SIX YEARS LATER

"Mommy... mommy!" The sound of my children’s voices pulled me out of the nightmare that has been stressing me, I opened my eyes to see Abigail and Alexander, my everything, looking worried, seeing me opening eyes, they quickly hugged me.

"Mommy, we were so worried," Abigail was the first one to jump on me with a worried look, while Alexander mumbled wiping my tears, "You were crying in your sleep, are you okay, Mommy?"

I smiled at them, trying to ease their concern, while ruffling their hair, "Yes, I'm fine, just a bad dream, Mommy's okay." They hugged me tighter once again, and filled my face with kisses.

"These are good luck kisses," they announced with a proud smile.

"Oh my goodness, I’m going to have so much luck," I chuckled at their innocence playing along with them, these past six years of hellish life, they’ve been my only ray of hope to dream about the future.

I thought back to the day of the accident, the day I lost consciousness in the arms of a stranger, when I woke up, I was in a hospital bed in a completely unfamiliar place wondering what's happening around me, nurses and doctors rushed in noticing me getting into conscious state, performing tests as if they're trying to confirm something.

"You're totally fine," one of them said with relief, then, a tall, handsome man appeared, asking the doctor, "So, is she okay?"

The doctor nodded bowing respectfully, "She is completely fine, young master."

"You can leave," the man instructed, and suddenly we were alone left with none to disturb, I wasn’t sure whether to apologize for causing a mess or thank him for helping me, he is looking at face trying to study something.

"This isn't the expression of someone who talked about wanting revenge," he said reminding me of my words.

I remembered what I had said before losing consciousness, he handed me a glass of juice, "You’ve been in a coma for a month, everyone thought you wouldn’t wake up, but you did and not just you, even your baby is safe too."

I placed a hand on my stomach, thinking about the life growing inside me, how could I love this child when it's a baby out of someone's lust not even with a consent, though it's not the fault of the baby, I can't love this baby, I can't imagine having a baby like this.

"Throwing yourself in front of a car is a clear sign you’ve lost the will to live," he said, as if he read my thoughts, "Maybe this new life is here to give you a reason to go on."

I smiled faintly, "I have nothing to live for, what am I going to do with this child?" He doesn't know my situation or what I'm going through, how can he give advice casually without knowing my situation? 

"Revenge is a strong reason to live," he replied, "I don't know under what circumstances you've lost your will to live, but you have a goal now, I'll help you, work with me."

He forwarded his hand, at that moment, I didn’t even know him, but something about his words, work with me, not for me, convinced me that he is a gentleman, and I joined my hands with him, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Fast forward to six long years, I had transformed from the humiliated and abandoned ex-wife to the COO of Starlight Jewels, a globally renowned jewelry brand, I'm here personally for a collaboration with one of the ruling business families, as the flight prepared to land, my assistant leaned over informing me, "Ma'am, we'll be landing in a few minutes."

I smiled, glancing at my excited children, gently caressed their hair not disturbing their excitement, returning to the city I had left in disgrace before, now felt like a winning move, this time, I was here to showcase the new me.

"Mommy, how long will we stay in this new city?" Abigail asked while looking at me, "I have a music show, I can't miss it, I need to practice," at just five years old, she was already a renowned violinist and a model.

Beside her, Alexander sighed pulling my arm, "Mommy, I heard there's a hacking competition here, I need to participate in it," just like his sister, this little guy of mine is a famous hacker and stock market expert.

I marveled at my children, both being rare geniuses in their fields just at the age of five, "As soon as we settle in, I'll arrange everything you need, just give me a moment to catch my breath, my dear little geniuses," I replied with a smile, they nodded in agreement, these twins of mine is always handful.

At the airport, I spotted a sign with my name, my assistant went to him to get a clarification as it ended, a man who was holding a sign with my name, greeted me warmly, "Ms. Arabella, welcome to our city, I'm Bryan. Mr. Xenon has told me about you, I'll take care of everything during your stay here."

His welcome was comforting and warm, "thank you, please take care of us" I smiled at him, as we moved through the crowd, I accidentally bumped into someone, before even I could apologize, he apologized, "I'm sorry" his deep, husky voice and familiar cologne struck me for a moment, but before I could react, he was gone.

"Mommy, let's go," Abigail's voice pulled me back to reality, I followed my children, pushing aside the lingering thoughts that were reminding me of something I wanted to forget.

In the car, Bryan turned to me, "Ma'am, we have arranged a house for your temporary stay, shall I take you there?"

"Actually, I need to go somewhere first, since I've promised to meet someone" I said while looking at my mobile, "Take me to the Grand Minerva Hotel, after finishing my work there, we can go to the house you've arranged for us."

He nodded, while Abigail and Alexander exchanged curious glances, "A hotel, but not a house?" Alexander asked out of curiosity.

"Yes," I confirmed, making sure they understood, "I've been invited to a special person's birthday event, and I need to attend the banquet, is that okay with both of you?" As I expected, they agreed, and we set off to that place, the city that once witnessed my humiliation will be seeing my proud return now.

The car stopped right in front of the hotel, my kids and my assistant got out, while I followed with my handbag in hand, after showing the invitation at the entrance, we were guided towards the private banquet area, Abigail wondered aloud noticing her surroundings, "I never knew you had friends in this city, Mommy."

"Even I never heard of this," Alexander agreed with his sister's words.

"Friends or enemies, I haven't decided yet," I replied, making them look at me in confusion, "But for now, I'm here to convey my wishes to someone I consider family."

"Someone as family? Can we know who it is?" they asked with curious glances.

I nodded holding back the turmoil of emotions within me, "She is your great-grandmother, I'm here at her request to introduce you both to her, so please be polite and respectful."

As the guard opened the door respectfully, I walked into the room with a proud smirk, this was the moment I had been preparing myself for over the past six years, "I thought I was on time, am I late?”