His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
Chapter 167: Father and Son

Chapter 167: Father and Son

"Aaron?! W- What are you doing here?"

Athena was shocked beyond belief upon seeing Aaron and Dominique together. This was something she wanted to prevent from happening. Fear could be seen in her eyes as she darted her gaze back and forth between Dominique and Aaron.

Her expression didn’t escape Dominique’s observant eyes. He just stood there, silently watching Athena and Aaron.

Aaron, on the other hand, ran in Athena’s direction, hugging her. "Aunt Athena! Surprise! I came back."

Athena still hadn’t recovered from her shock. She just stayed still with her mouth hung open. She didn’t know what to say.

’What kind of joke is this? How did he end up here? Aaron was supposed to stay in Country M. Why is he here?’

Athena’s hands trembled as she hugged Aaron in a protective gesture. She had the urge to run away together with Aaron, hiding the young boy from Dominique.

"I’ll order food for the three of us," Dominique said before leaving. He could sense Athena’s uneasiness so he decided to give her privacy with Aaron.

When Dominique disappeared from her sight, Athena immediately crouched down to face Aaron at his eye level.

"Aaron, tell me. Why are you here?"

"Aunt, I returned together with Grandpa. Please don’t tell Mom and Uncle Vlad. I want to surprise them." Aaron pleaded.

"I mean, what are you doing here in this house?"

"I dropped by Uncle Dom’s office. He promised to teach me how to play the guitar when I returned. Aunt. He is a good man. And he is not a stranger to us anymore. You and my mother knew him, am I right?"

Athena couldn’t refute that. She couldn’t deny it because Aaron had caught her seeing Dominique in this mansion. Furthermore, she couldn’t tell Aaron to hate Dominique and that he was his merciless father who wanted to get rid of him before.

Athena could only sigh in defeat. As much as she wanted to take Aaron away from that mansion, she couldn’t do it because she wouldn’t be able to explain this thing to Aaron unless she would reveal the truth to him.

’I must stay calm. As long as Dominique doesn’t suspect Aaron as his son, no problem will arise. Sabrina is already dead in his eyes.’ Athena convinced herself as she composed herself. She was back to her usual self now.

Half an hour later, Dominique’s order finally arrived. Athena, Dominique, and Aaron proceeded to the dining area as they prepared the food on the table.

Athena couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable being there with her son and her ex-husband. They looked like a family of three, having a reunion.

She just sat in her chair silently while watching Dominique who was very attentive to Aaron. He kept on asking the young boy what he wanted to eat. He even helped him peel the prawns as he put them one by one on Aaron’s plate.

Athena had conflicting thoughts as she witnessed how Dominique cared for Aaron as if he was acting like a father to him right now. For some unknown reason, Athena’s heart constricted inside her chest, holding her tears back.

She had once dreamed of creating a happy family with Dominique raising their children together. But her dream was shattered five years ago because of Dominique’s betrayal. She had never imagined that this moment would come when Dominique and Aaron would eat together at the same dining table as her.

"Aunt, are you okay? You haven’t touched your food yet," Aaron asked her worriedly. He held her hand, gently squeezing it.

"Aunt, did you lose your appetite because of me? Are you upset with me for hiding this from you?" Aaron put on a pitiful look on his face.

Athena quickly shook her head, "Of course not, honey. I’m not upset with you. In fact, I’m glad to see you. I’ve missed you a lot." After saying that, Athena stroked Aaron’s hair and caressed his face.

Dominique just stared at her intently. ’I can feel it. She loves Aaron so much. She is indeed his biological mother. Her eyes will never lie. The way she looks at Aaron, I can feel her profound love toward the kid.’

Because of Aaron, Athena forced herself to finish her food. She calmed down her emotions and brushed off those unpleasant thoughts to avoid ruining the mood.

When they were done eating, Athena approached Dominique.

"Dominique, I’ll go home now together with Aaron. Thank you for tonight’s dinner."

Dominique frowned upon hearing that. He didn’t want her to leave just yet.

