“I never knew that.” The words from the mouth of James were equivalent to a joke, and I am not in the condition of handling the joke.

James Carter didn't know that his mother has a sister. This is rubbish. He thinks I am a fool.

I sighed, as I realized the upcoming drama and threw the plan of seeing Daniel aside. Delivering the message of leaving to sick man on bed from my eyes, I held Jamie and walked back to the hallway. Cherish followed me with Jace and Annie, without questioning. She needs answers and I need my daughter… Actually, daughters.

“Mommy… Where are we going?” Jace reached and questioned, ignoring the whispering yelling from the room.

The question altered Jamie. My boy lifted his tiny head from my shoulder and glared at Jace. The brother had the telepathic conversation before Jamie held me like his life depends on me.

“Mommy….” Jamie glared at Jace, announcing his territory. I am his mommy, and he is not ready to share this title with anyone. On the other side, I noticed Jace looking at me with teary eyes and his lower lip wobbling. He is about to cry.

“Baby… He is not well.” I tried to cheer Jace. “He loves you, trust me.”

Shrieking with anger, Jamie used his chubby hands to turn my face. He made me look at him. “Mommy… Mine…” He ordered. “No…” He glared at Jace. “My mommy.” He is angry now.

“Jamie…” I called his name with a stern voice, but nothing worked. This is the first time I am seeing territorial Jamie. He is usually a good boy.

“It's fine.” James interrupted and scooped Jace in his arms.

Jace didn't protest and obliged. Those hurt eyes continued to look at me. He needs assurance. Freya must have hurt him too much.

“I love you, Jace,” I promised.

Nodding, Jace wiped his unshed tears and smiled. “Ok.” He mumbled.

“Who are you?” Annie punched James's leg.

“Annie…” I called her. “What is wrong with you?”

“She hit Theo.” Cherish took Annie's hand. “Hitting is not good.” She preached to her sister.

“He is taking my browther….” Annie transformed into an innocent girl.

“I am taking him home.” James smiled, looking at Annie. Even though he smiled, but she didn't return him that smile. Annie is feisty and can be violent.

“Jace is coming with us,” I guaranteed Annie.

James walked away with Annie, and Cherish following them, but I relooked at Norma and Mother. Mother was at the door of the room, looking at us. And I didn't see Norma.

“I don't like tattoo man,” Annie complaint and folded her arms over her chest with anger.

“Who is the tattoo man?” James was busying taking kids out of the car.

“She bit him.” Cherish laughed. I have noticed that she ignored James throughout this time.

“Who is this tattoo man?” I asked Annie. But Jamie got possessive. He held my face, made me look at him.

“I don't like him also.” Annie pointed at Jamie. “He prefers not to share mommy with us.” Her face is red now.

“That's bad.” I was in my worse mood now. I have James to handle, Norma, and now my kids are fighting with each other.

“I will handle them.” James interrupted.

“No, I don't need your help. I can manage like always.” glaring at my so-called husband, “Cherish, when you will be back at school.” I asked my eldest.

“Actually, Grandma called me. I don't have a holiday. My classes are still on.” Cherish answered while taking Jace and Annie inside.

James was entering with them, but he stopped when he noticed me, glaring at him. Of course, I don't want him inside my house.

“Are we going to talk?” He asked.

“Of course….” I put a saccharine smile and took Jamie inside. Giving him the toys, I walked back to the porch, where James is still waiting for me. I hope now, he understands how waiting for someone feels like.

“I thought you are not coming back,” James speaks as soon as he sees me.

“I am not you,” I said. “I need to discuss the custody of kids… I heard what Daniel said. Even though, I am a surrogate. I would like to keep them with me.”

“What about twins?” James was desperate. “I need Jace.”

“Why?”

“Because he is not ours.”

“There is nothing ours.” I reminded him. “I am not your wife. You and I don't share anything, except four kids. And Jace is.....”

James laughed as if I read the joke to him. “About that….” Controlling his laugh, “I submitted the paper this morning. We will get our marriage certificate by tomorrow.” He announced.

He submitted the papers. It means I will be bound to him. No… This is a dream. I am hallucinating. I need to visit a psychiatrist, apart from Dr Harrington. “What did you say?”

