~ Ten - Season III ~

I knocked as I reached the master bedroom.

“A private meeting is in session,” Bethilda answered.

‘Why am I not surprised that Bethilda is here?’ I thought to myself.

I ignored her response and entered. Inside was Mother and Bethilda, who stood together by the window. I kept my hands behind me as I walked towards them. I kept the appearance of the calm, sweet breeze. But inside of me, a bottled-up fury boiled slowly, only waiting to explode.

“Well, hello, dear one,” Mother smiled as I stood beside her.

I smiled and replied, “Greetings to the most beautiful woman in the world.” I then kissed Mother on her cheek.

“As I recall, I mentioned that a meeting is happening here,” Bethilda interrupted our mother-and-son moment with her sarcasm.

“Dearest sister,” Mother turned to Bethilda with a gentle smile on her face, “Robert was present in almost every meeting that I and James attended. Whether it’s a public meeting or private, we allow our children to talk to us if they need to.”

“You