Chapter 4. Trying is the only option

(Ernesta POV)

After giving important instructions, Amber tried to send me home, but I asked to see Silas. My parents didn't agree at first, but after Eulalia said something to them, Arthur allowed me to see my son. Currently, Silas is with Neron in the back building.

As soon as he saw me, the boy immediately ran over.

“Mom, you’re here!”

I knelt on one knee and hugged Silas, feeling moved in my heart. Just this morning, we were happily eating breakfast together, but now…

Across from us, Neron looked at me with sad eyes, I knew he knew what just happened.

Neron walked up to me, bowed his head, and whispered a sentence

"Ernesta, I'm sorry"

I pursed my lips and didn't answer. Ever since I was a kid, I've heard the apology from Neron countless times. He knew that I was always disadvantaged and unjust, but he never spoke up to explain to me, nor took my side, but always said sorry every time we met privately.

I know Neron has his struggles, but now that he's eighteen years old, that personality hasn't changed. I know I shouldn't hate him but I feel very uncomfortable when the only person who can vindicate me in my family chooses not to speak up.

“Mom, why is Uncle Neron saying sorry?”

Silas' childish voice pulled me out of my thoughts, I smiled at him

"Nothing. Silas, listen to me"

Silas looked at me seriously, that face was cute. All the negative emotions in me slowly disappeared thanks to that.

I took a deep breath and said to the boy

“My work is a bit busy these days, and soon I will have to go on a business trip, and I will not be able to take care of you. So, you want to stay with Kathryn or Eric?"

Silas frowned and thought for a moment, then asked me:

"Can't I stay with Uncle Neron?"

Neron was about to say something but before he opened his mouth, I spoke first:

“In that case, you will still have to live with your grandparents.”

Indeed, this statement made Silas hesitate.

I knew Silas liked Neron, but being a smart kid, he knew that his grandparents didn't like him. And children are very simple, of course, they will not like people who do not like them.

This is quite lucky for me because I don't want to leave Silas here either. No one wants to let their child live with the person who kidnapped their child.

Silas was a bit sad about this but he decided very quickly

"Then I'll stay with Kathryn."

That is also my wish. Silas was very familiar with the Nielsen family. Not only Kathryn, but her parents also love Silas. They care and take good care of him every time I bring him to play, something Amber and Arthur have never done even once.

“Then I will take you there in four days. Now go into the playroom so I can talk to Neron."

"Yes"

Silas nodded, kissed me on the cheek, and ran into the room.

I stood up and looked at Neron

"Three days bother you to take care of Silas"

"Don't worry, I will take good care of Silas"

Then he hesitated to look at me

“Actually, you could leave Silas here with me.”

"You know it's impossible, you know why, Neron"

Neron was confused thinking about something and then as if he mustered up his courage to tell me.

"Can't you make peace with our parents?"

I didn't answer immediately, just looked at him.

Neron continued to speak

“I know they misunderstood you many times, I know Eulalia doesn't treat you well but we are family anyway. Can't you forgive them? You just have to explain and they will understand.”

“Will they understand?”

I said nonchalantly.

“Neron, you're eighteen, grow up. If they believed me, if they really loved me the way they love their children, love you, they wouldn't have forced me to replace Eulalia in bed with a stranger, and they wouldn't have forced me to substitute for her again to marry for the sake. Neron, they are your family, not mine, only Silas is my family.”

Neron is now much taller than me, he looks down, and I can still see his red eyes. And the apology sounded again.

I didn't respond to that apology but just said

“Help me take care of Silas, I will pick him up soon. Thank you"

Finally, I turned to leave. This is not the time for me to be weak, I have to be strong, to be resilient for Silas's safety and joy.

I don't know how far I can do it, I just know I'll do my best.

Just being a violent husband, getting beaten every day at most, just suffering for six months, then I'll take Silas out of this place, never to come back.

***

Three days passed quickly, and although it was not long, it was enough for me to arrange my work.

The wedding ceremony was held in a small church, the guests were only my parents, Neron, and Marcus Johansen, and his secretary, Roger.

Wearing my wedding dress and looking at myself in the mirror, I was filled with strange emotions. There is anxiety, confusion, and fear, but also some hope.

Since having Silas, I never even thought that I would be able to wear a wedding dress, because I knew I would never see the man that night again, and if I did, I would never be able to marry him. because the difference is so big.

Actually, that's pretty good, he doesn't show up, I won't hope, and If I won't hope, I won't be disappointed.

At this moment, my phone rings, and the caller is Eulalia. Today is also the day she boarded the plane to leave Nevy, I saw her post this morning on Nettagram, that's her way of setting the mark.

Setting a milestone for her sister to marry her husband, how ironic.

I pressed the green button on the screen and then the speaker icon.

Immediately, Eulalia's voice resounded

“I'm about to board the plane, so I feel like I should give you a call before I leave. Happy wedding, sister."

"Thanks"

I said coldly. There's no such thing as an older sister like Eulalia in the world, how unlucky I must be to become her sister.

Eulalia's voice resounded

“I heard that Marcus Johansen was a very rough and bloodthirsty man. After you experience it, remember to tell me about it, sister. I'm going, one more time, happy wedding. Bye!"

After that, she hung up the phone, the space fell into silence.

I am really upset. Why am I her sister? Why am I a Willems? It is better for me to be an orphan than to be born into this family.

After a while of cursing, I picked up my dress and went out, it was time.

***

The small chapel had only one vicar in the middle, my parents and Neron on one side, and Roger on the other. A very simple wedding ceremony as they said.

That's good, less pressure. If this was a large-scale wedding, a fake bride like me wouldn't be happy because it doesn't belong to me. At least now I can still laugh a little when I think that this is the wedding of Eulalia, who always likes glitz and glamor as she must hate it.

I took the bouquet and walked over to the vicar's side.

Just as I stopped, the door opened again, I turned to see a man in an elegant black suit enter. With each step he took, the distance between us gradually shortened.

The moment I saw his face, my heart stopped beating.

What the hell is going on here? Isn't this the man that night? He … he is that Marcus Johansen?