VICTORIA

"No, I need her to get stronger before I say anything about this to her." I replied.

"That is a good idea," She praised, cupping my palm in hers.

"I hope she won't be disappointed." I said, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Don't worry about that, she will understand your reasons."

Suddenly, Brianna's countenance changed to a more serious one.

"Did you tell your billionaire about Ace?" She blurted.

"No," I said curtly.

"No?" She said surprised. "What is your plan, then?"

"I have like three weeks to stick around Ace and mom. The doctors have started intense treatment, as I have already cleared off every hospital bill. It would still take some months after her surgery for her to start getting stronger."

"Could Ace be with you till my mom is strong? I will be visiting from time to time, so that he won't miss me much." I added.

"That's beautiful, you got it all planned out. Now, I can't wait for my bundle of joy to be with me. I will spoil him silly." She said happily.

"Hope he will understand, Vee? You know how children are when they hear that their parents are leaving for some time and in his case, he is a very smart one." She admitted, genuinely concerned.

"I will try my best with him, I know it's not going to be easy." I said.

I looked at the 18- karat gold clock on the wall, its shiny strap warning me that it was 4pm already.

I stood up and hugged my friend, "I have to go pick up his majesty from his friend's place, now." I said.

"Mom!" Ace screamed as he sighted me from a distance.

"Look at my diagram," He said, running to close the distance between us.

"Be careful baby," I replied, concerned that his little legs might trip on a stone and cause him to fall.

I knew how curious my son was and I had been rehearsing my speech along the way before I got to his friend's house. I took the paper from him and it was I and his grandma.

He had sketched a beautiful diagram of my mom and me and even added a little write up on the paper. "My whole world." It said.

Tears had started to gather in my eyes and I struggled to push them back as I stooped to be on the same height level with my son.

"This is so beautiful." I remarked with a wide smile spreading across the sides of my cheeks.

"Thanks mama," He squeaked, wrapping his little, delicious arms around my neck.

"Let us go home baby, I am going to prepare something really nice for you, just to appreciate this beautiful drawing you made of me and grandma." I said, tickling his ribs a little.

His laughter rang out across the neighborhood as I took him by his little arm and we proceeded to go home.

After he had had his favourite meal of spaghetti and meatballs, he picked up a little children's book of science to read.

I paced up and down the living room as I tried to choose which one of the statements I had rehearsed was the best to start with.

"Mom?" I heard Ace call softly.

"Yes son," I replied, as I sat down beside my son on the couch. He was already looking up at me with curious eyes.

"Hey love, do you know when you sometimes go to Brianna's house to play and spend some time?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Ace smiled, his eyes shone with excitement. "Bree's place is so much fun, mom." He blushed in his little cute way.

I smiled nervously, still thinking of what to say next.

"Baby, you will be spending more time with her from now on."

"Why?" I knew that question was going to come as he narrowed his eyes, looking at me with curiosity.

"I have some things to tidy up you know and aunt Bree would also be helping me out." I said, not wanting to mention the contract marriage to him.

"You could also help me by going to spend time with her, you know how her and her husband have always wanted you around." I added.

"Okay mommy, I will go to Aunt Brianna's house while you do what it is you want to do."

I smiled, I also felt a mixture of relief and guilt. It was a blessing to me that compared to other kids my son, Ace was too smart for his age. Deep down, I admitted to myself that I wasn't telling him the whole truth but hopefully, one day, he will fully understand.

I guessed he sensed something was off about me cause he suddenly asked, "Mummy, is everything okay?" His eyes balls enlarged showing curiosity and concern.

My heart instantly dissolved at the sight of his worried face, immediately, I pulled him into a tight hug and planted a small kiss on his forehead.

"Mummy has to take care of some little grown up things, okay? Everything is just fine." I said, trying to assure him.

Ace nodded and turned back to concentrate on his book.

Gently, I pulled the book from him and proceeded to put it in his backpack. He studied me carefully, as he playfully swung his legs.

I looked up at him and smiled, "Mummy is going to go see grandma, okay? But she will take you to Bree's house and I'll pick you up as soon as I'm back."

"Is grandma going to be okay, already?" He asked, innocently. Obviously, he missed his grandmother.

"We expect to receive positive news from the doctors today."

When I went into my mom's ward, I was never prepared for what I saw.

For the first time since my mom was in and out of the hospital, she sat upright on the bed.

"Mom!!!!!" I screamed as I rushed into her open arms.

Even though she was still weak, the last chemo she attended seemed to have better effects than side effects.

The air of sadness and gloom that had always hung around the ward had suddenly been replaced with warmth and comfort.

"So mother, how ...." I tried to say but was suddenly interrupted by some voices just outside the door.

Immediately, the door swung open and the doctor walked in, looking very serious.