Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 110: Abram’s Weakness

Lord Abram Ross stood by the tall arched window in one of the hallways of the Ross Castle, his hands clasped behind his back, watching what was happening in the training yard below.

His sons moved like warriors born, sweat glistening on their brows as they exchanged strikes with the experience of a man two times their senior.

And his youngest, Ren, moved with a confidence and strength that made Abram's chest swell with pride.

But he would never say it. Not because he didn't want to.

His fingers curled into fists but he didn't squeeze. There was no need to. He'd long accepted this weakness in himself, and yes, that was what it was. A weakness.

He wouldn't give himself any excuses, even in the privacy of his own mind.

He twitched slightly as the quiet sound of footsteps approached, but he didn't need to turn to know who it was.

A pair of delicate arms wrapped around his waist, and Maria leaned against his back, her warmth seeping into him like the sun through old stone. She pressed her cheek against his back, her hands gently clasping his own.

"Abram." She whispered.

He turned, gathering her in his arms. He wouldn't have done that with people watching. His… weakness wouldn't allow him to. But here, in relative privacy, he did.

Together, they turned to watch the children.

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"They take after you, you know." Maria murmured.

Abram raised a brow, even if his wife couldn't see it. "I find that hard to believe."

"And yet, I see it clear as day." He could hear the smile in her voice. "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. The determination. The bravery. That's all you."

Abram leaned back to stare down at his wife in incredulity. She looked up at him with a smile. Others wouldn't be able to make out the emotion in his face but she could see it clear as day.

"Don't be so surprised." She snorted. "They're Ross kids through and through."

"I don't think determination and bravery are the best qualities to use in describing me."

"Then, let's agree to disagree." She pressed a kiss against his chin before turning back to their children.

"They're doing well." She murmured, her voice soft, filled with affection.

Abram exhaled, nodding. "They are."

Maria chuckled, her fingers brushing along his arm. "They'd believe it if you told them yourself."

Abram exhaled. This wasn't the first time they'd talked about this. "You know I want to. But I can't."

Maria hummed, already expecting that answer. "Then why not?" She asked, her voice light but with a knowing tone.

Abram's fingers flexed in hesitation, then he spoke aloud, admitting his weakness for all to hear. "Because I don't know how."

Silence stretched between them for a moment, save for the distant clanging of swords below. The laughter of their sons echoed faintly in the air.

He knew that Maria accepted him the way he was, flaws and all, but even after all the years they'd spent together, he felt the need to justify himself.

"My father," he said, his voice low, "he never spoke words of pride. He never told me he was proud, or that he cared. He trained me like another soldier. Expected results and punished failure."

"I was taught to lead, to fight, to endure, but never how to... feel." Maria could hear the weight behind his words.

"And now, with them..." He gestured down at the yard, where Ren, Felix, and Darius laughed between bouts. "I feel something I was never taught to express. And I don't know how to put it into words."

Maria turned in his arms to look up at him. "Abram, you don't need the right words." She said softly. "You just need to speak your mind. They won't care if it's rough around the edges. They just need to hear it."

Abram exhaled through his nose, staring at the yard for a long moment. "You make it sound so simple."

Maria smiled warmly. "Because it is."

Abram knew Maria didn't understand his weakness. Not fully. But that was okay. He knew just how much she cared for him.

He opened his mouth to reply, but she suddenly stiffened.

Then, she coughed.

A deep, wracking cough that sent shivers down Abram's spine.

His head snapped down to her just as she covered her mouth with her hand. The moment she pulled away, his breath caught.

Blood.

A small stain of red dotted her palm, standing like an unwanted visitor against her pale skin.

"Maria." His voice almost cracked in concern.

His wife let out a shaky breath, looking up at him with a tired smile. "I'm fine."

Abram grabbed her wrist, his grip gentle but firm. "You're not. Let's go meet the healer. He can do something."

"No. Let's not bother the good man." Maria sighed, wiping the blood away with a handkerchief. "It's just the strain of... containing it."

Abram's jaw clenched, his free hand curling into a fist. "It's getting worse."

Maria leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. "We knew it would."

There was silence as Abram held her tighter, his arms wrapping around her waist as if he could shield her from the inevitable. "Do you ever regret it?"

She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze with soft but unyielding eyes. "Do you?"

Abram didn't even hesitate. "Never."

A slow, relieved smile spread across her lips. "Then neither do I."

Maria lifted a hand, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "No matter what happens, Abram, we have built something strong. Our children. Our family. That is worth everything."

Abram swallowed, his throat tight. "You're worth everything."

Maria closed her eyes for a moment, pressing her forehead to his chest. "Then don't hold back, Abram. Tell them. Show them. Before it's too late."

They stood there in silence, wrapped in each other's warmth, as their children laughed and sparred below.

The sun dipped lower into the horizon, sending long shadows painting the floor of the training yard. And still, Abram held her close, unwilling to let go.