The third point of view

"Mom, when is dad coming home?" Akim lifted his eyes towards his mother, Emily as she redid the dye on his hair.

"Don't worry, he'd be home soon," Emily answered, tears escaping the brim of her eyes. Her son had his back turned to her so he couldn't see the tears falling down her face.

It's been seven years since the birth of Akim and the death of Judy and things have not gone the way she planned.

Her relationship with Ahmed was on the brink of collapse; it was just hanging on a thin line.

It had not always been like that, but after she birthed Akim and developed some complications in her womb - she might not be able to give birth again- their relationship began to go downhill from there.

Ahmed had always been a child lover, so when he found out his wife might not be able to give birth again, the news didn't sit well with him.

At first, he had been hopeful that the result would be reversed with years, letting her undergo various medical therapies - some uncertified and experimental. Money was not a problem to them but Emily gave up, she was gradually becoming a laboratory rat and the procedures were interfering with her life and career.

That marked the beginning of the strain in their marriage; they would fight and shout at the latest confrontation which mostly centered on the issue of childbirth.

Ahmed wanted her to go further for the tests but Emily was tired, she was satisfied with Akim- but then, Akim wasn't Ahmed's. Her husband wanted his own biological child that would carry on with his legacy and property- instead of that bastard child.

"Mom, why is father angry at me?" the little boy couldn't help but ask. Though his father never raised a hand on him, his words were cold and harsh, nor does he spend time with him anymore.

Emily gulped, yet put on a fake smile, pretending to be clueless "What do you mean, baby?"

"It's almost as if he hates me?" the boy shrugged, his eyes connecting with his mother's through the bathroom mirror.

"And why would you think that way?" Emily held his gaze.

"You guys fight almost all the time and he normally calls me my mother's son. Also, why do I always have to dye my hair black?" he peppered her with questions.

Emily shut her eyes and reopened them with a deep breath, "Akim," She turned the boy to face her, "It's normal for your mom and dad to fight occasionally -"

The boy interjected, "You two fight occasionally only because he's not with you every day,"

Emily was taken aback by his comment. He was just a seven years old boy, how could he speculate that?

"Akim," She cleared her throat, " All you should know is that father loves you as much as I do," Emily wished she was as convinced as her words.

It was stupid to have believed a man's words. Ahmed had promised her a comfortable life at the beginning, she should have known that people changed.

"Alright?" The boy acquiesced yet Emily had a feeling that he didn't believe a thing she said. Akim was smarter than kids his age, she had made sure he was thoroughly learned.

"And my hair? "

Just when she thought he had given up on that question, she dreaded that the most.

She rubbed her arm down his arm, "As I said, baby, because you look too much like mummy, you need to dye your hair black to look like daddy too,"

Who was she kidding? Even with Akim's hair dyed black, he looked nothing like his father. The boy had inherited his father's blonde hair plus his facial appearance - his eyes were the only exception.

All of Ahmed's relatives knew the boy wasn't his, but it had to be kept hidden from the public to avoid a scandal. Ahmed was running for the presidential election this year hence had to keep a good public image. Thanks to that, Emily knew he wouldn't be divorcing her anytime soon - at least until the election was over.

Adam had also found out about Akim, but there was nothing he could do about it. Ahmed was not complaining, plus the fact Emily was currently influential enough to protect her kid. Moreover, the boy had crept his way into Adam's cold heart. As much as Akim was that lowlife's son, he was a boy - a valued gender in the Spencer Clan- and had grown up with Spencer's blood running through his veins.

"Alright mom," Akim, thankfully stopped with his questions.

"Wash up, you'd be late for school,"

Emily left the bathroom, giving him space to wash up only to bump into one of the servants who had come into her son's room.

"Here you are, Madam,"

"What is it?" Her brow raised questioningly.

"Sir Ahmed is back," she was notified.

"Oh," He decided to come home at last, "I'll be there shortly,"

"Alright, ma'am" she bowed and left.

