Big Surprise!

"Nathaniel, guess what today is?" my mother squealed as she walked into the living room, her eyes alight with excitement.

They started signaling with their eyes. Normally, I always thought it was a girl's superpower to converse with her eyes, but my father seems to be quite skilled at it too. My mum is pregnant with my younger sibling, and I'm still wondering what kind of secret conversation they are having that makes them look like they are having a stroke.

"Papi, are you okay? You're twitching your eyes a lot," I said, purposefully teasing him to make him feel embarrassed.

My mum started laughing at him, a melodious sound that filled the room with warmth.

"No, baby, but Papi has planned an outing for all of us," he announced.

I was genuinely surprised. I didn't understand the reason for the extravagance, but okay.

******

"Maya, remind Robin to come by the house and prepare all we paid him for. Her 5th birthday must turn out extremely well," her father whispered, urgency in his voice. Maya left in a hurry to tell Robin, the decorator, who was waiting in the backyard.

"Let's go, off to a family outing," Nathaniel declared after Maya came back. The day was sunny, and everyone in the village wore large smiles. Yeri is a well-loved child in this little village, so it was no shock that everyone seemed happy.

"Papi, I want sweet bread."

"Papi, let's ride a horse."

"Papi, look! Flowers! Give them to Mummy."

"Papi, I want juice."

"Papi, let's go to the lake."

The demands were coming in fast and furious. Maya almost found it hard to move, being four months pregnant.

They strolled around the lake. While Maya rested on a bench under the shade of an old oak tree, Nathaniel and Yeri played in the water, splashing and laughing. Maya loved admiring such scenes, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of her family's happiness.

Seeing this scene kept reminding Maya that she made the right decision, leaving, all those years ago. The things she always wished the Count would do for her, she found them her in a small village of almost nothingness.

The count had never loved Maya but the moment her had a mistress, Diana, their silent war turned to those of shields and swords. If she got attacked nobody but herself was to defend. Diana was the kind to do something bad and place the blame on. Maya so that the Count would despise her the more.

A mistress fighting for the position of Countess. It got worse with each passing day. The day which was already dark, became nothingness. The feeling of being wrong to the point where no apology fixes the problem. There were only days of insults and heats of betrayal.

But now she had nothing to worry about. If someone didn't believe her or if someone envied her. All she has now is hers alone to enjoy.

Their smiles, their happiness, her joy and peace.

" I am proud of myself. I am glad,I do not regret it one bit ", she said taking in a deep breath.

After a long day of fun, it was time to go home. As Yeri stared at the setting sun and the shimmering lake, Nathaniel took out a small box. His expression was a mix of happiness and melancholy.

"Papi, what's wrong?" Yeri asked, sensing the shift in his mood.

"It seems like just yesterday when your mother gave birth to you, and today you are growing up so fast. I would love for you to remain the same, but your mother and I won't want you throwing unnecessary tantrums," he said with a little laugh that barely masked the tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm not your biological father, but I'm happy to be your dad. So, from father to daughter, I gift you this. Happy birthday."

Saying that, he gently placed a delicate necklace around her neck. It was a locket with their family picture inside.

"I'm not sure what your siblings will look like, so don't mind the little wrapped baby in the picture," he added with a chuckle.

"And from me to you, my love, happy birthday. I don't have much to say because your dad has said it all, but I'll still say thank you for being a part of my life," Maya said, hugging Yeri tightly and crying her eyes out.

They shared a tight hug before Maya handed her a beautifully wrapped package. Inside, Yeri found a diary, a hair ribbon, and a pair of sparkling earrings.

The touching family scene was lovely, and it was time for Yeri's big surprise.

"Grab the child!" one of the bandits yelled suddenly, shattering the serene moment.

"Yeri! Yeri!" her mother screamed, her voice breaking with terror as she struggled to hold the bandit by his leg.

"MA!" Yeri cried out, her voice high and filled with fear.

"Let go of my child!" Nathaniel roared, charging at the group of bandits. He fought them fiercely, his desperation giving him strength.

The bandit holding Yeri barked orders to his accomplices. "Keep him busy! Beat her until she lets go!"

Maya held on tightly, her nails digging into the bandit's leg as he dragged her across the ground. She screamed for help, her voice hoarse and filled with pain as they continued hitting her back with bamboo sticks. The sharp cracks of the sticks against her flesh mingled with her cries, creating a harrowing symphony of suffering.

She began to bleed, the dark red stain spreading across her dress—a sign of miscarriage. Slowly, her strength ebbed away. Her grip weakened, her consciousness slipping as darkness encroached. The moment her grip was loose enough, they tore Yeri from her grasp.

Nathaniel fought with all his might, his heart breaking as he saw Maya's condition. "Maya, stay with me! Please, stay with me!" he shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Maya, hold on. Please," he whispered, cradling her in his arms as tears streamed down his face.

As the bandits where retreating, they were awfully attentive. The big box that Maya gifted Yeri was taken.