Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates-Chapter 685-Like A Mother, A Better One

Darcy:

"I have no home," I sat next to my brother’s grave, my eyes dry from all the tears I had already shed.

"Why did you do that? Did you not think about me once? Did you not think how I would have felt if someone had taken me against my will too? How could you say you loved me but then turn around and do another woman wrong?"

I sighed, repeating the same words over and over again, but I never found the answers.

How could my brother have turned out to be this cruel?

"Ever since you left, I’ve been very lonely," I uttered, my hand grazing the dry sand on his grave. He wasn’t given the royal funeral an Alpha deserves, he didn’t do anything great to earn it anyway.

If I hadn’t stopped him, he would have kept repeating his mistakes and making innocent people suffer.

"You know, I acted like you–and Norman kicked me out for hurting her. She means a lot to him. I should have known. You know, she still checks up on me every two days, but I haven’t responded. I’m ashamed of my actions," I sniffled.

"I don’t want to burden her with my responsibilities," I added, looking up at the dark clouds overtaking the sky.

"Ah, look! I’ll be getting soaked again." A silent tear rolled down my cheek as I realized I would have to return home, where my father looks at me like I’m going to kill him.

"Ahhh! I miss you. Wish we could meet again," I said, slowly getting up from the ground. I turned around and saw someone standing in the distance, watching me.

She had come with her warriors, and flowers.

As she walked toward the grave, she gave me only a small smile before placing the flowers down and praying for my brother.

"Hello, Jessica," said Lady Darcy, looking straight at the grave.

"I contacted you so many times, but you never responded," she said, finally turning to look at me.

"My child, why are you punishing yourself?" Her voice carried such a motherly tone. Her gentle touch on my cheek broke my composure, and I started sobbing in front of her.

"I don’t want to be a burden. Norman—Norman kicked me out of his home when I needed a roof so badly. I must be a terrible person, just like my brother, to be shunned by everyone—" I could no longer hold in my emotions. I needed someone to come check on me, and she was here.

"Oh, my child. My son is under a spell of love. He doesn’t know who he’s pushing away." She placed her hand behind my head and pulled me into a motherly embrace. I clung to her like my life depended on it.

"He hates me now," I uttered, sniffling.

"He does not. He cannot," she replied gently. "Come with me."

I broke the hug and shook my head. I appreciated that she had come to pray for my brother’s forgiveness, and to check on me. But I couldn’t go back to Norman’s home. I couldn’t bear the burden of rejection again.

"I’m not taking you to his home. At least not now. I just want to sit with you, to comfort you. After all, I’m your mother too, Jessica," she said kindly, rubbing my elbow. "You know I’ve always seen you as my daughter."

There was no lie in that.

She had been so loving toward me all this time, so I understood where she was coming from. She must have come here for me, she was* here for me.

She held my hand and walked me to her car, helping me get inside and sit in the backseat with her. Once in the car, she opened a water bottle and made me drink some.

"I made these for you," she said, pulling a huge smile to my lips when she opened the lunch box and showed me sushi rolls. They were my favorite.

"This is my old lunch box!" I exclaimed, excitedly snatching it out of her hands, smiling with gratefulness.

"You are so kind," I said, tearing up.

"I saved it all these years," she uttered softly.

"Jessica, remember I told you about the dream I had?" she continued, stroking my hair as I tasted the sushi rolls and closed my eyes to enjoy the flavor.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I remembered my childhood and my friendship with Norman. Those were good times.

I wished I could go back to my childhood and have those moments again—with Norman, my brother, and my father. The three most important people who once cared for me.

I hated growing up so badly.

But there was someone who still cared for me, just as much.

"Yes, Lady Darcy," I responded, looking at her face with adoration in my eyes. She was a mother to me, and she truly lived up to that role.

"And you know I have a seer who tells me about the future and what to expect?" she asked. I nodded once again.

"She told me she has good news for my sons. She has good news for you. While dealing with Helanie and everything she’s taken over, we forgot my sons are special too. She’s not the only one who will be blessed with good mates. Even if the Moon Goddess might be upset with me, she couldn’t be unjust to my children by making them anything less than special. They are special. And my son will need you now." She cupped my face in her hands and kissed my forehead.

I didn’t fully understand what was going on, but she said she had seen me in a dream. And I couldn’t say no, not after all the reassurance she gave me, not after all her love.

"So, please come home with me," she insisted.

With a deep breath and a wide smile on my lips, I nodded.

"I cannot say no to you," I replied. Even if she had asked for my life, I would’ve given it to her.

Her kindness, in a time when I had been left completely alone, and her motherly presence throughout my childhood, had earned my deepest respect. I was ready to go anywhere with her.

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