20.Lucas walked into his Aunt Mary's hospital ward, his heart shattered into a million pieces. The beeping of the machines and the antiseptic smell filled the air, but his senses were numb. He stared at his aunt's unconscious body, her frail form a stark reminder of his own vulnerability.Tears rolled down his cheeks as he recalled Janette's words: "Leave, Lucas." The finality in her voice still echoed in his mind. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret."Oh, Aunt Mary," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I've messed up so badly. I've lost her. I've lost Janette."He pulled up a chair and sat beside his aunt's bed, taking her limp hand in his. The warmth of her skin was a faint comfort."Why did I do it, Aunt Mary?" he asked aloud, his eyes welling up with tears. "Why did I cheat on her? Why did I lie to her?"The memories flooded his mind: Janette's laughter, her smile, her tears. He remembered the way she used to look at him, with love and adoration. Now, that same look wa
21.Genevieve pulled Lucas aside, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Is that who I think it is?" she asked, surprise laced in her voice.Lucas sighed. "Yes, mum. That's Janette."Genevieve shook her head. "No way! Janette isn't that outspoken." she said, recalling the way Janette spoke to her a few seconds ago. Years ago, she had also convinced Lucas to get a divorce since she couldn't give birth to a child. At that time, Janette had always tried to win her love, but she pushed her away and accepted Bella instead. She had convinced Lucas to divorce her, not until Bella turned out to be a manipulator and a liar. Still, she didn't feel sorry for everything she did to the lady. She felt any woman that couldn't give birth to a child shouldn't be taken seriously and should be shown their places - out of their husbands lives. She couldn't believe that same Janette just acted like she didn't know her. Not just that, the lady had the guts to say they have no informal relationship."We have
22. Janette sat in her office as she swayed on her chair, her mind drifting away. Seeing Genevieve this morning just ruined her already sour mood. She recalled how cruel the woman had been to her and from the way Genevieve spoke to her today, she was sure the hatred was still intact. She went through hell in Genevieve's hands and she wasn't going to allow the woman break her again. She wasn't the Janette whom people got to trample on anymore, she wasn't the puppet housewife who was always controlled and made to do things she didn't want to do, she was no longer the timid wife who lived in fear of her mother-in-law's wrath. Janette's thoughts turned fierce, her eyes flashing with determination. She had rebuilt herself, brick by brick, after the devastation of her divorce. She had rediscovered her strength, her passions, and her sense of self-worth. Gone were the days where she would have to work her butt off to please people. Now, she was living for herself and her little ray of su
23.“Liam, what is the meaning of this?” Janette asked and she walked further into the house.She had returned from the hospital only to see Liam dressed in suit, holding a bouquet of flowers with the house decorated in lights and flowers. Her eyes darted to the farther end of the living room, where Ethan stood with Sophia.She looked at Liam. “What is this?” she asked again.Liam sighed. “I just wanted to apologize for picking up an argument with you today. It was my fault.”She raised an eyebrow. Liam continued. “It wasn’t your fault that Lucas…” he trailed off and looked at Ethan before averting his gaze to Janette. “I was just worried that you would go back to him. You know that saying “It’s hard to get over your first love?” I was worried that since he had come into the picture, I would only fade into the background. I was scared and I’m sorry for taking it out on you,“ he stretched out the flower to her. “Am I forgiven?” he asked.Janette couldn’t help feeling touched. She coll
24. GEOFFREY CORP Liam was seated in the office, going through some files when Victor, his personal assistant and best friend walked in with a sad expression on his face. "Liam," Victor called, nervousness dripping from his tone as he ran his hands through his chestnut brown hair. Liam looked up to meet the grey orbs staring back at him and raised a brow. He hadn't seen Victor this nervous or sad before. "What happened?" he asked, returning his attention to his laptop as he typed away. Victor hesitated for a while and Liam looked him again, urging him to speak up. Victor took a deep breath. "I met Janette with the wedding preparation plan like you asked, but-" "But what?" Liam asked. Victor cleared his throat. "She asked us to hold on. She isn't ready to prepare for any weddings right now." he related and Liam's fingers paused on the keyboard. His expression hardened as he looked up to meet Victor's gaze. "She said what?" he snapped. "That she doesn't-" "Hell, I know what s
25. Janette sat in front of Aunt Ann's hospital bed, watching the woman's chest rise and fall slowly. She grabbed hold her hand, and forced a smile. "You will wake up, soon, Aunt Ann. I can't wait to look into your honey brown eyes again; those eyes that always stared at me with love, reminding me that I had to be strong no matter what life threw my way," she muttered, rubbing the back of MaryAnn's palms. "I can't wait for you to see Ethan as well. I used to tell him stories about you, and I'm certain he would be happy to see you." Janette smiled, recalling all the fun memories she had with Aunt MaryAnn. Her mind drifted to a day she had a fight with Lucas and had left the house to Aunt Ann's place.... FLASHBACK Janette was in tears as she rushed through the streets, heading for Aunt Ann's place. Luckily, it wasn't that far from her and Lucas' place and she would always go there to clear her head. Lucas has ignored her again, calling her barren and allowing his mother to hurl al
