Chapter 116

**Marcus Winters Point of View**

"This is my wife, Amber and my son Liam." I introduced while keeping a keen note on everyone's expressions.

While Amber and Liam are trying to control their pain and joy and contain them within themselves, Acacia looked rather melancholic and very polite.

Anyone can tell that she is trying hard to keep her cool and maintain a little psychological distance between her and us.

"I'm Acacia, n-nice to meet you both." Although the young lady stammered a little she was still able to keep up brave front and made everything look casual.

The sadness, loneliness and pain was clear in her eyes but on her face, there's only respect and joy. But then again, whenever one see Acacia, me and my wife together, even a blind can tell that we are related and she is our daughter; at least our niece if not.

My heart suffered piercing pain whenever I look at her or think of her. This daughter of mine, about whom we forgot, whose existence was wiped out all because of some selfish abnormal beings, what not she must've not gone through.

A tear rolled down my eyes when the struggle to keep her distance with us was getting apparent. I had always been a strong or to say, a hardheaded person my whole life. I hardly get emotional because I keep myself balanced always.

But this young lady who was abducted by such supernatural race to their realm, who lived in a haunted castle on an inhabited island alone, who got pregnant out of blue when she had no idea of what's going on, who had to grit her teeth and give birth to a baby alone in the castle she was imprisoned in, who was the only powerless mortal human between the realm of immortal mythical race, who was used and tested for her tolerance and patience every step she took, who had to look after her son alone and after finally escaping from that hell, her whole identity was wiped out from her own world and with nothing in hands, she had to feed herself and her son and provide for the both.

She was homeless and with a responsible of a child, I could not help but feel trembling anger to kill that bastard who caused this and burn him leaving nothing to bury.

No one should suffer something what Acacia has gone through! It was purely a hell.

"It must be because we share the same surname that I feel very close to you." My wife hugged Acacia tightly and let out few tears but wiped away secretly not make it obvious.

"Heh, why do I feel like I'm less loved here?" Igses exclaimed dramatically making everyone laugh. This lightened the atmosphere and everyone controlled themselves well.

"We love you the most, little one." I picked my grandson and hugged him in my arms. "Alright, let's go now. Ms. Acacia, do you mind if we take my car to travel?"

"No, please, in that case." She answered briefly with a small courteous smile and carried Noemi in her arms while I carried Igses.

The Kids zone market is only half an hour away considering the weekend traffic. It's a place where kids find their own heaven. Everything there is what children like, from toys to amusement rides and games, everything is for the children of age between zero to fifteen.

After we got inside, we found the place filled with children with their guardians, hopping and running all over the place.

"Where do you want to go first?" Acacia asked Igses and Noemi. The kids both discussed for a minute and decided to start their enjoyment from balls pool.

It was a huge play area with slides leading the children into poll of balls. We walked there and Acacia took the entry pass needed.

"You both, play carefully. Don't get hurt and if you are feeling uncomfortable anywhere, we will be sitting right there, call for us or you can also seek help from the staff around. Don't -" Acacia started but was cut off but the both little ones.

"We know, we know. Don't fight with anyone."

"Don't go anywhere without informing."

"Don't go to toilets alone."

"Don't eat anything that strangers give you."

"Don't cause trouble."

"You have to look after yourself and your friend as well."

"Remember, you both are a team so stick together."

"If you are thirsty or hungry, just give a call and it will be arranged." I, along with all the adults had a very hard time controlling our laughter when both Igses and Noemi went one after other in perfect sync while they listed down all the precautions without a slightest hitch.

I looked at Acacia and found her pressing her lips trying to glare at the kids but a smile was clearly present on her face.

Seeing her smile genuinely, I felt a little relieved. It's a relief that when there was no one with her, she still had her son. Although he was only a baby and a huge responsibility on her shoulders, it was also her driving force to move forward.

I'm so proud of her.

"Alright, go." She smacked both the kids heads and sent them off to play while we four went to the seating area and found an empty table to occupy.

We ordered some drinks and sat down silently, everyone with thinking what to talk. It was then Liam took the responsibility and tried to start a conversation.

"Since we share same household name, we can be considered relatives, can I call you Acacia?" Liam asked to which Acacia nodded without any hesitation.

"Acacia, Igses told us a lot about you. He said you started ID Designs firm from the scratch? Is it true?"

"He is exaggerating. It was actually Aviva and I both founded it together." She replied humbly.

"But still to start a firm and bring it to such a level in a short period of time, clearly you know what you are doing and you are proficient in it."

"It's nothing. How is your archery practice going on?" She asked casually taking a sip of her drink.

"I will be going to university soon so there might be better opportunities then. Igses told be that you started to teach the kids how to hold a bow." As she said, the air around started to get a little comfortable slowly.

Acacia is slightly relaxed!

"You know what, the university will definitely teach you all the theoretical and other stuff and will provide you with some good opportunities but if you can also take a membership pass in Tucson stadium and practice there. You will have a set of coaches there and you will also be able to meet some good competitors." Liam nodded gratefully and immediately took out his phone to look for information on Tucson stadium.

Acacia went back to keeping an eye on the kids quietly. Sometimes, when either of the kids fall a little recklessly, she would flinch but did not go up to help.

"So, Ms. Acacia, what are your hobbies?" Amber strike a casual conversation.

"Umm, I usually have my hands full with work and Igses but when I do like books."

"Really? My husband loves reading too. He almost drives me crazy with all those books he buy every often. What is your favorite book then?"

"I mostly read those related to my profession however, I do like 'Between the world and me' by Ta-Nehisi Coates."

"I know this book. I saw Marcus read this a couple of times." She said and shared a smile with me.

"I know. It's his favorite too." Acacia spoke out instinctively without thinking and suddenly realized she has over spoken.

Hearing her, I and Amber were both surprised and happy. However we pretended not to hear it and asked her to repeat as we did not hear her. She brushed it off saying she was just surprised that someone shares same book interest as her.

"I heard from Aviva that your family is from Charleston? How is it there? I heard it's a beautiful place."

"Beautiful, indeed. Have you never been to Charleston?" I probed.

"N-no." Although she stuttered, she was still said it firmly. As if, she was trying to make herself believe her own answer.

"I see. You should visit the city once. The people there are very hospitable and the weather is quite pleasant." I could only smile and let her off this time. This young lady is too guarded, not to forget she is also an over thinker.

However, it is understandable given her circumstances.

"Right, I heard Igses say that there are only you both in the family? What about your parents and family?" I braved out this question despite of knowing that it would hurt her a lot because I want to know where we stand in her life to know how we can get closer and sooth the pain simultaneously.

Acacia went still for a moment, variety of emotions playing on her face. She thought carefully for a moment and said something that gave us a little hope.

"We lost contact when I was a child. They - don't know about me anymore." Although the answer showed us a little hope, we still couldn't help but feel extremely pained.

It was then that my resolution strengthened a lot more.

I will unite our family soon, child. Don't worry; your dad will make everything alright!

**~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

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