“Thank you..... Joe.” I forced a smile before leaving the car. The security as well as the bodyguard kept looking at his phone.

I am still confused... what happened to my bodyguards? Where were they when I was attacked? Or maybe it's done. James is freeing me, therefore no bodyguard.

There was no answer from Joe but just a nod, still looking at his phone. I know, James ordered him to drive me to my destination. Now, I have started to hate my inability to drive. I was learning to drive with the help of George when the tragedy hit us… That claimed Willa, Malcolm, and my life. Thereafter, I never got the chance to learn the driving.

I had a non-existent staring game with the young Joe driving away, with his eyes still on me. There is an understatement, that why he gave me that look. Not because he pities me, but because I still look young due to my baby face. Despite being 33, I look in my twenties..... Maybe because I was never able to gain weight due to this chaos. Sometimes, I try to find the reason for everyone's pity eyes on me but I always fail. I never find the reason.

For 16 years, I was fooled. James must have enjoyed my suffering and would have laughed at me in front of his various mistresses on various occasions.

What a fool I was?

I looked at the heavy wedding ring still residing in my finger. This is nothing but a bond that held for 16 years. I was proud of the ring… Unique, it appeared. Like James walked to the end of the world searching for this ring… Our wedding ring, but no, he was paying me for his being his… Bed warmer.

I am disgusted by myself.

With rage and anger, when I walked into his office after hitting James I found our agreement papers, shining, neat and clean…mocking at me, my misery, my foolishness, still resting like freshly printed on the drawer of the office table.

James followed me in the mansion with no question, just in his sweatpants. His 43 years old body, still appears young. No doubt, he has maintained his looks… For other women who admire him.

I took the papers and walked out of the nightmare… To the gate of freedom through my memory lane and James didn't stop me. I looked at the garden where I used to grow various flowers while waiting for him. The flowers are dying. But few flowers of Eustoma are fighting for survival. Those flowers have several meanings. I remember the reason for planting them. It was to convey My appreciation and admiration for James as well as my friendliness, sweetness, and respect for Norma and the Carter family. I watered them for years.... with the hope of contentment, but I was wrong. Those flowers should die, they remind me of my stupidity.

What a naive I was!!!

“It is cold.” A sweet voice beside me caught my attention. I look at the source of the delightful voice and found my niece..... Annie. Her cheeks are red, and her little hands are covering them.

I know, it is another stupid move, but I am accepting the offer of Norma and confronting my sister and parents. They left me. I was almost a kid, alone, scared when they gave me to Carter like a thing.

“Where are your coat, sweetie?” I coo my niece. No matter, how angry I am with her mother… This little girl is my niece, and I am convinced, Cherish is going to love her.

“I… I….” She looked down with guilt, like a caught her stealing candies. I could see the resemblance in us. Annie is the sweetest kid, I could ever see because Cherish was rebellious as a kid.

Aww… My sweet girl.

“It's fine….” I assured her and looked around. Where are my parents? They left this girl alone, in the dark… Near forest. This church is beside the forest… Far from road. What if an animal harms her? Where are the other kids? I remember the orphanage is here.

Another example of irresponsibility.

“I was looking for my brother,” Annie said. “Mom….” She stopped. “He was sad.”

Brother.

Annie has a brother as well.

What happened to Amy?

Why is Ryan not with them?

“Where is your dad?” Asking her, I held her little hand.

Pulling me inside the church, “Father said, he is busy… Doing his job.” She chirped. “Jace is inside the office… I know. He always does that.”

“Jace?”

“Yes… My brother.” She was happiest and she was right. Emotions are contagious. I could feel her happiness running through my veins, despite my sorrow.

Copying her, “Let's find him.” I said.

Entering into the unlocked and dark office, we called Jace until I found him at the corner beside the bookshelf. His olive skin with forest green eyes looked scared… Scared for his life.

What happened to him?

“Baby… Did someone hurt you?” When I asked him, he hugged me right and cried.

I held him back… Promising him the safety, subconsciously. 

“She hit him.” Annie was sad now.

“Who hit him?” I tried to be calm. How can someone hurt this little boy who looked similar to Jamie?

Yes, he looks like Jamie.

“Jace… Look at me,” I called him.

With hiccups, when he looked at me, I cried.

I cried for Jace.

I cried for missing his initial years.

He is my son.

Jace is my son… The other kid that Mrs Carter was talking to me three days back.

“I will complain to Father.” Annie sounded angry, and she almost run out of the office.

Her words reminded me of her presence. She claimed that Jace is her brother. I need to make something clear. I stopped Annie and asked her to switch on the lights, to which she listened.

When I looked at her clearly, I was confident that she is my daughter. Annie is not my niece but my daughter. They are twins… My twins. Mrs Carter was talking about them. But I don't remember them. My two previous pregnancies were with a single child. I was never carrying twins.

“Annie…. Sweetie, can you call Father?” I managed to control my emotions.

“Yes….but who are you?” She was confused. “He will ask me.”

“Tell him, your mother is here.” I caressed her cheeks.

Her eyes, similar to mine, widen. She looked at Jace… A telepathic twin conversation and nodded.

“Are you my mommy?” She tried to glare at me.

“I am Jace's mommy too,” I answered.

“But she said you hate us.” She accused me.

“Who said?” I tried to control my emotions.

She didn't answer me and looked at the door. I know she is planning to run away. I walked towards her, that's when I heard something moving behind me. When I turned to see Jace, he was running of the office and following him was Annie.

Seeing them running from me, caused me to be concerned. They are running from their mother. No, I can not lose them.

I followed them, but I was late. They had already locked me in the office.

I tried to open the door, but it was locked. My kids don't trust me. Who manipulated them? I love them. They are my kids. My parts.

Mother?

Father?

Where is Amy?

Sierra said, Amy, is unstable.

“Annie..... Jace.....” I screamed in top of my voice in agony. “Baby..... I don't hate you both.” I cried. “Please, baby… Save me.” I begged them. But there was nothing to be heard.

Silence.

From the other side, I heard, nothing. Like there is nothingness waiting for me on the other side.... to destroy me, to break me.

I hit the door with desperation but hurt myself.

I need to assure my kids, that I love them.

“At least, I can have them,” I mumbled and decided to look for the extra keys. I may lose Cherish and Jamie but I could have them, my twins.

Searching drawers, when I found the keys, I was more interested in… The paper beneath the keys. The birth certificates.

Annalise Carter. Daughter of Anastasia Carter and James Carter.

Jameson Carter. Son of Anastasia Carter and James Carter.

They both are 5 years old.

I held the birth certificates, contract paper and signed affidavits.

The jiggling of the doorknob took my attention. I know, Annie and Jace must have informed someone… Most probably my parents.

My parents hid my kids from me for 5 years. They never contacted me for 16 years. They left me and chose Unstable Amy over me.

Holding papers ready in my arms, I was ready. I am staying in this city, taking Jamie, and my twins with Cherish. I will try my best to get Cherish and Jamie.

“I am taking my twins… And will never return here.” I didn't look back and was busy collecting paper.

“Are you their mother?” A feminine voice asked.

I turned and found Sierra. So, they informed her.

“They were talking to Mother… But I was curious. So, I am here….”

“Sierra… She hit Jace.” The familiar voice gave me goosebumps. “And Annie was speaking about….”

"Yes, Annie said that...." Pointing at me, "this woman is claiming to be their mother." Sierra said.

I turned with hatred. "How could you?"

"Oh my God!!!!"

.