~SIERRA~
I was in my office, still trying Gilbert’s number. I have been trying since I woke up, but still, he didn’t pick it up. I left countless voice notes, but he hasn’t gotten back to me. I wanted to apologize, I wanted him to come back. Yes, I was strong, but I realised I was strong because he believed in me. Gilbert always made me believe I could do anything, and that’s why I got here. I couldn’t lose our friendship over this, and if he loved me, then there was no problem in giving him a chance. Gilbert has been a good man, caring and loving. What more could I ask for in a man? Nana said I wasn’t growing young, and really, I’ve mourned over Damian enough if he could move on, who was I not to?
<~SIERRA~Nana sat beside me and took my hands in hers. I blinked the tears and looked at her. “You don't have to marry Gilbert if you don't love him.” I chuckled, confused, she was the one advising me to give Gilbert a chance just a few days ago. When did she change her mind? “What I mean is that you don’t need to enter a relationship you don’t want just for the sake of others.”“They are not others, Nana, they are my children.”“I know. Do you remember what I told you? I know we sacrifice for our children, but when we are unhappy with the sacrifice, the ones we sacrificed for won’t be happy either, they might even blame themselves for your unhappiness.” She gently rubbed my hands.“It doesn’t matter, Nana, my children's happiness should come first,” I said, and she nodded.“I ask that you think about it. Remember, they are children. Sure, they are upset right now, but once a day or two passes, they’ll forget all about Gilbert and move on,” she said, and I smiled before I stood up and
~NEXT DAY~~SIERRA~I took my satin high-cut slit golden dress, I haven’t worn it in years. It was for special occasions, but since I was going to try and convince Gilbert—I needed to look beautiful. I sat on a chair to curl my hair, but as I picked the curler, I remembered what Cassie said—she was the one who picked up Damian’s phone, she told me he asked her to pick it up and tell me to stay away. Well, Cassie reminded me of the time she returned when he threw divorce papers at me. She reminded me how he wanted nothing to do with my kids, and I thanked her for picking as I was really stupid to think that Damian deserved to know about my kids when he refused them even before they were born.
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I couldn’t believe it. Gilbert was here having fun while I blamed myself for his leave when he actually left to come for his reasons. I felt so stupid that I even palmed my forehead. “It’s…it’s not what you think, I…I can explain.” I shook my head and turned to leave. Of course, he came running but stopped by the door as he was still naked. “Sierra! Please, l–let me get dressed so we can discuss this.” I didn’t listen as I walked to my car, and the guard opened the door for me. How could he explain this? He was drugged, because clearly he wasn’t since he had the guts to complain when she tapped him. “Ms. Reid, is everything okay?” My driver asked as soon as he noticed my mood.I rubbed my forehead and then nodded. “Can you take me to the nearest bar, please?”“Alright,” he agreed as he nodded and made a turn. My guards suggested to the driver a bar with privacy, they wanted to avoid fans.It didn’t take time to arrive at a bar, as the driver pulled over a
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I couldn’t believe him, so because I almost kissed him, he thought I wanted to sleep with him. I gestured to my guard to pay for the bill and stood up. "Please,” he begged. I only looked at him and attempted to walk away, and he stood too, and held me by my hand. But before I could ask him to let me go, one of my guards came and got between us. “Sierra, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that,” he apologized. "Please stay, let’s chat,” he said, but I shook my head and walked out with my other guard holding my hand while the others held him. Luckily, the bar was not filled with people as it was still early, so no dramas.
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~Nana was right, Ava couldn't keep anything from Damian. I can't believe I trusted her. I didn't want to sound guilty, as I didn't do nothing wrong. “I don't know what you're talking about, and what gave you the right to call me this late?”“I had already done DNA on them, you will not keep them from me anymore, I will be in their lives. God, Sierra, I can't believe you did this,” he said."Wait, are you serious right now? Are you sure you haven't taken alcohol because...”
~SIERRA~I couldn't believe it. Why hasn't Lily told me that she has a crush on Damian? Nothing made sense. “Detective, are you sure? This is a serious accusation.”“I'm very sure, Ms. Reid, we have proof to back up the accusations. I suggest you talk to her and listen to her side of the story.”“I will,” I said, clearing my throat, then asked, “So what do you plan to do now that you have the suspects?”"Well, I was hoping you add anyone that you suspect or...”“I don't have anyone in mind,” I said, sidestepping him."Well, in that case, we will start with our interrogation, we will visit each of them one by one and ask a few questions,” he said, but I didn't want that to happen now, I didn't want any scandal, especially now that Damian found out about the triplets.“Detective can't that wait, at least start with it after a month, a lot is going on now, and I want to focus on one problem.”“I'm sorry, Ms. Reid, but your father's case is the one we have been wanting to solve for years.
~SIERRA~But as we reached the garden, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe the sight before me. Damian was with my kids and looking at them, I could tell they loved him. Ingrid even plucked a flower and put it in his blazer pocket. I couldn't believe how happy they all looked. Atlas, who never liked talking was giggling while playing with Damians’ wristwatch. Tears welled in my eyes as I once again found myself imagining our life if Damian had accepted them when I was pregnant. Maybe Atlas could not be this slow at talking, as he looked happy with Damian. “Ms. Reid, is everything okay?” Anna shook me out of my thoughts. I caught the tear that almost escaped my eyes and sniffed before I turned to her and told her I was okay.“
~SIERRA~I wanted Damian to explain his meaning by saying they were in danger. I knew he knew about the notes, maybe because of the attack the other day at the club, but I felt like he was hiding something else since the detective said he knew Carl, so I asked him to go for coffee so we could talk, and he agreed. After telling Anna that the kids would be picked up at the same time we went to a nearby cafe, I got in my car, and he went in his and followed us.At the cafe, I got in with two of my guards—for security, I sat down. Damian was still in his car, so I ordered two cups of coffee. It took him five minutes to join me. “Wait, are we talking in front of your guards?” he asked, sitting across from me. I looked at my guards, who were standing beside me, and turned to him.“I don't see a problem, I trust them and I need security.”“That's the reason I need to be in their lives, Sierra, I can't afford to lose them, I need to be there to protect them.”“You know,” I cleared my throat,