Everything with Josie was going on perfect. I invited her to a few dates,we would kiss,sleep in the same bed but nothing more than that. My children adored her. They were so happy and I couldn't ask for more. Work was fine a little hectic but atleast the thought of going home to Josie and the children simplified everything.

"Excuse me ma'am ,but you cannot go in there",I heard Lynda scream from the other end of my door cutting my thoughts off.

As I stood up to see what was causing the commotion,my door burst open and the devil herself entered.

"Hey baby,I can't believe Lynda didn't want to let me in",Marion said as she rounded to my side of the table.

"What do you want,Marion?,I said through gritted teeth making my irritation obvious.

"Come on baby,Is that how you treat your woman,the mother of your.....",she dared to speak trying to run a finger on my chest.

"Don't you dare finish that sentence. You ceased to be their mother and my woman the moment you abandoned us and left. We are so happy without you. Why come back to ruin that?",I said angrily.

"But I said I was sorry. I want to be a mother to my chi....."she said fakeness evident in her voice.

"I told you not to call them yours. They are my children.",I cut her off .

"Is it because of that bitch.. Huh,what's her name,Josie right. Is it because of her. Baby come on, she is a good for nothing ,worthless,ugly,gold dig..."she said before I cut her off.

If at first I was angry,now I was furious,"Shut up,Marion. You have no right to speak about her or even pass her name through your filthy mouth. Now please leave or I will call security",I said as I tried to keep my growing urge to hit her.

"No need for that baby,I was just leaving but before I leave,I have a gift for you",she said as she came close to me, real close.

And before I could process what she wanted to do,her lips slammed onto mine. I was shocked as I realised what was actually happening,and started pushing Marion away from me,the door to my office opened.

"Hi Matt,I.....",Josie said then she saw the compromising position me and Marion were in.

"Its not what you think ,Josie. I swear nothing was happening. I..She...we...",I panicked as I pushed Marion away from me and rushed to Josie's side.

She had tears that were threatening to fall. I stretched my hands to hug her but she turned and left without a word. I felt my world crumbling down. I had destroyed the only person that mattered to me and my children. What was I going to tell them. I didn't want to lose Josie.

"Baby,she is not worth your tears. I knew you still had a thing for me. Atleast she will be gone from our lives."Marion had the audacity to speak.

I wiped my tears,turned around,grabbed her wrist,she winched in pain but I didn't care. I dragged her and her belongings to the elevator. She kept screaming that I was hurting her but my heart was aching more after what Josie had witnessed. I didn't know how I was going to explain everything. I don't know whether she would listen to me.

I threw Marion out of my building and instructed security never to let her step foot in the building ever again or they would be fired. Marion kept shouting profanities, threatening that all was not over and she would be back but all I wanted was to go home and find Josie. And make everything right with her.

I was home with Quisha when I received a message from an unknown number,

:Hey beautiful,how about lunch with me? Meet me at my office.

Love,

Matthew.

I couldn't stop the smile that crept to my face. I quickly got Quisha and myself ready since it was a few minutes to lunch.

I greeted the guards at the entrance and some other people I found at the reception and I got into the elevator.

When I reached Matthew's floor, lynda was not at her desk which seemed odd. I brushed it off and made my way to Matthew's office. I didn't bother knocking though I wish I did.

"Hi Matt,I ....",I couldn't finish my sentence as I witnessed Mathew and Marion kissing. I froze. I felt my world crumbling down. The man I decided to give my heart to,kissing his ex wife.

I didn't want it to hurt. But it hurt terribly. This was another rejection.

I saw Matthew move towards me saying something but my brain couldn't process what he was saying. Marion stood with a smirk and evil glint. I couldn't let her see me cry. I didn't want them to get the satisfaction of hurting me.

I turned and left with a sleeping Quisha. I cried once I was out of their sight. Everyone gave me concerned looks but I wasn't affected, I just wanted to cry and atleast soothe the heartache. I reached the house and packed my belongings. This would break the children's little hearts but I had to leave. I couldn't stay here and watch the two of them hurt me.

The Matthew I knew cared for his children but this one was different. He was bringing back the woman who hurt his children. I would fight for them though from afar. I loved them too much to let them grow up with emotional scars. If their dad couldn't,I will.

I wrote a note for Matthew telling him that I left Quisha at his parents' house. I didn't want Martinez to know where I was going so I let him drop Quisha. And when he left, I called for a cab. I loaded my stuff and we were off. I felt so bad for leaving the children but I couldn't stay there. Maybe Marion changed and she would be a good mother to them.

"Ma'am where are we going",the cab driver asked breaking my thoughts.

Where was I going?. Where would Matthew not find me? My mum's house was not an option because he would surely go there.

"Lets drive to the next town",I said.

The ride took 4hours to the next town. I paid the driver and signed myself into a motel for the night. I was so exhausted from crying that I went to sleep immediately.

