Leanna

Chapter 163: [Alone] [Trust]

[Leanna’s POV]

[Alone] 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"To avoid any complications in the future, we only require you to give birth to a boy and a girl, and no more."

"What if I birthed two boys or two girls?"

The words escaped my mouth without even thinking it.

"We’ll kill the other child."

The elder woman said with all seriousness. Her dark obsidian eyes had no compassion whatsoever.

My eyes widened, wanting to see if the elder woman was joking with me.

I hope this is all just one stupid joke.

. . .

. . .

"Well, do you agree?"

The elder man said. His impatience was felt with a thump of his cane.

"Father, why don’t we let Leanna rest for a while? I’m sure this is all have been a shock to her." Lily Fay stood and forced a smile, lightening the mood.

"If she truly loves my grandson, then she will agree without a second thought," the elder man said with a sneer as he stomped his cane once more.

Love Cain?

Of course I love him!

But this was not just about him nor me anymore.

This is about our future children!

"Leanna, I know what you’re thinking. But there are proven ways for you to give birth to a boy or a girl. You have nothing to––!"

"Mom . . . ," Cain cut in as he rubbed my back when I gasped for air. "Could you all . . . leave us."

Lily Fay paused for a moment before she said, "I understand." She then flashed me a weak smile. "You rest first, Leanna, and make yourself at home."

One by one, Cain’s family left. Estela gave my shoulder a light squeeze before she left the dining room. The elder man and woman threw one last look in my direction before they too took their leave.

. . .

. . .

I took my time to process all of this while Cain rubbed my back in silence. He knew to keep silent when I’m angry.

I was beyond angry –– I’m in rage!

I felt cheated.

I swat his hand away.

"Why didn’t you tell me all of these?!" I snapped.

Cain’s face, for the first time, contorted into different emotions.

. . .

. . .

"Answer me!" I shouted when he remained silent.

"I . . . I’m . . . I’m just afraid you will . . . leave me once you knew."

. . .

. . .

My eyes closed as I held my forehead. Cain enveloped me in his arms when my face settled into a helpless smile.

"Cain . . . You’re putting me in a difficult position. This is our . . . This our child we’re talking about."

"Leanna . . . I promise I won’t let it come to that . . . Trust me."

"Cain . . . ," I breath. "You can’t control these kinds of things. You can’t control whether I’ll give birth to a boy or a girl. And what if I gave birth to twins? Or triplets?"

I couldn’t even entertain the thought of killing my own child.

My own flesh and blood!

Just thinking about it made me feel like my head was splitting, and bile threatened to roll out from my stomach as a salty feel stung my eyes and nose.

Cain cupped my face and kissed the tears dripping from my eyes.

"Leanna . . . Trust me . . . I won’t ever let that happen."

"If . . . If I marry you . . . we can only have two children."

Cain’s hands stiffened as he answered me in a shaky voice.

"Yes."

. . .

. . .

"I want to . . . think about this . . . thoroughly."

"Of course . . . Of course. Anything you want, my love." Cain’s lip curved in a relief smile.

I look him in the eyes. "Alone."

. . .

. . .

Gradually, Cain retracted his hands and slumped on his seat. His head was hanging low while his eyes were on the ground.

"You’re . . . l-leaving . . . ," he mumbled before he swallowed hard and said with finality. "You’re leaving me."

The pain in his voice made me rethink my decisions. But it was not enough when I thought of my future children. "Cain . . . please understand . . . I just want to think this through alone for some time . . ."

My heart tightened when I saw his state. His eyes were dead as his expression. Gone was the overbearing man, replaced by a boy who had lost everything.

"Cain . . . ?"

I was getting worried when he just sat there, unmoving –– looking all lifeless.

. . .

. . .

"Go . . ."

What?

"Just leave . . ."

"Cain . . ."

"Leave."

My hand shot to my mouth, suppressing the sobs screaming from the lump in my throat. It felt like all life was suck out from me at the realization that even after reincarnated and all –– I’ll still end up alone.

I scrambled to my feet and bolted out of the room, and searched my way out of this maze-like mansion.

"Leanna!"

----

[Leanna’s POV]

[Trust]

"Leanna!"

