A Game Of Chess With A Vampire
Chapter 345: Tell Me, Mama!

Chapter 345: Tell Me, Mama!

Mr. Hamilton glanced at her.

Avelina’s heart skipped a bit. She rapidly blinked her eyes and swallowed hard.

"I-it was...t-t-their..."

"Their what?" Mr. Hamilton tilted his head, his brow cocked.

Avelina gripped onto her dress. "Their...third prince."

"How long did you live with him?" Mr. Hamilton crossed his legs, facing her completely.

"Three months," Avelina replied.

"I see..." Mr. Hamilton nodded. "No wonder you have this much of his scent on you. I believe he must have marked you more than once. Right?"

Avelina slowly nodded.

Mr. Hamilton pinched between his brows. He stood up from his chair and walked over to the table at the window. He picked up the telephone and threw it out of the house. Then he turned to look at Avelina.

"You will be locked in this room for now, until I decide to let you out." He took a step toward her. "Behave yourself, or else..."

Unbothered to complete his words, he turned around and left the door. He locked the door from outside and proceeded downstairs, leaving Avelina alone to herself.

"Lucy!" he shouted.

From the kitchen, Lucy hurried over. "Yes, father."

"I want you to do something for me." Mr. Hamilton walked to the closet in a corner of the room. He grabbed a small bottle filled with an unknown liquid and gave it to Lucy.

"This is a sleeping pill. Add it to the food your mother would be taking to your sister," he instructed.

Lucy was taken aback. "B-but why?"

"What do you mean?" Mr. Hamilton glared at her. "Keep your mouth shut and do what I assigned you to do."

"Yes, father." Lucy nodded and left the living room. She proceeded to the kitchen, hiding the bottle in her pocket. "Mama."

Annette glanced at her. "Yes."

"Father wants to speak to you," Lucy said.

"To me?" Annette appeared perplexed.

Lucy nodded. "Yes. He asked me to call you."

Annette took a deep breath and left the kitchen. As soon as she was out of sight, Lucy approached the plate of food on the kitchen counter. She opened the bottle and poured a small quantity of liquid into the soup. She stirred with a spoon and stepped back, dropping the spoon into the dishes.

With a smile on her face, she stood by the side.

Annette returned after a few seconds and grabbed the tray of a well-prepared meal. She made her way upstairs and unlocked the door with the key she had gotten from Mr. Hamilton.

She turned the knob, opening the door. She stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

On the bed, Avelina sat with her legs curled to her chest and her face buried in her knees.

Annette knew something horrible had happened, but she knew she shouldn’t inquire just yet.

"Olga..." She sat down on the bed. "Common, eat something."

"I’m not really hungry, mama." Avelina shook her head.

Annette sighed. "I know that you are not. But...I still need you to eat, okay? If not for anyone, for my sake at the very least. Please..."

Avelina slowly lifted her head and looked at her with pained eyes. "Mama, should I never have come back here?" she asked.

Annette stared at her and looked away, unable to give a straight answer.

"Tell me, Mama." Avelina breathed shakily. "Did I make the wrong decision by returning her? Should I have stayed back and been happy?"

Annette fidgeted with her hands and exhaled. She replied in a pessimistic tone, "Perhaps you should have. I love you, and I am happy you came back to me, but if I were to be honest, I would have preferred if you stayed back there and stayed happy."

"This place is horrible, especially for you, and I know that. They have never treated you well, and I know you must hate this place so much. That is really understandable, and you deserve so much better. So yes, you should have never come back here."

Hearing her response, Avelina broke down, unable to contain the tears she was holding back anymore. If only Draven had listened to her!

But she cannot blame him either. After all, their communication was terrible, and she didn’t even get to give him a proper explanation of why she didn’t want to go back.

"Olga...please eat." Annette reached out her hand, gently beginning to caress her hair.

Avelina wiped her eyes dry and shifted closer to have a decent meal. Even if she had no appetite, she was going to eat, at least for her mother. She was the only one who had ever cared for her. Of course, her grandfather was no exception.

Speaking of him, Avelina looked at her mother while chewing her food. "Mama, what about Grandpapa? How is he?"

Annette’s expression dulled, and she smiled in a saddened manner. "Olga, your grandpapa is no more."

The spoon in Avelina’s hand immediately dropped into the food.

"W-what?"

Annette nodded, confirming. "He died about six months ago while also searching for you. He had a heart attack, and we couldn’t save him."

Avelina’s eyes flickered vigorously, and she swallowed the lump that had built up in her throat. "I see..."

She lowered her head and tightened her grip on the bed sheet. The bubbles of tears that had brimmed up in her eyes began to fall, and unable to hold them anymore, she broke down, crying profusely.

He’d been one of the reasons she came home, but she didn’t even get to see his face or hear his voice. How cruel!

She cursed in her heart and began to eat frantically, as though trying to endure the pain she was experiencing at that moment.

Annette tucked her hair behind her ear and gently patted her on the shoulder as though trying to comfort her.

"I will take you to his grave later, so eat up, okay?"

Avelina nodded at her, the tears from her eyes never stopping. Annette left the room, leaving her alone. She locked the door from the outside, yet to muster up the courage to help Avelina leave the house.