Chapter Four

Meira thought that her children would get upset and cry but they surprised her when they didn’t shed a single tear and instead consoled her as she cried uncontrollably after she told them everything about their father and her friend.

“Everything will be okay mommy.” Gabi told her.  "Please don’t cry.”

“You both don’t look upset.” She sniffled and frowned looking concerned. “You’re not going into shock are you?”. She searched their faces.

“We already know Mom.” Gabe said sheepishly.

“What? How?”. She was stunned.  They knew and never said anything? They continued acting like children who adored their father even though he was hardly ever around to play with them. He didn’t do fun things with them that fathers did with their children.

“We overheard him talking on the phone to Aunt Angela last year.” Gabe replied. "We thought he’d change but…”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”. She cut in.

“We didn’t want to hurt your feelings and we weren’t sure.” Gabi said. "I guess it’s all true.”

“What do we do now? We don’t have anywhere to go.” Gabe said.

“Um… Uncle Raine wants us to live with him for awhile until we can find a new place.” She informed them.

“For how long?”.

“At least till the end of this month.” She said.

“That’s three weeks away.” Gabe protested.

“You don’t want to live with uncle Raine? I want to.” Gabi told her brother.

“I’m sure his house is really cool and all that but what if we like it and we have to leave anyway? It’s just like tasting ice cream and not being able to finish it.” Gabe grumbled.

“You’re getting smarter by the day Gabe.” Meira commented. "But you have to know that I don’t have enough money to pay for house rent now so his place will have to do.”

“Fine. What choice do we have anyway.” He muttered.

 Later that night, Meira couldn’t sleep as memories of her marriage to Richard filtered through her mind. She’d not noticed anything wrong even when Angela would come over with her children, there’d not been any familiarity between she and Richard as if they knew each other, as if they were married to each other and of course there’d not been a ring on Angela’s finger all those years so nobody knew.

She couldn’t believe how stupid she was to have trusted them, to have trusted Richard enough to give him everything she owned.  Well it was stolen property but still it was hers.

Her phone rang on the bedside table jolting her out of her thoughts which made her sigh and pick up the phone to look at the screen but it was an unknown number.

“Who can this be?”. She wondered as she clicked on the answer button and put the phone to her ear. "Hello?”.

“Meira.” It was Raine.

“Oh, hi Raine.” She greeted. "I almost didn’t want to pick up thinking I was about to be scammed.”

Raine chuckled. “You should save my number then.”

“Sure.”

“So… how did it go?”.

“Pretty well.”

“What do you mean?”. He sounded surprised. "They didn’t throw fits demanding to see him?”.

“No. Actually they’ve known all this while.” Meira told him. "They just weren’t sure if it was true or not.”

“Wow. That’s shocking.”

“But I’m glad. At least I don’t have two seven year olds crying because of that monster.” Meira said. "I still can’t believe that I fell for someone like him.”

“There was no way you could have known Meira.” Raine said. "Don’t beat yourself up.”

“I’m just so mad!”. She began to cry. "I gave him everything I had; my body, my heart and soul and he trampled on it! I’m so so stupid!”.

“I’m sorry. If I’d found out sooner…” Raine began.

“Please don’t blame yourself.” She sniffled. "My stupidity isn’t your fault.”

“I let you marry him Meira. I walked you down the aisle to meet him so it’s also my fault.” He replied gruffly. "I just hope I don’t set my eyes on him ever again.”

“You said you know where he is.”

“I know the country he relocated to but not exactly where he’s living now.” He sighed. "If I know… I could kill him.”

“Please don’t. He’s not worthy enough to go to jail for.” Meira said. "He’ll get what he deserves.”

“So… When should I expect you guys?”. Raine changed the subject. He sounded so excited.

“We’ll pack up tomorrow before the… new owners arrive but we won’t leave until they come.” Meira replied. "I’m going to get my father’s house back even if I have to die trying.”

“Call me if you need me to pick you up tomorrow.” He said. "I’ll work from home tomorrow.”

