[ Charlotte ]
The excruciating pain surged through my lower region, I yelped as it became unbearable with passing seconds. The wait of nine months was about to be fruited. I went into labour at the wake of the night and now it had been ten hours, the doctors were waiting for a natural birth but I didn’t think I could do it. I was all alone in the ward.
I missed Sebestian, who didn’t try to contact me again. In a corner if my heart, I had a faint hope that he’d somehow find about his baby but with passing time, I gave up the idea of ever seeing my child’s father again.
“Ahh..I can’t do it.” I cried as another contraction hit me.
“We can’t wait anymore, if we don’t perform C-section now, we fear the baby wouldn’t survive.” The doctors looked at me with pity. They knew about my divorce and also that I had no one except my old grandfather.
My blood ran cold upon hearing their words. It was my worst fear since the beginning of my pregnancy. The doctor warned me that it’d be full of complications yet I decided to continue bearing the only good outcome of my marriage.
“Charlotte, please decide. We can’t wait.” Their voice snapped me out of my past and another wave of pain splintered through my lower body. I gripped the bars on the bed tightly to supress the urge of screaming in agony.
“Please..do..do it and save..my child.” I pleaded them.
The main doctor nodded his head and they infused me with sedatives. The face of my ex-husband danced in front of my blurring eyes as the anesthesia soon kicked in.
“Can I make a call?” I asked a nurse under the misfunctioning of my hazy senses. I just wanted him with me despite our differences and his disloyalty. I wanted him for his baby.
“Sure, whom should I dial?” She looked at me for permission to use my phone.
“Sebestian, my husband.” I said weakly.
She gave me a pitiful look but dialled the number anyway. The ring went on so my senses getting numb. I could feel my pain fading, just little ache in my lower abdomen and core.
“Charlotte is that you?” I heard the most despicable voice answering from the other side. I cringed on its hollow sweetness.
“Whe..where is my husband?” I asked her trying my best to stay awake.
“You mean your ex-husband and my fiancé?” She asked me mockingly and I thought someone had slit open my heart once again.
“Wh…what do you mean?” I asked her like a fool though she told me in clear words that he was no longer the man who once loved me madly.
“You heard me well, Charlotte, now I advise you to delete his number from your contact list as I am going to do the same because I do not want my would be husband to keep any link with his pathetic whore of an ex-wife. Do not ever try to contact him again.” She spatted with so much disgust.
I felt humiliated as everyone present in the room heard her calling me names. The phone got disconnected. Tears of hurt and shame rolled down from my eyes as I finally closed them to welcome darkness. Once again, I let my guards down and allowed my tormentors to crush my feelings and pride. I had to stay strong and never let them have an upper hand on me.
I opened my eyes as I heard shrill cries of my new born baby. My whole body ached as if someone had beaten me into pulp. I looked around for the source of my happiness and my eyes landed on the cradle from where the musical sound my baby’s cries were coming. A faint smile crept on my lips. I forgot all the pain and miseries fled out of the window as soon as the nurse lifted the bundle of joy wrapped in a white blanket.
“Do you want to hold you child, Ms. Charlotte?” She asked me.
“Yes.” I nodded my head as I was getting impatient to see my baby’s face. Another nurse lifted my bed so I could hold my baby properly.
“Here’s your son, Ms. Charlotte.” She laid the baby carefully in my arms and assisted me to hold him properly.
My heart skipped a beat. My baby boy looked exactly as his father except his eyes which he inherited from me, the black pupils blinked at me innocently. Tears of joy filled in my eyes. I forgot every single agony and nightmares of my life and fell in love with my source of happiness.
“Hey, handsome man, it’s your mommy.” I rubbed my thumb pad on his feathery soft cheeks.
He smiled as if he recognized his mother’s touch. I rocked him gently, observing every single moment of being a mother.
“I love you so much baby. Always remember that your mother will be there to protect you and teach you everything. I will play both parents’ role in your life. You won’t miss your father. I’ll fill his place as well.” I made a promise to my son and kissed his head.
A knock on the door forced me to divert my attention from my son to the intruder. My ailing grandfather was standing there with a proud expression. My heart ached. He was seriously ill and probably wouldn’t survive for more than a few months yet he was always there like a guardian angel and my only family.
“Don’t you want to hold your great grandson, Grandpa?” I indirectly invited him inside as he was hesitant to come near us due to his sickness.