26. Janette walked into the office and the minute Liam noticed her presence, he stood to his feet immediately and faced her, his expression hardened. "What is going on?" he asked, trying his best to keep his anger at bay. He was still reeling from his confrontation with Lucas. The last thing he wanted now was taking his anger out on her, but she wasn't helping matters either. Janette could sense that he was mad, so she tried her best to play it cool. "Look, Liam," she said softly, walking to her seat but he held her hand and turned her so she could face him. "I don't think we should get married next month. It's too fast." Liam ruffled his hair. "Too fast?" he scoffed. "We've been delaying this for weeks. And you were the one pestering me when you returned to this city that we should get married," he looked at her, his eyes filled with hurt. "What changed?" Janette bit her lower lip. He was right. She was the one who was always pestering him about marriage back when they were awa
27. "And... This goes... here," Janette smiled as she placed the flower vase on the dining table while Sophia went to get the dinner they had prepared. After the confrontation at her office, Liam had apologized and had told her he would try his best to show her that he was the best person for her, to show her that she didn't have to think about Lucas anymore, and Ethan wouldn't have to lack a fatherly figure in his life. He had suggested they did normal things couples do. Like, having a relaxing evening dinner together, going on movie dates, the park and even grocery shopping together. Janette had been excited, and she was happy as she was getting the table ready for them to have dinner like a big, happy family. Liam had not been able to make it the last two nights due to work, but he promised to make it today, and she was happy for that. "Ma'am, should I put the chicken soup along side the rice, or it'll be eaten separately since we have stew." Sophia inquired with a smile, hol
30. After Ethan had played to his satisfaction, he fell asleep in Lucas’s arms as they walked back to where the car was parked. Janette walked beside Lucas, her eyes darting towards them now and then. Sophie, on the other hand, seemed to be in her own little world. She maintained a straight facial expression, but it was like a volcano was about to erupt inside her. She took deep calming breaths severally to maintain her composure. When they got to where the car was parked, Janette opened the door and Lucas helped tuck Ethan in. Janette made sure he was secure and wouldn’t fall while she was driving before shutting the car door and facing Lucas. “Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to play with Ethan today,” she gave him a polite bow, but Lucas only raised a brow. “Jane, stop that,” he said, and she looked up to meet his eyes. “Why are you talking like it’s a job I was paid to do?” he sighed. “It’s my responsibility, so you don’t have to thank me. I should be than
29. A week later, “Do you think Uncle Liam will be able to make it, mummy?” Ethan asked Janette as they waited at the park. She smiled and nodded. “Yes. He promised that he was going to be here.” she answered but she wasn’t so sure anymore. It had been thirty minutes and she was beginning to wonder if he was going to make it or not. A few minutes later, she knew he wasn’t going to make it. Her smile faltered immediately. He promised… he promised her he would make it to the park to make up for all the times he hadn’t been able to spend with them. He personally suggested they came to the park and wait for him, now he was nowhere to be found? Janette facepalmed. She couldn't do this anymore. She was sick and tired of giving him second chances only for him to disappoint her all the time. She looked down at Ethan. “I guess he’s busy.” she said and Ethan nodded. “Let’s go home, mummy! I don’t feel like playing on the swings or running around the water fountain anymore.” he lo
28. "I was in the neighborhood so I decided to come say hi to you and Ethan." he answered. "How did you know I live here, Lucas? What the heck is wrong with you? Why won't you just leave me alone, huh?" she snapped, her expression hardening as a friend settled on her face. Lucas sighed and ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry if I came here out of the blue, Janette. I just wanted to see my son-" "Stop calling him your son!" she yelled, her fists clenched. "You lost that right when you almost killed me years ago." "I had no idea you were bleeding for real, Janette," he said, his voice breaking. "I thought you were doing that to get my attention, but it's not an excuse and I'm sorry. I won't get tired of apologizing until you forgive me," his eyes turned misty and Janette could only stare at him with wide eyes. "You're free to do whatever you like with me. Punish me, insult me, beat me up, or even break me, but please," he looked into her glassy eyes. "Please, don't keep me from seeing my
