Were you mine?

Chapter 56 Together

Jake held his breath as he stepped out of the grand limousine. A gust of air swept across his face almost slapping him, trying to wake him up from his trance. The Rodger mansion felt very different this time. Jake noticed the servants bowing and greeting them as they entered.

It felt awkward. But then he felt Mercy's hand on his back. " Keep going. It's a homecoming, brother. Don't think too much! ”

Jake nodded as he took his step forward. His eyes found Phill and Percy standing side by side in the great hall. Then his eyes fell on Elizabeth Rodgers, who stood with her back turned towards them.

As she slowly turned around, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath. Her eyes locked onto Jake’s, and she began to walk towards him with deliberate, measured steps.

A scrutinizing expression crossed her face, and Jake instinctively took a step back as she came closer. His mind raced, uncertainty and anxiety gnawing at him. The air was charged with emotion that neither could express, and every second felt like an eternity.Then, in an unexpected move, Elizabeth closed the gap and pulled Jake into a tight hug. The gesture was sudden, but filled with an intensity that left Jake momentarily stunned.

“Jake,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “Are you really mine?” Jake was frozen, it was Phill who answered. " Looks like he is. "

The ladies, Elizabeth and Mercy shed silent tears. Their lips went up in a wide smile but their hearts were too full and overwhelmed. Jake didn't know how to react, he couldn't even properly hug back Elizabeth.

Mercy came forward and wrapped the two of them with her arms, pulling them closer.

" Alright! Alright! I think we are done with our silly crying." She clapped her hands twice and the maids assembled, " Set the table for a grand celebration. It's getting late. My kids must be hungry! " They immediately scurried to work.

Finally Percy cleared his voice, " Ahem! Enjoy your feast, guys. " Stepped forward and extended his hand towards Jake, taking it and shaking modestly. " Sorry for all the trouble I caused you unknowingly. And thank you for everything I enjoyed over the years, as your replacement. I am now going to take my leave. "

He tried to whisk his way past Jake, trying hard to hold back his tears but Elizabeth caught him. " Where do you think you are going? ”

" I... I will be going back to.... Oh! Right! I can't claim to own that place anymore. I will ask a lawyer to take care of the legal formalities. Please don't worry. I will not take anything, anymore that is not mine, Mothe...I mean Ma'am. ”

Suddenly Percy grabbed his cheeks, trying hard to steady himself as a loud slap rang across his face. Elizabeth was fuming as she slapped him. Jake, Phill and Mercy jumped up, all ready to intervene even though nobody understood what was happening.

" How dare you call me Ma'am! All these years I took care of you... I fed you my own milk and after everything you dare to call me Ma'am? How dare you lad? ” She was hyperventilating and literally breathing fire through her nostril as Percy looked at her with tear streaked eyes. " I don't know how else to address you. I am not your son after all! ”

Elizabeth pulled him into a hug as well, " Who says you aren't? Didn't you hear what Mercy said in the Live? We gained a son. We aren't losing anyone. ”

" Oh! " Percy broke down into tears as Phill and Mercy hugged him from either side. They tickled him and rubbed his back. Finally Phill looked up at Jake and pulled him into their group hug as well.

Elizabeth closed her mouth at the site, her heart overflowing with happiness that she was barely able to contain.

" Ma'am the table is set! " Marissa came in with a big smile and informed the group.

" Alright! Alright! Everyone, let's head over and grab some food. You kids can carry on after you are done." Elizabeth guided her children to the table, making sure each one took their place. As they settled in, she stood at the head of the table, her expression growing serious.

Before anyone could start digging into the food, Elizabeth called out, “Marissa,bring me my lawyers.” The room fell silent, the festive atmosphere abruptly replaced by another heavy cloud of tension.Jake looked around, confusion and concern etched on his face. “What’s going on?” Phill asked.

Elizabeth’s eyes hardened. “It’s time to end the lies,” she said, her voice firm. “I’m having the divorce papers drafted. I should have done this earlier...” She continued as she pulled the chair and settled down, " ... better late than never. He has been nothing but a parasite and after learning about what he did with a child, I can no longer continue with this pretend-relationship. ”

Just then a loud thunder clap echoed around the mansion. The sound of heavy rain hitting the ground filled the air along with the fresh earthly scent that talked to ones soul.

But nobody spoke.They continued staring here and there,everywhere except their food. " Oh! Looks like it's starting to rain. What a good omen! Please continue eating. I am just getting things sorted. You kids don't need to get all worked up about anything.” Elizabeth smiled.

Her smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Mr.Cole burst through the gates, soaked head to toe, his eyes blood shot, his steps unstable. It seemed like he had been drinking and the maids hurried after him, trying to grab him but he slammed his fist on the table.

Elizabeth continued glaring at the man, gritting through her teeth without uttering a single word. Mr.Cole slammed his fists harder on the table, making Mercy's cutlery fall with a clang.

" Enough of your nonsense! ” Elizabeth stood up, slamming her own fists on the table, growling in response.