Ch 8: A Sincere Request - Part 2

The question surprised Anabella since she was sure her husband had no interest in her. But now that she had been asked a question, Anabella could not avoid answering it either.

"James asked me to accompany him to his school meet-and-greet. Father said taking me would be a good idea since everyone else was busy."

Anabella decided to tell the truth since her husband could not say anything against his father and James.

Daniel looked at James and noticed the young's discomfort, but he ignored it instead of turning toward Anabella.

"I understand. I trust you to keep James out of trouble and not socialize much. People do not need to remember that you are affiliated with us. It will be better for you as well in the future."

Daniel did not outright say what he meant, but the meaning of his words could not be clearly understood.

He was telling Anabella that he would divorce her and bring his lover in here as his new wife.

That was fine with her!

The sooner Daniel did this, the sooner Anabella would be free. However, as per the 'traditions' (also known as her mother's temper), she could not show any of those emotions on her face.

So, Anabella sat quietly at the table and served herself toast and butter. She was done before anyone else and headed out first.

"I will be in the car. Come down once you are done, James. We can head to your school after that."

Anabella's lack of reaction struck the kid as weird, but since he did not know better, he continued to eat his food and look between Anabella and his father.

"Father, are you disappointed I asked that lady to come to school with me? I wanted to ask Mother, but then grandfather said that it can make Mother feel bad if others talk about her and also-"

Anger flashed across Daniel's face for a minute, making James back down. But as soon as Daniel saw that expression, he calmed down and reached out toward his son to calm his son down.

"James, it's fine! I know that it is not your fault. It is mine to give up under pressure and marry someone who is not your mother and can never replace your mother. So don't feel sorry about it.

As for other people bad-mouthing Sharon? You can tell me about them, and I will care of them. No one gets to say bad things about your mother, alright?"

Daniel was careful and gentle with his son. He did not want his son ever to face a situation where he had to feel outcasted like this ever again.

The young kid looked happy but also confused. His feelings were all over the place, but he knew better than to question his father.

After all, if everyone said that his 'mother and father' were in the wrong here to play with Anabella's feelings, should James not consider this a possibility, too?

He was old and smart enough to know that his father was not always right. He was also old enough to know what marriage was and how not all marriages were because of love.

But James had also heard students in his school talking about how their parents were married and lived happily while respecting each other. 

Then, what did the relationship between his father and Anabella mean? It did not seem as if they respected each other at all. It felt like they were two strangers living in the same space because they had no other option.

'It is all very confusing. I hope my father brings my mother home soon so we can live as a family. As for Anabella, she can return to her own family, right? She is not needed here and would be happier with her family.'

The young alpha nodded and decided to talk with Anabella's mother when he could.

His mother always told him how much she loved him and wanted to be with him all the time, and he was sure that Anabella's mother would be the same.

After all, she often pushed his father and mother along together. She wanted them to be with each other and live like a happy family.

...

The ride to the school was among the tensest, and the most awkward Anabella had ever been a part of. 

James looked like he often wanted to initiate a conversation but could not speak out loud.

The driver kept driving but checked in the back to ensure Anabella had not hurt their young master.

'No one in this household trusts me! I should have expected that, but it still sucks to know this. What's next? Will Daniel send a bodyguard to ensure I keep a safe distance from other people?'

Anabella kept looking outside until the car pulled into a driveway, and the driver opened the door so that she and James could exit.

"Madam, what time should I expect you and the young master to return?"

The driver asked, and James answered the driver.

"You can come at the normal time. The teacher told us we would spend a day here with our guests. You can head back now."

James dismissed the driver, making the man quickly walk away. 

Anabella did not ask a single question as she followed James inside. She immediately met the homeroom teacher and the principal.

Out of everyone in this school, these two were the only ones who knew Anabella and her situation back home. None of the other staff had been told who she was.

And since Anabella liked to keep out of the public eye, not much was known about her.

"James, who did you bring with you? This person is…"

The principal looked shocked to see Anabella, but he quickly gathered his expression and gave Anabella a smile in return.

His question stumped James, who had not expected to be asked such a question. 

The kid knew he needed to address Anabella as his 'mother' since it was the correct title, but he did not want to do that.

So, Anabella decided to help the kid while James spoke up.

"Guardian-"

"Elder Sister."

James's voice was louder, and the people looked stunned as they heard James speak about an 'Elder Sister' he did not have.

The principal and the classroom teacher looked at the now red-faced James with awkward expressions.

"Madam, what should we-"

The headroom teacher asked tensely, and Anabella decided to accept her identity.

"Just address me as James wants me to. I doubt I would see most of these people again after this."

Anabella assured as she gave up. She was too tired to bother with many greetings or clear up mishaps.

The awkward homeroom teacher and the principal looked at each other before following directions.

"Alright, if that is what you want, miss! Then, we will call you as James's elder sister. I hope you will not feel too offended by those words."

The teacher apologized, and Anabella shrugged her concern off.

She would not have started this whole thing without being so easily offended.

'Alright, time to face the music. I wonder how many people will try to get me to badmouth my husband and family. I am sure it is going to be a blast.'

Anabella sighed as she sat down in her seat. This was not going to be fun for her.