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
~SIERRA~Well, Ava didn't surprisingly say anything as she asked Cassie to come with her: “She's still that witch, even the money didn't change her; no class.” Cassie complained as she freed herself from Ava and walked on her own, she was not happy with Ava's reaction.“Sierra, I had to come in, are you okay? What did they say to you?” Gilbert came running, and I smiled as I was surprisingly fine."Yes, I'm fine, just give me a minute,” I said and took my phone, then dialed the house telephone, which was picked up by one of the guards on its first ring, “can I talk to my children, please?”“Just a second, Ms. Reid,” he said, then called them.“Mommy, are you coming already?” Nathan said.“We miss you,” Ingrid added."Ow, I miss you too. Yes, I will come now. Are you guys fine? Is Atlas awake?”"Yes, we are fine; no, Atlas is still sleeping,” Nathan answered.“Okay, I hope you’re not being naughty.”“No Mamma, we are good, just touching the things you asked us to touch, hehe,” Nathan s
~SIERRA~I scoffed as this was just insane, but the law was decided, and even if I didn’t want them with Damian, there was nothing I could do for now. At least I was given hope; if Damian got into any kind of trouble, he would lose his rights, and that was what I was going to do, so I agreed, and then Damian’s PA bid goodbye and left.“You made a great choice, Ms. Reid. It might hurt now, but it will get better, and trust me, this is the best for the kids considering they are already five. It won’t be long till they start asking for their father,” the judge said, and I nodded as she was right, they already started asking for their father. “I wish you the best,” she said, and I warmly smiled as she walked away.“What did she say?” Gilbert came to me, I didn’t answer him as I tugged my hand in his arm and walked toward the door. When we reached the parking lot, the guard opened the car door for me, but I didn’t get in as I looked back at Damian, who was surprisingly looking at me—I coul
~SIERRA~ Seeing my children jump in happiness filled my heart with peace. Maybe it was meant to be. There's a saying that children can feel everything; they can know if the person is good or bad, so if Damians’ intentions were bad, they could feel it and tell me. Well, it was a dumb belief, but I relied on that. “Wow, I guess you told them?” Gilbert's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I cleared my throat and asked my kids to stop jumping; they didn't even notice that Gilbert was there. “Kids.” “Sorry Mommy, is Uncle Damian here already?” Ingrid asked. "Mommy, we promise we will be on our best behavior,” Nathan said, and Atlas agreed with a nod. Atlas seemed more lively. "Okay, good. Now can you go to your room and pack the things you need,” I instructed, and they agreed, then ran out of the dining room. “They didn't even notice me.” Gilbert sounded like he was complaining. “Yeah,” I said as I couldn't deny it. “Wait, do they love him more than me?” He said it in a jokey tone,
~SIERRA~I knew Damian well; living with him for those years enabled me to read his mind so I could tell when he was lying and when he was not, and I could tell his emotions when he showed because, during those years with him, he never lied; he always told me the truth since he didn't care about my feelings, and right now I could tell that he was being honest. Yes, there were some points back in the years when I was convinced that Damian loved me, but he crushed it the next moment. But the question is, did I believe him now that he was telling me he loved me? It was hard to answer, but what I knew was I was not going to forgive him, not in this life, so I shook myself out of my state and pretended not to be shocked as I changed the topic, ignoring his confession.“Sierra, can…can you give me another chance, I…”“You are married, Damian,” I sidestepped him, “and I'm getting married too.” I lied, and he shook his head as if in disbelief. “And what makes you think I would ever forgive yo