27. "And... This goes... here," Janette smiled as she placed the flower vase on the dining table while Sophia went to get the dinner they had prepared. After the confrontation at her office, Liam had apologized and had told her he would try his best to show her that he was the best person for her, to show her that she didn't have to think about Lucas anymore, and Ethan wouldn't have to lack a fatherly figure in his life. He had suggested they did normal things couples do. Like, having a relaxing evening dinner together, going on movie dates, the park and even grocery shopping together. Janette had been excited, and she was happy as she was getting the table ready for them to have dinner like a big, happy family. Liam had not been able to make it the last two nights due to work, but he promised to make it today, and she was happy for that. "Ma'am, should I put the chicken soup along side the rice, or it'll be eaten separately since we have stew." Sophia inquired with a smile, hol
26. Janette walked into the office and the minute Liam noticed her presence, he stood to his feet immediately and faced her, his expression hardened. "What is going on?" he asked, trying his best to keep his anger at bay. He was still reeling from his confrontation with Lucas. The last thing he wanted now was taking his anger out on her, but she wasn't helping matters either. Janette could sense that he was mad, so she tried her best to play it cool. "Look, Liam," she said softly, walking to her seat but he held her hand and turned her so she could face him. "I don't think we should get married next month. It's too fast." Liam ruffled his hair. "Too fast?" he scoffed. "We've been delaying this for weeks. And you were the one pestering me when you returned to this city that we should get married," he looked at her, his eyes filled with hurt. "What changed?" Janette bit her lower lip. He was right. She was the one who was always pestering him about marriage back when they were awa
25. Janette sat in front of Aunt Ann's hospital bed, watching the woman's chest rise and fall slowly. She grabbed hold her hand, and forced a smile. "You will wake up, soon, Aunt Ann. I can't wait to look into your honey brown eyes again; those eyes that always stared at me with love, reminding me that I had to be strong no matter what life threw my way," she muttered, rubbing the back of MaryAnn's palms. "I can't wait for you to see Ethan as well. I used to tell him stories about you, and I'm certain he would be happy to see you." Janette smiled, recalling all the fun memories she had with Aunt MaryAnn. Her mind drifted to a day she had a fight with Lucas and had left the house to Aunt Ann's place.... FLASHBACK Janette was in tears as she rushed through the streets, heading for Aunt Ann's place. Luckily, it wasn't that far from her and Lucas' place and she would always go there to clear her head. Lucas has ignored her again, calling her barren and allowing his mother to hurl al
24. GEOFFREY CORP Liam was seated in the office, going through some files when Victor, his personal assistant and best friend walked in with a sad expression on his face. "Liam," Victor called, nervousness dripping from his tone as he ran his hands through his chestnut brown hair. Liam looked up to meet the grey orbs staring back at him and raised a brow. He hadn't seen Victor this nervous or sad before. "What happened?" he asked, returning his attention to his laptop as he typed away. Victor hesitated for a while and Liam looked him again, urging him to speak up. Victor took a deep breath. "I met Janette with the wedding preparation plan like you asked, but-" "But what?" Liam asked. Victor cleared his throat. "She asked us to hold on. She isn't ready to prepare for any weddings right now." he related and Liam's fingers paused on the keyboard. His expression hardened as he looked up to meet Victor's gaze. "She said what?" he snapped. "That she doesn't-" "Hell, I know what s
23.“Liam, what is the meaning of this?” Janette asked and she walked further into the house.She had returned from the hospital only to see Liam dressed in suit, holding a bouquet of flowers with the house decorated in lights and flowers. Her eyes darted to the farther end of the living room, where Ethan stood with Sophia.She looked at Liam. “What is this?” she asked again.Liam sighed. “I just wanted to apologize for picking up an argument with you today. It was my fault.”She raised an eyebrow. Liam continued. “It wasn’t your fault that Lucas…” he trailed off and looked at Ethan before averting his gaze to Janette. “I was just worried that you would go back to him. You know that saying “It’s hard to get over your first love?” I was worried that since he had come into the picture, I would only fade into the background. I was scared and I’m sorry for taking it out on you,“ he stretched out the flower to her. “Am I forgiven?” he asked.Janette couldn’t help feeling touched. She coll
22. Janette sat in her office as she swayed on her chair, her mind drifting away. Seeing Genevieve this morning just ruined her already sour mood. She recalled how cruel the woman had been to her and from the way Genevieve spoke to her today, she was sure the hatred was still intact. She went through hell in Genevieve's hands and she wasn't going to allow the woman break her again. She wasn't the Janette whom people got to trample on anymore, she wasn't the puppet housewife who was always controlled and made to do things she didn't want to do, she was no longer the timid wife who lived in fear of her mother-in-law's wrath. Janette's thoughts turned fierce, her eyes flashing with determination. She had rebuilt herself, brick by brick, after the devastation of her divorce. She had rediscovered her strength, her passions, and her sense of self-worth. Gone were the days where she would have to work her butt off to please people. Now, she was living for herself and her little ray of su