Chapter 1: Confession

Ivy’s Point of View

‘YOU will never escape us, Ivy. That’s your fate.’

I abruptly sat up when a familiar voice saying those familiar words resurfaced through my mind, though I immediately regretted it when the sudden movement left me lightheaded.

With a groan, I swept my eyes around the place where I ended up dozing off— which is the library. Looking down, a book was laid down from where I assume my head was resting during my nap, if the creased pages were an indication.

I glanced at the time on my phone and my eyes widened when it showed it’s already past five o’clock in the afternoon. It’s nearly evening!

The voice from my dream had been forgotten. With renewed vigor, I packed my things and returned the book from the nearest shelf. I silently apologized to the librarian who’s arranging the books as I left the library and dash across the campus and all the way to the bus stop.

Thankfully, the ride home was short and quick. I hurried towards our apartment, inputting the code and entering quickly, the door closing off behind me.

“I’m home!” I announced my presence while taking off my shoes.

“Welcome home, sweetie!” My mom replied, voice coming from the kitchen.

“I’ll just change clothes!”

Once I’m done with that, I head out of my room and towards the kitchen where my mother has already started dinner preparation.

“Need any help, mom?” I asked.

She briefly glanced at me, then back to what she’s doing. “Just wash the dishes on the sink, sweetie. I can handle this.”

I nodded and did as she said. We worked silently, because that’s what we’re used to. No unnecessary small talks or banter, since neither of us is exactly talkative or great at socializing. But since we’re really comfortable with each other, the silence isn’t awkward or tense at all.

In fact, it’s quite comforting and refreshing, unlike the noise at the campus or her workplace.

But then I heard something.

I paused, listening intently to my surroundings.

Then I heard it again.

“Mom. Are you... humming?” I asked, brows furrowed.

My mother jumped slightly, eyes wide in surprise as she looked at me. There was a slight embarrassment on her face at being caught, but the way she swallowed thickly made it look like she’s more... nervous than embarrassed.

I raised an eyebrow at that, curiosity piqued.

“A...am I?” she lamely responded, followed by a nervous laugh.

When I remained staring at her with an unimpressed look, she cleared her throat and averted her gaze.

“I... I’m just happy.”

My chest tightened a bit at the sudden admission, though my curiosity just rose on another level.

“Have you been promoted at work?”

Mom shook her head. “No. My boss is still stingy with promotions.”

“Then did someone place a large order?”

“No. I haven’t received any commission since last week.”

“Then why do you look so happy?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. I paused for a moment, realising that sounds so wrong. “Not like there’s something wrong with that! It’s just that... you never hum, even when we’re blasting music while cleaning the house. You always work either silently or super loud.”

Mom’s eyes twitched. She bit her lips as she continued stirring the soup she’s making.

It’s a nervous habit of hers that I noticed. If it wasn’t obvious that she’s hiding something extremely important to me with the way she’s avoiding my eyes and humming while cooking, this did it.

That’s how she looked when she admitted to me that she was the one who lost my favorite bracelet that she gave to me, or when she reluctantly informed me that my sperm donor left us and died in a car crash.

It’s how she looks when she has something important to tell but is mustering the courage to do so.

“Mom?” I called out, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Her head snapped in my direction.

“You alright?” I asked, looking at her in concern.

She blinked several times, then she nodded. “Yes... yes, I’m alright.” She heaved out a deep sigh. “I just... have something to tell you.”

I put down the last dish I was drying, then I turned my whole body to face her. “What is it that has you looking so nervous, mom? Is that why you looked so happy? If it is, then why are you so nervous about telling me? You know I’d never be mad at you because of that. That’s all I ever wanted for you, mom.”

Tears welled up at the corner of her eyes as she looked up at me. Hope glimmered in her wide gaze, edged with hesitation. For what, I’m not sure.

She took a deep breath after a few moments. “I’ll tell you after dinner,” she muttered before returning her attention to the soup.

Despite wanting to pry more, I decided to just let it go for the meantime. If she says she’ll tell me later, then she will.

I was full of nerves and anticipation the whole dinner. My mother doesn’t usually look like a nervous wreck. She’s mostly calm and confident. So what she’s going to tell me must be really big if she’s acting that way.