My phone kept on ringing but I didn't want to talk to anyone so I turned it off and went back to a dreamless sleep.

The next morning I felt a little better and decided to call my mum. They were worried about me but I assured them I was fine.

"Baby, talk to Matthew let him explain himself",my mum said.

"I don't know mum, what I saw. I don't think I need anymore explanation.",I said not wanting to sound rude.

"Just think about it there's always another side to the story" my mum replied before we hang up.

I knew she was right but I just wasn't ready to talk to Matthew yet.

I ordered breakfast in my room,went to have a shower and decided to go for a walk around the town to clear my mind. Matthew kept calling and sending messages. Mostly about the children. He then texted that they all wouldn't eat or stop crying.

What kind of mother am I? I promised not to hurt them,but here I was being selfish and thinking about myself. I texted back and told him to take them to my mum's and I would talk to them.

I managed to soothe them and tell them I would be back,I just wanted some time alone to think. The next two weeks were torture to me. I couldn't see my babies,only talk to them when Matthew took them to my mum's. Matthew never stopped calling but I wouldn't return his calls. Then I made up my mind to go back home. I needed to see my babies.

I texted Matthew and told him to drop them at my mum's for the night because I wanted to facetime them before bedtime. The drive home was long probably because of anticipation to see my family. I reached home ,the children were not yet there. I had time to fill my family in on what I had decided.

Then we heard Matthew's car in the drive way. I rushed upstairs so that he wouldn't know that I am back. I had decided to come back and look after the children but nothing was to happen between me and Matthew. We were to keep it professional.

"Has she called?How is she?",I heard Matthew say with deep concern in his voice. I couldn't make out what they said after that and I heard the front door close.

"Who wants a surprise?",my mum asked the children.

"Me grandma,I am the oldest",Toya replied. Grandma?. When did that happen.

"No grandma me",Leo protested. My heart couldn't contain the excitement of hugging them again.

"You will have to close your eyes then,Quisha too",My mum said . I could hear giggles. Then Merijn came and got me when they were all set. I walked downstairs quietly and stood infront of them.

"1,2,3 open",Jollie counted.

"Mommmmmmmmmyyyy",Toya and Leo screamed hugging me.

"Mama mama ",Quisha blubbered as she squirmed to get out of Jollie's hold. I held them to my chest.

"I missed you mommy",Toya said whilst crying.

"Shhhh, don't cry baby,mommy is here and I promise not to leave again",I said as I hugged her.

"Mommy no leave ag....",Leo was cut short when the door slammed open. We all looked towards the door and we were shocked to see Matthew standing there. He looked so tired and unkept,his eyes held hurt.

"What are you doing here?",I managed to say breaking the silence.

"I felt your presence when I dropped the children earlier. I decided to stick around and I was right,here you are.",he said trying to force a smile to his face. I wanted to hug him but couldn't he had hurt me terribly.

"I missed you Josie so much",he continued coming straight to me.

He pulled me to himself and I felt him sigh. "I am so sorry Josie,please forgive me. Please let me...",I cut him off and pulled away from the hug.

"There's nothing left to talk about. I am back but only for the children. Me and you are done and I would appreciate it if we kept things professional from now on.",I managed to say fighting back tears and trying to keep a straight face.

I could see the hurt in his eyes. I averted my gaze not wanting to give in to his pleading eyes. He turned and left without a word.

I went to the kitchen to join the rest. I slept with my babies that night and atleast had a peaceful night. The next morning being a weekend ,I spent it with my family at the zoo. The children were beyond happy and that's all that mattered to me. Quisha was clinging to me probably afraid that I would leave again.

The most dreaded day came. I had to move back to Matthew's home. I loaded my belongings at the back of the SUV,buckled the children and we set off.

As we approached the house,my anticipation grew. Would Matthew be home?. Has anything changed since I left?. Is Marion at the house?. My thoughts were cut short when my phone went off.

"Which kind of friend are you that abandons their bestie for two weeks",Sherry's voice boomed on the other end.

"I am sorry,love",I managed to say guiltly. I told her everything that had happened.

"Babe,I think you should let him explain before you make a decision."she told me. I knew she was right.

We hang up as we pulled to the house.

"Welcome home,Josie. The house missed you",Martinez told me as he parked next to the front porch.

The door opened revealing Matthew. He gave a tired smile,and helped me with the children who were already sleeping. He didn't say anything else. Not that I wanted,but It hurt him not talking to me when he clearly is in the wrong.

I changed the children to their pajamas,tucked them in and went to my room. Everything seemed untouched. I stripped and took a shower. I called my mum to let her know we reached safe and she again asked me to talk to Matthew.

I then called Sherry and we talked till the wee hours of the night. The next morning. The tension was evident. But I didn't want to talk to Matthew yet. He also gave me space and we had small talk here and there.

Author's Note

This is quite a long chapter but hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to vote,comment and share.