“I am good here, Charlotte.” He pressed his lips.
“Please, Grandpa. You’re my only family and your great grandson needs your blessings.” I said.
He slowly walked inside with the help of his walking stick and sat on the chair beside the bed. His eyes adored the child in my arms with love and admiration.
“He’ll be my heir after you, Charlotte. I prepared a will when my illness was diagnosed.” He said with a grim expression.
“You’ll live, Grandpa.” I knew I was only consoling us.
He smiled sadly, “I can die in peace now, my child. I met you, my blood and got to spend a short yet great time with you. I have no regrets except I’d not see your ex-husband paying for what he had put you through. He didn’t wait for your divorce to be finalised and got engaged with his mistress.” He said with only hatred.
My heart sank but I didn’t let it affect me. Grandpa placed a folder on the bed. I frowned as he looked thoughtful as he gestured me to open it. I put my son on the bed beside me very carefully and picked the folder to see what he wanted me to read. My eyes widened in shock and I again snapped my eyes at me to confirm whether it was true or I was hallucinating.
“You’re the new director of Skylark Group from the effective date, which is today. I transferred all the assets on your name which aren’t reversable even after my death. I want you to take this empire on new heights. He mistreated you, his family never respected you because they thought you were poor and money signifies someone’s status then be it. You’re richer than them now.” He smiled in satisfaction but it felt like a weight on me. I wasn’t ready for such huge responsibility and I wanted to give my time to my son first.
“Do not be afraid, Charlotte. I know you have a child to look after and I understand that he needs his mother more than my company. So, I have someone who’d assist you and represent the Skylark Group until you’re ready to step up as the face of my fortune.” He said and clapped his hands.
My confusion was answered in the next moment when a tall handsome figure entered inside the ward. I recognized him. He was my childhood best friend.
“Jonathan Turner! Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me, Lottie.” He smiled brightly at me.
The fate finds a million ways to complicate my life.
[ Sebestian ]Days changed into weeks and weeks into months and months into years but I didn’t hear from Charlotte like she had disappeared from the face of earth. The manor felt like a lifeless place, every corner reminded me of her but I couldn’t stay with my parents either. They weren’t tolerable for more than spending time on dining table.“Bastian, I am calling your name for last five minutes but you’re lost in some other world. What’s the matter with you?” Victorine’s voice reached into my ears, forcing me to divert my attention on her. She looked really pissed off by my lack of response.“I am sorry, Vic. I am just tired. Can you repeat whatever you were saying?” I rubbed my face and tried to focus on the deal we had to discuss.She scoffed and slid a folder in my direction, “I think it’s better if you see it yourself, Bastian.” She said with distaste. Her sour mood reflected how angry she was.I gave her a plain look and opened the folder which definitely contained some bad n
[ Sebestian ] “What is it?” I asked my secretory, James as he placed a silver invitation card on my desk. The young man adjusted his glasses and opened his mouth to speak, he clearly looked intimidated by my presence, “Miss Baxter ordered me to deliver this to you, Sir.” He replied. “How many times do I have to tell you that don’t bring unnecessary stuffs on my desk. Now leave.” I yelled on him. He didn’t waste another second and scurried out of my office. I again looked down at the beautiful card which had the name of the host; Alessandro and Aitana De Niro. I couldn’t miss this party even though I hated being alone during public appearance since I got divorced. Alessandro was a good friend and my presence was mandatory. I opened the card to read it, they were celebrating their 10th anniversary. They threw a charity gala to donate for the orphan children across the globe and it was tonight. “Fuck! Victorine never tells me about these events beforehand.” I muttered and pressed the
[ Charlotte ] I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The woman was looking back at me was no longer the girl who was a puppet in the hands of men but the brain behind a billion dollars empire unchallenged in the IT sector and now we were about to step in the construction business. We got our maiden project by the government and by defeating Blackwood Corp. Charlotte Montgomery, that’s what people would call me after tonight. Grandpa’s dream would come true in next few hours. Tonight, I’d reveal my identity to the world and tell them that it had not been Jonathan but I, who took the Skylark Group on the zenith. “Mommy, see, how am I looking?” Son’s cute voice reached into my years and it forced me to turn to him. A wide smile stretched on my lips by looking at my young man who wore a black suit and a shirt matching my champagne red dress. My heart again clenched. He looked exact like his father as he grew up, a constant reminder of the man whom I desperately want to forget. “You
