Chapter 3

Abigail Langdon was a strong woman. She owned properties in London and managed them all on her own. She was married young to a supposedly honest gentleman, only to find out later that he was a well-known name in the city’s underground business. About a decade into the marriage, her husband was killed in a police encounter and all his so-called legal properties were transferred to her. However, Abigail was closing in on 35 when she had to take the reins and ended up becoming the landlady of couple of apartment buildings in London. She had many proposals by men but she was no longer interested in dating or men in general. However, she wanted a child and so when she had somewhat settled, she adopted a one-year old chubby boy and gave him her name, Olliver Langdon. Abigail fell in love with the child the moment she saw him and immediately decided he was the one.

And now here she was, hugging and trying to comfort her baby, who was crying non-stop. At first she thought that the young man had done something to Olliver. However, the child started wailing even louder when the teenager started running away. Olliver was sobbing and struggling in his mama’s arms to run after the boy and that is what she found strange. It was a long time before the child calmed down, hiccupping softly. Abigail cleaned Olliver’s face and made him drink some cool water. She then asked, “Olliver, are you hurt?” The child only nodded. “Where baby, tell mama. Please?”

Olliver placed his hand on the left side of his neck and Abigail was shocked. It can’t be, she thought. Abigail was one of those people who did not bear a soulmate mark but she had known Olliver had one ever since he came into her house. She was happy for her baby, but today’s incident sent chills down her back. How can it be?  She took a closer look at Olliver’s neck and there it was. His soulmate mark which was pale pink, now burned like tattoo in ink-black color, the infinity symbol. His mark was shining brightly in the evening sun. Concerned for her son, Abigail decided to not mull upon the incident any further at this time. She carried Olliver back to the house, coaxed him to have some of his favorite milk and cardamom pudding and put him to sleep. She laid beside her boy, afraid that he might need her during the night. Nevertheless, sleep evaded her for a long time.

The mother and son were spending a few days in the country-side at Abigail’s friend Cecily’s place when this incident took their breath away. Abigail thought she must have been mistaken, surely. The boy looked to be in his mid to late teens and her Olliver was still seven months shy of his sixth birthday. An age-gap of more than twelve years was almost unheard of between soulmates. She thought maybe it was some other kid playing at the park and she just missed something. She would have to talk to Olliver but was sure she wouldn’t really get any concrete answer. After all, how could a toddler understand something like this? She also decided that it might be best if her child forgot the entire thing and then she too might never bring up the topic again. But as her luck throughout her life dictated, that would not be.