So I’m full of anticipation when we sit in the living room.

“I want you to listen to me first, okay, sweetheart? I know this might surprise you. You might even get mad at me for it, but I want you to let me finish first. Alright?”

I wanted to protest and tell her that I’d never get mad at her for being happy, no matter the reason— well, except for criminal reasons.

But the look in her eyes as she waits for my confirmation is what stopped me. So instead, I just nodded in agreement.

Mom smiled, then she began.

“I... have been dating someone for the past three years,” she confessed, her eyes twitching as she maintained eye contact with me, whose own eyes widened comically in surprise but didn’t say anything like what we agreed upon. Mom breathed out a sigh of relief when she realised I’m letting her finish first before reacting.

She started telling me how she first met the man, how they began talking tentatively and then without them knowing, it became a daily routine for them to talk and see each other. When they realised their feelings and started dating, she decided to keep it a secret from me, afraid that I’d get mad at her for dating another man after my sperm donor. She thinks that if I found out she brought another man— another Alpha— in our lives, I might get mad about it because the last Alpha we had in our lives was terrible.

Then she revealed to me that she’s engaged. She said that she hid the ring in her room but wore it whenever she was out of the house, which is why I never saw it.

I was silent the whole time, listening intently while watching her face. I ignored the anxious scent she’s emitting right now as she’s also watching my face, waiting for me to show any sort of reaction to what she’s saying.

But I let her finish first. So when she’s done, that’s when I spoke.

“Does he know about... my condition?”

Mom looked surprised at my question, totally not expecting it would be the first words I’d say after her revelation.

She slowly nodded her head. “I told him before accepting his proposal.”

“And what did he say?”

“That... he’s willing to pay for all your needs for your condition.”

I raised an eyebrow, but decided not to comment further on that. Instead, I nodded my head in understanding.

“And you’re happy with him, mom? Truly happy?” I asked softly.

Her anxious expression morphed into a soft smile. “I am. I’ve never felt so cared for and loved, even with your fa— sperm donor.” ‘My mate’ went unsaid, but neither of us really wanted to acknowledge that.

I nodded in acceptance. “Okay. I’m glad to hear that.”

“You’re... you’re not mad?”

“Mom,” I muttered, looking directly into her eyes. “I’ve witnessed all your struggles while raising me— both the loud and silent ones— and you never once complained to me about it even though I knew how difficult and exhausting it must’ve been to raise, care and love a child all by yourself. Especially with the condition that I have, which makes our expenses double. You provided me all that I needed and wanted without second thoughts or any complaints. You put me above everything else— including yourself. How can I be mad at you for finding happiness for yourself? For finally choosing to find a partner that can share your burdens?”

“You are never a burden to me, Ivy,” mom quickly said in a firm voice.

I waved it off. “I know, mom, and that’s not what I mean,” I replied. “I meant that your burden as a single parent raising a high-maintenance child. I know you’ve fought through the burnouts, and how you kept all your emotions bottled up. So finally having someone to share it with is not something that I will get mad at you for. In all honesty? I’m actually relieved you finally got yourself a partner who can love you and care for you. It’s time you finally choose yourself, mom. I’m nearing my legal age, and I’m going to start college soon. You know college schools are far from our house, so I might go find a dorm to stay at, which means you’ll be alone most of the time. So I’m glad you finally have someone.”

As soon as I finished talking, mom engulfed me in a bone crushing hug as she finally cried on my shoulders. I smiled, my own tears falling as I hugged her back.

“T-thank you, Ivy. Thank you so much, my love,” she mumbled through her sobs.

“No need to thank me, mom,” I replied. “I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. So much. You’re my whole world.”

I smiled, sighing in content in my mother’s embrace as she let her comforting sweet scent surround us.

“When can I meet this man, by the way? I’d have to see for myself if he’s any good for my mother,” I said once we pulled away from the hug.

She shot me an amused look through her red rimmed eyes. “Isn’t that what parents are supposed to say when their child is dating someone?”

I shrugged. “Well, I’m not the one dating someone right now, am I?”

That received a pull in my hair for my cheekiness, which made the two of us erupt in a fit of laughter.