Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

"I said no because you'll get more jobs. You’ll be tired," Earl explained in a soft voice. A warm feeling spread through Elizabeth's chest as her little boy shyly snuggled into her neck.

"You’re so sweet, baby. Thank you for thinking of me," she whispered.

Lottie on the other hand, tapped her little fingers together as her rosy lips jutted out. She blinked up at her mother with wide, pleading eyes.

"It’s just a wish, Momma.”

Elizabeth laughed and kissed her baby girl on the cheek. "It’s okay, Lottie. We’re going to the city. Momma has saved up some money."

She had been hearing for a while now how much her children wanted to visit the city, so she made sure to set aside some savings for the trip.

"Yehey! Did you hear that, Earl? We’re going to the city! We’ll see big buildings and fast cars!" Lottie jumped in excitement.

 Elizabeth amusedly pinched Earl’s cheek when she saw him trying to suppress a smile. A grin broke across his face, showing his white baby teeth before he threw his arms around her in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Momma. You’re the best! Lottie and I love you so much."

"I love you both," Elizabeth replied, her eyes warming with emotion. Before tears could spill over, she stood up, kissed her kids one more time, and excused herself to return to her work.

Elizabeth worked at a flower shop on weekdays, and during weekends, she took shifts at a small local resto.

 It had been five years since she fled Southshire City, hiding out of fear and guilt. She had married Mr. Channing but ended up pregnant with another man's children. On top of that, she discovered that Sir Arthur had seen photos of her, leading to a heart attack. In the panic, the driver crashed, and Arthur was left in a coma.

Since then, she had chosen to live in a quiet rural town, far away from Southshire City. Despite her past, she quickly adapted to life there, as she hadn't grown up with a life of luxury in the first place.

During the first and second months, she found it incredibly hard to survive. Her savings were barely enough to get by, and she took on several jobs just to save more money for the birth of her twins. But even that wasn’t enough that she ended up drowning in hospital bills.

Fortunately, she crossed paths with a friend of her mother who worked as a nurse at the hospital. Thanks to her being an employee, Elizabeth’s bills were reduced by almost eighty percent.

She was shocked to learn that her mother even had a friend. Especially since Eleanor’s life revolved solely around the Bentleys. But then again, Eleanor had always been secretive.

"Momma, why does Mr. Gustave always ask you to deliver flowers to his house?" Lottie asked curiously as they walked.

"Because he’s a customer, Baby. That’s normal."

"Why doesn’t he just buy from Aunt Carrie?"

Elizabeth just smiled at Lottie and didn’t answer further. She knew the conversation would go on and on if she tried to explain.

Thankfully, Lottie didn’t press any further, as she got distracted by hopping along while holding her brother’s hand.

Life in this town was vastly different from the city. They could easily walk to their destination without the heat bearing down on them. There were plenty of trees for shade, and the air was fresh and clean.

"Is Sir Gustave inside?" she politely asked the guard at the gate of Hacienda Gustave.

"Yes, Miss. He left word that you’re expected. Please come in."

The housekeeper quickly let them in when they reached the mansion within the vast estate.

"I’ll call Sir right away, Miss. Please wait here," the housekeeper said.

Elizabeth smiled faintly and nodded before setting down the flower baskets.

"Lottie, behave," she reminded. But her mischievous daughter, who had already climbed onto the couch like it was their own home, reached for the magazine sitting on the high coffee table.

"Earl, look! I see a computer! You like computers, right?"

Excitement lit up Earl’s eyes, and he couldn’t resist joining his sister in examining what she was holding.

Before she could scold the two, they had already opened it. Then they suddenly froze, exchanging glances as their gray eyes widened.

"What is it?" She reached out her hand to ask for the magazine.

Instead of handing it over, they both presented what they were holding.

"He looks like us, Momma!"

At that moment, Elizabeth felt as if the world had stopped...

‘Nikolaus Wulfric. Software Developer.’    

He wasn't alone in the photo featured in the magazine, but it was this man who had captured the twins' attention. He stood out from the group with his tall physique and striking ash-gray eyes.

Elizabeth was certain that this was the man to whom she had surrendered herself. How could she forget the way he had turned her world upside down?

He was a beast in bed—a dangerously sexy creature who shattered her innocence!

It seemed that “gentleness” was not in that man’s vocabulary. He didn’t even consider his size as he overwhelmed her like a child under a giant. He was impatient, unable to wait—claiming her multiple times that night.

“WOW, TALL BUILDINGS!” Lottie exclaimed, peering out the train window.

They were at the Louisiana station, the town before entering Southshire City.

“There are even taller ones, my baby,” she replied, ruffling her hair.

 Tomorrow was the twins’ birthday. They had set off early because she planned to check them into a cheap yet decent Hotel and treat them to a nice meal.

“Momma, I wanna eat that egg. I’m hungry already, Momma.” Lottie tugged at her while pointing to a vendor outside.

“Okay. I’ll just buy something quickly. Earl, keep an eye on Lottie.”

“Yes, Momma.”

She grabbed her coin purse and hurried outside.

As she walked, she noticed construction happening across the road. The vendor next to it was chatting. She overheard her saying they were building a bullet train, which was why the tracks were being constructed so high up.

“Oh dear!” the woman exclaimed, waving her hand. “Our neighbor works at Montiner Construction. They pay well, but the boss is said to be incredibly strict.”

The vendor handed her a bag while continuing to chat.

“I saw them earlier. They barely take a break while working on those rails.”

“Thank you,” she replied, turning to leave.

She quickly stepped back to make way for an approaching group. They were loud, and judging by their clothes, they were construction workers, with the two at the front arguing about something.

Elizabeth was about to pass them when she froze in place.

One of the men turned to look at her. His brow furrowed before he stepped back—closer to her.

“You!” His voice was low and authoritative, matching the emotionless expression on his face.

“W-What about me?” she stammered.

“It’s you!” he repeated as if that was enough to convey everything he wanted to say.

“I don’t know you.”

Panicking, she turned to run, but he grabbed her arm.

“You left me that night!”

His colleagues teasingly whistled, causing her face to a deep red.

“Sir, I don’t know you,” she snapped, trying to mask her embarrassment. “And besides, I don’t date construction workers.”

She meant no offense to the hardworking construction crew. All she wanted was to escape the scrutinizing gaze of the man who had taken her virginity.

Elizabeth yanked her hand away and shot him a glare.

Just as she reached the train door, it slid shut, and the train began to pull away.

“Lottie! Earl!” she shouted, dropping everything she was holding.

She spotted the two children inside, looking helpless and unsure of what to do.

Desperately, she ran after the train, screaming, but at that speed, she felt like she wanted to just lose consciousness.