Chapter 50 Redesigning the Plan

Lucas's Perspective:

Saki sprawled out on the couch, one hand deep in a bag of chips and the other clutching a soda, eyes glued to the TV. She was in full lecture mode. "Lucas, did you catch that? This lady's kid got snatched by some evil woman, and she went through hell trying to find her. Kinda like you and Mom, right?

"If you pull another disappearing act and Mom can't find you, you'll end up just as miserable as that lady."

I rolled my eyes and let out a long, exaggerated sigh, sinking deeper into the couch.

Lately, Mom had been on high alert, making sure we didn't leave the house without her.

Saki had been my shadow, even following me to the bathroom.

I got it, they were worried about me, but there was one thing that drove me nuts.

Why wouldn't Mom let me spill the beans about what I overheard in the car?

Cecilia was still out there, and what if she targeted Alex again?

Thinking about Alex, I sighed even louder.

School hadn't started yet, and he was my only buddy in this city. He was the only one I could talk to, and his situation was a bit better than mine.

At least he could still go out, but he had a whole squad of bodyguards tailing him. Every time he stepped outside, it was a whole production, and he was embarrassed to even leave the house.

The kicker was, Alex told me that since Cecilia "saved" him, Silas had been treating her like royalty and even agreed to take her to some fancy ball.

A psycho pretending to be a loving stepmom—I seriously worried about Alex.

And if this kept up, the plan to set up Seraphina and Silas might go down the drain.

I flopped back, staring at the ceiling, feeling totally hopeless.

Why did I have to deal with all this crap?

"Go out?" Saki's cute little face popped up in front of me.

I shut my eyes, not wanting to hear another word.

"Dream on. You're grounded 'cause you got lost and kidnapped last time, making Mom cry her eyes out. Just cut us some slack and stop making me and Mom worry, okay?" Saki pouted, giving me a serious lecture.

Seeing her act all grown-up, I couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

Remembering how Saki clung to my waist, sobbing when I got home that day, I held back a laugh and gently pinched her cheek. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. I made you and Mom worry. I promise I won't sneak out again."

"That's more like it." Saki plopped back on the couch, satisfied.

I glanced at the TV and frowned.

That evil woman really looked a lot like Cecilia.

Just then, I heard the door unlocking.

Mom was back.

Seraphina's Perspective:

After pulling myself together, I grabbed some groceries my kids loved and headed home.

"Mom!" Saki ran up to me, throwing herself into my arms. "I missed you so much. I've been keeping an eye on Lucas all day and didn't let him go anywhere!"

"Good job, sweetie." I ruffled Saki's hair and smiled at Lucas, who was standing there, pouting. 

"I promised Mom I wouldn't sneak out again. Why do you need to watch me?" Lucas grumbled, his face scrunched up in annoyance.

"How does it not?" Saki shot back, her eyes blazing. "If I wasn't keeping an eye on you, you'd be out the door in no time."

"Yeah, watching me so closely you even follow me to the bathroom. Mom! Saki's a peeping Tom!" Lucas yelled.

"I am not! Do you think I want to watch you? Your poop stinks!" Saki snapped, her hands on her hips, her face turning beet red.

"Oh, and yours smells like ice cream, right?" Lucas teased, making a face at her.

"Bad Lucas!" Saki screamed, charging at him.

They started chasing each other around Mom, who was trying not to laugh.

"Alright, alright," I said, squatting down to hug us both. "Cut it out. I know you're both bored stuck at home."

"There's a costume ball coming up. Do you two want to go?" I asked, smiling.

"Yes!" Saki jumped up, her eyes sparkling. "I want to be a fairy, an angel!"

"Okay," I said, ruffling Saki's hair. "We'll go shopping for costumes in the next couple of days, alright?"

"Okay!" Saki nodded eagerly.

"Alright, go back to watching TV," I said, patting our heads before heading to the kitchen with the groceries. "I'll make dinner for you."

As soon as I mentioned cooking, Saki and Lucas exchanged a look and bolted, pretending we hadn't heard her.

I couldn't help but laugh. Is my cooking really that bad?

Lucas's Perspective:

I was stressing about how to get Mom and Silas together, but Mom dropped some good news—we were going to the ball too.

That meant I could see Alex and brainstorm a new plan.

While Mom was busy in the kitchen and Saki was glued to the TV, I snuck out to the balcony to call Alex.

"Lucas, how's it going?" Alex's cheerful voice came through as soon as he picked up.

"I'm good, just stuck at home. How about you?" My spirits were lifted by his upbeat tone.

"Not great. Cecilia's been hanging around my house a lot lately," Alex said, his mood darkening. "Dad's not doing anything about it. If this keeps up, she might become my stepmom again."

"No way!" I said firmly. "I won't let Cecilia stay in your house and hurt you!

"Mom just told me we can go to the ball too. When we meet, we can come up with a plan to get rid of Cecilia and set up your dad with my mom."

"Really?" Alex's voice brightened. "That's awesome!"

"So, in the meantime, you have to stay safe and not give Cecilia any chances," I warned.

"Don't worry. She won't try anything now! Dad's keeping an eye on her. Unless she's got a death wish," Alex said confidently.

"That's good!" I nodded, feeling relieved. "See you at the ball then."

"Okay!"

After hanging up, I felt a lot better and couldn't wait for the ball.

The next second, a burnt smell hit my nose.

"Mom, what did you burn this time?" Saki shouted in frustration.

I hung my head.

Looked like we were in for another one of Seraphina's infamous dinners tonight.