"What? Did I say something wrong?" Jackson asked.

"My mother… Did you just call her 'Mom'?" Serenity asked in a murmur.

"We're married. I'll treat your mother as mine, naturally. Is there anything wrong with my calling her ‘mom’?" Jackson asked in an amused tone.

There was nothing wrong with this, Serenity thought, eyes widening. However, Jackson had a bad memory associated with his mother, so she always assumed that the word 'Mom' was a forbidden word to him.

Jackson sighed as he watched her eyes widen in shock. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"My mother abandoned me when I was a child. I've always associated the word 'Mom' with hatred. I never thought I'd use the word again, but Serenity… You showed me what it's like to have a mother. It's really heartwarming for me."

Jackson closed his eyes gently, resting his head on her shoulder. He was telling her things he had never told anyone, his warmth enveloping her. "I know you miss Mom a lot. She's a good moth