Emily moved to knock on the bathroom door, "Akim, your father is back,".

"He is?" his voice climbed a notch out of excitement.

"Yes, baby. Take your time in the bathroom since he won't be leaving soon, alright,"

"Sure, mom"

Emily doubted that, as soon as she left the room, he'd probably hasten up just to meet his father - if only Ahmed was that enthusiastic to meet him.

Leaving the room, Emily made her way to their bedroom where she knew he would be.

Upon entering, the first thing one would notice was the two-bed separate beds positioned in the ravishingly furnished room. For quite some time now, both of them had been sleeping differently - which wasn't a secret to the servants. Over the years, they have seen the relationship between their master and mistress deteriorate.

"You're home," Emily said.

"Why? You don't want me home?" he retorted, working on his tie which she took over from him.

"As if I have the power," Emily replied emotionlessly, loosening the tie and placing his jacket he had discarded on the bed on her arm, "You're just the one who decided to throw himself into his work, forgetting about his family,"

"Family?" He chucked, "Do I have a family?"

"Do we have to go over this again?" Emily sighed.

"You tell me," He said, slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

"Can't you see, Ahmed? He might not be your biological son but Akim loves you,"

"I volunteered to marry you and give your son a sanctuary, but what have you given me, Emily?"

Emily opened her mouth yet words couldn't form. Ahmed was right, what had she done for him?

Ahmed neared her, closing the space between them, and ran his hands down her bare arms which made her shiver.

"We could try once more… " He lowered his head, breathing down on her neck, "Give the therapy a shot once more, Emily,"

At once, her countenance changed: Just when she thought Ahmed truly desired her, and not to coax her into giving the baby making a shot.

"Ahmed, I'm tired. It's been seven years already and those treatments are too cumbersome on-"

"Forget about it, then," He pulled away, cold air replacing that spot his warmth had covered.

"Ahmed -"

A knock sounded at that moment.

Emily went to answer the door, returning afterward to inform him that breakfast was served.

At the dining table, nobody said a word. A look at Akim told Emily that the boy had a lot to say to his father but the mom's indifferent looks made him swallow his words.

But the boy couldn't fight the urge anymore, " Father, I -"

"No talking at the table," Ahmed was brisk to interrupt.

The boy's face fell, he pursed his lips and continued his food while Emily watched their tense interaction. She didn't say a word knowing it would only lead to a hot exchange of words, yet the scene pained her heart.

Still, Akim was not disheartened by his father's cold response that as soon as the breakfast was over, he had approached him saying.

"Father, we have a fundraising art exhibition at school and our parents are -"

"Your mother would take care of that," Ahmed picked up his newspaper and snapped it open, dismissing the poor child as he settled into his seat.

"Akim, come over here," Emily called him over, "Mommy would come to your school later, alright," she threaded her hands through his hair.

"Sure," The bow tried to cover his disappointment with a smile.

"Take him," she instructed the chauffeur to send him to school.

Emily turned around intending to give Ahmed a piece of her mind when her phone rang.

"Hi Cecil"

"Hi Emily, guess what? "

Since the woman went straight to the point, good news must be on the way.

"What? I suck at guessing,"

"Remember when I told you that I have somebody who knows somebody at the kingdom of Lincolnshire," she said.

Oh right, Emily remembered. Cecil was adamant about creating connections with this mysterious royal family. She believed that with a relationship like that, their clothing line would go viral more than it already was - imagine a royal family wearing their designs.

"So there's this ball coming up for three days - it's their prince's birthday and I got my hands on their invitation- luckily. So while others would be finding potential husbands, we'll be moving our business on a higher level. So what do you say?" Cecil added," No, is not an option, "

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity but I can't leave Akim behind - you know my situation here," Emily said of her concern.

"Don't worry, there's enough invitation to cover both of you. Now, get yourselves prepared, we'll be leaving as early as tomorrow,"