Cold air when hit me, it doesn't feel cold anymore, in fact, it stings on my skin. There is no soothing feeling and I feel the suffocation. Despite the presence of two beings in this massive car, I feel suffocated when it's almost empty. Why?

“What did your parents say?” James broke the fog of suffocation.

“Nothing special,” I mumbled. The talk between my father and mine doesn't involve James.

“Do they need more money?” He asked, stopping the car. “I always ask them the budget, but they never tell me anything about it. I hope the amount that I give them is enough to run the orphanage.”

“You give them money?” I was surprised. What else I don't know? “You never told me that.”

“It's been like 8 or 9 years that I started giving them the money. You know, it's good for the image.” He chuckled. His posture says he's nervous. That face of him was concerned when I walked out of the building of my Father's orphanage and Theo was gone.

“Why I don't know that?” I eyed him.

“I told you when they approached me.” His words left me off-guard because I remember no such conversation with my husband. I have no clue that my parents were in contact with not only Norma but also with James.

“But you didn't tell about George reaching you for me.” Despite my calmness outside, I was raging inside. Why don't I know anything?

“Don't expect that from me….” James raised his voice. “He was asking about my wife. I exploded. You didn't allow me to even… Glance at Cherish, after I refuse to look at her, and that was my mistake, but you punished me enough for that crime, but I didn't hit you. That… George was in front of, claiming to be the special person in your life.” Turning towards me, “that's why confined you from outside at home… If I can't see you, then no one can.” James disclosed with bitterness.

He is the one who stopped me from getting out of his so-called palace. I was stuck there; in the house of Willa. I had to see his and Willa's wedding photo every day. The pain of being stuck in the same place is inexpressible. He dared to claim that I keep Cherish away from him, when in reality, he never tried hard to contact us. Now, when he is trying to be in our lives… And, it's late. I have realized that I have an unhealthy obsession with James Carter. And, he knows that. He is willing to use that to have his way.

His admission pumped adrenaline in my veins. He can't get away with this. He stopped my growth, my life by confining me in his mansion. My graduation could have been long back. I could have a better life for myself.

I didn't think twice and freed myself from my seatbelt to attack him. He was busy nagging about uninteresting factors. And, when I hit his shoulder, he was left stunned. His captive eyes widened for a second before shining with amusement.

Am I entertainment for him?

“Don't you dare to smile at me.” I cautioned him. “You locked me in your mansion.” Yelling, I charged at him.

“Anastasia… Stop.” James dodged, but I successfully got the grip of his hair. “Mrs Carter, don't provoke me.” He warned me, but I didn't listen to him and bite his ear. “Aww…” He cried out and pushed me on my seat with full force, causing pain on my head. “I warned you.” Clenching his jaw, he sat on his seat.

“You locked me in your mansion.” I raised my voice, repeating the same words. “You never answered my calls, you never replied to my e-mails. I was so alone…. Scared.”

“I know.” He replied with equal enthusiasm. “I am so sorry for that. Now, I realized after reading your report that it affected you so much. You stopped caring for the garden that you grew there.” He pulled his hair. “And stop complaining that I cheated on you. You… Failed to be my wife. You didn't allow me to see Cherish. I had to go to another child to get the feeling of having a child. I am a man and I had a child, who doesn't like me. You didn't allow me to touch you, and Cherish never called me dad. It was a natural for me to look for that comfort in another family.”

“We were never married. You didn't submit the paper until recently. And, I was dragged in your family mess.” This time, I managed to hit his chest. I know, violence will not solve the problem, but I am frustrated with people accusing me of not moving on from James and here James accused me of being an incapable woman.

“That's it.” He mumbled, and I see him, locking the car door. He used a child lock and pulled out the keys, place them under his seat. “I warned you… Don't provoke me.” I noticed him, working on his jeans.

“Wha… What… Are you..? Are you doing?” Stuttering with fear, I tried to get out of the car but I was locked… again with the car with Angry James, working on his jeans. And, it is not a good sign.

