Page 36 of Eternally Bound

A choked laugh escaped me, “Don’t be silly, Daniel. This will be fine.”

My eyes widened seeing Bram’s room. It was massive, close to my own bedroom with a space connected to his room that was a dedicated playroom. There was a little couch in there, an area rug and shelves with a wide variety of toys any boy could possibly dream of. Bram squealed from joy, his eyes darting all around the room.

He ran to the connecting room and yelled excitedly. Curiosity got the best of me and I followed to see his bed literally looked like a train. The matching dresser and shelves were all in the themes ofThomas the Train. It was Bram’s favorite cartoon, and I wondered how Daniel even knew that. It would be impossible to get Bram out of this room. It was every boy’s dream come true.

Bram ran left and right, to Daniel hugging him then to me, back to Daniel and then to his toys. He chirped undistinguished words, happy to inspect every single toy in this room. It was like Christmas morning already.

“Daniel,” I whispered. “This is way over the top.”

He just grinned. “Kids are meant to be spoiled.”

I narrowed my eyes on him.

“Actually-” I started but my mum stopped me.

“Thank you, Daniel,” she said, like she didn’t just interrupt me. “My daughter is trying to say thank you… unsuccessfully.”

I sighed deeply. “Thank you.”

Daniel’s phone beeped and he pulled it out of his pocket. There wasn’t a single emotion that crossed his face, but I knew something alarmed him.

“Everything okay?” I asked him hesitantly.

He nodded. “Yes. I have to take care of something,” he replied, then lowered himself onto his one knee. “Bram, hope you like your room.” My son nodded so eagerly, I was worried he’d get a whiplash. His eyes darted in awed. He didn’t know where to look first. “If there is any toy missing, let your mother or me know.”

Bram grinned so wide, his cheeks must have hurt. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That’s the wrong thing to say to a kid,” I reprimanded Daniel with a smile. “You know that kids want every single toy they see, right?”

Daniel’s dark eyes danced with mischief when he raised his head to me. God, he’d make a good father one day. Though Callen wasn’t a bad father either when he was invested. Daniel ruffled Bram’s hair and stood up.

“Margaret, your room is right next door and we passed Ainslee’s on the way here. That way you are all close to each other. if you find anything missing, please let me know,” Daniel said.

I had to admit Daniel has thought this through and ensured all of our comfort. But then even twelve years ago, he was always thoughtful, putting my wants and needs before his own. And then left and never even called to break-up with me.

Ouch.It was kind of hard to move on from that.

“Thank you, son,” Mum said, and my head snapped so fast to my mother that I gave myself a whiplash. After knowing Daniel for one day, she already transitioned to calling him son.

If Daniel noticed, he didn’t let it show. He tilted his head and strode out of the room. Bram went back to playing, and I turned towards my mother to find her watching me.

“What?” I asked defensively.

“Ah, Ainslee,” she murmured, patting my cheek gently. “This is why it didn’t work with Callen.”

I threw a glance towards my son, but he was occupied with his toys. He was in a fantasy land right now.

“I don’t know,” I muttered under my breath. Although I did know. I was just scared of Daniel walking out on me again. It was hard to overcome the ghosts and insecurities of the past twelve years.

“Well, I know,” Mum retorted. “Your mother knows best. Trust me.” I scoffed jokingly, but my lips curved into a smile nonetheless. “Now, I want to know exactly what is going on.”

I knew she’d come too placidly. It was only a matter of time before she demanded to know everything. Truthfully, I was surprised it took her this long.

I locked eyes with Mum and debated how much to tell her. “I want you to hear me out before you freak out though. Okay?” She nodded her agreement, so I continued. “Callen is gambling again. He gambled against Daniel’s uncle, Hector Carrington.” Mum’s eyes flashed with recognition at that name. “He gambled me, but Daniel intercepted the game. His uncle is a sore loser, and Daniel wants to keep us protected from him.”

I thought I summarized it well. I didn’t go into my past with Daniel, and I wasn’t a fool to think my mother wouldn’t notice.

“Daniel Carrington is part of the London mafia?” Mum asked in a lower voice, careful to keep it out of Bram’s earshot.

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