Annie and Jace was ready for school, so, I went to David next door for help, but before I could reach them, I was stopped by my bodyguards, and they helped us.

Two of them dropped the kids while I stayed at home with tea and Victor, my bodyguard, joined me.

“You all follow me like a shadow?” I was amused with their speed… As if they were always ready for anything. They were in the car surrounding our house. That's when I noticed David's house. It has the same bodyguards around the house… All in black SUVs. And then I see a whites SUVs replacing black ones. “What is that? David is having security?”

“We maintain the secret but since you will be the one signing our pay, I am answerable to you,” Victor said. “Carter provided security to not only immediate family members, but also close friends… Sometimes extended family is also included.”

“What do you mean I will be signing the pay?” I am panicking. I don't have enough money, I am still surviving on the allowance that James gives me every month. With that amount, I can send only one child to a prestigious school. That allowance goes to maintain the security cameras, groceries for three fast-growing kids, my garden… Even I have started business. I know, Rogers security firm owned by the infamous Mark Rogers charges a fortune.

“I think, Mr Carter hasn't informed you then… You are the sole owner of Carter empire.” He answered, looking uncomfortable. Of course, this news was supposed to be delivered by James, not an outsider.

"What about James and Jessica? Who did this?”

“Ms Carter has her business. The rest should be discussed with Mr Carter.” Victor hurriedly replied and ran off with my cup. I called him to get my cup back, but he didn't look back. He took my cup. That's basically stealing.

Watching fussy Jamie while James tries to hold him is so overwhelming. I always wanted this. James to take our kids to his office when I am unavailable. But this is not the truth.

When I told him that I dropped the twins at the school, his expression changed as if My words didn't make sense to him, Which in a way was, as I don't know anything about driving. But I didn't tell him about I dropped them at school.

“Stop moving.” Demanding, James entered into me unexpected.

I couldn't help but whimper in discomfort. It is all of a sudden. I tried to push him, but he overpowered me. Why he has such a big body?

“Mrs Carter…." his Husky voice whispered in my left ear. “Stay still.”

Hearing his demands, the adrenaline stormed into my veins and I bite his ear. Instead of getting panic, he started to pound into my channel.

“Are you birth control?” He grunted.

“That's not your concern.” I moaned. I wanted to be angry at him, but it felt so right… him on top of me, talking about birth control.

“I think you are ready to push another Carter out of your body.” Hoisting both my legs over his shoulder, he rocked my world.

I was a fool to give up easily last night. I let him touch me. I am like A person who can be deceived again and again. I guess I didn't learn from my previous experiences. Am I showing the signs of a masochistic person?

When I reached the church, I see Sierra talking to a lady. I couldn't see her face, but I did notice the concern Sierra was offering, as soon as she sees me.

Sierra… Why is life so unfair?

That girl is so helpful and her father has no determination to stand for her. She seems strong to accept the fact that this is her life. I wish if I had her strength.

As I walked towards her, she noticed me. Her expression changed, and she delivered an unreadable message from her posture, but I am bad at reading expressions. So I stayed.

Standing a few meters away from her, I waited for her to finish her conversation with the lady. “Anna, would you please wait for me at the lawn?” Her request caught me off guard. She looks tense.

“No problem,” I mumbled without bothering myself. It's something personal to her, I think.

When I turned to walk, I was attacked.

“You… Bitch…” Someone hit my head. “She ruined me.”

“Freya….” Sierra cried out, but I couldn't see anything. I closed my eyes with the fear of seeing worse.

“Take her.” I heard a heavy male voice around me. Those heavy feet are rushing everywhere.

"Mrs Carter…. Are you fine?” I heard a new voice calling me. “You are safe.” He reassured me.

“I thought she would attack her. That's why I asked her to wait for me. She said that the parents of Twins ruined her.” Sierra's voice wobble. She is crying. Her red eyes, messed hair… She looked guilty.

“You ruined me… I will kill you.” We heard the lunatic voice echoing as they are dragging Freya away. “I had to carry her kids….” She was crying, pointing at me. “Keep your husband to yourself. They ruined my life. SHE….” screaming at the top of her lung, “killed my husband.” I was accused by her.

