“Awwww......” With pain, I hissed. What is happening? This is the third time that I almost burnt my hands. “Be careful.” Reminding myself, I Managed to check the oven and went back to the work on the dough. Even though Annie and Jace denied their need to cake, I have to do this. They are the best kid I could ever ask.

“Mommy..... He is bad.” Annie whined. She has been trying hard to make a little dough from her flour, but she poured so much water that it's a waste now. But I am going to teach her, no waste policy.

“Add a little flour, sweetie.” As I said, Annie pouted. She is getting frustrated and soon is about to quit. It looks cute, but that's not a good sign. I was about to pass her the flour when Jace yelled and run towards the door.

I am not afraid as the Gate is locked, the door is locked, and I have security cameras. I turned to the monitoring screen and located my quiet son hanging on his father's shoulder while Jamie is pushing him from James, in the living room. And, James brought a single flower of stargazer Lily which means to symbolize purity and innocence. How did James know this?

“Ahh.....” Jamie screeched as Zippy abandoned him in the mission of pushing Jace and went to the couch.

Oh God!!!!

Why is Jamie so territorial?

I need to educate him about siblings, family, and sharing. And, I have to be careful with like eternity as being territorial is Jamie's nature, I guess.

“What are we doing here?” James' voice echoed and Annie rolled her eyes. I know, she doesn't like when James tries to talk to her, but he is her father. I was told by Marvin that evening when he visited me that James wasn't aware of the survival of Twins and Freya, but that old man didn't tell me that he saved them. And sent them to my parents. What is Marvin trying to do?

Marvin Carter knows what his wife is capable of doing, and he is helping us, but why he is not helping his wife? Emmeline Carter is the one who needs help. Her family is turning against her. And, that would be heartbreaking for a mother. I am trying to be reasonable that she is doing this for her kids. She is not her son's priority because of me, and now, they have given me the Carter empire, according to Victor, so yes, this could be the reason. Right?

“Mrs Carter?” I heard James behind me. “Your smile suits our kids.” He mumbled, massaging my shoulder. Slow. Soft. I could feel his manhood getting harder. This is intentional.

“Don't you have a business to run?” I turned and pushed him away. I am not arguing with him in front of kids. My heart shatters whenever I think of what Freya must have done to my Twins. I am not going to give them another reason to worry about.

“I am just an employee there.” Mumbling, James stared at the imprints of my hands dipped in flour on his chest. Now, his shirt is ruined. “And, we have various CEO to do works.”

“If you are the employee, then who is the owner?” Of course, his shirt is not my concern. My question pulled his attention towards me, and he gave me a look of amusement.

“Last night, before I saw your love.....” He stopped and breathed calmness. I think he is aware of kids. “Jace gave me an idea. So, mommy has everything.” James' rush towards me and took my hand and placed them on my cheeks. “You cannot get away from me.” Taking the advantage, he closed the distance between us and now, again, I feel his advancement on my stomach.

"Can you stay away from me?” Clenching my teeth, I whispered to him in anger.

“I can… But I am not in the mood of taking my chances against a powerful woman.”

Powerful woman.

“I can fire you.” I challenged him.

“No, you can not. I am the caretaker of your empire….” He pressed himself closer to me. “We are stuck.”

“I am not taking your kids away from you.”

“It's not about kids anymore.”

Our gazing game was broken by Jamie hitting James. The toddler didn't like that his mommy gave attention to someone else.

James, still in his ruin shirt, learned to bake with Annie, who enjoyed being around James for the first time. Despite everything, I could feel something was not right. James tried to hide, but he is undoubtedly anxious.

“Is there anything I need to know?” I asked with no hope of answers. I don't accept that anyone would give me the right answers. Norma lied for 16 years. That's equivalent to the whole life to Cherish.

“There are so many things to know…” James replied, without moving his eyes from Annie. He looks proud of Annie, who is not sulking at him and showing her baking skills to him.

