I have known Norma since the day I gained my consciousness. To me, she was as important as Mom. But for some reason, they never see each other eye to eye. Face-to-face conversation was nothing but a dream. They refuse each other's existence, even verbally.

I was mystified about their equation with each other, but now, I think it's all a drama. They are sisters. Norma is definitely the elder one. But what happened?

I told my wife about my state, how I never knew this, but she is not ready to co-operate with me. I was selfish, I desired that so-called revenge, I did what I felt, was right. And, mom was cherry on top. She said, it's fine for what I did. Even I felt the same. Now, I realise the importance of communication. I should have talked to my wife, instead of approaching Norma.

Sitting at the stairs of the house, I pity myself. I ruined 16 years. And, now, I don't have time to clear this mess. I have a meeting.

I was leaving when I heard glass breaking inside the house.

Rushing inside at the end of the house…. in the kitchen, I was stopped by my wife. Trust me, her eyes shine with glare, even behind the glasses.

Jace was running around the kitchen while Annie was jumping to catch Jamie from Cherish.

“You are a meanie.” She yelled at Jamie with anger.

“Annie, that's your brother.” My wife remained her, holding Jace.

“He took my cup,” Annie whined. While Jamie giggled from the arms of Cherish. Then, all of a sudden, he sticks out his tongue and teased Annie.

Annie lost her temper and screamed with anger. Her closed eyes were accompanied by fisted as well as her red cheeks. She is glowing red.

“Annie….” I rushed to her, but she continued to scream.

“I want my cup,” Annie screamed out. “He ruined my tea party.”

“We will get another cup.” I tried to calm her but refused to listen and used her tiny fist to hit me in my arms. That's not even affecting me.

“Annie, that's not working.” Mrs Carter yawned.

Stopping, Annie looked at her mother. Her eyes widened like she was caught off guard. “It always worked with Mother.” She looked away and mumbled with embarrassment.

“Who is mother?” I whispered, asking her.

“She calls my mother, Mother.” My wife answered and took the cup from Jamie. “You know, Annie, that's his cup… He drinks juice in it.” She asked.

Nodding, Annie hid her face on my shoulder. “But the cup is too small.”

“Annie, look at me when I am talking to you.” A mother's voice called and Annie obliged. “I have been noticing you locked me in the room then you bit Theo, Then you are arguing with a toddler… Your brother. Now, you are throwing tantrums. “ She spoke in her stern voice. “That's bad, sweetie.” Her voice softened.

“I am sowrry,” Annie mumbled and jumped out of my arms. “I promise, I will be good.” Her sweet voice wobble. “But he showed me his tongue.” Whining, she hugged her mother. “He doesn't share you with us.”

“But he knows you are his sister.” Hugging Annie, Mrs Carter kissed her head.

“Annie, Jace… Come, I will show you something.” Cherish showered her scowl at me. What have I done? I haven't ever glared in her direction, so rising my eye toward her is a different show.

Mrs Carter has a good team.

“What are you doing here?” Mrs Carter asked.

I wanted to answer her, but I couldn't. She is mesmerizing when she moves around the kitchen… Making tea. I even liked her, in my t-shirt with Jamie and that dog.

Where is the dog!

“Where is the dog?” I asked, instead of answering her.

“That's not my answer.”

“Kids were fighting. So, I thought they need help.”

“I would have managed without you. They don't need you.” She didn't look at me.

Her slow walk to the dining table in the kitchen and her seat was a sight to see. That dress is changed. She is changed. I like her shift dress…. I like it and told Norma to buy it for her. At least, Norma displayed her honesty here.

I should have talked to her. Maybe I could have saved Annie, Jace and Jamie from the chaos. I regret trusting a third person now. Where was my mind at that moment?

“My stance is clear. We won't be bothering you.” She sipped her tea. “I need a little…” Looking at me, “little monthly allowance..... And I am setting up a business with my friends. So, I can manage.” She claimed. “You have to take care of your OTHER son with Dr Harrington.” She added. “Why don't you give him to whomever you want to return your son?” She finished.

