Chapter 1

Eros (who's now called Ava) felt that her new mother embraced her even stronger instead of letting her go. Mustn't she be resentful at me? I'm the reason her husband punched her after all.

The young mother, whose hair was black as midnight, settled her head on top of her daughter's head and whispered, "it's not your fault, honey. Papa always been a mean person. I'm certain you might now understand me yet—"

Oh yes I do, thought Ava.

"—but I'll never abandon you."

After that, she hugged her even tighter. Ava's mother's face was pale because of her childbirth and closed her eyes to combat her tiredness. After a few minutes, she fell asleep with Ava wrapped in her arms. Ava was exhausted herself, because of her recent traumas, so she let a little tear escape from her eyes and soon slept herself.

***

A knock on the door woke up the mother-daughter pair from their sleep.

"Can I come in?" asked an older male voice in a friendly way.

This confused Ava. Is her husband back to give her another beating? But his mother was not.

"Priest Herman! What do I owe you this pleasure of you visiting silly old me?" she greeted him with a cheerful tone.

"Isa, long time no see. I heard the news and came to check if it was true, I couldn't believe what folks in town are gossiping," he came closer to her head and whispered, "they are saying you committed infidelity."

"They are saying what? But how?" asked Isa, Ava's mother, in disbelief. "Robert's way too proud to tell other's, so some prying eyes must have overheard us. He was pretty loud after all," she suddenly glanced towards Herman and asked, "What about you? Do you think I cheated on him?"

Herman shook his head and said, "of course not. Ava, we have been friends since we were children, I know you're not that type of woman. Although, I've got to admit, it's pretty extraordinary for a child to have golden hair when both of their parents have black hair. I'm certain there's another reason for that."

"Thanks for your faith in me, I must look terrible right now, don't I?" asked Isa with a slight slime.

"I've seen better days," answered Herman jokingly. He then glanced at the pair and said in disbelief, "Dear god, your daughter's still connected to your tummy, hasn't Robert even cut the umbilical cord? What an unbelievable guy! Should I cut it?"

Isa nodded her head and then asked embarrassed, "can you also clean her? I preferred to do it myself, but I feel awfully weak right now..."

"No, no of course Isa, I don't mind. That's what friends do, right?"

He then pulled a dagger from his pocked, cleansed it with some alcohol, and then cut off the string. "I'm going to snag a cloth." and then raced away.

Isa smiled and sighed, "what would I be without Herman..."

After Herman cleaned Ava and his mother, he checked their health and started with Ava. He opened one eye of hers and gasped in disbelief, "her eyes, they are so blue! It's beautiful, I've never seen it as pure as this. I'm sure she'll turn into a stunning young woman. You sure you haven't slept with some blue-eyed prince?" asked Herman jokingly.

Isa rolled her eyes and responded, "hilarious, Herman, but I have not. How is it even possible she is so different from us? She's healthy, right?"

"Yes, yes, don't worry, she's as healthy as one can be, but I've got to go now, duty calls. It was nice speaking to ya."

"likewise," answered Isa with a smile. "Oh, by the way, will you be there when they check if Ava or Eden have any blessings in tomorrow's ceremony? I need a friend there, because I've got a feeling everyone's attention will be on me, and not the good kind. And have you've seen Robert and Edon when you entered? I'm surprised Edon hasn't come yet to see his newborn sister."

"For your first question, of course I'll be there. I'm the town's local priest, remember? And for your second question. I think I saw him leaving with Edon in his grip. He looked quite furious, I think they went hunting by looking at the supplies they took with them."

"Hunting? Seriously? Edon's only five... I hope he'll be alright."

"What about Robert?" asked Herman with a grin.

"Well, let's say I hope he'll be able to continue providing for the household."

Herman laughed, bid his farewell and left. Isa glanced at her sleeping daughter, smiled, and accompanied her shortly after.

***

Ava and her mother were both sleeping, her mother was having a pleasant dream which one could see by looking at her smiling face, Ava, however, had the opposite. She had a nightmare and started crying.

It's your fault your family died, you're a murderer! said a female voice. If only you hadn't slept with her! You should have stayed loyal!

Ava saw the faces of her deceased family members twisting in a circle while she was in a shadowy place. She was having a nightmare.

"Sweety, stop crying," announced a kind voice, which was her new mother. "I'm here for you. Were you having an unhappy dream?"

Ava tried to nod yes, but couldn't due the lack of neck muscles. Isa smiled. She didn't expect an answer, of course. Their conversation ended when a voice called her.

"Mama!" he shouted. The boy then sprinted towards Isa and looked at her while she lay in bed.

"Is this my sister?" asked the child.

"Yes Eden, she is. Now say hello to your new sister, her name is Ava!"

"Hi Ava!" shouted the boy, causing Isa to squint her eyes as her son's voice was loud.

"Don't shout that loud, you'll make me and your newborn sister deaf."

"Sorry," apologized Eden as he felt ashamed.

"It's okay, sweetheart," she said smilingly towards her son, unable to resist his innocent looks. She then noticed the tall man standing next to Eden, her husband Robert, the one who hit her. Her expression became annoyed and asked, "are you here to punch me again, Robert?"

"Honey, I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. I couldn't think clearly back then, it just frustrates me to think that my beautiful wife would sleep with men."

"You know I wouldn't do that, right? I thought you knew I wasn't that type of woman, have I ever done something that made you question my loyalty?"

"I know, that's why I apologized, dammit woman, how many times should I apologize? But anyway, I'm not here to start another discussion. I'm here to kiss my beautiful wife and new daughter. I trust she's mine."

He then kissed Isa and Ava on their heads.

Yikes, don't kiss me again, you pervert! thought Ava.

Robert then suddenly glances towards Ava and noticed her blue eyes. He gets angry and shouts, "Are you kidding me? She even has blue eyes? I'm seriously doubting my faith in you, Isa. I, myself, have always been loyal, but you have probably slept with many other men, I must punish you for this!"

He lifted his fist high into the air. One could see he was furious, ready to beat the crap out of his wife. He punched towards Isa, but suddenly stopped, noticing the confused expression on his son's face.

"Daddy, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, little man, daddy was just stretching," answered Robert in a hurry. His anger disappeared, and he put his hands in his pants. He's relieved that his son didn't see that side of him, he cherished his son even more than his wife. He walked towards the door, stopped, and said, "I'm going to make dinner."

He then walked away while mumbling 'whore' thinking nobody heard him.

When Isa was sure that Robert left, she started crying. She was so afraid that he would hit her again, and that in front of her children. That was something she wanted to avoid the most, she wanted her kids to grow up peacefully, shielded from the cruel reality of this world.

"Mommy? Why are you crying?" asked Eden, confused.

Isa snickered, forcing a smile and answered, "it's nothing sweetheart. I just felt bad."

"Is that my fault?"

"No honey, it's not. Just promise me you won't become like your father. You should be a kind person when you grow up."

"I promise I will mommy! I'll grow into a strong man who will protect you and my sister!"

Isa smiled. "I'm sure you will, honey, when you're strong enough, I'll trust that you'll come up for me and your sister, but for now, you're my little boy!"