Walking in the gallery of the dead silent white vast deserted hallway, I could hear my heartbeat. I know the result. The news, I am going to hear… A simple statement, and this could be our D-Day. Today will either be the forever night of our life or will be a new morning.

The first living being that entered into my sight was my precious daughter. She didn't notice me and continued to talk to her fiancé, Nicolas Sullivan. Even though I don't support the alliance, I know she's happy with him. Not because she loves him, but they have been good friends since college days. She helped him to deal with his guilt, and he helped Jess to deal with her problem. They both are at mutual understanding, I guess. And, I am hoping that they realise that the idea of Emma getting them married is not a good suggestion. As far as, I am aware… Nicolas Sullivan has a breathing, healthy heir. My daughter's children will always be secondary. No one deserves to be the second choice. I know, how it feels when you are not someone first choice. Since I am Emma's second choice.

“Mr Carter.....” Nick stood up and walked toward me with an extended hand for a handshake. However, I am not in the mood. I am not rude, it's just I can feel his disinterest in my daughter and my daughter is least concerned about him as his fiancée. They care for each other but not as fiancées or lovers… They are more like friends.

I forced myself to accept his welcoming gesture. “Thank you, Nick. I really appreciate it… You, being with us.”

“We are family.” He smiled.

These words didn't feel home. He genuinely thinks we are family, but I know, he doesn't see me as his future father-in-law. Neither do I see him as my son-in-law.

“Yes… We are.” I managed to say.

Being around with Nick, who is promised to my daughter, is a little awkward. I don't feel this being second in someone else's life is right. In the past, I ignored that feeling of being second feeling and married Emma, when she asked me to marry her. And, now, we are here… In the hospital, worried about the survival of the woman who is basically the foundation of my family. She gave us not only the new generation of Carter but is the owner of our empire. We need her, not for money, but the balance of our life. She is the equilibrium, that I have waited for 66 years of my life.

“Where is James?” I asked a sobbing Jess, despite knowing the answer. So, this is happening. This is real.

Stay strong, Marvin.

“Where are kids?” I hugged my precious child.

“David has them… I don't know. Jay said her best friend and his wife are also here. Susan is travelling back here. We still don't know. Jupiter is too young to travel back and forth. We tried to stop Susan… This is not good for the baby, but she said, Jupiter, is strong.” Jess managed to narrate the story. Her voice is not strong, to hold her emotion. She hasn't spent much time with Anna but respected her sister-in-law. None of us spend much time with that remarkable woman, but she earned our respect. She stayed strong for 16 years. Even though she was never involved with us directly.

I sat with Jess, who has been crying for the loss of the babies. Yes, Anna had already entered into the 2nd trimester and there were triplets. We are still not aware of the gender, but I think, the gender of the babies can be determined by ultrasound as early as 14 weeks. I didn't see her. Neither she called me. I wasn't close to her. She was betrayed by The close people. So, her distrust is obvious.

James hasn't arrived yet. Jess said he has been talking to doctors. The damage was severe. She fell from the stairs and landed on her stomach. The baby bump was evident. Even the lady, Trina explained that the pregnancy was perfect with no morning sickness, no mood swings, herbal tea were the best friends with.

“Do you need coffee?” Nick interrupted my thought.

“I am good.” Denying the offer, I noticed a group of doctors walking out of the room of my daughter-in-law.

James followed them.

Was he with them inside the room?

James talked to one of the old male doctors and the young lady doctor walked away. She didn't notice us. Her focus was the file that was labelled with the names of Anastasia Carter. The dedicated, all the focused person exhibit. But what caught my attention was Nick walking in the direction of the lady doctor.

“Where is nick?” I asked Jess, who is waiting for James to look at us.

“He needed coffee,” Jess mumbled and stood up to joined James.

The cafeteria is not in that direction. Nick followed the lady doctor.

“You need to go home…” I reminded James. He has four kids waiting for any news about their mother.

“I don't need to sleep. I am good.” James shrugged off and wipe his tears.

Again… About him.

