Agatha laughed at first, as it had to be a joke that Reece had gotten married without bringing the young lady to her for approval.

"I am not in the mood for jokes," Agatha said, placing her hand to her forehead to soothe the growing ache. "My son wouldn’t get married without speaking a word of it to me. Nowhere in your letters did you speak of getting married. And a child?"

"I apologise for not introducing you to her before I got married, nor having you at the wedding, but I had my reasons. You would not have reacted as I needed you to, and you would have got in the way of my marriage. I am happy, Mother," Reece said, hoping it would be enough.

"You got married without me and your father’s consent, and for some reason think I am to accept it. Why is it that I can’t get ahold of my children? Why are you being like this to me when I have been good to you both?" Agatha asked as she returned to her chair.

Agatha sat down, her legs too weak to bear her weight. An ache formed in her chest and slowly spread throughout her body.

"You have been good to us. You must be happy that I have selected a good woman. A woman who cast aside her feelings to let me return home to settle family matters while she remains pregnant," Reece said.

Reece set the basket filled with vegetables down on the floor as it wasn’t important now. He moved to kneel before Agatha. "Mother, I didn’t do it to spite or upset you. I fell in love during my time away and knew that I wanted to start a life with her. She is every bit of wonderful."

Agatha couldn’t listen to the news. "Reece, I ask that you be silent for a moment."

She needed time to wrap her mind around the news. To dwell on the fact that her plans had been spoiled by both children.

"Mother, it doesn’t matter how long you ponder on it. I am married, and I will be expecting a child. Your first grandchild," Reece said, still hopeful this could change her mind.

"Was it done in a church? Is there proof of the marriage? If it is not a valid marriage, then you don’t need to stay at her side. We can still arrange for you to-" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Mother!" Reece snapped, his voice loud, harsher than he intended. "I am her husband, and that is my child. I am not going to abandon either one of them so you can get your dreams. I like the life I have built for myself and will not let you command me to ruin it."

"Would you have liked it if my grandmother had suggested that my father abandon you and me? Could you accept that? Don’t lie to me," Reece pressed before Agatha could answer. "I am not some bastard who leaves his wife and child for money."

"Reece, there is nothing good for you in following your father’s footsteps. You could have a home to your name. A reasonably sized one with a servant or two. Your wife’s family will have some money as well to help you if you need it. That is a comfortable life," Agatha said, reaching for Reece’s hand, only for him to pull it away.

"That is not a comfortable life for me. It is one for you. Isn’t it time for you to stop trying to live through your children, Mother? You’ve had your time. You selected your husband, not me or Iris. Stop trying to make us be the ones to fix your life," Reece demanded.

Agatha struck Reece across his cheek, the sharp sound cutting through the silence. "How dare you! How dare you speak to me this way? I could have got rid of you and left your father for a more suitable man, but I stood by and raised you. I gave you two all that I had."

"I am only asking now that the two of you take care of me, but this is the thanks I get? My daughter has run away, and my son got a mystery woman pregnant? My husband is arrested, and I haven’t been able to speak to him. Do you not care for what I have to endure?" Agatha questioned, her tears beginning to fall.

"I do feel for you, but I am not going to leave my wife, and it was disrespectful that you questioned the legitimacy of my marriage. I intend to always be a good father and husband to my family. I would not be a good son to you if I didn’t correct your foolishness," said Reece.

No more was he the little boy who always went along with what Agatha wanted.

Reece rose to his feet since he wasn’t getting through to his mother. "If you want to be in your grandchild’s life, I suggest that you make some changes now. I am not going to let you around my child when you disrespect the mother. Her family is kind and would accept you."

"What does her family do?" Agatha asked, still angry, but hopeful there was money.

"If money is all that would make you like her, then I shall not answer you. You should want to meet her because she makes your son happy and is carrying your grandchild. This side of you doesn’t suit you, Mother. If you keep it up, you will lose more than your children," Reece warned.

"I have already lost my children," Agatha muttered. No children belonging to her would act in the manner in which Iris and Reece both did.

"Then it is a shame you wouldn’t fight to keep us at your side. That our love isn’t more important than money. I will remain here to find my little sister and do what I must to put her in a better position. She will not marry for your sake," Reece swore.

"Iris is my daughter. I can do with her whatever I want to do with her. If you get in my way, I’ll cast you aside. The only parent you will have left is your father," Agatha threatened.

Knowing how much her son loved her, Agatha stood with her arms wide open for Reece to come towards her for an embrace. His marriage could be handled quickly and quietly so he could do his part to save his family.

Reece shook his head, disappointed by the state of Agatha. "I’ll pray for you. I’ll pray you remember how to love your children."