Estela grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Where are you going?"

"I . . . I . . . don’t know . . ."

I feel so lost.

Estela stared at my crying state for a whole minute before she pulled me into a room.

I was a total wreck at the moment. I was not thinking straight. My brain froze in the realization that Cain and I –– are over.

"Sit here."

Estela sat me on the bed and brought me a glass of water, which I absentmindedly drunk.

. . .

. . .

I didn’t know how many minutes went by that I just stared at the floor like a crazy person. The only sound slicing the silence was my occasional hiccup.

"Did you calm down?"

Estela’s soft voice made me gaze at her. Then I roamed my eyes. I was in a rococo inspired bedroom. Everything was in shades of white and felt like I was in heaven. The colors somehow made me calm.

I nodded.

"Good. I wanted to say a few things. I want you to understand our family before you make any decisions."

Estela breathed a mouthful of air and explained without waiting for my reply.

"My family has been preserving our bloodline since age immemorial. My grandparents like to call it ancient. My family values traditions and preserving our lineage like my previous ancestors have done. They didn’t put those conditions without reason. In the past, the Vlad and the Fay’s were a big family until it declined."

She paused for a moment, hesitation crossed her face before she continued. "The reason was, brothers and sisters killed each other for the family’s position and fortunes. Both our grandparents suffered from the same predicament, and they both came out victorious after a bloodbath with their own kin."

Estela stopped. My reflection on her eyes mimicked the horrible expression on her face.

"But . . . I thought . . . your father has a brother."

Estela squeezed my hand and flashed me a sad smile.

"Uncle Hardin is not a Fay. He’s my father’s personal guard. But my grandparents decided to make him act as the firstborn to protect our father, so everyone’s attention is on him and not on our father."

I glanced at her with denial written on my face.

"So, Cain lied to me?"

"Don’t think about the lie. Think about the reason behind it. He did it to protect you. I’m not even supposed to tell you this since you’re not married into our family yet. No one knows this secret except our family."

"W-what . . . what are you?" I was going to ask, ’what are you talking about,’ but my words fell short as I swallowed my choke.

Estela’s expression seemed like she was trying not to cry as she forced out a smile.

"I can’t tell you much. They’d kill you if you know too much."

. . .

. . .

"A-Are you . . ." I cleared my throat and continued, "Are you also bound by these conditions?"

"No," Estela replied in an instant. "Since I’m going to take up my husband’s name, from that day, I will no longer be a Fay. However, I am an assurance that if something happens to my brother’s heir or to my brother, which is unlikely, the next in line will be my boy."

"That’s ridiculous. All of this is just ridiculous!"

I said between dry laughter. I couldn’t believe there was still a family like this left in this world. I mean, I could understand about the whole preserving the bloodline thing, but restricting childbirth? Well, yeah, I know having a big family could be a pain, but I think it’s just a matter of disciplining and guiding the kids.

. . . Right?

"Leanna, I know it sounds ridiculous to you, but that is how we live. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. We are just trying to protect you."

I smiled bitterly at myself. "Will they kill me when they knew that I broke off with your brother?"

Estela looked at me with horrid, bulging eyes.

"Y-you . . . You broke off . . . You’re leaving my brother?"

I didn’t like the words of her accusing tone, so I snapped at her.

"Tell me, Estela. What more ’secrets’ will I know once I married into your family?"

I snorted when she didn’t answer.

"It’s better to leave now than to regret it later."

. . .

. . .

"Leanna . . . I know my family has many secrets. I know my brother is not a saint. He has done many things –– unforgivable things. And I know he will be compelled to do those things again when necessary."

Estela held my hands and looked me in the eyes. "But what I’m sure is . . . my brother loves you so much and won’t ever dream of hurting you."

. . .

. . .

When I didn’t answer, Estela went down on her knees, and I blank out.

"Leanna, I’m begging you . . . Trust my brother . . . Trust your future to him."

. . .

. . .

Trust my future to him?

For some reason, those words gave me unbelievable comfort like a fuel giving me energy.

Trust your future to him.

Did he ever let you down?

I puffed a laugh at my own thoughts and hugged Estela.

"Thank you."