OTHER son.

Pulling the chair next to her, “Anna….” I started, but she stopped me.

“I am not ANNA anymore…” Her rage is resonating in the kitchen. “I hate this name. I am Anastasia. Don't call me again.”

“Anastasia….” Low. Quiet. Test. I said her name. But she rolled her eyes. What happened to her? This is not the woman I have known. She feared me constantly. But this woman in front of me ..... Throwing tantrums. That woman was dying to talk to me, but she is eager to throw me out of her house.

“My offer is tempting… Consider it. You can live your bachelor life.” She looked away. “I don't care about that stupid marriage certificate.”

“So this in an offer now?” The question left my mouth. I am trying to consider us… The marriage that I should have worked on. I know I am late but at least not for Annie, Jace and Jamie. I can't change the image that Cherish has built, but I can be a good father to my three kids.

“What you want?” She fired my question. This is my question. Because I throw this to everyone.

“One chance… for kids.”

“I gave you 16 years of Chances.” She giggled… With anger. She's angry. But I am not leaving. I have trusted the wrong person. She said she would take care of the wounded bride in my bed, and I believed her. She said she would take care of the grieving mother, who lost her pregnancy, and I believe her. Now, I learned that she lied. And her reason is her sister.

Mom is protective of us.

Me and Jess. But, She can be evil, if needed, and her obsession with me and the copies is distributing me. I have known, noticed this behaviour of my mom while growing up and ignored it. But now, she gave my toddler son to goons to bring him to me. No, that's unacceptable.

“Do you have any scar of abuse on your body?” I asked, noticing her clear, Perfect neck. I remember choking her. I would have tried to choke her before if I abused her.

“Get out…” She commands.

That command aroused me. I have never felt this before. Not even with Willa. With Willa, I was just holding my marriage with her. No one knows the reason because I made sure no one know, but Anastasia needs to know.

“I am not using a third person this time.” I didn't move. Relaxing on my chair, “a third person can manipulate the whole story.” I reminded her. What Norma did. Maybe this is the reason, Dan hated mom and glares at Norma many times. “Malcolm wasn't my son. Willa was having an affair with my best friend. And Malcolm was his son. I knew it. He begged me to leave Willa and his son, but I didn't. I stayed married to her and pretended like I didn't know about her summer fling.”

“So you want to return him his son?” She looked at me with guilt.

I nodded. “Even though he's married n..... Has a daughter. I feel perhaps… Perhaps… He could have been a better father to Malcolm. My Malcolm. I was….” I couldn't help but laugh. “I am an alcoholic. You have no idea… What it feels to see that my daughter and sister are embarrassed because of me.”

“Then leave it.”

I recalled everything, that has been happening to me since my teenage days. “My mother and Norma never let leave alcohol.”

“They did this to you?” Finally, she looked at me. And, I see pity in her eyes.

“You know… You need to have a good environment while growing up. Otherwise, it could ruin you… Later, if we decided to choose the wrong path, then that's our call but at least, I had the right to see the good, moral, ethical life.” I feel bitter now. I hated this woman for marrying me. She had her father's feature, but she's not him. I don't understand why I believed that hating her will give me peace.

“Maybe talking to your friend will help you.” She said. “Until then, please don't bring this negativity around my kids. I am sorry to say this, but you are their father. You have responsibility. They are going to learn from you. And if you want to work on your issue, then it's a positive thing. Kids should see this, but if not, then I suggest don't even think about roaming around my children.” She warned.

I was speechless. Her approach is changed. And I need to change.

“I… I need to get to the o….office.” I relooked at my outfit. Inappropriate. But I am the boss.

While walking out of the house, I noticed Jace peeking from the stairs.

“Cherish said you are our dad,” Jace said.

I nodded.

“Will you come back to us?” He asked. “Freya said, you will hate us.”

Freya. So, she's alive. I need to know about this.

“I will never leave you or our family,” I promised.

.