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
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
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
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
031.When Janette got home, her eyes darted to Liam’s car which was parked in the compound. With a sigh, she parked her car beside it and got out, took Ethan who was still sound asleep and walked into the house.Liam was seated on the couch and sprung to his feet the minute he saw her walking in. He approached her, attempting to take sleeping Ethan from her, but she moved back, her expression hardening as she headed up the stairs to Ethan’s room.Liam facepalmed. There was no doubt that she was mad that he had bailed on them when he was supposed to come have fun at the park with them. He rushed up the stairs and walked into Ethan’s room where he saw that she had already taken his shoes off and tucked him into bed.“Jane,” he called, but she acted as if she didn’t hear him. Instead, she focused on making sure Ethan was comfortable. “Please, hear me out.” “Do you want to wake him up?” she asked, not sparing him a glance, and he pursed his lips as he waited for her to finish.When she w
032.“You seem to be in a very good mood today, Lucas.” Alan took a seat on the chair facing Lucas’s desk as he studied his best friend’s expression. He hadn’t seen Lucas this happy ever since the divorce with Janette six years ago.He wondered what could have made him like this. Lucas swayed in his chair. “Alan, my buddy, you wouldn’t believe that I ran into Janette and Ethan at the amusement park yesterday,” he began and Alan’s ears perked up to hear more. “She actually wanted to run like she used to and be all cold and savage on him, but I developed the courage to speak to her and got her into making me spend time with Ethan,” he smiled, remembering how Janette had stared at him while he was running around with Ethan.She might think he didn’t see her, but he was watching her from the corner of his eyes. He could see how she spoke with Sophie with her eyes fixed on them, and even though he had no idea what she was talking to Sophie about—something he had planned to ask later—he di
33.HARRY CORP“Believe me, I tried, but Rosa is one tough nut to crack. She almost poked my eyes out with her fork.” Alan pouted, looking at Lucas, who gave him a knowing look.Lucas folded his arms relaxing his back on his chair. “What happened to you knowing your way around women, Alan?” Lucas’s eyes narrowed at Alan.Alan cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. “Rosa isn’t just any woman, Lucas,” he muttered, running his hands through his black hair, his gray eyes holding frustration. “She is more like a man in a woman’s body if you ask me.” Lucas sighed, shaking his head. “So you’re trying to tell me you weren’t able to convince her to help us, is that it?” he asked and Alan bit his lower lip. “She is Janette’s personal assistant. Without her help, we can’t get through to Janette, and I need to plan that date and make Janette fall in love with me again.”Alan shook his head in frustration, his eyes darting nervously around the room as he considered the situation.“We need to find
034. Janette paced the living room as she waited for Liam to come pick them up. He'd already told them he was on his way, and she kept praying that he made it; that he wasn't just telling her lies. They were to go out for family dinner today, and this was the last chance she was giving him to prove himself. To prove that he really cared for their family. Soon, they heard the honk of a car. "Uncle Liam is here!" Ethan yelled as he rushed down the stairs. "Careful, Ethan!" Sophia rushed after him and was able to scoop him into her arms before he got to the end of the stairs. "Whoa, aren't you excited today." she chuckled, descending the stairs and setting him down. Ethan giggled, rushing into Janette's arms. "Oh my little ray of sunshine," she pecked his forehead. "You're a fine young man." Ethan smiled, wrapping his tiny arms around Janette. "You're beautiful, Mommy," he said, his smile so innocent that Janette couldn't resist kissing his cheeks. Janette turned to face Sophia. "
044.“Bella? You have a son?” Janette asked, the words sounding awkward in her mouth. How on earth did Bella get a son? When did the lady get married? Wait… how's this even possible?Bella scoffed, folding her arms. “What? Did you expect me to be barren like you? Or did you think I don't have the ability to give birth to children just because your ex-husband couldn't keep his dick in his pants?” Janette blinked. “Wow! Someone's got issues,” she said. “I bet shutting you up the last time didn't work that well.”“You-”“Good morning, Ladies,” Mrs. Yuna, the woman Janette suspected to be one of the school's management, spoke up as she walked the center of the room. “Ms. Wayne, please have a seat.” she said and Janette nodded.Janette took a seat on one of the chairs beside Bella. Bella, repulsed by Janette being close to her, snorted and stood up, sitting as far away from her as possible. Janette didn't mind. Her focus was on the fact that Bella's “son” has bullied Ethan and Amaya. Now
043.GEOFFREY CORP..."Do you think Janette is going to like this idea?" Victor asked, staring at the box of ring in Liam's hand. The diamond glinted in the light, its beauty making Liam smile at what he was planning.Liam closed the ring box and looked at Victor. "It's not like she has any choice, Victor. Whether the tides work in our favour or not is none of my business. I can't sit and watch Lucas take her away from me. Not after everything I've given up to be here. Not after everything I've given up to hold her in my arms." Victor sighed. "But trapping her with a ring doesn't guarantee her falling in love with you.""You're wrong," Liam said. "Once I propose to her with this ring, she would have no choice but to accept me. Then she would know that a marriage would be forthcoming. And not just that, she would realize she is going to become my wife. That will make her fall for me of course because there would be no way out anymore."Victor shook his head. He knew Liam was not makin