Grabbing my hair, James made me sit on my seat and got on my lap. I am not scared… I am horrified. Is he going to rape me?

“Don't hurt me.” I cried and that's when James stopped.

He kept his forehead over mine and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

“I promise, I would never hit you.” I cried again. “I promise, I will talk to Cherish… She will call you Dad. I promise I will make sure Annie doesn't roll her eyes at you and Jamie calls you Dada instead of Stranger… Promise, promise.” Closing my eyes, I chanted.

“I am tired of being sorry.” Finally, James said. “But trust me, I never received your call. And, remember, I don't have a fucking e-mail ID. My assistant does that for me, so yeah, that makes sense. That bitch never told me about your email.” His voice wobbled. “I did love Willa, once… Even Malcolm, but they were never mine. You are mine, our kids are mine. We have a fucking family. I know, I didn't try hard in the past. I shouldn't have left you with Norma but imagine, I spent my 43 years of life, trusting her. She was a mother figure to me. You are hurt… But what about me? When Dad and Dan told me about this, I held Jamie and cried. Zippy helped me. I was happy to see Annie baking… And the next moment it was gone.” Getting off me, James went to his seat. “I brought Anna to OUR house for an apology. She has been my supporter since the day I decided to get help. It hurts… I am an alcoholic… And I have withdrawal symptoms. No one is helping me. I can't ask for help from my friend… Support, because I, no doubt, want you, and you don't want her in our life.” he zipped his jeans.

Crying, “I am scared. “ I managed to say.

“Even I am scared…” James bent to get keys. “Of you.” He rubbed his face, wiping out his previous emotional face.

The last day was adventurous. James confessed at the wrong time. Truly, I never considered his side of the story. Yes, I am angry that his family is messed up. I am scared for my life. And, kids… Yes, I have been thinking about them as well. They are young, innocent, and I decided to have them. I am responsible for them. Twins, they have faced a lot. Jace would cry at night, begging Freya to stop calling him the devil. But I can't blame Freya as well. She lost her husband… That's the price she paid as a surrogate to us. I don't know whom to blame.

I walked on the trail to the land, which James brought in our neighbourhood. James is buying all the land around the house furiously. Except for five families, the majority of land belongs to… Anastasia Carter.

The moneymaker is out for his queen. That's what I have been hearing in the media. They are calling me the Queen of moneymaker. It has been claimed that I demanded privacy and this is the reason that James is buying all the available land. I have seen him, he throws such an amount that the eyes of the person shine, and they sell the land to us. The price of the land is hiking, but James is not stopping.

Holding the flower of Primrose, Marigold and Jasmine, along with yellow Tulips, when I reached the cemetery I noticed the presence of three new stones. The soil was almost fresh, like it has been planted recently. I walked to them and read the names.

James Carter I.

Rebecca Weston.

Irina Carter.

So… These people were the first victim.

Mentally apologising to them, I made my way to my girls. I looked at them, and, realized I could have them if I had been careful. I placed the yellow tulip on each of them, prayed for their happiness for the next life.

“I hate stairs.” I cried out. Why stairs? Always stairs. I lost my previous pregnancies by falling from the stairs.

Zippy jogged towards me and sat next to me. I realised that despite his inability to express himself with words, This furry being understood emotion.

Suddenly, Zippy's ear stood up, and he looked at the crowd of the trees. He waited for a while and started to growl. His bark dragged the attention and I see, my bodyguards, coming out of the woods and running in the direction of Zippy eyes.

“Hey… Hey… It's fine… Boy.” I tried to calm the angry dog and got a leash from Zippy's backpack.

“Don't let him leave you” The bodyguard, Thomas said. “He is better than us for you.” He looked alert.

“What happened?” I asked, holding Zippy. I can't lose Zippy. He is not only Jamie's best friend but my baby too.

“I think, someone was watching you… We didn't cover in the direction. But my boys will look at this.”

“Are you searching the whole area?”

“The area is too big.” He laughed. “And it's growing. He is buying everything available. Moneymaker is in the game.”

.