Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 314: English Tea Party

–Tyrona–

Again, the twins weren’t in the mansion. Nor was Sky.

I received a tip that Sky had gone on a trip with his father. I may have provided a few insights that led to that little excursion—but it was never my intention to involve the boy directly. I don’t want him hurt. Not at all.

As my own son grows more talkative, more cheerful, more playful—sleeping soundly through the night instead of waking in tears—I find myself unwilling to eliminate an innocent child. Not when he is useful. Not when he matters to Andro.

I sat beside my son and gently caressed his hair. He was pouting again. He has been asking about Sky endlessly, his little voice repeating the name like a chant.

I tried calling Damon. The call wouldn’t go through.

I tried Laura. Nothing.

Silence.

When we arrived home, a nanny and a butler from the Braxton household were already waiting beside a sleek black car. The engine hummed softly, polished metal gleaming under the afternoon sun.

The butler stepped forward and handed me an invitation card. Thick cardstock. Embossed gold lettering. Expensive.

"Mr. Andro is invited to a tea party," he said in a neutral tone.

"Oh?" I smiled pleasantly as I opened the envelope. "Alright, baby. Let’s get ready."

"Miss Tyrona," the butler added calmly, "it specifically states that only Mr. Andro and his nanny may attend. You cannot come."

I slowly raised my brows.

"I’m his mother." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Yes, ma’am. The decision remains yours." His expression didn’t change—an infuriating poker face.

I looked down at Andro. He stared up at me with wide, hopeful eyes, fingers clutching the hem of my dress. Then I glanced at his nanny.

I exhaled softly to the servants from the Braxton. "Wait here."

I instructed the nanny to prepare an overnight bag. Essentials. Pajamas. Extra clothes. His preferred milk. I squatted in front of my son and lifted his chin gently between my fingers.

"Alright," I said softly. "You can play with Sky and the twins. But Mommy won’t be there."

"Okay!" he exclaimed, trying very hard to contain his excitement. His lips trembled with the effort, which I found unbearably adorable.

"Tell Mommy everything, hm? Every single detail." I smoothed his collar. "Including Sky’s mommy."

"Okay!" he repeated eagerly.

The nanny returned with two overnight bags—one for Andro, one for herself. Discreet. Prepared.

I gestured subtly to my secretary, who stepped forward and pinned a tiny accessory onto Andro’s button. Small. Harmless-looking. Necessary.

Then I let him go.

"Take care of him," I told the nanny, my tone sweet but edged with steel. "Make sure he doesn’t get hurt."

She nodded.

I watched as my son climbed into the van, his small hand waving excitedly through the tinted window.

My chest tightened painfully.

I just sent my son into the enemy’s den.

I pressed my palm against my sternum, forcing myself to breathe.

He will be safe.

He has to be.

–Livana–

My husband, dressed in a crisp white polo, was speaking sharply into his phone. His tone was edged with restrained anger. He was supposed to be resting.

The party downstairs had already begun.

I was fully disguised.

We had invited little Andro as well. The setup below—carefully arranged by the maids I deployed—was flawless. A tea party for the children. A pre-celebration for Laura.

When we were girls, Laura and I used to play exactly like this—tea parties beneath imaginary crowns, pretending we were princesses from England or distant kingdoms. Father had even commissioned a tree house for us, built high and sturdy, where we could rule our tiny world.

It is unfortunate that the very father who built it is now dead to us—though very much alive.

"Love."

Damon wrapped his arm around my waist from behind, pressing close. His chin rested on my shoulder as he peered out the window with me. From our bedroom, we could see the tent below, the small gathering Laura was hosting.

Deanne arrived with trays, and we exchanged a puzzled look.

"Hmm," I murmured thoughtfully. "I believe this is Deanne’s baby shower."

"Oh." Damon straightened slightly. "Right. I thought it was just a pre-party before Laura’s birthday."

"We should go down now."

I lifted my binoculars and discreetly checked on Andro’s nanny. Security had permitted the small camera pinned to Andro’s shirt.

We allowed it just for a show.

Let Tyrona remain alert. She is foolish enough to use her own son to reach us.

But I am prepared.

I applied my makeup carefully and inserted contact lenses matching Laura’s eye color. My hair was styled black and curly beneath a delicate hat. A long, elegant pink dress flowed down to my ankles.

My husband, of course, insisted on delaying our descent.

Since I, too, felt the lingering heat of longing, I indulged him briefly. Though truthfully, I could have asked for more.

Family surrounded us—on every side.

All but my father.

I sighed and retouched my makeup. Sunglasses completed the disguise as Damon took my hand and led us downstairs.

