The billionaire's only desire-Chapter 55: Mummy is home

The soft glow of a lantern flickers gently, casting warm shadows on the fabric walls of the tent. Maya is nestled in a cozy sleeping bag, her head resting on a pile of soft blankets. Dalton is beside her, propped up on one elbow, his face illuminated by the lantern’s light. He wears a relaxed expression, his eyes sparkling with emotion as he shares stories of his camping trips with his brothers and father.

Maya couldn’t help but smile, feeling grateful for this moment and for the way he was opening up to her about his childhood.

When he told her he loved her, she still hadn’t said it back because she was shocked and overwhelmed with joy.

As the night deepens, they both settle into a comfortable silence, listening to the sounds of the night. The sounds of nature create a soothing symphony: the rustle of leaves, the distant call of an owl, and the gentle whisper of the wind. Inside, the air is filled with the faint scent of pine and the earthy aroma of the campsite.

Maya reached for Dalton’s hand, intertwining their fingers. She felt the warmth radiate between them. Looking deep into his eyes, she confessed, "I love you too."

Dalton glanced at her, his expression softening, and leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I know," he said, his lips curved.

Maya’s heart fluttered rapidly. Was that a hint of a smile? She was freaking out inside. A real smile from him could send her heart into cardiac arrest.

"Isn’t this perfect?" Maya whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. Dalton nodded in agreement.

Maya’s heart swelled with contentment as the world outside faded away. In this little tent, lying under a blanket of stars with her handsome partner, everything felt just right. After all the terrible things she had been through, she was finally experiencing her happily ever after. Hopefully, nothing will interrupt the blissful tranquility that her life has become.

*****

The camp date came to an end, and the two lovebirds strolled through the woods back to the mansion, returning to the world after 24 hours of being in their own little paradise.

As they approached the main door, they heard raised voices—two people were arguing. Maya recognized one of the voices; it was Nana Rose. However, she couldn’t identify the other voice.

Dalton went rigid beside her, which made Maya concerned. "Do you know whose voice that was?"

"Yes. Nana Rose arguing aggressively with someone in the middle of the day means one thing: she’s back," Dalton growled unhappily.

"W-who?" Maya frowned.

Dalton didn’t respond. He pulled Maya inside with him.

The scene that greeted them was Nana Rose chasing a woman with a frying pan.

"You crazy old hag! I will have you arrested for this!" the woman screamed as she ran in circles around the living room, with Nana Rose pursuing her.

"And you’re a filthy slut! Get out of my house!" Nana Rose shot back.

Maya stared in amusement at Oliver, River, and Aiden. They are watching the chaotic drama from the sidelines, looking bored.

"This is my son’s house! You are the one who needs to pack your bags and move out to your own son’s house—oh wait, you don’t have one. Because you’re a barren woman," the woman sneered at Nana Rose.

Her sharp words made Nana Rose stop chasing her, causing her to drop the frying pan.

Nana Rose’s face was filled with hurt. "I may have never had a child of my own, but I’m more of a mother than you, Beatrice! While you were running around, sleeping, and marrying any rich man in sight, I was taking care of your children!"

Maya took a second look at the woman. She is their mom? Maya couldn’t determine her age at all; the woman was very beautiful and sophisticated. She has sleek-black hair and piercing green eyes like Dalton. He is the male version of his mom. The twins took her nose. While Aiden inherited her lips. Her facial features are evident in all her children.

The brothers Inherited half of their good looks from their mother, Maya observed.

Beatrice, their mother, scoffed. "Please, we both know why you took care of my kids. You did it to get Dalton’s father’s attention, you old witch. You’ve been in love with him since you babysat him when he was just 12 years old and you were 25. You’re a disgusting pedophile."

Everyone cringed.

"How dare you accuse me of such a despicable thing!" Nana Rose lunged at her with the frying pan, but Dalton stepped between them.

"Leave," Dalton hissed at his mother.

Beatrice’s face twisted into a pitiful expression. "Dalton, my son, I have nowhere to go. I just divorced my husband, and I didn’t get anything from the divorce. That miser tricked me into signing a prenup before we got married"

"Jeez, Mom," River interjected. "That makes him the fifteenth husband you’ve divorced. I see where I got my man-whore traits from."

Beatrice jerked her head back. "Did you just call me a whore? I’m your mom; give me some respect!"

"You kids shouldn’t believe what this shameful woman said. I love Dalton’s father like my little brother," Nana Rose said between sobs.

Oliver came over to hug her. "We don’t believe her," he consoles Nana Rose as he glares at his mother. "Mom, you should leave."

"You are taking her side! River, I’m your mother; you should be on my side!" Beatrice exclaimed, feigning innocence.

"That’s Oliver, not his twin," Aiden corrected her.

"Oh, my sweet boy, the doctor, right?. Please pardon your mom; it’s hard to distinguish between you two." She tried to pat Oliver’s hair, but he moved away, rejecting his mother’s touch.

"You are a pathetic mother," Aiden said with contempt.

Beatrice glared at her son. "Cut me some slack, my babies. Mummy is home! You should be welcoming me, not treating me like a plague," she shrieked like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Where you stay isn’t my business. I want you out of my house!" Dalton sternly threw at his mother

"I can’t be on my own; the doctor said my heart condition has gotten worse," Beatrice dropped the terrible news. She took a manila folder from her bag and handed it to Oliver.

Oliver reviewed the test results he found in the folder. "They look legit, Dalton. She is very sick, even though she doesn’t appear to be."

Dalton ran his palm over his face in frustration. "You can stay until I find you an apartment."

"Thank you, my son. That’s why you are my favorite." Beatrice tried to hug Dalton, but he pulled away.

"Now apologize to Nana Rose," Dalton demanded.

Beatrice rolled her eyes. "I’m sorry for what I said. I’ll try to get along with you."

"You better, or I will make your life a living hell in this house," Aiden warned.

Beatrice shuddered. "You are as brutish as your father, Aiden!"

She suddenly paused, finally noticing Maya.

"Who do we have here?" Beatrice said, eyeing Maya as if she were an endangered species on display. "What a pretty little thing you are... What’s your name, sweetheart?"

"I’m Maya DeLuca," Maya replied politely.

"DeLuca... are you Italian?"

Maya nods. "My father is Italian."

"Oh... you are so pretty," Beatrice complimented, reaching out to touch Maya’s face, but Dalton grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Don’t touch her!"

Beatrice withdraws her hand. "Is she your girlfriend? You’re so possessive of her, just like your dad was with me."

"I thought your girlfriend was Soraya, but this girl will do. She is prettier than Soraya, even though she lacks the classiness that Soraya has."

She glanced up at Maya again. Maya grimaced; she didn’t appreciate the backhanded comment.

"But I can help her become the classy woman that a prominent businessman like you deserves."

"No, Maya is perfect just as she is." Dalton brought Maya’s hand to his lips and kissed it.

"I don’t want you anywhere near her. Stay away from her, Mom. I don’t care if you’re sick and dying; I will throw you out," Dalton threatened.

"Let’s go freshen up," Dalton said, dragging Maya along. As they passed by Beatrice, she mouthed to only Maya’s hearing, "I don’t like you."

Maya swallowed hard; she had another dilemma to face. There was no happily ever after for her at all.

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