~DAMIAN~I didn't want Cassie to die. What would I say to the baby once it starts asking for her, “Doctor, is there anything I can do, anything, please?”“There's nothing to be done, Mr. Winters; we can't save her,” Dr. Sanchez said, and I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “Just make her happy in her last days, do what she wants so that she can die peacefully.”“She's not going to die, how can you say such a thing?”“I am just being honest, Mr. Winters; now I'll take my leave.” He got his coat from the couch, and I nodded. “You can call me if you need anything, and remember, don't stress her,” he instructed, and I nodded as I walked him out. I thanked him, and then he got in his car and drove away. After Dr. Sanchez's car disappeared, I walked back inside. I wanted to check on Cassie, so I went to her room.“Yes, thank you so much.” I was shocked to find Cassie speaking on the phone and sounding strong. “Okay, I'll call you back,” she said. As soon as she noticed me, I was
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~It has been a week. We came to Houston to get more witnesses to testify in the hearing. I didn’t think it was necessary, but Gilbert insisted. We managed to get ten people—my employees and the doctor. Gilbert said Damian might use Atlas's delayed speech, so we managed to get emails from psychologists who helped Atlas. I was printing the emails so they could serve as proof that I addressed the issue already, as he might accuse me of carelessness. I knew Damian could do and say anything to gain full custody of my children.“Don’t worry, I’m sure the court will not grant him full custody.” Gilbert placed his hand on my shoulder. I sadly smiled; my attention was on my kids, who were coloring on the mat. I was with them in my office as I couldn’t afford for them to be alone—Lana and Beatrice went to visit their family while Gilbert went to get more witness statements he had just returned.“Is the jet ready? The hearing is in two hours.” I didn’t want to be late
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I made a mental note to call Nana’s doctor as soon as I was done getting them ready. “Mommy, I said I was done,” Nathan called me, and I shook out of my thoughts."Ow, sorry, baby, I'll come and help you now.” I stood to my feet and walked to the cupboard so I could get the shampoo for his waves; he never wanted them damaged. Nathan loved his waves, and so I took great care of them. I got a towel and gave it to him, and he wrapped it around his waist. Well, that's Nathan, too mature for his age.“Why don't you just cover your whole body?” Ingrid, who was still washing her body, asked.“Because I'm a boy, don't you see Uncle Gilbert? He only covers his waist, not the whole body like a girl.” Nathan rolled his eyes. Well, I didn't understand these two, they always teased each other, but I knew they loved each other so much, as with the love they show each other when one is sick. There was a time when Nathan stayed up because Ingrid was sick. I asked him to s
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~I couldn’t believe Nana had been fooling me all this while, but I still didn’t understand the reason she did it. “Ms. Reid?”“Uh, doctor, thank you. Can…can we keep this call between us, please?”“No problem, do you need anything else?”“No, that will be all. Thank you.”“My pleasure. Have a nice day, Ms. Reid.”“You too,” I said, and then he disconnected the call. “I have to confront Nana,” I said subconsciously, then walked to the bathroom. I took a quick shower, so it took me less than twenty minutes to be fully ready. I wore my office clothes as I’ll be going to court straight from the airport."Sorry, did I take too long?” I asked when I reached downstairs, where Gilbert and my kids were waiting."No, you’re just in time,” Gilbert answered.“Where’s Mr. Williams?” I looked around."Oh, he will meet us at the airport, now let’s go, guys, we are late,” Gilbert said, and the kids picked up their backpacks. Well, I didn’t have a bag as everything I needed
GEORGIA, ATLANTA 2023~SIERRA~Since the guards in Houston communicated with the ones in Atlanta, they were already waiting for us. Gilbert was with the kids, helping them get in the car. Atlas was asleep, so he got the back seat to himself. I tried Nana's number again, but she didn't pick up, “still?” Gilbert asked; he was at the back helping Atlas while I sat in the middle row with Ingrid and Nathan.“Yes, maybe she's busy,” I said, and he nodded.“Why don't you try Lily?” Gilbert suggested that, of course, he knew about Lily as I told him how she helped me.“Well, it's… It's not a good idea,” I said as I remembered the last time I spoke to her. I hadn't told Gilbert the detective was suspecting her, as we hadn't had that time, and I didn't want to worry him now, so I nervously chuckled and told him it was okay.“I don't know what happened between the two of you, but from what you’ve told me, Lily is a good friend,” Gilbert insisted, and he was right. Lily had a crush on Damian, but
~SIERRA~I didn't understand what was happening, how could Lily be with Cassie? They didn't seem to notice me as they seemed to be chatting, I stopped moving and stared at them; perhaps they just bumped into each other. Well, with the way Lily spoke about Cassie, I was shocked, as I never thought they could hold such a conversation. What's more, Cassie was now laughing while Lily seemed to be explaining something as her hands danced in the air.“Sierra, let it go.” Gilbert patted my hand, but I didn't move. Then the unexpected happened: Damian and Ava came to them, and he took Cassie by her hand while Ava and Lily seemed to be catching up, like, what the fuck?! These people hated each other—at least that's what they told me, and when my eyes caught the man who was waiting by the entrance door, my chest tightened. Bruce?! This reminded me of years ago at the restaurant when Cassie showed up.“What now? Lucas shows up, and they tell me he wasn't dead.” I unconsciously said. It would not
~SIERRA~ Jane was silent; from here, I could tell that she didn’t know how to respond. “You may continue,” the judge said, and she thanked her before she continued with her case. She went on and told the judge how I restrained Damian from seeing the kids, how I’ve kept them from him, “from knowing their father's family like Mrs. Bruce,” she said, pointing at Ava. “And with that, I can assure you your honor that my client is the right parent to raise the kids as he’s married and...” "Oh, he’s married?” The judge sounded shocked; well, I was shocked too, as I didn’t hear of their marriage. "Yes, your honor, I could bring their marriage certificate, but it is still being finalized.” “I see, so the marriage happened recently?” Wow, this judge was really trained for her job. “Yes, your honor, but I can assure you, Ms. Cassie, um, sorry, Mrs. Winters will take good care of the kids.” Well, I never really liked Jane, but I didn’t hate her, but now I could feel my hate growing. How could s
~SIERRA~Everyone was silent; I could see that they were shocked. “I think we got an answer for that; you may continue,” the judge turned to Mr. Williams.“Thank you, your honor. Well, not only did Mr. Williams emotionally abuse my client, but he broke her self-esteem; during the marriage, he told her she was not good enough and…”“I don't think that is necessary, Mr. Williams,” the judge sidestepped Mr. Williams, “if you want Mr. Winters to be punished for abuse, you should file for another case because we are here for custody and I think I got everything I need to judge.”“You are right, your honor, in short, Mr. Winters cannot be the father of the children, and my client rejects his demand and asks the court for a restraining order,” Mr. Williams said, and the judge agreed.“I have a question about Atlas; did Ms. Reid address his issue?” the judge asked him."Yes, your honor,” Mr. Williams walked to the judge and gave him the testimonials from the doctors. "Your honor, those are te