"Pretty!" Sky exclaimed, running toward me. "Mama!"

The nanny’s gaze lowered immediately as I bent and kissed Sky’s forehead, leaving a soft lipstick mark.

"Ando!"

Andro ran toward us. I crouched gracefully, removed my sunglasses, and gently lifted his chin.

"Hello, Andro. Thank you for being Sky’s friend."

He beamed.

"Why are your eyes not purple?" he asked innocently, likely recalling the painting at the Blackwell residence.

"I’m Sky’s stepmother," I replied calmly.

"Mama, pretty!" Sky insisted proudly.

"What’s a stepmother?" Andro asked.

"Sky’s second mum," I answered, replacing my sunglasses. The delicate netting of my headdress veiled my face.

"Why are you wearing that?" He pointed to the net.

"Because I’m too pretty," I said lightly.

He took a small step back, slightly intimidated.

I handed him a small gift box.

"Mama, pretty!" Sky repeated as Andro opened it.

Inside was a detailed helicopter model—matching the one Sky had, customized with his name. This one bore Andro’s nickname.

"Wow!" Sky gasped.

Andro hugged me tightly. I smoothed his hair.

All the children had similar helicopters—except for Zendaya, who preferred pink and purple. She always gets exactly what she wants.

"Alright, everyone!" Laura called, gathering the guests. The grandparents chatted animatedly about future events. Damon’s parents and my mother were already planning another celebration.

Just before my mother arrived, I ensured Andro’s camera pin was removed. Commander White—blending seamlessly among the guests—accidentally "bumped" into it and replaced it with a decorative car pin to prevent suspicion.

I sat beside my husband. He buried his face into my neck beneath my elaborate hat and fell asleep within moments. I tapped him gently and placed a pillow on my lap. He instinctively turned and rested his cheek upon it, hugging me.

I observed the nanny from beneath lowered lashes. She watched us carefully, perhaps trying to determine whether I was truly Sky’s biological mother. Perhaps attempting to capture photographs of both Andro and us.

Alyssa and Lore arrived fashionably late—though Alyssa had orchestrated much of this event days ago before leaving for a distant getaway with Lore.

I stroked my husband’s hair absentmindedly while Laura spoke through the microphone. Suddenly, Deanne and Caine popped the confetti cannon—pink smoke and garlands erupted into the air.

Caine shouted in delight.

A girl.

I had prepared gifts for both possibilities—but today, I would present the nursery prepared for a daughter. Alyssa had eagerly helped decorate it while Damon and I were abroad.

Lore had installed a discreet camera before the renovations began. From overseas, I occasionally watched the footage—mostly amused by Alyssa’s playful attempts to distract him. I never showed Damon. He would not appreciate the humor.

Youth can be so theatrical.

She reminds me of Damon in our younger years—when he would deliberately join me in the pool, attempt to steal kisses, only to earn a sharp punch in return.

I chuckled softly at the memory.

The celebration continued. Lore and Alyssa served strawberries while Lore unveiled a chocolate fondue fountain for the children.

Sky attempted to lean dangerously close to it.

Zendaya gently corrected him, teaching him the proper way to dip fruit. Lore laughed while instructing Sky to listen to his sister.

My son obeyed.

Andro followed eagerly, fully at ease among them.

The nanny stood aside with the other attendants, smiling.

Damon remained asleep on my lap beneath the ornate tent.

Laura finally joined us, sitting opposite and rubbing her stomach.

"That was lovely," she said.

"I hope you’re enjoying it," I replied.

"I am. I’ll be hosting my own soon." She patted her belly.

Alyssa approached and mischievously covered Damon’s mouth and nose. He jolted awake, gasping.

"You’re ruining the party," she teased.

I laughed as Damon turned toward me again, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"So," I asked Alyssa, "what happened during your trip?"

She explained how they narrowly avoided an accident. She handled the vehicle expertly—only minor damage. Lore had called backup to escort them safely.

Good.

However, investigations revealed that those trailing them were acquaintances of Tyrona’s sister.

During interrogation, they uncovered something more.

The box had not come from Tyrona.

It was her sister—Trisha.

She had manipulated Lore’s former one-night companion, Teressa, into delivering that grotesque "gift" to Alyssa.

An unhealthy fixation.

Lore is handsome. Strong. Charismatic.

Attachment can form quickly when passion lacks boundaries.

I glanced again at the nanny, who had approached Andro and whispered something to him. He looked confused.

Jane stood close behind, listening.

My instincts stirred.

Yes.

She is bad news.