Rejected Mate's Redemption (Freda and James)
Mates 96

Chapter 96

FREIDA WHITLOCK

"Mom, what did Harper's Mom mean when she said you were taking her family away?" Cisco asked when we left the hall. I halted for a second then continued walking.

His question came from an innocent place and even though it hurt to know that his brain had that registered. I would never break anyone's family. Never in my life had I seen myself being. the third person in one's relationship but Safiya had managed to create that situation as well.

"She was just saying things out of anger, dear. I would never take away Harper's family" I heard myself saying and strangely, I felt downcast.

"Okay, have you forgiven her?" He asked brightly and I forced a smile. Children. So naive and pure. How could I forgive Safiya so easily for the things she had done to me, all just to take me down even though she was in the wrong?

She was the one who s**d my mate and if he had been drifting away from her lately then it was her fault, not mine. She deserved it.

"You look happy, what happened in there?" Lyra asked once we got to the car

"Harper's Mom apologized!" Cisco squealed as I buckled him up with the seatbelt. He was ecstatic about the turnout of events. I

shook my head if only he knew how malicious that apology was. My son was still so young there were many things he would lean about life as she grew

I sighed and got into the seat next to Lyra and she drove off. Through the drive to Osco's school, neither of us spoke. I could feel Lyra's subtle glances at me occasionally but she didn't ask questions and I was glad she didn't. The morning had been hectic enough with Safes hysterical actions.

"We're here!" Lyra exclaimed as she pulled over by the roadside.

"I missed coming to school Csce mumbled as he stared at his school with wice, jordleves.

www youre back, right? Cimon baby, let's go I said as I helped him out of the car. Lyra chose to stay back while I took Cisco to his class. My baby was all smiles as he arrived at his dess and ram over to meet his friends. Watching him left me swelling with jow and price.

As I tumed to leave, the schools headmaster caught up with me. The woman smiled at me apologetically as she spoke, 'Ms Whitlock, we heard about everything and we're so sorry that you and Cisco had to go through all that"

"It's not your fault ma'am' I smiled

"It is, the accident happened because we weren't paying attention to the kids. We should have been more watchful Once again, on behalf of the school, I apologize' She said and I nodded.

We parted ways afterward. Lyra drove us back home in a jiffy. Though for a moment during the unsupported drift ride, I almost Chapter 96

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lost my mind, I enjoyed it I enjoyed hearing my best friend. tease me about being a weak one because I screamed when she almost brushed a truck.

"I should be a professional racer" She smirked w..en we alighted the car in the driveway.

"You call that racing? You almost killed us!" I snapped as we made our way to the door. Lyra laughed and pushed the door open. "Woah!"

We exchanged glances, sniffing the air to inhale more of the scent of freshly baked cakes and brewed coffee that filled the

air.

My eyes rolled to the back of my head. I hadn't smelled coffee that heavenly in a while and this had Gina and Elle written all over it.

We padded through the living room to the kitchen where the baking and brewing were going on. My jaw dropped when I saw the cakes they had baked. There were chocolate, vanilla, and banana flavors in different shapes.

The kitchen looked like the one back in the States where we used to work. A feeling of nostalgia rushed through me and I stepped in further.

"What have you guys done," I stated and they turned, beaming with smiles.

"You're back!" Gina exclaimed, "So, what do you think about this?" She asked, gesturing to the cakes and coffee Elle was serving into some fancy mugs. 30.01%

Cole was in front of the sink washing the utensils they used for the process. It looked busy in here.

"It looks great but why are you guys doing too much? You should have just waited till I got back then I would have made it" I complained, "You guys are my guests after all"

"Oh Freda, forget all that guest c**p! We didn't come here to be your guests, we came here to see our friend and friends do this much for one another" Elle said and my chest warmed

"And this is all for you. We figured that you might've missed the scent of Coffee and cake all over the place so we did this" Gina explained

"It isn't the real thing but it gives the feels, right?" Elle asked and I nodded. Excitement bubbled in my chest and unable to control it, I jumped into their arms. This might be my home but out there, I had a life of my own that revolved around giving people little doses of happiness from a small kitchen.

They were right, I missed the smell of coffee, hot dough, and cake. I missed getting myself messy with flour. I missed my little shop.

"This is more than enough for the feels, guys. Thank you so much!"

"We're glad you love it, Freda" Elle giggled as we disengaged from the embrace, I cast Cole and thankful glance and he nodded.

After much insistenge, they allowed me to help in cleaning up the kitchen. When we were done, we settled down to watch a movie with the snacks served. The coffee and cake were just IMES

excellent, as I always remembere. Elle still had those maglo hands.

However, as everyone became immersed in the movie, I was deep in thought, recalling Kaiden' words earlier at the meeting I hadn't dwelt on it when he called me his mate but now for some reason, I was thinking about it.

He had told me about still feeling the mate bond a month before but I took it lightly however now, after that confession, I didn't know what to think. Was he lying just to spite his Safiya? But he looked dead serious,

I groaned silently urging Gia to say something since she was being too quiet. Usually, she would jump upon hearing his name. but she wasn't now.

'Gia, don't go silent on me now, I'm talking to you'

'Can you just concentrate on the TV, I'm trying to watch this movie' She snapped

'When did you start having an interest in movies? I asked, smirking as I took a bite from my cake.

'Now. Because this one is enjoyable"

I smiled at her response, "Okay, I won't distract you anymore" I heard myself blurting aloud and the taste of the cake became sour in my mouth. S**!

I could feel the eyes of the others at me, filled with shock and concern. Lyra was giving a look that stated, 'Wolf, again?"

298 Vou

I nodded stiffly and forced a smile at them.

"Freda, are you alright?" Gina was the one who spoke after a while of scrutinizing me.

"I... Yes, of course!"

"Are you sure, you were speaking to yourself just now, are you okay?" Cole asked and my throat ran dry.

How on earth would I explain this one?