CHAPTER 64: 64-KEEPING PEACE FOR OUR SON’S SAKE

Iris:

"It’s okay if you want to tell him about his sickness, that he has seizures, so he doesn’t get too surprised every time. Just don’t tell him about finding a cure," he said, making me frown again.

"Why? You want me to tell him he’s sick, but also tell him, ’Oh, by the way, we’re not trying to find a cure for you’?" I asked, my tone sharp with disbelief.

I didn’t expect Kash to sound so thoughtless.

"That’s not what I’m saying. Just don’t tell him that we’re going to the Blue River to find a cure for him. Just listen to me and don’t do it," he insisted.

My eyes lifted slightly as I zoned out, realizing there was something strange, something off, about his request.

"Why?" I asked.

I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes, while he bent his neck down to look at me.

"Well, that’s because Lord Ronald told me the Blue River is guarded by monsters that protect it. And if someone else were to tell our son about this, he would feel guilty. There’s a chance that once we get our hands on the water, those monsters will rise to take revenge for breaking the pact they made with the werewolves of the South."

Kash’s words shook me, like an earthquake running through my chest.

"What? There are monsters? What else do you know about this river?" I asked quickly, unable to stop myself.

Something in me shifted at that moment.

The idea that, while trying to save our son, we might unleash monsters upon the world, it changed everything.

Because in this world, my children aren’t the only ones who live.

There are other children. Other families.

Would it be fair for us to risk everyone’s lives?

Unless there’s a way to stop those monsters from being unleashed upon the world.

"I’ll tell you everything about it later," he mumbled, his eyes lingering on my face.

"I have a request to make."

As soon as I said that, I noticed how quickly he looked at me again, even leaning forward so he could dig his eyes into mine.

That was how deep and intense his eye contact could become.

"Tell me," he whispered softly.

I stared into his eyes, noticing the thickness of his eyelashes and the way his bushy eyebrows framed them. He looked so fucking gorgeous. Lara was really lucky to have his loyalty and love.

"Can we do something about the cure already? I’m not sure how much my son can tolerate this pain."

My voice broke at the mention of my son suffering. I had just seen him, and it was awful.

I felt helpless, like a terrible mother, standing there, watching him in pain and unable to do anything.

"Of course. I can’t even imagine how you must have felt. I only saw him for a few seconds last time, and the memory of it still haunts me."

He straightened his back then, looking away as he spoke, avoiding eye contact when the subject turned to his own pain about seeing his son suffer.

"You know what?" He cleared his throat. "I have an idea. We can go visit the South in a few days."

As soon as he said that, my eyes widened.

The wrinkles of stress and worry on my forehead began to fade away.

I felt intrigued, excited, almost happy just to hear that it was possible.

"We can do that? How?" I asked, searching for his eyes.

He finally met my gaze, but this time, I was the one who broke it.

It was strange, we both wanted to hold eye contact, yet neither of us could handle it.

"In a simple way," he explained. "We’ll say we’re showcasing our brand in one of the most remarkable places to draw attention. People need to know about this perfume, but we won’t tell them about its exclusive benefits," he paused, snapping his fingers as if he got the idea.

"That would cause chaos. People might try to take it, use it, or mix it with other things to make something dangerous. So, while they think it’s for their health, we’ll promote it near the Blue River. I’ll make Ronald believe I’m only using that area for publicity because people are eager to see it. But while I’m doing that, I’ll try to reach the heart of the river."

He spoke without fear of the monsters he’d mentioned earlier.

I knew Kash, he wasn’t afraid of anything. If anything, if he saw a monster, he’d lunge at it.

Even if the monster wasn’t bothering him, he’d bother it. That was the kind of man Kash was.

He had too much power and strength to ever let it rest.

His only weakness was his loved ones. That much I knew about him.

And I knew that now, his loved ones meant Lara, not me. But at least his children were still a part of that circle.

"You? Only you? I want to go too," I insisted.

There are things a mother can do that even a father cannot, maybe convincing the monsters, if it comes to that.

"Yeah, of course, you too."

As soon as he said that, my hope revived.

"Well, okay then. Don’t forget your promise, we’re going to get the water for our son," I stated, almost ready to leave.

"You know I don’t break my promises."

As soon as he said that, even though I didn’t want to, a little scoff escaped my lips because that wasn’t exactly true.

"You seem to find that funny. I’d like to know what’s so amusing about it?" he asked, clearly not pleased with my reaction.

"It’s just that you didn’t keep your promises with me before," I muttered under my breath. "Anyway, let’s not talk about it. We’ve already said we’re over it, right? Let’s keep things professional. Let’s keep the peace between us—for our child."

I reminded him before he could spiral into another tangent, the kind that always led to endless questioning, taunting, and old wounds reopening.

I didn’t want to deal with it. The day had already drained me, and coming home only promised another disaster, tolerating Luca in my room.

Kash studied my face for a few seconds before finally nodding.

He let me walk away, keeping his promise not to argue, at least for now.