“Not everything is about you,” I said and took my seat. I am an old man with high blood sugar. I should eat. I have so many things to sort out. “Jess, will you please get me something to eat? I haven't eaten anything after lunch. My blood sugars….”

“I am trying to call Nick, but he is unavailable. You need to eat something healthy. I planned to go to get fruit salad.” Jess was busy calling Nick.

I think I know where is he.

Leaving me with James, Jess left us to get something to eat for every one of us. I am so proud of her, despite this situation she is managed to take care of us.

“How's she?” I finally get the much-needed time with my son.

“Not good. Our girls are no more.” Crying, James hugged me. “Is this how Daniel felt when He learned that Norma lost their daughter?” He whimpered with pain…. Grief, loss of his girls. My granddaughters. “You said that James was your first child. Was it painful to lose your child?”

“No words can describe that pain. James wasn't just my younger brother. He was my best friend. He was my child. Daniel, James and I were a trio. James was the youngest among us. He and Rebecca… They both would sneak out and whenever they were caught by Rebecca's parents, Norma would save them.” I heard myself laughing. Those days were wonderful. Emma was a sweet, polite, shy girl. I wish I would have helped her.

“What changed?” James looked at the door of Anna's room. “Everything was fine for 16 years. Norma's plan worked. Then what changed. My wife never deserved this. My children deserve a stable family.”

“Her suicide attempt. Norma knew Anna is predictable. We knew that Katherine Kepner thought marriage was a way of keeping Her elder daughter and Ryan Harrison away. But her plan backfired, and she already signed the paper. Ultimately, Anna was sacrificed for her mother's actions. On the other hand, when we learned that Emma is unstable, we tried everything we could. We were already late, but we hoped best for Emma. She thought that I am James Carter, because of course, I look like my brother. And you, are our son. I acted. I was to help her. But she was so innocent that I fell in love with her. I assumed it would be my second chance after my wife's death. So, I became James for her. That's why I kept you away from home. But when you started visiting frequently, Emma's mind started to process that I am not her James. She learned about our lie. She thought You are her James. So, she killed Willa and Malcolm. . Father Kepner was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“I don't understand why I waited 16 years for separation,” James said after he processed my words. Things are complicated. Emma always escaped from rehab and entered home and held baby James in her arms. I was scared. Losing the only reminder of my brother, James, and his girlfriend, Rebecca, both I and Norma were protective of baby James. We thought we could fool Emma, but we were wrong. She learned I am not her James. Now, she wants James in front of me as well as James jr, our Jamie.

“The answer is Anna's suicide attempt. I know, you visited her frequently, and she feared you. You tried 16 years to be her husband until you saw her lifeless in hospital.”

“What should I do now? She didn't plan to terminate babies. She was going to keep them.” James was confused. His tears are still flowing and now, I know what we are supposed to do.

“She should know Emma's past. I will not justify what my wife did… Neither yours. You were angry with her for keeping Cherish away. You had to go to Dean, who would treat you as his father. But that's not Anna's fault. You left her with the wrong person. Anna needs to know our family history for kids. How Emma's past consumed 3 James from 3 generations.”

I was leaving the hospital premise when I meet Daniel at the gate. He was the one who called me. His love for Anna may be the reason that Anna is alive. Otherwise, our selfishness would have killed that innocent soul.

“I want to meet Anna but this bloody staff… Says visiting hours are over.” Daniel mimicked the staff.

“She's fine. We can meet her in a few hours.” I looked at my wristwatch and calculated the time. I hope, time passes soon.

“Norma hopes to see her. She hasn't eaten anything. She intends to see Anna.” Daniel informed.

“Even I think, she should be meet Anna. We need to tell her. Norma could describe the pain of Emma…. That's…” I was about to say more, but I noticed that Daniel is not looking at me anymore. He is looking behind me.

I turned to look and found Emma entering the hospital in a nurse's uniform.

Without thinking twice, we run after her, but she was lost in the dark hallway.

One of the security men approached us. “Visiting hours are….”

“Over….” Daniel snapped at him. “We know.”

“She's here… We need more security.” I dialled the best security agency I know, Mark Rogers.

.