“Don't listen to her…” Sierra hugged me. “She's unstable.”

“She needs help.” I was crying. She must have a normal life, with a husband and now, she has nothing. Am I reason that her life has no colour?

“Yes, they are helping her.” Sierra tried to calm me.

“Let me see….” Father looked at my forehead. “I am so glad that Marvin hired a bodyguard for you.”

Leaning away from him, “I am fine.” I somehow formed a statement to keep him away from me. I am not here to play Father-daughter. I need a few things that belong to my kids. My house is small for three kids, and Cherish is joining us. I need to know what is their liking so that I could renovate the house for my kids.

“I know, child… You are fine, but I am not fine. I need to reassure myself that my strong daughter is fine.” Father was calm. “Let this old man have his peace.”

“You already have your peace.” I scoffed.

“Anna… I will not tolerate this behaviour of yours toward your father.” Mother entered with first-aid. “Let him check you.” She ordered.

Katherine Kepner dares to order me. Doesn't she feel guilty about what happened to a 17-year-old?

“You still think can order me?” I raised my eyebrow to challenge her. My counterattack insulted her, That's written all over her face. But that's not my concern anymore. “I am here to get things of my kids.” I continued.

“They are my grandkids.” Mother insisted.

“I don't trust you anymore… They would have the same fate as mine.”

“Anna, listen to her once. You didn't come to talk, refuse to listen to us… Not even Norma. She is already guilty about everything.” Father was desperate. Turning to him, I see him breaking.

I looked at my wristwatch. “You have 15 mins… If you can summarize 16 years, then go ahead.”

“Anna, it's not that easy.” Mother walked toward me.

“You already lot 5 seconds,” I warned her.

“Tell her, this is your chance. She is not coming back. She's not our daughter. She's a mother now.” Father blurted out.

“When Mrs Carter offered me that absurd contract… I chose marriage because I was trying to do things better. Amy was crazy for Ryan Harrison. But everybody fears Carters. Ryan would never take his chances with them, so I thought Amy gets married to James, then Ryan would leave her alone. But they eloped and Mrs Carter asked for you and I had already signed the paper. You witnessed it. And decided to sacrifice yourself.” Mother was crying.

“I didn't sacrifice myself. You told me, that's what a good daughter does.” I yelled at her. “You promised me that you would be back. But you never contacted me.”

“Your father was bedridden For 4 years. When he was fine, we went to meet you, but Mrs Carter stopped us. We tried to contact you, that's how I meet Norma. She would bring your photos to us. That's why we settled here.” Mother is sobbing.

It's a lie. She's not guilty.

“You kept my twins from me.” Finally, I speak aloud. I couldn't move from the truth that they had my twins with them and never contacted me.

“Marvin brought Freya and the Twins to us. He said his wife was crazy. She already killed the first surrogate, and she was after Freya and the twins. Freya witnessed the death of her husband. She knows what happened… And the reason as well. That's why we kept her to help her… To pay for what we did.” Father hug me.

“I wanted a better future for Amy, but I pushed you into that wild family." Mother joined us.

For 16 years, I imagined how I would run and hug them but today, when they are next to me, I couldn't hug them. Watching them eye to eye seems the difficult task ever.

Breaking the hug, “I need Annie and Jace's stuff.” I said without looking at them.

As soon as, I walked out of Father's office. Father followed me. “Anna…." he called, but I didn't stop. I continue to walk outside to find Sierra. She will help me with my work here. “There is something Willow confessed to me that is her secret before she died,” Father said, following me, “Talk to James.” He offered me flowers of hydrangea which mean togetherness, unity. He knows I love plant symbolism, and he is taking advantage of this.

But I will not fall into this, Father.

“James is not the father of Malcolm.” I randomly said. I didn't think about it. It just came. “At least, James is not a liar. If he hits me, he accepts that.” I was losing my posture. “James told me about her affair, Malcolm… Everything that he was guilty about.”

“Then talk to him. Because his mother is a crazy woman who can kill my grandchildren.” Father snapped. “I am quiet because Marvin has assured me of your and your kid's safety. Otherwise, I don't know what would have done.”

.