Mr. President: You Are The Daddy Of My Triplets - Chapter 410

Chapter 410: 410- Someone Else

“Hmm. I think Lisa is a good girl,” Valerie remarked after counting the money. Aniya had handed over Lisa’s savings to her mom and that had improved Valerie’s mood considerably.

“Yes, she is,” She replied.

Valerie raised her face to have a better look at her daughter who was oddly glowing even after getting her face destroyed by her father’s beatings.

Valerie made a mental note to ask Alaric never to touch Aniya’s face again. That could lead to trouble. The excuse of falling off the staircase couldn’t work each time.

Aniya quickly prepared vegetable soup and Valerie again had to peel her eyes off her. The way her daughter used to cook; it used to remind her of her sister.

Aniya was cleaning the kitchen now and different things were running through Valerie’s head.

Including her future when Aniya would turn eighteen.

***

“Aniya is about to turn eighteen in a few days,” she informed Alaric who was scrolling his phone while holding a glass of cheap wine.

Valerie’s fingers were smoothing the lotion on her arms as she settled beside him against the pillow.

Alaric just grunted a casual “Hmm,” without looking up.

She tossed the lotion tube on her nightstand and turned to him, “Have you thought of anything?”

“Like?” his eyes were still glued to the screen.

Valerie gave him a confused look. Her husband was a good-for-nothing man who didn’t know how to be a partner to his wife.

He once promised her to help her kidnap the child on one condition. That was to marry him.

“I am planning to pay you handsomely. Why would you want to marry a lady who is asking you to kidnap a kid?” she had asked him when he had proposed to her.

“This is love at first sight,” he had told her with a flirty smile, “I don’t want money. I just want you.” He was looking into her eyes when he had said that.

For her, this proposal came to her with perfect timing. She didn’t have any money to give anyway. She only knew one profession for earning money and that was to sell her body.

This proposal meant she didn’t have to sell anything.

Marriage meant she could easily change her surname and vanish from Rafael Sinclair’s eyes.

It worked.

She not only changed her surname, but she also changed Aniya’s name. They both started using the name James.

However, this man didn’t take the time to show his true colors.

“I married you because I thought you had money. You are as empty-handed as me,” Valerie didn’t feel sad when she heard the remark.

After all, this was not the first time someone had told her that. By now she had almost accepted that she was not wanted by men.

They only wanted her body. Not her.

She still didn’t understand why she started taking the shit from this man.

She was the same Valerie who made rich boys dance on her fingers. And now she was not only quietly taking abuse from this good-for-nothing man but was also transferring her pain to Aniya.

He was still busy scrolling his phone while drinking his wine.

“I think I should think about that myself. Don’t bother. Leave it. Thank you,” she got up and left the room without realizing that behind her a meaningful smirk appeared on Alaric’s lips.

***

Aniya had joined the restaurant after three days. Thanks to Lisa who convinced a few waiters and waitresses to divide her work hours and tasks.

“You look much better,” Lisa examined her face with a frown, “we can use a little makeup to …”

Aniya was wildly shaking her head, “I’ve already used a lot of liquid base. Now don’t turn me into a clown.”

Lisa’s features softened, “Don’t forget about your eighteenth birthday, Hun. Just a few more days and it will all be over.”

There were still a few minutes in the opening of the restaurant for the customers. Lisa was turning away to check her reflection in the mirror when Aniya cleared her throat.

“L-Lisa… I… may I ask you something.”

Lisa nodded her head while fixing the curls with her hands, “Ahan. Go ahead.”

“Umm. What is Stockholm syndrome?” the question made Lisa’s hands freeze in her hair.

“What?”

“When you came to my house that day. You said I might be the victim of it,” Lisa wanted to ask her why she didn’t search for it on the internet but stopped herself.

The kind of parents she had, they wouldn’t even try to take away her phone or check her search history.

“In simple words, if you are being physically or mentally abused by someone and you try telling yourself that they are doing right, and you deserve it. Moreover, if you believe that it’s your fault and you don’t want to leave your abusers or can’t imagine cutting your ties with them then that’s Stockholm syndrome.”

Aniya stayed silent and Lisa also didn’t prolong the discussion. She wanted to give time to Aniya. The girl needed to be strong enough to reach a decision.

Lisa was now applying a fresh layer of mascara to her lashes, “How is your shoulder?” she broke the heavy silence.

Aniya jolted a little at the sudden change of topic, her head snapping up.

“Uh. It’s good,” she tried to shrug quickly but then winced in pain.

Lisa giggled slapping her head slightly, “You need to learn a lot for your survival, Aniya James,” a playful glint was dancing in her eyes.

“I know,” Aniya suddenly sprang to her feet to hug her only friend, “I love you.” She tried squeezing her tightly ignoring Lisa’s pleas.

“Aniya! Stop it. People might misunderstand,” she tried pushing her, but Aniya stayed glued.

“Thank you for being there, Lisa. What would have I done without you?”

Lisa smiled at that, “Don’t worry. If I’m not there ever. Then there will be someone else.”

Aniya felt strange.

Weird.

Why would Lisa say such a thing? She didn’t like it.

The restaurant was now open for customers and Aniya wanted to tell Lisa not to say such things. She only had Lisa in her life, and she didn’t want to lose her.