~CASSIE~I was of course curious to confirm my suspicions; I was not sure it was really her, but my jaw dropped when her face was revealed. “LILY?”“Yes, I thought you said you knew who I was; why do you look shocked?” She didn't look shy or afraid that I knew who she was. I couldn't believe she was the one behind this mask. I couldn't believe she was the one sending Sierra those threatening notes when she acted as a friend. "Yes, it's been me, I'm the one who has been helping you all this time.”"No, Lily, you were not helping me; you've been doing this for your selfish reasons, which I'm interested to know. Why did you threaten Sierra, and why did you allow me to kill that doctor?” I wanted to know the reasons why she did it.“I don't have time to answer your questions; gosh, now that the mask is off, it will make things easier; I've been sweating in this crap.” She complained as she removed the robe and threw it away, which landed on the bed. “You have some documents to deliver to
~CASSIE~ Well, there was no time to take in anything, so I hurriedly put on my clothes and followed her. She was seated on a sofa, crossed-legged, with a glass of hard liquor. Her men were standing beside her. “Vodka?” I don't know how she noticed my presence, as I was by the door while she gave me her back. I shook my head and walked to her. “Ready?” she asked before she sipped on her glass. “Yeah, but I have a question.” “You're the one who needs my help, Cassie, I should be the one to ask questions.” “I know, but I also know that you need me. Like you said, Sierra will believe me because I'm closer to Damian; she will believe me because Damian trusts me.” "Okay, fine, what's your question?” “I want Sierra to pay for returning; she's not supposed to come back, but she did; she destroyed my relationship with Damian, and she must pay for that.” I was serious. "Oh, I have something planned for her.” "No, I want to see her face when it happens, so make it now.” "Cassi
~SIERRA~Gilbert insisted that we should go and take the kids from Damian, but I refused. I knew this was what I wanted, but I also remembered Atlas’s words, how he wished Damian was their father, and how peacefully my children slept in Damian’s bed. I couldn’t take that from them. “I will get them tomorrow,” I told Gilbert and switched off the TV.“You are supposed to get them tomorrow, we are going to get them today, Sierra.” Gilbert didn’t look like he was going to give up. I knew he had a point, but he didn’t understand me.“Is Nana back?” I tried to change the topic, and he opened his mouth to probably complain, but the guard interrupted, “Yes.” I asked the guard to go ahead—anything to distract me from Gilbert.“Of course, always avoiding me,” Gilbert said, taking out his phone and dialing a number before he made his way up the stairs.“Hmm-mmmh?” I gestured to the guard to start talking.“Ms. Cassie wants to speak to you,” he said, and I shook my head. I was curious as to what
~SIERRA~ Gilbert had a painful face. My mind screamed for me to apologize, but my heart asked me to do the opposite. Damian might be guilty, but he was the father of my children; I couldn't throw him in jail. What if he gets sentenced to life, and then my children grow up and find out that I sent their father to jail and that I deprived them of his love? Seeing Damian with them last night proved that he deeply cared for him. I mentioned that I could read Damian, and yes, I read through him, and I could tell he was deeply sorry, and with how happy they looked, I was surely not going to be the monster in their lives. “You know what?” Gilbert shook his head. “Do what you want, just know that I won't be here for you.” He threw his hands in the air—helpless. “It doesn't have to be like that, Gilbert. The kids are happy with him. I don't want to take that from them. You know, I've kept them from him for such a long time. I feel so guilty.” “I know you want him too, Sierra, and that's oka
~SIERRA~Okay, life was really unfair; why couldn’t it let me take it one event at a time? Why did it all have to happen like this?I didn't allow my thoughts to consume my mind as I thought of my children. I asked the detective to drive there, as I knew waiting for the detective to come and get me would not work. I would not sit here and wait for him, knowing my children were in such a situation.I quickly rushed out of the room and was shocked to find Lana and Beatrice down. Lana said they came last night wanting to surprise the kids. “Thank you for coming. I need to be somewhere now,” I said, and then I rushed out. I think my guards knew when I didn’t require their help, as one gave me the car keys while ordering others to get in another car and follow behind.“She seems troubled,” I heard him say. Well, there was no time to respond or argue with him, so I started the car and drove straight to Damian's home. I don’t know at what speed I drove, as I was already parking on Damian’s s
~SIERRA~I didn’t know what to think—was Damian a criminal? Did he enjoy killing people, or was this a mistake? I didn’t know how to answer my own thoughts, and I needed answers to them, so I covered my mouth and fell on my knees as they took Damian away. The crazy thing is, he was apologizing to me and asking me to take care of the kids.“I love you, Sierra, I will always love you, and I thank you for my children; I don’t deserve them,” he said before they finally dragged him out of my sight. I ran my hands through my hair, completely confused. I stayed there and tried to collect myself, as much as I wanted to let my emotions roll. I was a mother, and three kids were waiting for me. I couldn’t be weak in their eyes; I couldn’t.“Ms. Reid?” The detective's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I slowly looked up at him, wiping my tears, and he held out his hand for me. I took it and got on my feet without saying a word. “I think you should go home and rest. I will keep you updated on the