“We can…”

“Meira… I don’t mind.” He insisted.

“Okay. Thank you.” Meira said. "I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night. Sogni d’oro amore mio.” Raine said.

“Good night.” She whispered and the line disconnected.

~~~~~~``

The next day Meira and the twins began to pack up their belongings into their bags and some precious things they didn’t want to leave behind.

“Mommy, what about these pictures?”. Gabi pointed to the picture frames on the wall. 

Meira glared at the pictures on the wall wishing they’d burst in flames but it was just wishful thinking and knew she’d have to do it herself.

“Let’s carry all of this outside.” She said to her kids. "We’re going to burn everything.”

“Even his remaining belongings?”. Gabi inquired bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly.

“Everything.” She grinned.

“Okay!!”. The children chorused and ran upstairs.

By evening they were watching TV when the doorbell rang so Meira went to answer the door and she wasn’t surprised when she saw the visitors.

“Mrs Gilbert?”. The lawyer asked. 

“It’s miss Daniels now.” She corrected him stiffly.  “Are you Richard’s lawyer?”.

“Yes. These are the new owners of this house.” He gestured to the young couple beside him. They looked like newly Weds with the way they were clinging to each other and smiling. "Mr and Mrs Kingsley.”

“Nice to meet you. Please come in.” She moved aside for them to enter and she closed the door.

“This house is really nice.” The lady said. "I like it Paul.”

“Me too.” Paul agreed. "And the furniture goes with the color of the house as well.”

“Are you packed already ma’am?.” The lawyer asked. 

“Yes. We were waiting for you actually but you have to wait. My friend is on his way to pick us up.” Meira told them. "You’re free to tour the house if you want.”

“We’ll do that.” The couple nodded and left.

Twenty minutes later they heard the horn of Raine’s car outside and the twins ran outside to meet him.

“Uncle Raine hi!”. Gabi launched herself at him.

“Hey princess.” He laughed as he caught her and threw her up making her squeal in delight. He looked at Gabe. "Hey.”

“Hello sir.” Gabe greeted. "Mom is inside.”

“Are the new owners here?”. He asked.

“Yes sir.”

“Okay.” He said and they went inside.

They met Meira talking to the couple and another man whom Raine guessed to be the lawyer.

“Hey Meira. All set?”. He asked.

“Oh hi Raine.” She stood up and went to hug him. "Yes we’re set to go.”

“Your friend is Raine Cruz?”. The lady asked with awe in her voice.

“Yes.” Meira nodded. "Raine, meet Lydia and Paul Kingsley.”

“Nice to meet you two.” Raine lifted a hand in greeting but totally ignored them and faced Meira. "Where are your bags?”.

“Upstairs.” Meira replied. "Excuse me.” She took his hand and led him upstairs.

“Wow. So many bags.” Raine teased when he saw the luggages. "Let me guess… The pink ones belong to Gabi right?.”

“Yeah. She refused to leave her toys behind even after I told her I’d replace them when I get the chance and money to.” She sighed. "You didn’t come with anyone? These are quite heavy.”

“I’ll manage.” He smiled. "Maybe Gabe will like to help with the smaller ones though.”

“I’ll call him.” She said and left.

Raine smiled as he stared at the bags. He was finally going to have Meira in his house with him where he could take better care of her and her kids. Soon he hoped he’d be able to have them as his family forever.

“Your going away is a blessing in disguise Richard. Thank you for leaving.” Raine thought. "I’ll still make your life miserable though for hurting my Meira and that is a promise.”

“He’s here.” Meira announced walking into the room with Gabe.

“Hey buddy, can you help me carry the small bags? They are not heavy.” Raine said.

“Sure.” Gabe beamed and went to work carrying out the smaller bags downstairs.

“I’ll miss this place.” Meira muttered. "But this is for the best.”

Raine watched her as she looked around the bedroom and he made a silent vow to make her so damn happy that she’d not even remember who Richard was.