~SIERRA~
But then, was it possible? I mean, Nana was also shot by the mafia; that's how this whole investigation started, plus Lily wanted revenge on Damian. What will Nana have to do with that?“Cassie, I think you're mistaken; Nana will never do that to me.”“You're right, I might have made a mistake. Okay, I have to go now. Talk to you later,” she said and bid goodbye before ending the call. I took a deep breath before putting the phone away. My forehead was a little sweaty, so I reached for my handbag and took the powder. I had to look professional, and makeup was a must, so I did a retouch and just made sure everything was well before taking a file and heading out.When I reached the meeting room, everyone stood up, and I asked them to sit as I took the head seat. "Okay, ready?” I asked and everyone nodded, but then Jane came to me and whispered in my ear that Alejandro was not yet here, but he was not needed in this meeting as I mainly w~SIERRA~His words, ‘newest victim’ made me realize he still believed Damian was guilty. Well, I didn't want to convince him otherwise through the phone, as I knew Damian was not guilty–Cassie just confirmed my instincts, so I ended the call and told him I would be there soon.I asked my driver to speed up, as I wanted to be there on time, as the detective said they were leaving soon.It didn't take time to get there. I asked my driver to park outside as there were yellow lines all over Damian's house and a sign that said, ‘Police investigation in progress’ I wondered why they placed that sign outside for the neighbours to see, as even when Damian was all over the news, I didn't want his home to be treated like this. Well, silly me, as the crimes are believed to have been committed here. Well, I didn't waste much time, as it was already by Damian's gate.“I'm sorry, Ms. Reid, but we can't let you in. The police investigation is in progress,” one of the officers who were guarding the g
~SIERRA~I couldn't believe it. Why did they cut him off the case like that? I moved from the door and walked to the bed, not touching a thing as instructed. Sam then came in and asked me to leave as they were going to be busy checking the place, and I wasn't allowed to be there. I didn't bother asking about Detective Thomas, as I knew he had left.Reaching outside, I asked my driver to drive straight home, as I wanted to tell my children about Damian. I didn’t want to delay it any longer. Damian asked about them and asked me if I told them, but I didn’t answer him as I didn’t want to hurt him. I took my phone and dialed Cassie’s number. I was not sure she was going to pick, but I wanted to try, and she surprisingly did on the fourth ring.“Hi, sorry, I’m out shopping; did anything happen?” She sounded like she was in a crowded place.“Cassie? You’re shopping? What if you can’t afford your flight ticket or your hotel room? I’m not sending you any money, Cassie.”“Calm down; I’m just
~SIERRA~But I couldn't show it to them; if they saw that I was scared, then they would be scared too, so I pulled from Ingrid and Nathan and then turned to Atlas, who was still waiting for my response. "Okay, here is one thing about the media,” I started, and Nathan and Ingrid came close as they also showed to be listening: “They exaggerate things so they can sell.”“How Mommy?” Atlas asked, and I looked at Nathan, hoping he got it, but he shook his head, showing he didn't understand too. "See, they want to report things that are interesting to keep people interested just so they can sell their products.”“Sell?” Ingrid questioned.“I mean, they are given products from companies to sell, and to get people to listen. They have to make up interesting stories.”"No, Mommy,” Nathan said, shaking his head. “We know Uncle Damian might undergo surgery, but we are okay.” He said and looked at his siblings."Yes, because we will pray for him,” Ingrid supported.“Pray?”"Yes, mamma, prayer wo
~SIERRA~It's been a week. I got up early and prepared myself while Lana and Beatrice helped the kids. Nothing has been heard from Lily or Carl; even Gilbert went mute. Cassie was in India; she told me she got a job as she had finished spending the money. Well, I wished her all the best, and she seemed to be doing great. I was staring at my face in the mirror. The past two weeks have been stressful: managing the kids and company and being there for Damian and Ethan. Well, it seemed Damian didn't need any surgery as his condition was dealt with in a different way, which I still don't remember as I wasn't a doctor nor did I know anything about hospitals. Today was his release day, and the kids insisted on coming with me. After applying the final shade of lipstick, as I did the ombre style, I stood up and picked up my handbag before walking down. I expected my children to still be up in their room getting ready, so I was shocked to find them down and r
~SIERRA~It was weird, but seeing my children so happy filled my heart with joy. I knew it was going to be difficult living with Damian, but for my children, I was willing to sacrifice."Okay, it’s settled then. I will just go and inform the detective about…” but a voice cut him.“There will be no need for that...” It was Sam. “I’m already here,” she said as she walked in. Since she took over the case, things have been a bit difficult between us. She was not as kind as she was when she was just assisting Thomas; she was harsh and cold; she didn’t even consider Damian’s condition as to her, he was a criminal.“Good morning, detective,” the doctor greeted, and Sam slowly turned to him with cold eyes. “The patient's condition is stable for now, but prison is not the right place for him.”“It’s not about the right place, Doctor; it’s the fact that he’s a danger to society.”“Well, I don’t think it is the case anymore; my patient still needs medical attention, but I’m releasing him early b
~SIERRA~I couldn't believe Nana; she was really asking me to choose. How could I choose between their grandmother and father? This was impossible. I shook my head in disbelief."Alright, great choice,” she said, then turned to leave, but I stopped her by holding her hand.“Nana…”“Then ask him to leave now.”“I can't.”“What?” She shook her head.“Listen, I understand Damian wronged you…”“Us!” She interrupted, “You lost your father.”"Yes, us, but what he did was to protect us.”“Protect us? Sierra, do you want to rub salt on my wound?”“N-no Nana I would never do that; Dad's death still hurts me.”"Yes, it does; that's why you called his murderer to live with us.” She sarcastically said.“He's a changed man.”“When did it get to this, Sierra? Don't tell me you are falling for him again.”“I'm not Nana; you are the one who told me to let him be with the kids.”“But that was before I found out he was a criminal.”“He's not, and I am going to prove that.”“You?” She shook her head as
~SIERRA~This was surely the right time; I was about to open my mouth to tell them when Nana interrupted.“It's just like that; everyone has a twin, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are blood-related.”“What's blood-related?” Nathan asked Nana, and Ingrid rolled her eyes.“It means they are not family,” she mockingly said, and I changed the topic by asking about their day before they could argue.The rest of the dinner went well; the kids expressed how much they enjoyed Damian’s company. “I can't wait for tomorrow,” Ingrid said, and I was happy that they loved him.After dinner, I took them to their room and helped brush their teeth, then read a bedtime story for them since Beatrice and Lana were helping clean up while Nana received a suspicious call as her eyes widened in fear when she saw the caller ID's name.“And Goldi never went into the woods again, the end.” I closed the book and looked at my children, who were now fast asleep. I read the story three times, so this was th
~SIERRA~No, I couldn't let myself fall for him again; I couldn't betray myself. Damian was my ex-husband, and even if he was changed, I was not going to get back with him. Sure, we will share custody as a parent, but we will never get back together. I cleared my throat, which brought me out of my frozen state. I couldn't let him see that he still affected me, but before I could say a word, my phone started to ring, and I reached for it and picked it up.“Sam,” I said as I placed it on my ear and turned to Damian, who was silently looking at me.“Hi, Ms. Reid...”"Oh, really, with the formalities again?”“I'm working on your father's case; it's best if we keep it professional.”“How is keeping professionals going to help?”"Sierra, you do not understand, and I get that, but please, now is not the time to argue; I need your help.” Her voice softened.“Oh, tell me, what do you need from somebody like me who knows nothing about crimes?” I said that sarcastically, as I remembered last tim