Heavy.

I feel heavy.

Groaning, I realized I am getting old. I cannot even get up.

“No… Norma…” I summoned my clever wife.

“Hey…EY….” A sweet feminine voice approached me. Soon, I felt the soft touch on my cheeks. This touch is caressing me.

When I opened my eyes, my nose detected medicine and was ready to throw them out of my food pipe, But I couldn't. My mouth is stuffed. What is in my mouth?

I whined, knowing that I am in hospital. And the creatures with the knowledge of life-saving technique has done something… Many things to my body.

“It's fine, Daniel.” The voice was concerned.

I looked around, clearing my vision and noticed the gang of nurses and doctors. Not a single doctor but doctors… specific 3 of them. Now, I am dead.

I must have looked scared by the time they cleared my face from the equipments, which saved my life.

“You are safe… Old man.” The Doctor chuckled.

“I assume he doesn't like a hospital.” The lady nurse smiled.

Pointing out at the equipment, “I….” I coughed when the words were released from my throat.

I was offered the water and I drank it like I was thirsty forever.

“Don't worry, Old man. You are fine, and you won't be needing them again.” I looked at the origin of the voice. It's Trina.

“You are here all the time.” I started when I noticed her pyjamas. She didn't even change her outfit.

“No, I arrived late. Norma was frantic. So, I suggested that she should be with someone with whom she can feel better. She said there is a friend of hers. It's been I think 10 hrs.” Trina was polite. George is a lucky man.

“Which friend?” I managed to ask with my painful throat.

“I don't know, she mentioned some church. George dropped her but then, he had to leave to Ryan and Zippy with mom.” Trina watched the gang leaving the room.

Finally, I am safe. No one would attack me.

“Norma called almost 2 hours back. She was miserable. She will be here. With her friend.” Trina said.

I groaned. Her friend. I know which friend she is talking about. I warned her. But she is stubborn. My wife thinks this is the only way to help Anna.

Help! This is ironic. Norma is not helping but ruining the situation. The only ones that can help is only professionals.

“Someone poisoned you.” The nurse, Sophia, said.

“Yeah… I know.” I mumbled, recalling the loot. They looted a son from a mother. Yes, I know that was their intention. They were goons hired by Emmeline Carter. What the hell she was thinking while hiring them? They are human who never follows any law, Neither natural nor artificial.

“But it's dropped out.” Sophia looked at me. “Carter didn't file any case.” She said. “Marvin Carter paid for you.” She added.

I simply nodded. I am not the right person to comment on anything about this. Furthermore, I wonder why Anna didn't do anything. She loves her kids. They are her dream… Only source of motivation, otherwise she has lost everything in her life.

Anna never got a chance to build a life. In her 20s, she was waiting for James to arrive so that she could TALK and then complete her education. She should have focused on herself. Her eagerness brought Cherish into life and now, Jamie. These kids are dragged into this mess.

Seeing Anna and James, I realized one thing… Cherish and Jamie are innocent, yet they have to face because their parents are stuck in their misery.

“Your daughter is not here,” Sophia asked about Trina. The staff thinks Trina is my daughter. Well, that's something I would be proud of. Her parents did a good job.

"Yes. I send her. She needed sleep."

“Anyone else is here for you? I need to inform them about your medicine.”

“I am here…” Norma marched into the room, glaring at Sophia.

Sophia smiled, putting her professional face. She knows, I know, that Norma is jealous of her.

We are in our 60s. Norma and I are married for 40 years. And, here, my wife is behaving like a jealous girlfriend.

“Mrs Brown......” Sophia starter to speak. I did hear her talking about my health, then shifted to my medicine. Despite being a 65-year-old man, I am relatively healthier than my friends. Maybe it's because James take me out for jogging.

James knows Anna's address. I caught him, occasionally, outside the house sitting in his car. He was so close to Jamie yet Norma made sure he doesn't learn about his son. And, I hate her reason.

