Chapter 6

As Fiona and her son entered her bedroom, Aaron took the duffle bag from her and placed it on the table before going to the drawers. When he reappeared, a small medicine kit was clenched tightly in his tiny hand.

"Oh, honey! Mommy is fine." She sighed heavily as her heart wrenched at seeing her son caring for her.

"You said it's very important to clean wounds so they won't get infected, Mommy." Aaron sat beside her and opened the medicine kit. Just like how she cleaned and sanitized his wounds before, Aaron did the same process consistently. "You're a doctor and should follow your own advice."

The young boy sat beside Fiona and carefully treated her wounds, putting ointment on her swollen cheek and bruises. He did this with fierce determination in his eyes.

Fiona's lips curled in the corner of her mouth. "Do you want to become a doctor like me, sweetheart?"

Aaron shrugged as his eyes focused on her bruised cheeks. "Yep, so I can treat you better, and you'll stop crying every night."

"Ow! Careful, honey..." Fiona winced in pain as the little boy applied ointment to her numerous bruises and swollen cheek. However, Aaron refused to stop until he had covered every last spot.

Her boy was just like her—so keen and determined. Despite getting his good looks from his father, Aaron's personality resembled Fiona's.

After he finished, Aaron returned the ointment to the kit and looked at Fiona with concern.

"Mommy, do you want to eat?" he asked gently, his eyes betraying his worry for his mother's well-being.

Fiona nodded absently, her mind reeling from the events of the day. The news of Alice's pregnancy and her confrontation with Laura had left her emotionally drained and physically exhausted. She hadn't eaten in hours, but the thought had not even crossed her mind until now.

As Aaron saw the blank expression on his mother's face, his face became dejected. With a heavy sigh, he shook his head. "He didn't want us, did he?"

"No, honey. That's not what happened." She forced a smile, trying to look perfectly fine in front of Aaron.

"Then, did he give up on you?" Aaron's eyes cast a dejected look.

Fiona's heart twisted as she recalled Kahl's cold and dismissive demeanour. Knowing Aaron was very wise for his young age, Fiona gave Aaron a ruffle in the hair after turning to him. He grasped her and Kahl's complex relationship. Aaron also knew how much Fiona loved Kahl, despite his indifference.

She considered telling Aaron about what happened today but ultimately decided against it to not upset him. However, she reassured him with an adequate response.

"Mommy has to step back." She bitterly grinned. "But it's all good now." Fiona got up on her bed and urged her son, "C'mon, let's eat."

The little boy stared at Fiona with an unwavering focus. "No, Mommy. You stay here, and I'll do it," he directed, his voice ringing out with authority.

Fiona arched her eyebrows, her lips beaming in amusement. "And what are you going to cook for Mommy, hmm?"

Aaron vigorously grinned. "I'll cook something for you."

Despite the seriousness of his words, Fiona couldn't help but find the sight of this tiny chef-in-training amusing. With a grin, she raised a hand in mock salute and replied, "Yes, Sir Aaron!"

As she waited for him to return, Fiona's mind couldn't help but drift back to the confrontation with Laura a while ago. The Browns' accusations were vicious and unjustified. It was an assault on her character and her ability to have children.

Little did they know, Fiona had already given birth to a child six years ago—a fact that she had kept hidden from Laura, Steven, Alice, and most especially Kahl.

***

In his office, Kahl stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the wide-panelled window, beholding the view of the city lights. He tried to calm the strange restlessness that was building up inside him, but the memory of his mother beating Fiona kept returning to him.

He remembered how Fiona gazed at him while Laura continued to beat her. Her eyes silently pleaded for help even though she didn't utter a word. He knew better than anyone that Fiona was fiercely independent and would never ask for help from anyone, but the feeling of helplessness continued to gnaw at his heart.

"Agh! Fuck it!" He reached into his pocket and withdrew a cigarette. The memories of Fiona's stubbornness from years ago flooded his mind. Kahl lit a cigarette and smoked three sticks before leaving his office.

When he returned home, he looked for Fiona, but she wasn't in their room. He turned to Megan, his voice edging toward urgency. "Where is she?"

"Are you looking for Ma'am Fiona, Sir Kahl?" Megan furrowed her brows.

Kahl nodded, his mind racing as he imagined where Fiona could be. Rubbing the back of his neck, he answered, "Yes. Have you seen her?"

"I haven't seen her since her and Ma'am Laura's argument. I heard she left after their fight," Megan said, her words only adding to Kahl's apprehension.

Kahl's frown deepened when Megan said Fiona had left after the fight with Laura without providing details about where she went. He clenched his teeth, knowing his mother had something to do with her departure.

"Did Fiona say where she was going?" Kahl's voice clipped as he struggled to control his emotions.

Megan shook her head once more, her eyes displaying signs of concern. "I wish I knew, Sir Kahl, but I was with Ma'am Laura tending to her needs when she left."

Kahl's mind raced with possibilities. 'Where could she fucking be?"

He couldn't help but be apprehensive about her sudden disappearance. They hadn't finished talking yet about the divorce, and Kahl needed Fiona's full cooperation to hasten the process. Given some time to think about it, Kahl concluded Fiona had probably visited her close friend Sue Garcia.

"Okay, thanks. You may leave," Kahl signalled to Megan and quickly returned to the main bedroom upstairs.

As he closed the door behind him, Kahl turned on the light and sat on the bed. Since he rarely slept with Fiona, their room had become her private space. Looking around, Kahl noticed some of Fiona's things were missing from the side table and open cabinet.

The thought of her leaving caused a deeper crease between his brows. Her absence bothered him for some reason. Despite his disinterest in her, he felt a pang of longing for Fiona.

Kahl found himself suddenly alone in the same room he'd avoided and sworn at so often since Fiona's arrival. He felt a terrible dread fill his chest.

Fiona would never leave without saying a word. This wasn't like her at all.

***