billion book
CHAPTER 33
Zara’s POV
“I have been married for about seven years. I have a lovely wife and a great son that I have hidden from all of these years,” Lucas said, bravely facing his parents like a true Blackwood would.
Their expressions were hard to read, and their intimidating presence was undeniable. It was challenging to stand before them, but I had to maintain my composure.
“Start explaining now, Lucas. I want all the details,” Mrs. Blackwood said, fanning herself.
She looked glamorous, and it seemed the beauty of the Blackwood matriarch never grew old.
My husband took a deep breath, and I could sense that his explanation would be a long one. I held his hand tightly, knowing he needed someone to lean on. We would be each other’s source of strength through this.
“It all started one fateful night. Giselle and I had a heated argument. I was at a bar when I met Zara, and she got pregnant. I didn’t know that everything would turn out this way, and her parents wanted me to marry her. I was hesitant at first, and I kept it a secret, with the help of Uncle Dray. But I eventually agreed to marry her secretly.”
“And, what else happened?” his mother asked once more.
“I didn’t accept them right away. At that time, I was deeply in love with Giselle, and I kept Zara and Enrique as my biggest secret. However, as my relationship with Giselle fell apart, I found myself leaning on Zara, and I discovered her true beauty. And now, I have finally woken up.”
“So, you just realize your mistake? Why?”
“I had a lot to lose if I continued to hide them, so I’m here to introduce them to my family,” Lucas explained with courage and honesty.
Suddenly, Mr. Blackwood raised his hand and slapped Lucas with force. The sound of the slap echoed in the room, and my husband’s face turned to the side.
“I am quite disappointed with you, son. No Blackwood brings shame to this family,” Mr. Blackwood said sternly, but then he smiled. “And I am proud that you can acknowledge your mistakes, but you shouldn’t have waited seven years to meet us. Anyway, I can’t wait to have another grandchild.”
I was surprised when Mr. Blackwood extended his hand to me.
“It’s finally nice to meet you, Zara. May I ask for your full name?”
My throat felt dry, and I felt intimidated, despite his smile. “Zara D-Delafontaine,” I stammered, trembling with nervousness.
“Nice to meet you, Zara. Please don’t be intimidated by us. Welcome to the family. You are now a Blackwood,” he said warmly, trying to ease my nerves.
My mother-in-law, Mrs. Blackwood, approached me. “Call me Mom. Welcome to the clan. Don’t be afraid of us; we don’t bite.”
She hugged me, and it was a heartwarming embrace.
Then, Lucas’s sister came forward.
“Hi! I’m Stephanie. You can call me just by my first name; I have no problem with that. I like your fashion, and you’re a perfect fit to be my sister-in-law. You’re way better than my brother’s ex. I never liked her attitude from the start, but you’ve won me over, girl!” she said wittily, and it seemed that she and Antoinette got along just fine.
Next was Lucas’s older brother, who looked even more intimidating than Lucas and his father. “Welcome to the family,” he said with a tight smile and a deep voice.
Lucas couldn’t contain his jealousy and placed his hand on my waist. “Back off, brother,” he said angrily, glaring at his older brother.
“My brother is getting more possessive; that’s new.”
I was about to say something when his father intervened. “Enough, young men. Let’s go down to the living room. I’m excited to meet the younger Blackwood.”
We went to the living room, where I saw Lucas’s twin brother and our son playing with Legos, building impressive structures. One of the twins grinned mischievously.
“Looks like we’ll have a new genius in the family.”
Lucas Blackwood, my husband, proudly bragged, “Of course, he’s my son.”
“Good thing he didn’t inherit everything from you,” his sister said.
The Blackwood couple approached their grandson, and Enrique spoke kindly to them. I noticed that Enrique had taken an interest in swimming since Lucas started teaching him. They were bonding at the pool.
As I sat with Mom and his sister on a bench near the pool, Mom asked me about my life and what I do.
“I graduated from accounting school and worked for some accounting firms before Lucas and I got married. Now, I manage my own businesses, like boutiques and coffee shops,” I replied.
“You’re lucky with Lucas. And you’re the one who got lucky; you have a wife who’s crazy about you, my baby brother, who’s a brat…” she said, making me laugh.
“You’re teasing your brother too much, dear. Lucas is kind; he’s just a brat who’s spoiled with everything. But he’s a sweet guy. I know that by now,” Mom said, to which I nodded.
“Yes, he loves very sweetly. He makes up for all his shortcomings. It’s true that a man like him loves differently,” I said, appreciating my husband’s unique way of expressing his love.
“Still, he is a bastard for hiding his own family for seven years!”
While listening to his sister’s outburst, I couldn’t help but nod my head in agreement. It was not false that Lucas Blackwood has been a bastard and a fool who was so blinded by his love for Giselle.
“Although I have already forgiven my husband, I couldn’t deny that he was really an idiot for not realizing our worth sooner,” I blurted and it was too late when I realized my mistake that I was talking to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.