“Dan…” Norma called me. But I couldn't speak. I waited until Sophia departed. This is a family matter and I need time alone with Norma to clear a few things.

“I saw your friend outside…” I looked at the door, where I could see the shadow of a woman. She is the Wife of Bartholomew Kepner, mother of Amelia and Anastasia… Katherine Kepner. I did notice her peeking into the room.

“She was worried about you.” Norma's eyes softened.

“But I am worried about Anna.” I challenged Norma, glared at Katherine. This woman has no spine. She threw her daughter like brought clothes, without considering that she was just 17. Not even graduated. How will she support herself if the situation gets dirty?

“Hello….” Katherine stepped inside. Her appearance reminds me of Anna. The Kepner women shares the same dressing sense. Even though I never met Amy, but I think, the Kepner Trio wear the same kind of dress. Below knee-length skirt. Infamous ballerina flats. But this style suited Anna. However, she's changed now…. A good change. Confident change.

“I don't want here.” I turned my face from them and prayed that Anna doesn't arrive. She has suffered a lot. Even I am guilty. I should have stopped James in the beginning, when he started. Even I could have warned James when I noticed Adrian. That's how it all started. With Adrian. “I will make sure, Adrian cries for his deeds,” I vowed. Adrian ruined James. What Emmeline did is not justified, but she didn't do something like Adrian. I wonder why Emmeline didn't go after Adrian.

“I need your help.” I heard Katherine approaching me and I panicked. She uses something else as perfume. Her odour is significant. If Anna comes to meet, she will recognize this.

“Get away from me,” I yelled at her. “Norma, don't ever bring her to me. I didn't interfere in your stupidity but do you know what your sister did? She kidnapped a baby. And, I know you helped her. Zippy was in the back seat with Jamie. He didn't respond. You drugged an animal.”

“I was trying to help…” Norma sobbed.

“That isn't helping someone, my lovely wife. You contributed in a sin.” Turning to Katherine, “Emmeline gave you option… But you chose to ruin Anna's life. She asked for the eggs of daughter, not your daughter. But you picked marriage.” I laughed. “She fooled you. Anna is not married to James. She is a surrogate. At least, you should have read the papers. You ruined my effort. I am trying to do something for Anna and all of you… You all three women destroyed my effort.” I cried out.

“I know, Anna is suffering but what about Emma.” Norma hiccuped in tears.

“When I learned her deception with us… About the marriage drama and surrogacy thing. I confronted Mrs Carter, and she promised that she wouldn't hurt Anna.” Katherine wailed.

Hearing them, I laughed. These two women are fools. One fool in love while the other is naive.

“She fooled you, Mrs Kepner.” I laughed like a manic. I feel better. This is my medicine. “And, Norma your sister fooled you. You have spent the majority of your life with her, yet you fall for her trap. She is a wicked woman.”

“Don't use such words for my sister. Emma is a better person, I know. Even I feel for Anna. But Anna is young. She has the option to restart her life. But Emma is getting old. She deserves her happiness.” Norma glared at me.

“Do you think the same?” I asked Katherine.

And, Katherine nodded. She freaking nodded.

“Emma… Emma…” I chanted with a bitter smile until the face of sleeping Jamie haunted me. “What about kids?” I questioned them. “Emma wanted a grandson. She has it. What about Cherish?”

“There are twins as well,” Katherine said, and Norma broke into tears.

I took my time to absorb the meaning of the words.

There are twins as well.

So, there are 4 kids involved.

“Kids are no entertainment. They are life.” I screamed, realizing that my wife lied to me all those times.

“She lied to you as well.” Anna mocking voice entered the room. She stood at the door with Jamie in her arms.

“What are you doing here?” Norma asked her.

“So Mrs Carter is your sister,” Anna taunted Norma instead of answering. “Did you hear them, Mr Carter?”

James opened the door completely, and I see two kids by his side with Cherish. “I never knew that.”

.