The pain, it's killing me. No wonder, I still look like a mess. Painkillers, sleep… Nothing is helping. What will I do now? There is no other option.

“This will work.” Norma presented me with a cup of… I don't know. “Trust me, it will work.” She smiled.

I nodded and sipped the unknown drink, letting the drink absorb into my system. And, soon, I feel easiness spreading all over my body.

“Now, you must sleep.” Norma took the cup away. “It's time for Jamie's nap, too.”

“It's day… I have to be in the shop to help Trina.”

“It was Trina who sent me the recipe for this drink, and she said, after this sleep will improve it. You have already helped her. And there are two staff members.”

“She hired them?” I was surprised. Trina said, she wants to be productive, so she will not hire. Having me in her shop was temporary until she found about my knowledge of plant symbolism as well as my skill in gardening. She calls gardening is a talent as well. We use this whenever we have clients who want special in their arrangements. And, all this in one month.

“Yes, she said it's no more a hobby now. She wants now the business owned by both of you. Tomorrow, she is bringing the proposal of business.”

“But I already signed the contract.” I was stunned. I did remember signing the contract that offers 65:35% partnership.

She laughed and Jamie followed her. His laugh filled my heart. “That was for her shop…thus is a business. People are not coming to approach her because she provides good service. People are approaching here because they want your knowledge. You are the asset of this business. Without you, no business. And to stop you, she needs to trap you… to lure you.” She continued to laugh and Jamie copied her.

I waved to Jamie, who was playing with Norma in his den. He squealed every time whenever Norma catches him.

“He is Noma's favourite.” Daniel adores them. While I was speechless. Seeing them is my dose of agony. I feel sorry for my parents that they miss this..... Playing with their grandchildren.

Daniel was talking lively about David shifting back as he wants to expand his local business. There is no room for the doubt that David is an ambitious man. He knows his path.

Daniel dropped me for the appointment and drove to his job. Today is something happening in the company and Daniel, being responsible for all the vehicles in the company, is managing the guest. I don't know, he tried to explain it to me, but nothing made sense.

Olivia straightened her head when she sees me and forced a professional smile like a receptionist. I wish if she had shown me the same courtesy, then things would have been different.

I am early for the appointment and sat far from the drama, watching patients coming and leaving in tears. I understand the pain they through while repeating their journey again and again. It's tough. Asking for help is the first step that needs a lot of courage. How do people manage to collect the courage of asking for help? I can't. For me, it's like living that nightmare again and again, whenever I narrate them. Even last night was my nightmare.

What happened last night was opposite to my nature?

Something possessed me. I shouldn't have to encourage Theo. I gave the wrong signals to him. He was invested At that moment. I could feel him… I still feel his lips on mine. He was warm… Like a blanket. Safe, comfortable.

I looked down at my ring. Why I am still wearing this when there is no use. In a few months, I will no more Mrs Carter. I will be Kepner. The thought of changing the last name of Jamie is still oscillating in My mind. Should I change his name?

James Kepner?

"Mrs Carter...?" Olivia called me.

I looked at her and noticed that despite her unwanted gossip with me, she is sweet. She is doing her job and my personal life is not business. Maybe this is the reason she never asked me about my personal life. And, I am thankful that she never asked me about my life. Repeating my nightmare to Dr Harrington once is enough, and reciting the same for Olivia would be another torture for me. I have enough on my plate.

“Yes.....” I looked at her with no emotion. I know, my face is emotionless. I can feel the power. Her nervous posture..... Her eyes avoiding to look at me.

“Dr Harrington will see you now.” She mumbled and sprinted to her desk.

Now, that's weird.

Olivia never bothered herself to even repeat herself and today, she walked toward me to inform me about the appointment. Her behaviour has shifted to 180°. That's clever. She is trying to be in my good book because now she knows who am I.

I am Anastasia Carter.

I knocked once and entered the cabin without waiting for the answer. Of course, Dr Harrington must have brought everything with my husband's money. I am his better half, technically I own half of all the stuff she brought from James's money. I even noticed the flowers of anthurium, known universally as a symbol of hospitality at the corner of the room. Hospitality. Yes… The hospitality that James offers to her.

“Anna… Dr Harrington looked confused. “You were missing for 2 months.” She pointed it out.

“Yes..... I was busy in my married life.” I faked the smile.

“You look stunning.” She complimented me like a genuine person.

“For my husband.”

Nodding, she was ready to start the session, but I wasn't. I don't want wish to consume any medication prescribed by the mistress of my husband. I doubt her loyalty. What if she is giving me the wrong medicines?

“I have shifted, and cannot afford coming here… So, I need another psychiatrist,” I said, more or less demanded.

She was shocked. I never talk like this. This is not my manner. Yet, she didn't say anything and pulled out my file. And laughed.

“You are Carter, too?” She laughed.

I frowned.

Looking at me, “I already know two Carters… My mechanic is a carter and My friend is Carter. I thought the mechanic is related to James Carter.”

What kind of doctor is she?

She doesn't know, my full name. And why she is behaving unprofessionally? Is she not aware that I am Mrs Cater? Then, again, what can I expect from the other woman?

“So rumours are true about you and James Carter?" I played along.

“No…” She stopped and avoided my eyes. Her eyes looked everywhere and finally stopped at a frame. There was a frame with James and a teenage boy… Hugging each other like best friends.

“What are they?”

“My family.” She smiled with satisfaction.

Observing, I noticed James and the boy. “Are they father….son?” I suddenly ask.

“Yes. They are like each other.” She said.

Those words left me speechless. When the world would end, that's how I felt. The relationship between James and Dr Harrington is old. The teenage boy is the living proof. He is a few years younger than Cherish. James has another family.

Am I his family?

Dr Harrington was speaking something I couldn't hear. And then, she passed me a file.

“Dr Shane Reynolds will assist you… Even you can look for Dr Caius Solomon. Both are good. Dr Caius Solomon is our junior, but he knows the job.” She was saying many absurd words, but I couldn't hear them.

James has a son, and he does not need my son. What is the result of my struggle? I held that empty promise by my mother and tolerated everything for Jamie, but James didn't wait. He has his son.

I snatched the file and stormed out of the clinic.

You ruined me, James.