Francessca stood outside in the garden as she put her garden gloves on the side of the stone path as she got up. A sun hat adorned her head as she tilted it down from the sun's heat. A maid in the distance come running towards her.
"Madame! Madame! I have an invitation from a mystery sender!"
Francessca took the invitation from the maid as she read it her eyes widen at the address of the invitation.
"Prepare a plain but elegant dress. We are going to the villa."
"That villa? Madame, didn't you want to get rid of that villa?"
"It was Carlo's, but Lucus have ownership. I don't want to miss my chance of seeing my only son, again. Even if he hates me."
The maid stood in silence as she watches the helplessness of the saddened woman's mood turn sour.
"Madame, the name at the bottom of the invite is from Sophia."
Francessca stared in a haze as she wondered why the girl who was with Lucus wanted to meet her exclusively.
"Well I'm the only one close to him." She thought out loud as the maid folded the invite away. "Alright, let's do this."
As Francessca was preparing on her own end, so was Sophia. Humming as she fixed her earrings and looked in the mirror. She fixed her hair in a neatly parted bang with a low ponytail. Adorned on her was a sundress and a sunhat.
As she walked over to the garden she glanced around at the flowers. Ever since they landed she never looked in the garden. The garden had many ponds and many wisterias with willow trees on each edge of a pond.
The flowers were native grown and the plants made her curious.
"Everything here is beautiful and the trees were planted by his mother."
Sophia slowly walked over to the stones on the pond and follow the path. A table was set up by the servants as she looked at the items on the table she smiled softly at the decorations of the table.
"The mistress before you used to love this space." Bianca said dully.
"Well, if it is Francessca, she would recognize the garden immediately."
Sophia hummed as she picked a few flowers and tied it into a quick bouquet for the centerpiece of the table.
"Lilies?" Bianca questioned as she watched the girl set them down in the pitcher.
"Yes, to show my appreciation."
As Sophia sat at the table and waited patiently for Francessca to arrive. Time drew near and she got nervous as she glanced at her phone. Lucus went to a meeting, and she only had an hour or two to herself. Her time was limited.
"Lady Francessca Gale has arrived."
Francessca a dull and plain but elegant woman. She may look dull some eyes but in reality she was beautiful and slightly youthful. Her hair was wavy like Aurora's but a very light brown color with purple eyes. Her facial features resembles that of Aurora but a mature woman look.
"Miss Alder, you have invited me... What is the reason?" Francessca's mature but quiet voice was the only thing heard over pouring waters of the brook and ponds.
"Mother-in-Law I came to chat with you." Sophia responded happily as she poured Francessca a cup of tea.
"Mother-in-law...?"
"Yes, I believe you are the victim of your sister attack right Mrs Gale. I should say Francessca Carter."
Francessca took a long sip and relaxed her body she was nervous before but now with Sophia in front of her she must answer.
"It is true."
"But why did you take the job of being the siblings "mother"?"
"Guilt, I was guilty of stabbing my sister. After Carlo was distraught he turned me to the police, but the police ruled it as self-defense plus Alessa has a mental health record that was paced back into our childhood."
Sophia remained silent letting the woman discuss with her the details of the story of how she was forced out of the villa and threaten to leave Lucus by Carlo. Mateo took her in, only on one condition to raise the children no matter if she was near or far.
"After Lucus grew into a teenager he never saw my face, only heard my voice. He knew me as the Aunt that killed his "Mother". He looks at me with disgust at every party. Little did he know he was my son indeed we share the same eyes."
"Lucus, misses you. Is there any way to break off the deal with your brother and his family?"
"I rely on my family for funds and status. To the public I am a rich woman who will always be supported by family but in reality I'm nothing more, but an elegant figurehead for a mob family like the Gales."
"I suggest Sophia...You are a sweet girl and your life have been upside down since you've been with Lucus. I suggest you leave him for your safety. You are not safe, Aurora is here and she took your face as her new identity."
Sophia frown and clutch her stomach as she heard the woman's warning.
"I'm sorry, Francessca, but I'm pregnant with Lucus child. I'm bonded to him in every way, if he drowns I drown. If he dies I die. If he tells me to go away then I'll stay by his side no matter what."
"You sincerely love him but-Pregnant...? The articles are true, so you went to a clinic to confirm?"
Sophia nodded and Francessca didn't know whether to be happy or worried. She wanted a grandchild but...Will Lucus allow her to accept her as his mother?
Francessca looked up from her tea cup and ponder why this girl was insisting that she reveal herself as his true mother with this fact.
"I'll think about being in your lives but if things turn out harmful then beneficial I want you to leave him alone! Aurora is just like Alessa no mercy!"
With that Francessca left rashly, leaving Sophia to eat the cake on the table on her own. Patting her stomach she turned towards Bianca who was still in shock.
"Mistress, how are you so smart to know Francessca was Lucus's mother?"
"Sometimes a photo album in a hidden place gives all the hints and this picture confirms its..
."
"Francessca...Carlo and Lucus a family picture...I remember this but Francessca looks different...Not the aging but her appearance looks surgical except for her eyes. She looked more like Aurora."
"More like Alessa." Sophia eyes narrowed as she remembered the name "Mateo".
"Bianca, let's convince Lucus to go to that party... I want to see the den of the Gales for myself..."
"Mistress, you are pregnant that Aurora girl is not stable she will lash out at you, and you are in their territory."
"Doesn't hurt to hire a few reporters and paparazzi...? To catch Aurora and the family on international news... This pregnancy is not a weapon but a protection against Aurora. I'll announce my pregnancy now to the world."
Sophia set up her camera and started streaming to the world.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Sophia Alder, Lucus fiancée, I just wanted to announce my pregnancy to everyone. I wanted to keep it a secret but since this is our first child together, I want to share this moment with you all! I hope everyone watch my progress!"
Sophia waved at the camera and smirked at the amount of likes increasing dangerously.
"Aurora can't do much neither the Gales. If I die or get hurt at that party it will be much of their fault and they already have the reputation of a mob family."
Sophia smirked as she lay her head down glancing at the garden's sceneries as she closed her eyes in relief.