~SIERRA~I couldn't believe it. How could Gilbert steal from me? No, maybe he was threatened or something; Gilbert was not that kind of person. “Is everything okay?” Sam asked, and I shook out of my thoughts. I looked at her and saw that the detective's eyes were now on me. I faked a smile and nodded."Well, the…the call...”“Thomas!” Sam stopped the detective from asking questions, and I was glad she did. I was not ready to tell them about Gilbert yet; I could be wrong.“I need to go,” I said, and they both nodded and asked me to call if I needed anything. “Thank you,” I said, then walked out, refusing their offer to walk me outside. I went straight to my car and instructed my guard to drive home. I took my phone and dialed Gilbert's number, and when he didn't pick up, panic set in. What if he was in trouble? “Can you speed up, please?” I said to my guard, and he nodded and sped up. I kept trying Gilbert's number, even when I got the same answer.Finally, after like forever, the car
~SIERRA~She reminded me of the time I forcefully went into Damian's office; she was the one trying to stop me. I forced a smile and then asked Gilbert to call me back, but he refused. He told me to watch my back, as he was not going to protect me anymore. “I'm far enjoying my luxurious single life; have a good life, Sierra, and I really, really wish you all the bad things life has to offer.” He cursed and ended the call.I gave the telephone to Lana and asked them to excuse us. After Beatrice closed the door, I asked Jane to sit. Yes, Jane was the one against me in court, saying all sorts of things, even knowing that Damian was wrong, but I was curious to know what she wanted, so I let her. “I don't have much time,” I said and asked her to start talking."Okay, I know I'm the last person to defend Mr. Winters, but I want you to know he's a good man. I know him too well, and I know he didn't do it.”“Do you have proof?” I asked, not that I was interested in helping but to show her tha
FLORIDA, ST. AUGUSTINE 2023~DAMIAN~Ingrid did a good job keeping Sierra out, as it has been over two hours and they haven't returned to the house yet.The sun was setting and everything was perfect; we didn't need to do much, just the colorful lights, as the house was clean already.“Bottle is here,” Nathan excitedly said as he brought the bottle of juice. The bottle was the same as the one for champagne, and since they were too young for alcohol and Sierra was in that condition, we decided to settle for juice.“They are coming,” Atlas, who had been at the window, alerted us, and I quickly stood to my feet and hid the little box."Okay, wish me luck,” I said, and they both nodded, then Atlas switched off the light so that the candles could stand out.“Let us know when she says yes,” they said in unison before they hid behind the sofa.I was nervous. I've never been this nervous, even when I was handling court cases. I never got nervous, but Sierra, God, her reaction scared me.As I
FLORIDA, ST. AUGUSTINE 2023~DAMIAN~Whoever said love was a drug was damn right because I was high on it. Watching someone sleep for over an hour and simply enjoying the view is crazy because for the past week that's all I've been doing—watching Sierra sleep. It somehow gave me peace.After Sierra was released from the hospital, we stayed a week so I could sort everything.Ethan took over the head at the Winters, Sierra, and Thomas caught up as he left the detective work since Sam was not happy with it. Sierra gave them one of her restaurants in Texas, and they moved there—living in Sierra's home while Jane and her family moved into Sierra's mansion, the one in Georgia. Beatrice and Lana took mine as I wanted to express my gratitude for helping Sierra raise my children.After sorting everything, I booked tickets to Florida for a vacation since the holidays were in a month. We were still choosing a place to settle and start a family, as Georgia and Texas held bad memories, so we were
~DAMIAN~The first days we used protection, but after a few, we just couldn't control ourselves as we would get in the moment and only think of protection afterward. I didn't need protection; Sierra was my wife, but she always brought it up.Well, I was just so happy that we were going to have a baby—that Sierra gave me another chance.I walked to her bedside, kneeled, and started apologizing.“I'm sorry, I...”“It's okay; I know you did it to protect me.”“Still I hurt you; I should have told you; I shouldn't have pushed you away like that.”“And I understand; I forgive you; I do.” She was now holding my hands. “Please get up.”“Sierra I…”“Now Damian,” she demanded, and so I was left with no choice but to get up.“I'm really sorry; I promise that was not my intention; I was just trying to protect you and our kids. Ava called me; she threatened me.” She nodded her head in understanding and then squeezed my hand in a comforting manner.“Do you want to feel her heartbeat?” she asked, a