"You can’t leave just yet. I will teach Aaron how to play guitar," he said as an alibi.

Athena was about to object but Dominique spoke again. "It’s his request. I don’t want to break my promise to the kid."

Athena could no longer argue with Dominique since he used Aaron as a reason.

"Okay. I will wait for him. But what if your wife will start looking for you? It’s already 8:00 pm. You are supposed to have dinner with her."

Dominique just shrugged his shoulders and responded nonchalantly, "You don’t have to worry about her. I’ll handle it myself. What you have to do is stay here with me together with Aaron."

After saying that, Dominique grabbed Athena’s hand, pulling her to the music room where Aaron was waiting for them.

Aaron held Dominique’s old guitar, strumming it with his small fingers. He just stopped when he noticed the arrival of Athena and Dominique.

"Uncle Dom! Can you play the guitar while Aunt Athena sings?" Aaron requested them with his cheerful voice.

Athena was taken aback for a moment, casting a look at Dominique.

"Sure. I’ll play the guitar for your Aunt. I also want to listen to her beautiful voice."

Dominique joined Aaron on the couch, getting the guitar from him. Then he motioned for Athena to sit down next to him.

"I’m sorry but I have a live performance on my Ye-tube channel tomorrow. I can’t sing with you, guys. Can I just listen?" Athena refused to sing while Dominique played the guitar. This would only bring back some memories of the past.

"It’s okay. Let me play the guitar and sing something for you," Dominique said meaningfully. His suspicion about Athena’s identity intensified further. This time he wanted to confirm something by singing a certain song for Athena.

Soon, Dominique began strumming the guitar. Aaron and Athena watched him silently.

[ Author’s Note– Music Recommendation: Listen to the guitar chords of the song Grow Old With You by Adam Sandler or Anthem Lights’ version ]

{ I wanna make you smile whenever you’re sad...

Carry you around when your arthritis is bad

All I wanna do is grow old with you... }

Athena’s heart skipped a beat when Dominique began singing the first stanza of the song. It was one they had played at their wedding, and Dominique often sang it to her in the past.

{ I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches

Build you a fire if the furnace breaks

Oh, it could be so nice, growing old with you... }

Aaron listened attentively to Dominique, his eyes fixed on the way Dominique’s fingers skillfully strummed the guitar chords. He was mesmerized by the music and the expert movement of Dominique’s hands.

Meanwhile, Athena struggled to keep her gaze away from Dominique. She feared that if she looked in his direction, her eyes would reveal a storm of emotions and thoughts swirling inside her.

The memories, the longing, and the unspoken words—all of it threatened to surface if she allowed herself to take a glance at Dominique.

But little did she know, Dominique’s eyes were glued onto her, carefully observing her body language and reactions.

{ I’ll miss you... }

{ Kiss you... }

{ Give you my coat when you are cold... }

As he continued singing, his eyes sparkled with delight and his lips curled up into a satisfied smile. He found another sign! Athena couldn’t look at him, deliberately avoiding his gaze. This only meant she wanted to hide something.

{ Need you... }

{ Feed you... }

"Clap! Clap!"

Aaron clapped his hands enthusiastically as Dominique finished his song. "You’re good at singing too, Uncle Dom! You and Aunt Athena are a good match!"

Dominique and Athena exchanged glances at Aaron’s remark. Athena was the first to look away while Dominique let out a soft chuckle.

"Alright, stop praising me, kiddo. I’m not that good. Your Aunt Athena is on a different level. Don’t compare my lousy talent to hers."

Aaron’s laughter bubbled up. "Yes, I admit, Aunt Athena’s voice is on a different level. Now, Uncle, teach me how to play the guitar."

Dominique nodded with a smile. "Come here. Sit on my lap, Aaron. I’ll guide you."

Aaron excitedly jumped off the couch and transferred to Dominique’s lap. Dominique began teaching Aaron about the guitar chords.

Athena had mixed emotions as she watched the father and son duo. ’I wonder... Did he not recognize his strong resemblance to Aaron? What did he feel when he first saw Aaron?’