042."Aunt Maryanne, you're making this look harder than it already is," Janette sighed and stood to her feet. "I never intended to get married to him due to gratitude or anything. I just..." she ruffled her hair as she paced the ward room. "I thought I would fall in love with him. I didn't know Lucas was going to spring back into my life, Aunt Maryanne. I'm just devastated."Aunt Maryanne reached out to touch her hand. "You are a strong lady, Janette. And... you are way too nice for your own good. You don't marry someone to show that you're grateful to them. You marry them because you love them. Marriage isn't a game of dice, my dear. And I'm not even telling you this because I'm Lucas' Aunt and I want you two to be together. I'm saying this because I care about you. Whatever you choose, I will support you, but I won't let you go into something you aren't sure of."Janette sighed, feeling a wave of relief wash over her at Aunt Maryanne's words. She rushed to Aunt Maryanne and hugged
041. A week later... "How are you doing today, Aunt Maryanne?" Janette asked with a smile as she walked into Aunt Maryanne's ward. Aunt Maryanne sat up with a smile. "I'm feeling a lot better. The migraines are gone and I can't wait to get out of here soon," she said and Janette looked up at her. "I didn't mean it like that sweetie. I meant to leave the hospital, not you of course. The smell of medicine and disinfectant makes me sick, sugar." Janette chuckled. "I get you. And you're recovering rapidly. If this keeps up, I'm sure you would be discharged next weekend." Aunt Maryanne couldn't help her joy. "That's wonderful news. Now," she winked at Janette. "How about the surprise you said you had for me? You know I like me some good unexpected things, right?" Janette smiled. "The surprise is on his way. Sophia is bringing him." "Who's Sophia?" Aunt Maryanne asked. Janette beamed. "You will know when they get here," she said and sighed. "Give me a few minutes. I'll be right bac
040.LUCAS' MANSION "You did what?!" Alan couldn't believe what he just heard. "You cried and grabbed onto her legs?" he asked, laughing and walking around the room.Lucas swayed the wine glass in his hand, the contents of the wine swirling as he stared into space. "It's not funny, Alan." he sighed, lowering his head.Alan laughed again and clapped his hands. "It's funny as fuck, Lucas," he chuckled again. "Who would have thought that the feared and famous billionaire Lucas Harry would be so vulnerable to the extent of crying and clinging to his ex wife for dear life?"Lucas scoffed. "Laugh one more time and I'll cut your allowance. You know I can do that!" he threatened.Alan scoffed. "Oh please, that won't affect me. I could just leave your company and finally take over my father's company. I already have enough money to get by." Lucas rolled his eyes and sat down, his expression turning thoughtful. He had only done that at the spur of the moment. He used to be aloof and cold to o
039.Lucas couldn’t believe what he was doing. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that he would be crying in front of Janette. He was just overwhelmed and couldn’t get control over his emotions. But that wasn’t even his concern right now. He was in her arms. In her fucking arms. He never thought he’d see the day, but here in was, the arms of the one woman that he loved so much. Lucas closed his eyes to savor the moment.Janette stared at him, her heart aching and softening at the same time. Why was the matter of the heart so complicated? She sneered. How can someone make you hurt and love at the same time?“Lucas,” she called. “I think that’s enough. People are coming, and I think you need to get off right now.”Lucas didn’t want to leave her, but he wouldn’t want any news flying around about her either. He reluctantly pulled away from the hug and Janette quickly stood to her feet. “I think we are done here. Goodnight, Mr. Harry.” she didn’t wait for him to say anything else b
038.Lucas stared at Janette all through his gala, his mind filled with thoughts of what Aunt Maryanne had told him. Had she really changed that much that he didn’t know her anymore? He wouldn’t blame her, though. It was all his fault. He was the reason she’s changed and is now cold and indifferent towards him.Janette just wanted the gala to be over so she could leave. Sitting here with him was very uncomfortable for her. When it was time for auctions, she folded her arms without showing any interest in it.Meanwhile, Rosa and Alan faced each other, Rosa feeling like tearing him to shreds. “Well, my night just got bad. What the heck are you doing on the same table with me?” she asked.Alan chuckled while rubbing the back of his head nervously. “Can’t you see it? Destiny is bringing us together. I think we are meant to be.”Rosa snorted. “You really think so highly of yourself, don’t you? Do you think any woman would want to be with a bully like you?”“C’mon, Rosa, that was years ago.
037.THE GALALucas sat in the gala, his gaze fixed on the door as he waited for Janette to walk in. He had been able to pull some strings into making her sit at the same table with him while Rosa would sit at the sane table with Alan so they could talk and make amends.Each second that passed felt like forever as he really wanted to see her. He kept tapping his feet and checking his wrist watch, wondering what was taking her so long.A few minutes later, he looked up, his eyes widening as he saw Janette walking in with Rosa behind her. She looked absolutely stunning in a black glittering gown that stopped at her feet, complementing her fine porcelain skin tone and giving her the sophisticated CEO appearance.He was almost tempted to spring to his feet and hug her then tell everyone that she was his wife, but he knew she would chop his head off if he tried, so he patiently waited as they led her to his seat. He stood up and walked away. If she saw him, she might ask for the seats to b
036.Aunt Maryanne was being attended to by Rosa when Janette rushed into the ward. She stopped in front of Aunt Maryanne’s bed, wondering if Aunt Maryanne would recognize her.Aunt Maryanne’s eyes widened on seeing Janette. Her eyes first darted to the name tag on Janette’s coat before returning to Janette’s face. “Jane,” she called, her voice barely above a whisper. It’s been years since she last saw her, and she couldn’t believe Janette was standing right in front of her, looking all stunning abs slightly different from years ago. “Is this really you?” she asked, stretching out her hands to Janette.A tear dropped from Janette’s eyes as she rushed to hold Aunt Maryanne’s hand and placed it on her cheek. She really wanted to hug her, but she couldn’t because the woman hadn’t fully recovered. “Aunt Maryanne,” Janette called, and they smiled at each other. “I missed you so much.”Aunt Maryanne rubbed Janette’s cheeks and smiled. “It’s nice to see you again after so many years. How hav