CHAPTER 55: ’MOTHER?’

The Drago estate was tranquil, its sprawling halls echoing with an emptiness that seemed to linger since Elias’s departure. The grand chandeliers cast soft light over the polished marble floors, but the warmth that once filled the house... brought by the twins’ laughter and Elias’s gentle presence... was noticeably absent.

Viktor and his brother Luka were gone, their whereabouts unknown to the household staff, leaving Gerald to manage the twins in their absence. The twins were still struggling to survive without Elias with their small faces marked with a sadness that tugged at Gerald’s heart.

Gerald stood in the doorway of the twins’ study room. It was filled with bookshelves, a wooden desk, and colourful posters of animals and planets. The twins sat side by side, their heads bent over their math assignments, pencils scratching quietly. Their usual chatter was missing, and it was replaced by a heavy silence that felt unnatural for such lively children.

Gerald adjusted his glasses as he watched them.

’They’re still asking for Elias,’ he thought, a pang of guilt settling in his chest. ’I didn’t realise how much he meant to them.’

"Young Masters," Gerald said softly, stepping into the room. "Are you two doing okay with your homework?"

Dante glanced up, his dark eyes dull.

"Yeah, we’re fine," he mumbled, returning to his worksheet.

Dario nodded, not looking up. "It’s just math. We got it."

Gerald sighed, his hands clasped behind his back. "Are you sure you don’t want me to set up the gaming console? A quick round of that racing game you like?"

Dante shook his head, his voice flat. "We’re not in the mood."

Dario added, "We’re okay, Gerald. Really."

Gerald’s brow furrowed. He’d seen the twins dismiss nannies before... coldly, even cruelly, as they tested boundaries... but Elias had been different. His patience, his quiet humour, the way he’d read them stories with funny voices, had won them over in a way no one else had.

’If I’d known they’d take it this hard,’ Gerald thought, ’I’d have begged him to stay.’

He cleared his throat, trying again. "How about dinner? I can whip up those grilled cheese sandwiches you love."

Dario finally looked up, his expression soft but stubborn. "We’re not hungry, Gerald. We’ll eat later."

Gerald’s heart sank.

"You can’t starve yourselves because of Elias, you know. He’d want you to eat."

Dante’s pencil paused, and he looked at Gerald, his voice sharp.

"He’s coming back, right? Dad said he’d find him."

Gerald hesitated, his throat tight.

"I’m sure your father is working on it," he said carefully. "But for now, you two need to take care of yourselves."

Before Dante could respond, the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor interrupted them. Clara swept into the room, her designer dress... a sleek red number that hugged her figure... rustling as she moved. Her hair was styled in perfect waves, and her lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Oh, my darlings," she said, her voice sugary. "You don’t have to be so gloomy just because your nanny’s gone."

Dante and Dario exchanged a glance, their faces tightening. They still didn’t like Clara... never had, not even if she is engaged to their father.

Her attempts to win them over always felt forced, and her presence annoyed them. Without a word, they returned to their books, ignoring her.

Clara’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, her eyes flicking to Gerald.

"Gerald, be a dear and get some snacks and cold drinks for the twins. Something fun... chips, soda, whatever kids like."

Gerald frowned, his voice polite but firm.

"It’s a bit chilly outside, ma’am. Cold drinks might not be best for them."

Clara’s hand twitched, rising as if to strike him, but she froze, remembering the twins were watching. Her smile tightened, and she patted his shoulder instead, her nails grazing the fabric of his uniform.

"Just get something for them, Gerald. Anything will do."

Gerald nodded, his expression neutral. He glanced at the twins, a flicker of worry crossing his face.

’They’ll be fine for a few minutes,’ he told himself, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. He turned and left the room, his footsteps fading down the hall.

.

As soon as Gerald was gone, Clara pulled a chair between the twins, sitting down with a dramatic flourish. The twins lifted their heads, peeking at her before quickly returning to their books. Clara laughed, a high, forced sound, and opened her purse, pulling out her phone.

"Oh my," she said loudly, as if talking to herself. "I got a picture from someone. I wonder what’s in it."

Dario rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "She’s so fake."

Dante elbowed him, his voice low. "Just ignore her."

Clara ignored their whispers, tapping her phone with a manicured nail. She gasped theatrically, her eyes wide.

"Oh, wow! It’s... Elias!"

The twins’ heads snapped up, their books forgotten. They scrambled to her side, leaning over to see the screen.

"Where?" Dante demanded, his voice urgent. "Show us!"

Clara turned off the screen just as they reached her, the display going dark. The twins froze, staring at the blank phone. Dario’s voice was sharp.

"Turn it back on!"

Clara’s lips curved into a smug smile, and she pinched their noses playfully.

"Now, now, you two need to say ’please’ first. And maybe treat me a little nicer."

Dante’s face twisted in disgust, and he stepped back. "No way. You’re not our mom."

Dario grabbed his brother’s arm, his voice pleading.

"Dante, come on. It’s a picture of Elias. We need to see it."

Clara raised an eyebrow, twirling the phone between her fingers.

"You heard your brother. Just say ’please,’ and I’ll show you. It’s not so hard, is it?"

Dante’s jaw clenched, his small hands balling into fists. Dario tugged at his sleeve, his eyes wide. "Please, Dante. Just this once. For Elias."

Dante glared at Clara, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Fine. But only once." He stepped forward, and the twins spoke together, their voices reluctant but clear. "Please, mother, show us a photo of our nanny."