Mine: His Caged Princess
Chapter 77

FLASHBACK

*

Sophia’s eyes landed on Wylder, and she wanted to stop Tiara from speaking, but Wylder shook his head even though his heart was crying. No, because he knew that what he was going to hear next would hurt him, but he was ready for it. After all, he had invited this pain on his own, and at the same time, Night was mad at his human. He hated his human for not telling Tiara the truth.

“So, just because I’m missing him doesn’t mean I’m in love with him or anything like that. I’m not falling in love again, Mom. Never.” Tiara said, shaking her head.

Tiara was spending her time with her parents, catching up on all the things that she missed all these years because of work, but even when she was around them, she couldn’t help but miss Wylder. She was checking everything on her phone when it beeped or vibrated. Sometimes, she used to check whether her phone was working or not.

Sophia wasn’t the only one who observed that; even Brandon felt that. Missing someone when you were alone and lonely was something that one could understand.

But missing someone even when you were surrounded by people was a sign of love.

Brandon left there a moment before to attend to an important call. Using that situation as an opportunity, Sophia couldn’t stop herself from asking that question to know her thoughts, but she didn’t want Wylder to hear that conversation.

“Yeah! I can see that.” Sophia said it in a sarcastic tone.

“Stop it, Mom. I don’t understand why you are mixing my feeling of missing him with love.” Tiara said it in an annoying tone. “I can’t stop thinking about him because I’m worried for him and because I’m feeling guilty. I have always missed him, Mom. ALWAYS. Even when he left for Elite Academy. It’s just that missing him used to come in waves, and today I feel like I’m drowning.”

Wylder wanted to laugh at her words. Wasn’t that funny that she was avoiding him in the morning when she knew that he was at her place, and now she was missing him when he wasn’t around?

“Why do girls have to be this complicated?” I can’t imagine handling two females at the same time. Night complained.

‘Two females?’

‘Ara and Mini Ara, stupid.’ Night growled at him, clearing his doubts.

Wylder smiled at that thought before speaking, ‘Thank you, buddy, for cheering me.’ His beast knew that he was really disturbed by the news that Tiara was with him because of his grey eyes. He could smell lies in her words, but at the same time, he couldn’t keep his mind away from this discovery.

“I will apologize to him for acting stupid. I shouldn’t have done that.” Tiara muttered sadly.

“Then go ahead, with apologies to me.” Wylder joked, and Tiara’s eyes widened. She turned her head and found Wylder. She didn’t waste a second before running towards him and jumping on him like a monkey.

Wylder started laughing at her childish behavior, holding her close to him, but Sophia would see that his eyes lacked happiness.

Sophia could relate her feelings to his: that love wasn’t always beautiful. Sometimes love has thrones, rough edges, and sharp sides. Sometimes love has flaws and imperfections.

Sophia knew what Wylder was doing. He was hoping for Tiara to love him back, and for that, he was ready to bear all the pain, just like she did in the past.

“How dare you?” Tiara hit Wylder. “How dare you leave me by dropping a single text?” She fought with him.

Didn’t she mention something like apologies, guilt, etc.?

Wylder laughed at her anger, accepting her anger if not her love.

‘I need to talk with Wylder. I need to tell him that he needs to tell his feelings to Tee.’

*

The rest of the day went by in a blur. Brandon and Sophia saw Tiara twinkling like a star in Wylder’s presence. They wanted to make her realize that this was love.

But talking to her and hitting their heads on a stone was the same thing. At night, both father and daughter planned to cook dinner, giving rest to Sophia and Wylder.

“So, in all these years, did Uncle learn to cook, or is he still a terrible cook?” Wylder asked before using a spell because of which no one could hear their conversation.

“He cooks fine now,” Sophia replied with a smile. “To be honest, I always loved his cooking. There used to be a misbalance of spices and flavor in the food, but I knew that he used to pour a lot of love into the food that he used to cook for me.” She added a dreamy tone.

“To be honest, I can’t adjust my tastebuds for anyone. I love food more than anything.” Wylder joked.

“I will see you saying that when Tee cooks for the first time.”

“She will never.” Wylder shook his head. “Cooking isn’t her forte. She can dance, sing, fight, and do all other things, but not cook or do any other household work.”

“Hunter was also similar to Tee, but now you can see the changes in him.”

“You forget the part where Uncle is in love but Ara is not.”

“Ah, about that. I will suggest that you confess your feelings to her tonight when you get the time.”

“I… how… what if she will get mad and… break up with me? And.. what if..” Wylder panicked, thinking about those possibilities.

“Wylder, you’re an amazing person, and any girl would be lucky to have you. If my daughter can’t understand your value, then it’s her loss. Just because she is my daughter doesn’t mean I won’t think about your happiness. I really wish for you to have someone who will love you unconditionally, and it doesn’t matter to me if that woman is not my daughter.”

“Aunt…”

“I meant it, Wylder. Just because you’re the best for her doesn’t mean she’s also good for you. Share your feelings with her and see how she responds. And ever in your life, if you decide to leave her, then I promise to support you over her.”

Wylder smiled and shook his head. “You’re the best mother-in-law, do you know that?” He asked with a smile.

“And there I thought I had five sons,” Sophia said in a sarcastic tone, including Artemis, Theodore, and him, along with Calvin and Colton.

“Did I ever tell you that you were my crush when I was a kid?” Wylder said Sophia hit his arms. “I’m serious, Aunt. You’re such a beautiful soul that anyone can fall in love with you. Moreover, age is just a number in love.”

Sophia laughed at his words and looked at Brandon, who was watching them with a frown on his face, which silently told her that he was jealous. Even though he couldn’t hear their conversation, he hated the fact that someone else was the reason behind his wife’s laughter. She smiled at him and gave him a flying k**s.

She knew her husband was rotting like a vegetable because he couldn’t hear their conversation.

‘I love you.’ She mouthed, and a smile appeared on his face. He walked back to the kitchen. She knew he was going to reply to her, ‘I love you, at night.

She blushed at that thought, and she turned a deep red when Wylder caught her.