~DAMIAN~ “I was not planning to kill you, but...” Ava said as she walked close to Sierra, the burning matchstick still in between her fingers. My hands were now in the air, pleading with her. “Please… Whatever I have done, please just... Just let Sierra go, punish...punish me.” "Oh, sweet Damian, my cousin is in love,” she mockingly said, “but this is not about you; it's about her, her mother!” she yelled. “Actually,” she calmed herself, “it's about the both of you; your father did my mother dirty and her mother did my mother dirty, and so you are both going to pay.” It was not the Ava I knew; this woman sounded crazy. “Ava…” “Kneel!” I didn't want to argue, as I knew trying to reason would not work, so I kneeled my eyes on Sierra and the matchstick between Ava's fingers. “Good,” she mockingly said and blew to the matchstick so the fire could go as it was below her finger. “Do you want to hear a little story?” She asked as if I had a choice. Then she started talking about h
~DAMIAN~“Speed up!” I yelled, and Thomas agreed with me as he asked the driver to drive faster. Each second we were wasting was ticking as Sierra's life was in danger.When Atlas returned, he told me about the people who kidnapped him and how they told him that I was his father. I knew it wasn't the right time, but I took him upstairs to his siblings and told them the truth—that I was their father and that Sierra and I were once together.I didn't tell them about the contract as I thought it might be complicated for them, and so I told them about making a horrible mistake that made Sierra walk away. They were understanding, as they didn't judge; instead, they were happy that I was their father.I was not in a better mood, so I forced them to eat and helped them get ready for bed before I left Mrs. Woods with them as Jane had to get home to her baby. Sam and Thomas stayed downstairs with the officers, who came to help check for clues, and waited in case the kidnappers called—they thou
~SIERRA~Ava explained planning Damian’s parents' deaths because, as she said, the company and everything the Winters owned belonged to her. She explained how she got Damian on a drug so he would have terrible headaches. “I haven't been giving it to him lately, so he seems to be overcoming it,” she added. Then she explained using Carl to have her revenge on Mr. Reid since Damian’s parents were out of her way now."Oh, and the second man who left my mother couldn't be found. Turns out my so-called father wasn't useless as he took him down, leaving his son and wife in the streets.”“Son?”"Yes, your brother.”“What?!”“Ow, don't tell me the detective hasn't told you that you're his sister; that's why he has been protective over you; it's because you're his little sister.”“What?!” again I asked, as this was too much. How was it possible that Detective Thomas was my brother? Okay, nothing was making sense.“The man your father was cheating with was Thomas’s father.” She said, but I shook
~SIERRA~I haven't seen Ava since forever; she said to be in New York working with patients. How was it that she was here? My eyes roamed the room, and I realized, unlike where Lily took me, this place seemed like a home as I was on a sofa. I was almost relaxed, but when I saw that both my legs and hands were tied, I panicked.“W-what's going on? Why am I here? And…”“This is not the time for questions, Sierra; trust me.” Ava cut me as she picked a glass of wine on the table and took a sip before she placed it down and then stared at me.I still didn't understand what was happening, but something was clear: Ava tied my legs and hands, which meant she was the one who caused that accident; she was the one who kidnapped me.“Ava I…”“I will shut your mouth for you if you don't shut it; it's me to talk, not you.” She calmly said, and I nodded my head. Then she stood up with the glass of wine in her hands and said, "See, years ago, Rosemarie was just an innocent girl who didn't know the w
~SIERRA~I cleaned my cheeks and then walked toward my car. My driver was standing out as he opened the door for me. “To the station,” I told him as he waited for my instruction."Yes, ma’am,” he said and then started the car.Again, I found my hand traveling down to my flat belly. I never planned for this, and now that Damian didn't want the child, I was not going to keep it. I haven't seen myself pregnant for over five years, especially with Damian's child again.Or maybe he knew that I fell pregnant and he was doing the same thing he did years ago, running away. I closed my eyes and tried to focus. No, I couldn't let this distract me; I won't let it get in my way of finally having peace.“Ms. Reid,” the driver's voice shook me out of my thoughts. I then realized we had arrived at the station. “Should I come in with you?” He asked as he opened the door for me. I shook my head and told him to wait for me there; he just worked for me; I didn't need him to mix with my problems.When I
~SIERRA~No, this was not happening; I won't let it happen again. So I banged once more and the door flew open, and Damian, who looked healthy like he was not just in a coma, opened and asked me to come in. I could tell by his facial expression that something was wrong.“Do you want anything?” He asked as I took a seat on the sofa. No, I was calm. I was not the same Sierra from years ago who burst when he started acting like this. I was a mature, respectful woman. I couldn't act on my emotions, so I asked him for a glass of water.He walked away to the kitchen, and my eyes couldn't help but roam the area; it was just the same as I left it, in Cassie's style.“Water,” Damian's voice made me turn to him. I took the glass from his hand and thanked him, then placed it on the table.“Okay,” I cleared my throat as he looked restless like he wanted me to leave. “The doctor called me and told me you left without his consent.”"Yeah, I'm feeling fine; why should he keep me there?” He sounded r