Free Web NovelChapter 504: Daughter-in-laws
He gave me a disgusted look, his eyes cold, as he continued, "If this is the method that you came up with to make us reveal that you are adopted, you have successfully succeeded in th—"
Slap!
A sharp slap ripped through the hall as Maa’s hand landed on Aryan’s cheek. The sound cracked like lightning, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.
Before Inayat could hear or see it happen, Aisha had wrapped her in Soulforce, blocking the sound while she kept her close to her chest to make sure she did not see anything. The little girl remained oblivious, nestled safely in the warmth of her mother’s embrace.
"Is that the way to talk to your brother?" Maa muttered, tears brimming in her eyes, her voice thick with emotion. Her hand still hung in the air, trembling.
Aryan did not say anything. He kept his head low, the weight of what he had just said pressing down on him like a physical burden. Guilt shadowed his features, and his shoulders slumped.
Maa walked toward me, placed my hand on her head, and asked, "Was it all true?"
"Yes, Maa," I answered, my voice low but firm, unwavering. "Everything that you saw in the visions was true. I got injured during the First Ultimate War, which transformed my body into a child. I also lost my divine powers there. When I woke up, I was in this world, living with you."
She trembled slightly, a fine shiver running through her frame, but still tried to keep her composure. Her jaw tightened as she fought back the emotions threatening to spill over.
"Did you know it from the beginning?" fгeewebnovёl.com
I shook my head slowly. "I only remembered everything recently."
She bit her lower lip, her voice coming barely above a whisper as she asked, "Do you still consider us your family?"
I instantly pulled her into a hug, wrapping my arms around her with all the warmth I could muster. "You are my Maa and always will be. Never ask something like that again."
She raised her hands, placing them on my back, and whispered, her voice completely broken, "Then there is nothing more to discuss about it."
We stayed like that for a few seconds, holding onto each other in the quiet of the living room. When she finally parted from me, Aryan was already standing behind her, having moved closer without a sound.
He turned his head sideways, his face blushing with awkwardness and embarrassment as he murmured, "I am sorry for the things I said. I did not mean it."
"I know," I replied with a soft smile.
I knew he had opposed me so fiercely because he feared for Maa. He knew how deeply she loved me, and he was terrified that if I said I did not consider them my real family, it would completely shatter her.
Now that everyone was calmed, I moved straight to Inayat, who was still nestled in her mother’s arms, her tiny fingers clutching Aisha’s sleeve.
"Come to Uncle Raj," I whispered, extending my hands toward her.
She raised her hand toward me without hesitation. As I picked her up, she tightly wrapped her arms around my neck, placing her chin on my shoulder. Her small body was warm against mine.
"Is Uncle Raj and Papa fighting?" She asked in a low tone, her voice filled with uncertainty.
"Of course not. We were playing prank-prank."
I moved toward Aryan, who was standing with his face lowered beside the sofa. The guilt of what he had said to me and raising his voice in front of Inayat was pressing down on him, visible in the slump of his posture.
Inayat tightened her arms around my neck as the image of Aryan’s sharp voice and angry face appeared in her mind. Her little fingers dug into my shirt.
"Haha, do not be scared, Innu," I chuckled gently, rubbing her back. "We were playing a game where we try to scare each other by making angry faces and shouting loudly. Papa was trying to scare Uncle Raj. It is called prank-prank."
"Prank-prank?" Inayat murmured, her grip around my neck softening, curiosity replacing fear.
"Yes, we were just playing, Innu," Aryan joined in, realising I was trying to clean the mess he had created. His voice was soft now. "Would you like to play with Papa? Try to scare Papa."
She widened her eyes in my arms, forming both her hands into claws as she imagined herself as something scary. However, she was looking extremely adorable doing it, her chubby cheeks puffed with effort.
"Kyaa!!!! Inayat is so scary," Aryan exclaimed, running away with exaggerated fear, his feet shuffling dramatically across the floor.
I ran behind him while holding her in my arms as he tried to hide behind the sofa. Inayat’s eyes sparkled with delight.
"Here, scare him again."
"Rawr..." Inayat let out a soft roar, opening her mouth as wide as she could, her tiny voice echoing through the room.
"Someone save me," Aryan gasped again before running on all fours, crawling away in mock terror. I continued following him from behind as Inayat became completely immersed in the game, making scary faces and breaking into giggles each time Aryan fled.
Meanwhile, Maa and Sister Aisha silently looked at us with warm gazes and soft smiles. Although what I had revealed was still difficult for them to digest, they were trying to understand my situation and accept the truth at their own pace.
That was until I dropped the next bomb.
Now that the situation was calmer, I moved to the chair again, settled down, placed Inayat on my lap, and said, "I have one more thing that I was hiding from you all." freewēbnoveℓ.com
"What is it this time?" Maa released a deep sigh as she sat on the sofa in front of me. She definitely needed to sit, as she had realised my revelations might cause her to lose strength in her legs.
"Brother Raj, one thunder strike is already enough for the day," Sister Aisha said with a gulp, her eyes wide. "If you think it’s too much for us, you may tell us someday later."
Maa shared the same sentiment, nodding slowly. They still had not recovered from the previous revelation. However, Aryan seemed amused, almost enjoying the worried expression on my face. A small smirk played on his lips.
He had realised what I was about to say.
"Please come outside," I said, my voice a bit louder, carrying through the hall.
The doorknob of my room rotated. A click sound echoed as the door unlocked from within.
From the doorway, Nymeria and Ume walked out. Ume was wearing the same flowery dress that she had bought from the mall in San Francisco, the fabric swaying gently with her steps. Nymeria’s ethereal figure was clad in a cream sweater tucked into blue jeans, tight from the thighs but spreading loose from the knees to the ankle, her snow white hair cascading over her shoulders.
"R-Raj, th-they are?"
"Maa, they are your soon to be daughters-in-law," I revealed, trying to keep myself calm despite the pounding of my heart.