“Theo is outside. I want you to clarify that you want nothing to do with him.” James stormed into MY bedroom.

“You can't yell after kids are in bed,” I warned him.

As I alerted him, he clams down. He breathed a few inaudible words, before looking at him. His restless eyes, impatient posture needs assurance. I know what he wants, but I am not going to do it because I am not ready for it. I am not going to please him. After almost losing Jamie and finding my twins, I realised one thing, if trying to please someone demands the sacrifice of your happiness, then it's not worth it. I did what I was taught, and in result, I was awarded with humiliation. My mother lied.

“That man has been trying to call you, I know he has been messaging you. Now, he is outside MY home.” James was calm, but I could find the anger in his voice.

“Nothing is yours… It's MY house.”

Grabbing my jaw, “Your mouth is getting feisty. I can keep it busy.” He whispered over.

Lately, he has been showing numerous sexual advances and when I am stopping him, he is stopped. That has been a miracle. Because, as far as I remember, he never considered my opinion.

“I think, both of you needs to stay away from me.” I pushed him away.

“That's impossible. You carry my name.” Now, James Carter is getting angry. “This is my family and Theo is no one to claim.”

“This is MY family. I built it. It's MY home. I decorated it with my hands… Why don't you go back to the mansion? Your Willa' mansion.”

“That was our home.” Arguing, James was ready to attack me.

“No, that's your home. Willa and Yours. You never allowed me to touch one thing there. Everything was hers. Her favourite Curtains, her paintings… Everything reminded me of hers. Even your wedding picture kept hanging on the wall. Do you know how I felt? The other woman. Like I am no one. Your staff behaved like I am a disgusting person. It felt like you are paying me for warming your bed. The money you sent broke my heart. You were never there. Sending Cherish to school was so hard. I did have money. And you never bothered to answer my phone. I didn't even know your number. Even I didn't know where was your office. I felt cheap, whenever I used to look at your interview. I was your wife… Yes, second wife. But I deserved the respect. Now, you are here….talking sexually… Acting lovey-dovey, like nothing happens, like we are a normal couple. But we are not. I am trying to hate you. But I have known one man, that is you. I hate you… For making me feel like a cheap. I will never forgive you.” I cried out.

I was thankful that the walls of my house were soundproof on the demand of George that kids didn't hear me.

“And, I hate you more for bringing four kids into this mess,” I added and run out. I have to get rid of Theo as well.

As soon as, Theo sees me, he runs to me and hugged me.

“Thank God, I thought James will stop you.” Theo sounded relieved.

“Why would he stop me?” I asked.

“Because he doesn't want you to talk to me.” Breaking the hug, he looked behind me.

I turned to see James, standing at the porch, like he is waiting for disaster. I could do so many things now. But I think sleep is a better option.

“Go home… I'll contact you when I am ready,” I said to Theo and started to walk into the house. My every step lightens James' face. I know what he is thinking. But the reality is I am not going back to James, I am going back to peace… To sleep.

“Anna….” Theo was following me. “Going back to him can be your mistake. His mother will kill you and your kids.”

“My mother was never going to kill kids… She was acting the threats to keep Anastasia away.” James defended his mother.

“Hiring criminals, hitman is not a sign of threat… It's a direct attempt of murder.” Theo argued.

“Both of you shut up.” I covered my ears. “I just want to sleep.”

“Mr. Edwards, you need to leave.” I heard the familiar voice.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Thomas, my bodyguard, taking Theo away.

“Can you throw Mr. Carter out of my property?” I asked Thomas.

Chuckling, “yes, Mam.” Thomas said and two of his co-workers dragged James out of my property, as James was too much for one bodyguard. My husband gave one of the bodyguards a good fight.

“We need to talk… Please.” James was pleading. “Dad and Daniel told me something.”

Ignoring the men outside my home, I locked the door and went to Jamie for asleep.

.