Beautiful Betrayal

Family Reunion

"life goes on without you but living and surviving is not the same thing."

~Unknown

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V I C T O R I A

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He left me out of my parents' house. What he said earlier was still running through my mind as I watched Asher playing with his toys.

Suddenly, I heard familiar voices from downstairs, and my heart started beating fast in my chest.

I knew what I did to them was unfair. they  deserved to know about the existence of their only grandson, so I did what I should have done four years ago.

"Asher, baby, come here," I called out to my boy. With a grin, he quickly came running to me. I patted the bed beside me, and with his little legs, he climbed up. "Yes, mommy?"

"Baby..." I opened my mouth and then closed it again. I didn't know how to tell him. "Baby, how about if I told you you have more grandparents?"

"More grandparents? Yay! I have more grandparents, mommy, really?"

"Yes, baby, you do have more grandparents."

"Will they like me, mommy?"

"Of course, baby. They're going to love you so much." i quickly took him in my arms and kissed his face. "How could anyone not like my handsome, intelligent, lovely baby?"

Asher's eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of more grandparents. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

"Baby, would you like to meet them?" I asked gently.

"Yes, mommy! I want to meet them!" Asher exclaimed, bouncing slightly on the bed.

"Alright, then. Let's go downstairs and see them," I said, my heart pounding in my chest.

Asher grabbed my hand, and together we made our way downstairs. The familiar voices grew louder, and when we reached the bottom, I saw Aunt Isabel and uncle Martin standing in the living room with my parents.

"hi" I said, my voice trembling slightly.

Their eyes widened, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, tears welled up in aunt Isabel's eyes as she stepped forward, her hands trembling as she quickly took me in her warm motherly embrace.

"Victoria," Aunt Isabel said softly, and my eyes watered too. Aunt Isabel and Uncle Martin had always been like second parents to me, and the guilt of what I did to them, the selfishness, was eating me alive as I returned her embrace.

If I ever get hurt, I know the two women I see taking care of me will be either my mother or Aunt Isabel,

"I'm sorry, Aunt Isabel and Uncle Martin. I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Aunt Isabel held me tighter, her hand gently rubbing my back. "Oh, sweetheart, we've missed you so much," she said, her voice thick with emotion. Uncle Martin also stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on my head.

A few minutes later, as we broke apart, Asher was hiding behind me and quickly peeked out, he looked up at them with his innocent eyes, and then looked at me, I nodded my head giving him a gentle nudge. He walked toward them and pulled out his little hand "Hi, Grandma. Hi, Grandpa," he said shyly.

Aunt Isabel and Uncle Martin's eyes widened, then filled with tears as they looked at me for confirmation. I gently nodded my head, silently affirming the truth they had just learned.

Aunt Isabel let out a soft gasp, her hand covering her mouth briefly before she stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Asher. "Victoria, he's... he's ours, isn't he?" she asked in a trembling voice.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Yes, Aunt Isabel. Asher is your grandson," I replied, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me.

Uncle Martin's expression softened, and he knelt down to Asher's eye level. "Well, hello there, young man," he said warmly. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you."

Asher looked at me again with a mixture of shyness and curiosity on his face. "Hi," he said softly,

Aunt Isabel approached slowly, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Can I... can I hug you, Asher?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of longing and joy.

Asher glanced at me, seeking reassurance. I smiled and nodded encouragingly. With a shy smile, he stepped forward and into Aunt Isabel's open arms. She embraced him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered words of love and longing. Uncle Martin joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them.

I stood back, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of emotions as if a burden lifted off my chest. After years of keeping them apart, I finally able to brought my son to meet his grandparents.

As they finally broke apart, Aunt Isabel held Asher in her arms, showering his face with kisses. In response, Asher giggled loudly.

"Martin, look," Aunt Isabel said with tears of happiness in her eyes. "He's exactly like our Dominic. The same eyes, the same hair, and the same nose and lips."

Uncle Martin stepped closer, his gaze tender "It's like seeing Dominic childhood again."

they stayed for dinner and after a pleasant dinner Asher fell asleep, I carried him to bed and gently tucked him in. silently I leave his room and closed the door but as I Turned around, I saw Aunt Isabel standing in the doorway, a small smile playing on her lips.

"He's exactly like my Dominic," she said softly, nostalgia shimmering in her eyes.

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "Yes, he's a carbon copy of his father."

Closing the door quietly, I turned to face Aunt Isabel. "I'm sorry for keeping him away from you,"

Aunt Isabel's expression softened, but I could see the hurt in her eyes. "Victoria, I know my son messed up, but he still loves you so much," she said gently. "You were not here to witness him but I saw how devastated he was when you left him behind, how vulnerable he became."

"I'm his mother. I've seen him grow, and I've seen his love for you grow even more. I've noticed those moments when he thought no one was looking, how he'd steal glances at you. The secret folder he had in his phone filled with your photos. He loves you so much, sweetheart."

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End of the chapter

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