So this is what it feels like for a heart to die.

Not long after, Caspian burst out of the memorial room, his eyes blazing. "Aurelia! You went into my memorial room? And you set a fire?"

I looked up, my expression as still as a stagnant pool. "Yes. I burned it. Why? Was there something in there that couldn't see the light of day?"

He froze. Then, his tone softened. "Fine. I won't hold it against you. You've had your tantrum, right? Miley isn't well and needs a peaceful environment. You can move to the side wing for a few days."

I let out a bitter laugh. His concession was just a tactic to make room for his mistress. "Caspian," I said, my voice flat. "Sign the papers."