The neighbours all came out of their houses upon hearing James furious yell.
The Old Wilson couple came out as well.
"Why are you shouting like a disgusting shrew infront of my house?" The old man Wilson questioned James; even though he knew very well, why he was there.
"Who are you calling a shrew? How dare you speak to my son like that." The old man Thomas also doesn't back down from the fight.
"Everyone knows who deserve that name. Tell me, What are you doing here? What else is left to be said?" asked the old man Wilson, having enough of the people infront of him.
"Where is our money? Where did you hide it?" The old lady spoke, clearly having enough of this wasteful talk.
"We don't know what you are talking about? How can we have money of a stingy person like you? You couldn't even bear to take out money when my daughter was in hospital, giving birth to Aria; saying that who would waste money on a girl. Now you dare to come with that face to ask money, do you evn deserve it. And moreover, we don't have your money so how can we give it back?" The old lady Wilson replied, not backing off at all.
"I am talking about the money Aria won in the lottery today. Aria is James' daughter. Obviously the money belongs to my son." the old lady Thomas declared without any shame.
"Huhhh! What daughter? Did you forget that your son has signed Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) with Aria? James has no right on anything that belongs to Aria; including the money she won." The old man Thomas declared, as wretched expression appaered on the Thomas family's faces.
"No i don't agree to it. Call Sophia and Aria right now. I will directly talk to them." James ordered them, completely forgetting that he has no righ to make such demands.
"Sophia and Aria are now here. You can go back." old man Wilson replied calmly; constrast to the James' ruffled and vexed behavior.
"What do you mean they are not here? You are lying to me. Call them out this instant." James exclaimed, entirely seething in anger.
"I am telling the truth. Sophia has left this town with Aria afew hours ago. You are late." Old lady Wilson told them, shattering all their fantasies.
"What! How dare she take away my daughter without my permission? I will file a case against her and take legal action." James proclaimed, completely forgetting his divorce and everything.
"You can do whatever you want but let me remind you, it is of no use. You and Sophia are already divorced and Aria also have no relationship with you. Even if you go to police or even to court, you are bound to lose." Old man Wilson replied imperturbably.
"As for where they went, I will never tell you. You have already give enough wounds to my daughter and grand-daughter's pure and innocent heart. I will necer let you play with there innocence anymore. Get Lost or else I will call the police and have you arrested for trespassing my private property. LEAVE!" said old man Wilson as he returned back to his house with his wife, completely ignoring the Thomas family behind.
Well-aware that he won't be getting any answers here, the Thomas family returned back to their courtyard.
Charlotte, noticing their return, hurriedly ran towards them and asked,
"How was it? Did you get the money?"
"No. The b**** already left the town with her her daughter before we can get the money from them. We don't even know where they are and by the time we might find out, the money will definitely be gone." the old lady Thomas told her everything that happpened at the Wilson courtyard.
"Now what will we do?" Charlotte asked worriedly. This money would have led to so much prosperity for them. What would she do now?
James furiously threw the lamp infront of him on the floor; breathing heavily, his eyes red from anger.
"This is not over. I will have my revenge. Just you wait Sophia. I will get my money." James declared fiercely as he made his way back to his room.
...
....
Back to Aria's side,
Sophia had difficulty sleeping the entire night. The anxiety and distress didn't let her sleep, keeping her wide awake.
Aria, on the other hand slept very well in her mother's warm embrace.
As the sun began to rise and brighten up the entire City B, Aria also woke up from her deep sleep. As the sunlight passed through windows and illuminate her face, she snuggled further into warmth around her, slowly opening her beautiful eyes, shinning brightly, gazing at the face infront of her. A breathtaking smile apppeared on her face, as she admire the view infront of her.
Sophia was sleeping very peacefully, a brightened beam on her face, her hairs touching her cheeks like feather, looking utterly exquisite and divine. Just as she was busy admiring her, a fown appeares on Sophia's winsome face; sunlight disturbing her sleep.
Aria quickly shielded her from the sunlight, bringing her tiny hands in between, but still couldn't stop the sunlight from waking her mother up.
Sophia slowly opened her eyes and gazed at thr tiny precious hands of her daughter who are trying to safeguard her and then to her daughter's sulking face; pouting captivatingly.
"What happened to my princess? Why such a sad face in the morning?" Sophia asked endearingly.
"Mom, I promised you yesterday that I will protect you from every problem but couldn't even shield you from sunlight; letting it disturb your sleep." Aria replied, completely bewitching her mother's heart.
Enfolding Aria in her arms, Sophia caressed her hairs as tears gathered in her eyes and she warmly replied,
"You protected me princess, always. Your love sheilded me, gave me strength to fight and win. Today, with you infront of me, in my arms, I have won my biggest battle with life. Without you, I won't be where I am today. People usually say a mother gives life to her children; not in my case. You gave me this life, just by choosing me, being there for me. Your presence is my biggest protection and strength."
Tears started to fell down her cheeks, memories of her past life flashing through her eyes; her mother's death, her own death, her foolish decisions, the agony of everything burning like flames inside her as she broke down.Letting go of all the regret and guilt inside. She let the dam break as she poured out everything in her mother's arm.
"Mom i am sorry. I am so so so sorry. It was all my fault. My stupid decisions. I....I am really very sorry mom." Aria cried out in her mother's arm, feeling the heavy burden on her heart; letting go of all the remorse, regret, shame, sadness, grief, repentance, contrition; everything.
Sophia, though confused by her daughter's sudden burst of emotions; doesn't ask or say anything, just continued to caress her hairs, rocking her gently in her arms, soothing and calming her down with her warmth.
"It's fine princess. Everything is fine. It doesn't matter what happened or what is lost. What matters is the present and the future; in which you will always find me with yourself, by your side; as a mother, as a friend, as a mentor or in any other form you want. I will always be there with you."
"Promise." Aria asked, quietly becoming one with her past and present self; the heavy stone of past on her heart finally shattered down, bringing only pure peace and joy.
Pecking her daughter's forehead, Sophia replied.
"Promise."
Gazing down at her daughter who dozed off again after her mental and emotional break down, Sophia lay down Aria back on the bed and covered her properly with a duvet; continuing her action of caressing Aria's hairs, Sophia thought wandered back to how Aria broke down in her arms.
It was not a normal breakdown. It was something far more deeper, more hidden than what she knows. She knew Aria had went from something terrible, something she doesn't want to share but want to sheild herself from it. Although she was not sure what exactly it was, but since it troubled her daughter, she wanted to fight it; for her daughter, she was willying to do anything. Even though she didn't know what inner demon her daughter was fighting, but with herelf beside Aria, she will never let those inner demons win and take over her daughter's innocence. The smile she always wanted and will protect.
As long as she was alive, her daughter will always win.
This was a promise she made to herself.