His Devious Rule

Neither the call was connected to Alvin, nor Bernard. With complex thoughts, Anya drove towards the beach mansion. Her parents were also shocked by the news and reached out to her to know about the situation. People weren't ready to believe it.

Anya was conflicted with her thoughts. Didn't she want Bernard to be punished? Then why was she feeling down when Bernard voluntarily accepted his retribution?

Shouldn't she be happy when justice is served?

Anya would have easily accepted this situation if the Chief Justice had punished Bernard to resign from his position. Now, all she could think was, a well-deserved person resigned from the most prestigious position in the country.

It was true Bernard turned vile due to some reasons but he never misused or betrayed his position. He always thought of the goodness and welfare of the country and its citizens.

'Ugh,' Anya felt like her head was going to explode. Till she heard the news of the resignation, she believed that she was angry at Bernard, then why couldn't she just accept it?

She dragged her body inside the mansion with files in her hands. She will definitely go insane with the conflicting thoughts.

"Momma!!" A delighted voice rang in the living hall grabbing her attention. Surprised, Zane jumped off the couch and ran up to her.

Anya didn't mask her mental exhaustion from her son. She wearily smiled at her excited son. Then, "Wait…"

Zane jerked to stop. Anya kept the files and bag on the table and spread her arms. Zane grinned ear to ear at his mother's antics before running into her arms.

"I needed this." Anya breathed a sigh, kissing her son's head.

"Momma, you look exhausted." Zane voiced what he noticed.

She hummed in acceptance, "My energy pill, cast your spell, show your magic," Anya said dramatically.

Her energy pill, Zane, chuckled hearing her. When he was younger, he used to pretend to cast a spell by spinning an imaginary magic wand or stick in the air. Now, he hugged her, continuing to chortle.

Rob was entertained watching them. When Anya's eyes fell on him, he faintly bowed his head, ready to leave the mansion.

"Ah… Mr. Robertson, could you please send me Linus Collins's contact details?" Anya asked as she stood up carrying Zane in her arms.

Without responding, Rob fished his mobile from his pocket and sent the details right away. "Ms. Owen, call me if you need anything. Mr. Matthews will arrive tonight."

Anya's lips twitched uncontrollably. Rob was aware of Alvin's arrival but her. It put her in a sour mood, "Thank you." She responded politely as she put Zane on the couch.

"Momma, do you wanna take a nap?" Zane asked.

Anya wouldn't have rested if her mind wasn't a mess, "Naptime, with my baby."

Zane didn't decline, he jumped off the couch, "Let me help you with files, Momma." He carried all the files and went upstairs.

Anya dialed Linus's number and Linus's lively voice sounded, "Sister-in-law!?"

Anya: "..."

Shaking off her thoughts, she focused on the topic, "I… saw the news." She said hesitantly without knowing how or what to ask.

Linus's lively voice cooled down. He became thoughtful when he responded, [It's for good. I am glad Dad realized his wrongdoing and got out of the toxic place before it's too late.]

Anya was amused at how Linus saw the situation. He focused on the person and the personality rather than any post of a president.

Linus continued, [Dad said he doesn't want to do the job which will make him feel guilty, hide things from grandfather, lose my trust, keep Bro away. He doesn't wish to become a person he loathes. We supported Dad, so he quit today.] He didn't sound unhappy but jovial, as if he found the lost person or his favorite thing back.

Anya realized the reason behind Bernard's call to her. Somehow, she was at ease after hearing Linus.

Linus added after a pause, [Right, sister-in-law, I know, forgiving is hard, I hope you could give Dad a chance.]

Anya silently smiled hearing him. Linus was too simple, like black or white. He got angry knowing his father's actions, he cooled down smoothly after seeing his father repent.

Probably that's the reason his world was bright, colorful, and filled with happiness.

Unfortunately, her world was filled with shades of gray. She wasn't sure when she could smooth out everything.

She awkwardly cleared her throat, "You can call me Anya."

Linus's tone suddenly shifted to concern, [Did you guys fight!!?] Then he started to coax her, speaking for Alvin, [Sister-in-law, I am sure Bro didn't mean to hurt you. Why don't you…]

Anya cut in immediately before he could assume more things, "We didn't fight. It's just… Never mind. Address me as you feel comfortable."

After the call ended, naptime changed to playtime as her mood was a lot better. They went fishing in the sea, cooked the same fish for dinner, and had sumptuous meals.

Tired Zane was happy to learn a new activity: Fishing. He dozed off with a smile on his face.

Anya wanted to wait for Alvin, so she chose to complete her pending work.

—–––––

At two in the night,

Alvin returned to the beach mansion in the middle of the night. His work took up more time, hence he was late. Despite being exhausted from the long trip right after his work, he was eager to take a look at his Little Donut.

He pushed the door of Zane's room, the little brat was sleeping alone. He checked Anya's empty room. Before he could call Rob or Anya, his eyes caught lights on the upper floor.

Making his way upstairs, he found her dozed off the desk in his study with the files spread around her. He could only sigh at the sight. She hadn't changed a bit in this case.

While studying, she used to have books all around her, burying herself in books and a laptop. Now she was the same for her work. She wasn't slacking even when she was leaving the job.

'Job!?' Bernard resigned so, will she go back to her work? Alvin will undoubtedly support her if she wishes to join but he will be at ease if she chooses a safe line job.

Seeing her having a good sleep, he didn't wake her up. He scooped her into his arms and realized her body had turned cold without a warm layer of clothes.

"Goofball," He muttered under his breath watching her snuggling against his chest. He quickly went downstairs and carefully laid her down on the bed.

Covering the duvet, he heard her faint sigh of satisfaction at the warmth of the duvet. His lips arced when her lips curled into a silly but sinless smile.

Giving in to the temptation, he dipped his head and pressed his lips on her forehead. Nevertheless, the woman flipped aside and her hand under the duvet moved to the other side.

Alvin: "..."

He had seen her messages asking him to stay in the capital. But he missed her too much to wait for another day to see her. Yet he was seeing her missing his little enemy.

Displeased, he pinched her cheek, causing her to frown in sleep. He has to slowly change her habit of sleeping with her son. But how?