FATED MATES IN THE SHADOWS

REBECCA’S POV

My fingertips tugged against my palm, my chest tightened as my eyes locked on the three who walked in. Honestly, I didn’t know why it bothered me since it was such a regular sight these days.

My husband, Felix Cross, strolled in casually with his sister-in-law, Anna.

Will, our Five-year-old son, tagged along against Anna's side, their fingers intertwined. The sound of their laughter was like a taunt to my ears.

Seeing me in the dining room, Will rushed up towards me. I gave a smile,my arms were still stretched towards him, frozen in midair, but will had already twirled back to Anna's side. 

The warmth I expected in my embrace never came. 

"Mommy, look what Aunty Anna bought me! It looks good on me, right?" He twirled even more, and that was when I noticed the new shirt he was wearing. "Isn’t it lovely? Miss Anna even bought one for Daddy. Isn’t she the perfect mommy?"

Ironic isn't it? 

The child I nearly died bringing into this world now clung to another woman like she was his mother. My fingers curled slightly. I forced them open before anyone could the tremble. 

"Hmm, I can see that," I retorted coldly.

Felix brushed past me as he guided Anna towards the table while I followed them closely. After he pulled out the chair for Anna and carefully tucked her in, helping her fix the napkin on her lap, he finally noticed me.

"Oh, you're here. I thought you would be working late today," he said calmly.

I bit my lip. Today was supposed to be our fifth anniversary. How could he forget something like that?

I decided to shrug it off. 

I noticed Anna’s eyes glimmer when she stared at the dining table. The only reason I took an early break from work was to give my husband and son a surprise family dinner, but it seemed no one even cared or remembered.

"Sis, did you make all this because you want to welcome me? That is so wonderful!" Anna squeaked with joy.

Her tone was sweet and soft, just like her demeanor, but as I stood there in front of them, a sense of uneasiness crept into my chest.

"What do you mean, welcome?" I flickered my gaze over to Felix, who didn’t spare me a single glance as he poured himself a glass of wine.

Anna seemed a little frightened as she placed a hand over her lips. "Oh, I’m guessing Felix didn’t tell you yet."

My eyes squinted with confusion, trying to process what was happening. "Tell me what exactly?"

"Mommy, Aunty Anna is going to be staying with us!" Will cheered, and my heart sank in my chest.

"Stay? Here?" My voice came out shakily.

"Of course. Granny said she can come live with us," Will pouted, flickering his lashes.

At this point, I didn’t know if my son was just plainly taunting me or if he was merely concerned about Anna.

"Felix, is this true? Is this woman going to be living with us?" I swallowed hard.

Finally, Felix lifted his gaze to meet mine. "Is there a problem?"

"Felix, you just decided to bring someone into our home without even discussing things with me?" I snapped, my tone rising with frustration.

Running my hands over my hair, I snorted. "Forgetting our fifth anniversary is one thing, but bringing someone in without discussing it with me, Felix, that is too far."

Felix sighed, rubbing his temple. Like I was an inconvenience. 

"Rebecca, must you always make everything about you?" He said flatly. 

"You work late, you're hardly around, and then you throw a fit over something you throw a fit over something that doesn't even concern you?"

I stared at him, stunned. 

Doesn't concern me? 

This is my home. My family. 

Felix glanced at Anna, who. Was quitely dabbing her tears with a tissue. His eyes softened. " You're scaring her."

Before I could speak will slammed me with his remark. 

"That's true and please stop calling Aunty Anna 'that woman.' I don’t like it. Besides, the only reason Granny agreed is because Aunty Anna takes better care of Dad and me more than you ever could."

Anna pouted as she pulled Will to sit on her lap. "Silly boy, didn’t I tell you to call me Anna? We are a family."

Her hand brushed over his hair, and Will gave her his brightest smile. It had been a long time since Will smiled like that toward me. "I know what you said, but can I call you Mommy instead? Since Dad likes you so much and you take care of him?"

My brows furrowed as I stumbled back in shock, my heart sinking inside my chest. My pulse started pounding against my ears.

"Is that so?" I managed to say.

"Will, watch your mouth," Felix thundered, then turned towards me.

My whole body froze as I tried to process what was happening.

"He’s just a child. Don’t take his words seriously," Felix frowned, his eyes searching mine.

"Please, let’s just eat. I’m really tired from today’s activities, and I don’t need drama," he added, his tone dropping low.

My arms crossed over my chest. "So, you think I am bringing you trouble? Giving you a headache?"

"Look, Anna is going through a lot after the death of my younger brother, and she is very ill. Mother just thought it’s best she stays here so she won’t be lonely. Don’t you understand?"

I shook my head and dropped onto my seat, which was far on the other side of the table since Anna had taken the seat next to Felix while my son was by her side.

"Sis, I’m really sorry if I’m bringing you trouble." Anna’s eyes filled with tears, and her lips began to quiver. "I understand how you feel, so I think it’s best I leave."

Anna got up slowly, but Felix calmly placed his hand over her wrist. "Where do you think you are going?" he asked softly, in a tone that made my heart shatter.

Throughout our years of marriage, Felix had never spoken to me so gently. He had his moments when he took care of me, but never like this.

"Please, you have to let me go. I don’t want to cause any trouble in your marriage. It was all my fault for asking too much from you," Anna mumbled, and the tears started falling from her eyes.

Was she being serious right now?

Will quickly held her hand. "Anna, please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you this way."

Without any hesitation, Felix pulled her into his arms. "Shh, it’s alright. I’m here. You don’t have to cry."

I suddenly remembered the first time I was in pain and burst into tears. Felix’s words back then were stern: "Crying is weakness, and I hate weak people because they disgust me."

Tears instinctively welled up in my eyes. The sight was too much for me to bear, so I turned on my heel.

"Where do you think you’re going after trying to bully Anna? Apologize at once," Felix’s hoarse tone made me stop in my tracks.

My hands curled up into tight fists, so tight I felt my knuckles go white.

Taking a deep breath, I spun to Felix and forced a smile. "What if I don’t want to apologize?"

Silence fell over the dinning room. 

I could hear the clock ticking, the faint sound from Will humming a tune as he played with Anna's bracelet. 

Felix's expression darkened, his jaws tightening

Then before I could react— A sharp sting burned across my cheeks. 

The room spun slightly as the impact forced my head to the side. The world went completely still. 

My hands clenched at my side as my heart beat pounded in my ears. 

Did... he just slap me? 

Will gasp and Anna eyes widened with shock before she lowered her head, a faint smile formed on her lips. 

Felix exhaled, flexing his fingers as if the action hadn't even meant anything to him. "Just stop making everything difficult, Rebecca. You're embarrassing yourself. 

I slowly turned my head back to face him, eyes were like ice. I see it now. He doesn't love me. He never did. 

And I will make sure he regrets this for the rest of his life.