LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 62: Birthday

In the cozy warmth of their apartment, the lovey-dovey couple Yvette and Zeke sat across from each other, sharing small laughter over tea when Zeke’s phone rang diluting the peaceful atmosphere.

Zeke grabbed the phone laying on the coffee table , glancing down, he saw his grandfather’s name flashing on the screen.

He hesitated, his smile fading as he picked it up. He knew whatever was going to unfold wasn’t going to be good.

"Ezekiel". Grandfather Lorenzo voice crackled over the line, a mix of joviality, haughtiness and demand.

"You’re coming to the family home tomorrow, yes? For my birthday? Or did you forget?"

"No, I didn’t forget, Grandpa. I’ll be there". Zeke replied, a forced cheerfulness coloring his voice as he massaged him temples. This was an incoming terrible headache.

"Good. See that you don’t disappoint me as always". His grandfather said before abruptly ending the call.

Zeke sighed as he set his phone down, his shoulders slumping slightly. Yvette’s warm and observant eyes were already on him, concern etched on her face.

"What’s wrong?" She asked gently, reaching for his hand. "You don’t want to go?. You don’t seem really enthusiastic about going home, is anything bothering you?". She asked as she had heared most of his conversation with his grandfather.

Zeke sighed inaudibly and looked down, his fingers tracing circles on the wooden tabletop. "It’s nothing, really. Just... I don’t like my father’s family much. They never treated me well after my parents died. It was only my uncle, Uncle James and my mom’s side who actually cared about me. They gave me everything I needed, while my father’s family... they made me feel like I didn’t belong. Treating me like a piece of unwanted trash".

Yvette squeezed his hand, encouraging him to continue. "It’s hard, isn’t it? But maybe this time, things could be different?"

However, Zeke shook his head, his expression darkening as memories stirred. "I don’t think so. My mom tried so hard to belong to that family too... and they broke her. She was a top model, you know?". He began, his voice low, pained and Yvette was surprised.

"Just like you, she was a top model in her prime and she gave up everything for my father. Against her own family’s wishes, she left her career, her fame, all because she believed in him. She thought it was worth it even when she was disowned, she wasn’t regretful not even a bit".

He paused for a while, his gaze distant. Yvette’s face softened as she watched him, her heart aching for him and for herself too as she realized the similarities in their fate. They were both devoted lovers who could go to any extents for their beloved but in the end what did they get?. Nothing, absolutely nothing but humiliation.

"But not long after their marriage, my father got involved with another model and that was Manuel’s mother, my stepmother". Zeke continued, bitterness lacing his words.

"Turns out he was seeing her at the same time he was with my mom. She found out only because the other woman got pregnant, just like my mom and almost at the same time too."

"Oh, my...". Yvette whispered, eyes wide with empathy.

"Imagine that". Zeke said, a humorless smile on his face. "But my mom was so kind, so unbelievably kind that I almost find it foolish sometimes. She told him to take the other woman in, thinking it was the right thing to do for the child. She said being a single mother would be too hard for her. But they took her kindness for granted. Instead of respecting her sacrifice, they just pushed her further and further away."

Zeke’s hand trembled slightly as he went on. "It broke her. Years later, she fell into a depression so deep... one night she went to sleep and never woke up. All she left behind was a letter, a final goodbye for my father. I don’t know what was in it, but after he read it, he shut down. He withdrew from everyone, barely spoke a word. And he was dead within weeks."

A thick silence settled over the room, both of them lost in the shadows of the past. Yvette reached out, brushing a tear that had slipped down his cheek without him noticing while controlling her’s also.

"And when my parents died". Zeke continued. "That was the beginning of my torment, even the world felt like hell to me. My stepmother always thinks I covet everything Manuel’s has even till this very date that she made me suffer for even breathing wrongly. Grandfather was frail in health so anything she says goes, no one else dares to interfere since Grandfather made her the decision maker they could only stand by and watch, helping from the shadows when they could".

"You’ve suffered so much". Yvette patted his shoulder encouragingly. "I didn’t know she was like that. All the time I was with Manuel, she was so cool and admirable and kind also. I even remember at a point I wished to be like her".

"Like her, my ass". He chuckled. "I remember one time, she locked me in so I couldn’t play with you guys when we were neighbors in Windsor town. I was locked in for days , I fell sick and . . . Since then she’s began calling me a maniac".

"A maniac". Yvette frowned. "That’s way too tough and unbearable for a kid. Instead of seeking proper care, she calls you a maniac".

"Then I also remember, she always said you were sick and that we shouldn’t play with you lest we get infected, what were you sick with?. An infection or what?".

"Well . ."

"That time too, when I saw you. You were so pale and looked sickly.. .

"Perhaps it was a flu, I can’t remember much". He scratched his forehead, eager to dismiss the topic.

"Why do I think you’re lying?".

"Have I ever lied to you?".

"No ". Yvette replied dismissively, knowing she would later find out what secret he was trying to hide from her but his reaction made her wonder if it was something worse.

Then she remembered the day she asked about his health condition from Angelo, he didn’t have a direct answer but told her to ask him instead and here he didn’t want to talk about it. This only made her more bothered and curious.

Was he really suffering from any health condition? Or was she merely overthinking it.

"You were more like my mom, you know?". Zeke smiled , crossing his arms.

"Yeah". She replied as she laid her heads on his shoulder. "We almost shared the same fate but all thanks to you for diverting my path and saving me from future losses. That’s why they say most disappointment is a blessing".

"I just didn’t want you to end up like that. Forgotten and that was because I loved you also".

"We should go". Yvette said softly, her eyes unwavering and he had to look at her questioningly to get what she meant.

"No matter how much you dislike them. It might be difficult, but... this could be a chance to face them, to show them that you’re stronger than what they did to you."

Zeke looked at her, a flicker of fear crossing his face. "I’m not worried about me, Yvie. I’m afraid they’ll treat you badly, too. I don’t want them anywhere near you."

She smiled, wrapping her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Forget about them bullying me. When I’m with you, I’m not even afraid of death."

Her words melted his defenses, and a gentle, grateful smile crept back to his face. He pulled her close, enveloping her in a hug, breathing in the comfort of her presence.

"Fine, we’ll go but you have to stick to me okay?".

"I’m willing to be a glue on your highness . . ." She said and the duo burst out laughing.

The car glided down the winding drive, tires crunching softly on the gravel as the mansion loomed into view.

Surrounded by sweeping lawns and framed by old oak trees, the house was imposing yet elegant, built in the stately neoclassical style.

Soft, warm lights glowed through the tall arched windows, giving it a welcoming yet grand appearance as dusk settled in, casting shades of violet and amber across the sky.

The car came to a smooth stop, and as soon as they stepped out, the couple was enveloped by a heady mix of scents , freshly cut grass, a hint of jasmine carried by the evening breeze, and a faint whiff of woodsmoke from somewhere nearby.

Zeke got down and adjusted his tie before offering Yvette his hands, who took it gracefully, her gaze lifting up to take in the mansion.

"Zeke, this place is... it’s breathtaking". She murmured, her eyes wide with awe.

"Yeah. If not for the bad memories and all, I would consider it a small heaven" . He said and the duo giggled.