“I said, we will get our marriage certificate by tomorrow.” James raised his eyebrows with amusement. He is enjoying it. My reaction.

“Why now?” I could feel my heart pumping adrenaline in my body. “It's 16 years. Why did you put the drama of divorce, then?”

“I started to believe that we are married,” James argued but without remorse, he justified himself. I am confident if this wouldn't give come out, then James would have continued making a fool of me. “The paper you signed talked about separation, not divorce.” He took several steps towards me, closing the distance between us. “Advice… Always read the paper before signing it.” He whispered like it's a secret.

The proximity between us was once my favourite but now, I have realized that this is not love that I felt for him… It's like obsession. I am so obsessed with James Carter that I named Cherish because once in an interview many moons ago, James shared his dream of having a daughter with the name Cherish. I even named Jamie James Jr.

“That was a lie.” I took many steps away from him, giving clarity to my mind to think. I have to start thinking.

Scoffing, “this is what you do… I took one step towards you, and you take countless steps away from me. That's why you lost two pregnancies,” he taunted me.

He didn't taunt me, in fact, he attacked me.

Losing control over my body, I didn't, something that made me equal to him. An abusive act. I hit James.

His face, almost feet above me, is turned to his left side due to the impact of my hit. He refused to look at me, but I could tell he is angry, raging, ready to pounce at me.

“You pushed me that day. You hit me. I lost my balance because of you.” despite my effort of staying strong, I heard my voice wobbling.

“You let her make stories,” James mumbled, but he said this to the person left side.

I followed his sight and found Norma with flowers of white orchids. The meaning of this flower is to regret their actions and deeds. She knows my interest in plant symbolism. And, she intends to influence me.

“You let her assume whatever she hallucinated,” James said to Norma, who is bawling. “Did you even allow her to visit a Psychiatrist?” He asked her.

“Is she involved here too?” I looked at James. Nothing is making sense. Am I mentally sick? Did I spend 16 years hallucinating? Is there an alternate universe, where the reality is different?

“I am not justifying my crimes.” James looked at me. “I am an alcoholic. I did something.....” He sighed, as if this is hard for him to speak. “I did many inhuman things to you… But after I saw you and Cherish in the garden, I was ready for change. I still have that photo in my office. But you were traumatized. You screamed every time I was near you. I asked Norma for help, but she didn't help you… I guess.” He closed his eyes. “I didn't push you from the stairs. You feared me. So, when I took steps to pull you from the edge of the stairs, you lost balance. And you lost baby. That was my second pregnancy. You were in a coma. And I needed a son… So, I took your eggs and hired surrogates. That's how Annie and Jace is born.”

“You took my eggs without my permission?” I ignored everything he said. The only thing that echoed in my mind as he took my eggs without my permission. “And, doctors allowed it?”

“Money.” He said, with anger, looking at Norma. I am sure he is angry over Norma. But he needs to see me. This is between him and me. I require so much clarification. So I hit him. I hit his chest.

I hit his chest again. “Your Business is real estate. You don't even earn much. Why everyone follows your order?”

He held my wrist. “Don't you know, I am called moneymaker. I am just not in real estate. I am almost into everything. You will find my shadow in the Defense industry, stock, health… Name it… You will find a Carter there.”

“I am not giving Jace to anyone… Nor I am giving up Jamie.” I cried.

I felt Norma running towards me. But one glare from James, and she stopped.

“Please, I am dying with guilt.” He pleaded. “I took Someone else's son and I need to return him.”

“Jace and Jamie are mine. You can give your other son with someone else.” I declared my decision.

“Jay… This is too much for her.” Norma said.

“Norma… If you hadn't lied to her, Then things would have been easier for her.” James insisted. “Why did you do this? Is it me?”

“No….” Norma was crying again. I hate her fake tears now.

“She is faking it. She would have continued to lie if we wouldn't have caught her.” I wiped my tears.

“She did for her sister.” James' bitter voice hurt Norma.

“She wants Jamie,” Norma said.

“Because she is obsessed with me.” James snapped. “He looks exactly like me.”

“You are out of her control.” She argued.

“Because she's the mother of my children. I have four kids with her. I am not going to kill her.” James screamed.

Mrs Carter wants me dead.

.