Bathroom Ambush (Part 1)
Thea’s POV
I sat in the living room, struggling to relearn basic words and numbers. If I wanted to
return to my teaching job that I loved, I needed to master these again. Phoenix was sleeping in the portable crib I’d dragged down from upstairs. I didn’t like leaving her alone in her room, so we were both here. She lay quietly while I studied like I was back in school again.
My head was still buzzing from learning the truth about Kane yesterday. I couldn’t believe
someone had deceived me so cruelly. Even more unbelievable was that I hadn’t noticed it
at all during those months we dated.
I couldn’t understand what had pushed me into his arms. Was it because Aurora came
back, and I wanted to show Sebastian that his relationship with her didn’t affect me? Or was I so desperate to be loved, to be noticed, that I jumped at the first man who showed
interest?
It was fucking frustrating not knowing what I’d been thinking. Unless my memory returned, I’d always wonder what drove my actions.
My phone’s ringtone interrupted my thoughts.
I picked it up, but unfortunately, I couldn’t recognize the number flashing on the screen. So far, I’d only saved Sebastian’s, Rayne’s, Kestrel’s (the head of warriors assigned to protect me), and Leo’s school office numbers.
After a moment’s hesitation, I tapped the green icon to answer.
“Hello?” I asked tentatively.
“Hey, Thea… how are you?” The voice was gentle, but I didn’t recognize it.
“Who is this?”
There was a rush of breathing on the other end, making me feel like shit. I’d obviously hurt the caller’s feelings.
She answered slowly: “It’s your mother, Seraphina.”
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Bathroom Ambush (Part 1)
I hadn’t seen her since leaving the hospital. Sebastian told her and Maximus to give me some adjustment time before visiting.
Though everyone confirmed they were indeed my biological parents, and Leo told me I’d personally told him about being adopted by the Kincaid family before introducing him to Seraphina and Maximus, I still found it difficult to immediately accept this reality.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “Hi… sorry, I just didn’t know whose number this was, and I don’t recognize your voice.”
She quickly responded, “It’s okay, I completely understand.”
“Did Sebastian give you my number?” I asked.
Just like yesterday, he’d gone to work reluctantly today. If not for an important alliance meeting, he would’ve stayed with me. But he did promise to return home immediately
after the meeting.
“Yes, I hope you don’t mind,” she said hesitantly.
From the brief time I’d spent with her at the hospital, she seemed like a very gentle woman. I’d wanted Sebastian to tell me their story, to explain why I ended up as a Kincaid daughter. But he said that wasn’t his story to tell–they should be the ones to fill in those
blanks.
I still couldn’t imagine how such a gentle couple could raise someone as manipulative as Kane. I mean, who does that? Who seduces and sleeps with a woman he intends to kill? I struggled to understand it.
“I want to invite you out for lunch,” she continued, pulling me from my thoughts. “I’ll be honest and direct–I miss you, Thea. You’re my daughter, and watching you in a coma for months, then finally waking up but not letting me hold you because of memory loss… it breaks my heart.”
The heartbreak in her voice was unmistakable. Even through the phone, the emotion touched something inexplicable inside me.
As a mother, I could understand her feelings. If either of my children forgot me, it would destroy me.
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Bathroom Ambush (Part 1)
“I’m really not sure,” I told her honestly. “Sebastian says it’s not safe for me to go out now because the person who attacked me hasn’t been caught.”
What I also didn’t understand was why anyone would want me dead. Had I pissed someone off so badly they decided I deserved to die? I typically kept to myself, so it made no sense for someone to want to hurt me. I mean, who could I have offended when I barely had any friends?
“Don’t worry… I’ll come pick you up,” she said. “We’re Kincaids, Thea. I guarantee no one would dare mess with you.”
There was that surname again. Sebastian had told me Phoenix’s last name was Kincaid. The name sounded familiar, like I’d heard it somewhere.
I wanted to refuse, but ultimately decided to accept. Maybe I could get more information about Kane. “Alright, let’s meet.”
She squealed with delight, telling me they’d pick me up in a few minutes, then hung up.
I hurried to change Phoenix’s diaper and then changed my own clothes. I opted for a comfortable casual outfit–more practical for breastfeeding Phoenix than a dress would
- be.
I waited patiently, excitement beginning to bubble up inside me. I couldn’t stay locked up in the house forever. It was time to get out. What was the worst that could happen?
Seraphina and Maximus arrived about thirty minutes later. As I’d said, I hadn’t been out since returning from the hospital.
I was eager to see how the city had changed during this time. Four years is a long time–it couldn’t possibly have remained the same.
When the doorbell rang, I got up excitedly to answer it.
“Are you and Phoenix ready?” Seraphina asked.
She was as excited as I was. I let them both hug me. Being in their embrace felt good, familiar, like this was something I regularly received from them.
“Yes, let me get her.”
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Bathroom Ambush (Part 1)
I turned back to the living room, picked up my daughter, quickly said goodbye to Mary, and left the house.
I was about to get into their car when a man stopped me.
“I’m sorry, Luna, I can’t let you leave,” he said.