[ Sebestian ]“Why the hell are we even here? This party is nothing but an extravagant pomp and show of wealth. We won’t gain anything except to devour the expensive wine. You are going to pay for this prank, Victorine.” I whispered to Victorine in annoyance. I was running thin on my patience. The party was as boring as the others I attended. I knew most of the guests and talking business with them or answering them on the unexpected defeat by the hands of their host had worn me out mentally.Why people judge one by his one failure despite a thousand success before? The answer I knew.“Have some patience, Bastian. The CEO is coming in our way only. Let’s confront him. He can’t walk away with what’s ours.” She whispered back.Jonathan Carter, who was greeting his guests, turned towards our table. The smile on his face irked me.“It’s my pleasure to host the two most important brains behind the most successful construction company in the country.” He said to both I and Victorine or I sh
[ Charlotte ]The endless cue of receiving greetings from my guests, mostly wrapped in surprise and envy, my eyes searched for the Blackwoods, who were yet to meet me. I knew them. After spending three years with them, I knew one thing about them, they’d not let this success crown on my head.My wait seemed to fruit as Mrs. Blackwood sauntered in my direction with a flute of champagne in her hand. She still managed to ageless even in her late fifties except a few fine lines near her eyes.“Congratulations on the way, Ms. Montgomery. I am shocked to see you after a very very long time.” She smiled at me, her thin lips curved upward. I couldn’t comprehend whether it was a compliment or a pun.“Mrs. Blackwood, it’s very nice to see you after a very long time. Green is your colour.” I complimented her matching her eyes, she wanted to see the same scary girl in me who couldn’t speak properly in her presence.Her brows twitched, she indeed looked amused and somewhat displeased.“May I know
[ Sebestian ]The blood in my veins boiled as the filthy bastard snaked his arm around her shoulder and she was actually comfortable with him but my touch was making her feel awkward a while ago. The masculine ego inside me revoked, this woman belonged to me, married or divorced.“Why would I molest my own wife, Mr. Carter?” I smirked unaware of the blunder I just spat out and saw her body turning stiff.“Mr. Blackwood, I think you’re crossing your line here. My friend doesn’t have a husband.” Jonathan spoke in her behalf which worked as a fuel in the blazing jealousy.“She was once my wife, Jonathan and we had a very passionate marriage but it’d be very inappropriate of me to share the details with you. Let us have a word in private. I’ll free her in a few minutes.” I said as calmly as I could despite the fact that I was desperate to smash his face and break his arms into pieces.“I am sorry but I can’t stay here, Mr. Blackwood. This is my party and Montgomery family is well known fo
[ Charlotte ]The party ended on the expected note as I wanted. The next day, it was the main headline of the news channels and papers. The social media was flooding with the pictures taken during the event and it made me feel contended except the one particular picture, mine and Sebestian’s during the dance. It had the title I dreaded the most.“Old flames rekindled between the ex-couples?”Fuck!A knock on the door of my office forced me to tear my eyes from the title of an online magazine. Jonathan was leaning on the door frame with different daily newspapers.“Not you, Jon.” I groaned in frustration and took off my glasses.He jogged inside and dumped the papers in the shredder. I watched the papers in long shreds falling in the bin.“It was inevitable, Lottie. Please don’t bother yourself with such shits, they’re going to be a part of your life from now on unless you wear a stone on your finger and change your last name for the third time.” He said grabbing a chocolate from my bo
[ Charlotte ]“Calm down, Lottie. I am here and I have dealt with douchebags like him. He is only trying to crawl under your skin.” Jonathan said as we were waiting for Sebestian’s arrival in the guest room.“I don’t want to face him yet, Jon. He is planning something, I can feel.” I shook my head and at the same time, the doors opened. Tara had my guest with her.His charismatic personality reflected in his demeanour. He wore his custom leather shoes and grey suit. I must admit that long hairs tied on the top of his head gave him a sexier look. His eyes hardened when he looked at Jonathan who was sitting beside me. He was the COO of my company which gave him every right to be present during business meetings.“Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwood. May I know the reason of this unexpected visit from you?” I stood up and forwarded my hand for a shake. Sebestian’s eyes tore from Jonathan and zeroed on my stretched hand.“I want to call truce.” He said taking my hand into his large palm. I felt