Chapter 24

Jules watched her son light up like a Christmas tree when he saw his room for the first time. She would admit it was even more immense than their entire apartment.

"Really?" Oliver uttered in astonishment as he hesitantly walked further inside the well-furnished room. "This is my room." He repeated what Damon said when his father opened the door.

"Yes, Oliver. This room is where you will sleep from now on." Damon assured him, using a milder tone she had never heard from him.

She guessed there were still many things she did not know about the man she was about to marry. But that was not much of her concern.

After all, this was not a relationship but just a business transaction, she reminded herself. And she better not forget that and stick to the script.

"Mom, look at this." Oliver ran to the queen-sized bed and climbed on top of it. "We don't have to sleep in that stuffy room and stiff bed. Not anymore"

Then, her young son started jumping on the bed to demonstrate how bouncy and soft the bed was. Truthfully, she was happy to see her son enjoying himself. But she also felt embarrassed that her son would reveal their living arrangement.

"We have a nice bed now." He continued, grabbing the pillow and hugging it to his body. "And pillows, too."

Still, she could not help but feel highly emotional upon seeing her son getting the things she could not give, even if she worked day and night at her current job.

She felt torn between her inadequacy to provide everything her son would need and her fear that she would lose her son to his father because he could give him more, a better future.

"Oliver, stop jumping." She quickly moved closer to her son. He was still recovering and should not be abusing his body.

Nevertheless, she was thankful to see that his mobility was almost returning to normal. Still, she would prefer to be cautious.

"Oliver, I want you to understand that this will be your room since you are a big boy now. Your mother is not staying with you anymore." Suddenly, Damon's voice interrupted them.

"But where will she sleep?" Her young son's innocent question floated in the air.

It was as if she was not embarrassed enough earlier. She felt her face was about to melt from the burning sensation on her cheeks. She suddenly did not want to witness the interaction.

"Your mother did explain that she was going to marry me. Right? So, she will naturally be sleeping in my room."

She wanted to stop him from answering her son's question, but her tongue appeared frozen as she just listened in bewilderment at what he had suggested.

Again, she should learn to discuss the small details of this arrangement. But she guessed, in front of her son, would not be the right time.

"Isn't that right, Jules, my pumpkin." Damon suddenly appeared on her side out of the blue, wrapping his arms around her shoulder and squeezing them tightly as he looked down at her face.

It was like he was asking for her confirmation, putting her on the spot in front of their son. Therefore, how could she say no without confusing her son?

"Yeah, you should learn how to sleep in your room since you are growing up so fast." She agreed with Damon, having no other option.

Then, she gently wiggled herself away from his hold, not finding it comfortable. She quickly walked to her son, patting him on the shoulder to assure him it was okay.

"My friend said she also has her room, and her mother and father slept in the other room." Oliver appeared to agree with them.

"But you will still read books to me, right?" Her young son pleaded with his eyes as he looked at her.

"Of course, as long as you want me to," Jules answered, remembering how he liked it when she conjured up some stories.

"Will you also read stories to me?" Only this time, Oliver's eyes sought his father as if he wanted him to say yes.

It took Damon a few seconds to realize what their son was saying to him, but he nodded. "Sure, I would love to. But..." He added as he moved toward the door.

"I have something else to show you. Would you like to see it?" He asked their son as he waited for him to follow.

Of course, Oliver could not hide his excitement as he followed Damon outside. Then, Damon guided them to another door adjacent to Oliver's room.

"What do you think?" Damon finally asked when he opened the door wide for Oliver to see what was inside the other side of the wall.

If her son was over the moon upon seeing the mansion and his room, Oliver had gone berserk when he stepped inside his private playroom.

"Is this all mine?" He asked as her eyes glazed around the objects displayed in each area of the room, from stuffed animals to computerized toys.

Assorted playthings that she could only suspect to be the latest in the market. She did not have to speculate that this must have cost a fortune. She could already see it.

Again, how could she compete in this lifestyle? But then again, how could she regret accepting this deal when her child was alive and breathing?

"Yes, they are all yours." Damon patted the boy. "Do you like them?"

Of course, Oliver loved them. What boy would say no to all of these things? "Oliver does not need all of this." She finally spoke up, feeling like the toys were too much.

She would have to step in and put her foot forward. "I know you mean well, Damon, but you should have consulted me before buying all these." After all, she was still the mother.

She guessed that was another area she needed to address in their discussion. She could not allow Damon to spoil her child rotten just because he could.

That was not how she would like to raise her child. Besides, she still believed this was temporary, even if Damon acted like this about to last forever.

She still believed that Damon would not last long with their charade. He would not be patient enough to pretend that he was father material.

And lastly, he would grow tired of acting as her husband soon enough.