My social media was blowing up with different messages. Some people were congratulating Henry and Lilly's union as though they didn't know their social media accounts; some were telling me to treat Lilly well, while others straight up told me to just disappear from Henry's life.
I actually agreed with some. If I could disappear, it would really be great. However, that would never happen. With Henry around, there is nowhere I could run to.
I decided to just wear the necklace as I looked for means to view the contents of the flash drives. I couldn't make the mistake of using any computers in the house; I hadn't forgotten the warning I got that day. The man told me that my phone had been hacked. What else was in this house?
I got two packages that I had personally packed for the children. I had made a crocheted sweater for Klain and a crocheted dress for Massey. She always loved my crocheting, asking me to make her purses, earrings, and hand bracelets.
She also wanted to learn, but Henry sternly warned her to focus only on her studies and not participate in useless activities.
Since I hadn't given them birthday gifts, I knew they would be grumpy. I first went to Massey's room; she had just taken a bath. "Mom! Finally, I can bother you with my hair!" Massey whined.
I simply smiled; she has always been lazy with her hair. I immediately took over and blow-dried it for her. "Mom, you aren't angry with Dad about Aunt Lilly, right?" Massey asked.
"Why would I be? Will you become angry with your husband when he marries another woman later?" I jokingly asked.
"Yes, I will be! Why aren't you angry? Although Aunt Lilly is nice, I just don't want her as a second mom," Massey complained.
"You are still young; what do you know about marriage?" I sighed as I gently brushed her hair.
I gave Lilly her dress; she immediately unpacked it and loved it very much. I then went towards Klain's room.
"I made you a sweater. How do you like it?" I asked.
"It's good. Listen, Mom, don't make any more clothes for me. Aunt Lilly already bought me many clothes that I simply can't finish putting on. Plus, no one wears such sweaters at school," Klain said.
I knew that Lilly always bought the children things; Henry always supported her in everything she did. I was, however, somewhat sad at Klain's words. I was lost for words. I knew that Klain had grown up; such crocheted sweaters were now shameful to a teen boy like him.
"Is it because you have grown up? You used to like wearing my sweaters a lot," I jokingly said.
"Klain has indeed grown. Don't make any more sweaters or dresses for Massey; they have to start dressing like their status," Henry said as he sat beside Klain.
"Dad!" Klain excitedly called.
"How are your studies going?" Henry asked.
"Great! I got straight A's!" Klain said.
"That's my boy! You are brilliant, just like your dad!" Henry praised, causing Klain to beam with happiness.
"By the way, Aunt Lilly was afraid that you would be sad due to the wedding announcement," Henry 'worriedly' said.
"I am not sad; I love Aunt Lilly," Klain said, causing Henry to laugh brightly and brush his hair with his hand.
I don't know why, but every word that came from Klain's mouth just pierced my heart. I slowly stood up, gathered my sweater, and left the room, going to the master bedroom.
"The kids love Lilly; it's only you who hasn't adjusted over the years," I heard Henry say as he entered the room behind me. I was busy arranging the sweaters together with others that I had made. I would send them to my younger sisters and brothers back home; they appreciated everything I made.
"After all these years, your jealousy is now draining. Prepare yourself to welcome Lilly officially; she will be a member of the Charpil family. I don't want to watch a show of you fighting with her," Henry said as he headed toward the bathroom.
I angrily watched the closed door. Henry always called me jealous, but why would I be jealous of Lilly? I was just feeling helpless. I had noticed that Lilly and Henry always took the twins to expensive places, just the two of them, as though they were the only true parents.
They simply refused to tell me about their travel plans. If I asked, Lilly would weakly say that she had just abruptly thought about the trip, and Henry would immediately inflict harm on me when we were alone. I had finally given up on asking.
They would always downplay the gifts I made for the children and call them outdated. Sometimes, due to the children's simple minds, they would, of course, take their father's words seriously, completely refusing the things I made for them.
This continued to happen when they had parent-teacher meetings. Lilly would always be present, even if I was around. Klain seemed to like her, and that wasn't a problem on my part; the problem came when Klain wanted to do every parent activity with only Lilly and Henry.
Henry told me not to think too much about it, as I just couldn't understand some assignments given to the kids. Lilly understood, therefore she was the right fit.
I could clearly see that I was slowly being alienated from my own children; however, I didn't lose hope. Klain and Massey knew that I was their mother and treated me as one. That's all that mattered. Lilly and Henry's actions still hurt me, but I chose to stay strong.
I reminisced as I took the clothes outside the room. I would tell Demilia to properly distribute them to my family.
Days passed by, I was trying to find time to study the contents of the necklace; however, I simply couldn't.
Luck came one Wednesday. Klain and Massey had a school sports activity, but Henry couldn't make it as he had a very important meeting. I was therefore responsible for them as a parent. However, Lilly still tagged along.
We headed towards the school's grounds; the vigorous atmosphere could be seen among the kids at school.
"Aunt Lilly, my friends loved the chocolate you bought last time," Klain brightly said.
"Oh, unfortunately, it was imported from abroad. I have to place an order for the next one, but for my boy Klain, I can place all the orders you want!" Lilly said.
Klain smiled brightly. "You are the best!" he said as he ran towards his friends.
"Slow down," I shouted slowly as I warned him.
"Klain is just young and vigorous; just let him be," Lilly smiled as she said.
I really wanted to tell her to shut up! However, I knew she would run to Henry at the slightest negative word from me, leading to misery on my part.
"Massey, aren't you joining your friends?" Lilly asked.
"No, I want to spend the day with Mom," Massey said.
"Oh," Lilly said as she looked around.
I immediately led Massey towards the receptionist area and told Klain to follow me.
"Hello, I am the mother of Massey and Klain Charpil. Which sport are they playing?" I asked.
When the receptionists heard the name Charpil, they immediately stood up with smiles. "Massey is participating in swimming while Klain is taking part in golf," one receptionist said.
They then gave us slips with numbers to follow. We walked towards the respective areas. I took Klain to the golf course and warned him to be careful as I gave his teacher the refreshments that I had the chef prepare.
"Don't worry, I will watch over Klain," Lilly said. I just ignored her as I took Massey to her swimming grounds.
Surprisingly, she had packed my crocheted swimwear. "Didn't your father warn you not to put this on again?" I asked.
"He did, but I like it," Massey replied. I helplessly smiled as I tied her hair in a ponytail.
"Listen, Massey, after you are done with swimming, Mom will excuse herself to go somewhere. It will be our little secret; don't tell anyone about it," I said.
"Okay!" Massey brightly replied. I gently smiled as I pecked her forehead.