TERRA'S POV:“Thank you, Jackson and I had so much fun. He missed the kids so much.” She informed me and I just smiled tight-lipped and deaded the kids being brought up and signaled discreetly to Evelyn and Whitney.If Gianni and Bianca still become friends with us in the future then fine, but now I just admired how sophisticated they were and how much they appreciated me.“So Gianni, I heard you're getting married to Jeremy Finstone. What is he like?” Evelyn inquired trying to make things fun and less awkward. Gianni smiled, “He's perfect though I could have sworn he was a player and a jerk at first but now he's everything I wanted in a man. I just pray he doesn't switch up and I discover it's just a fallacy.” “Like my marriage?” Bianca spoke up, downing the rest of her drink and I scratched the back of my neck in awkwardness.“Don't worry, Jeremy is never going to be like Tony. You know I saw some red flags but I ignored it and I never ever thought Tony was perfect so…nothing to w
3RD POV:WEEKS LATER:It was finally the day Mrs Anderson has been waiting for since the year began and the event she had been planning for, for months. She was pretty excited and she had spent the entire morning receiving calls from the event planner she hired, her stylist, her friends, about three business tycoons who simply sent her gifts and money as they couldn't make it. It was now 5:30 p.m and the ball was starting by 7, and the theme was a Cinderella story. Today marks the same day, eight years ago when she had her party where she embarrassed Terra and Terra could only scoff at the realization. Nina and Mrs Campden had been assisting Mrs Anderson all day while Nina's mother was busy trying to borrow an expensive gown for the event as her mission was to look extremely gorgeous and to attracted to the respect she had always been accorded.Mrs Anderson had three gowns prepared for tonight and her gown from Terra's fashion company just got delivered around 4p.m, so she knew she w
3RD POV:“Aunty Evelyn, you look….like Cinderelly.” Eric commented and went ahead to hug her making her laugh boisterously, so did all who were present, understanding his reference. The stylist and even a professional photographer was present, in order to capture the pictures for Terra's brand and her publicity in general.“You look beautiful, Aunty Evelyn! From head to toe. O MY GOODNESS! I feel like I'm standing in front of the actual Cinderellas.” Eleanour exclaimed, covering her mouth dramatically and they all laughed.“We are already late. So quick pictures!” Fiona announced she was going to be Terra's plus one since she didn't want a date, and declined Ross's invitation to be his plus one. She began to have flashbacks of that day years back, pregnant and sad.Terra bid the kid's goodbye after finally settling into the car with the help of the security and her team. Maddy, Ross's assistant, had happily agreed to come babysit since everyone she knew had plans tonight including Gra
TERRA'S POV:AN HOUR LATER:Evelyn, Jackson, Fiona, Gianni, Ross's annoying friends; Jeremy and Chandler whom the kids loved so much, Chandler's date whose name was Carly and I, were seated on a single table. The hall looked so perfect for the night, definitely matching the Cinderella theme, so many female guests dressed to match the theme and looked so stunning, but the men dressed so simply in the regular suits except for those who put in effort. I felt like I was at the Met Gala being here but for some reason the atmosphere in the air felt tense.Maybe it was just this table as I could understand the guys were trying to play it cool that they knew I was the woman who was married to their friend whom they had disliked him for. I totally understood, but what I couldn't understand was the look of discomfort written all over Evelyn's face but Jackson, like Gianni, had their full attention on the opera artist playing and I admired how lovely she sang.But it was hard to focus when I cou
TERRA'S POV:30 MINUTES LATER:Evelyn and I returned back to our seats a few minutes ago after wiping our faces and retouching each other's make-up and making sure we both looked okay. Jackson was being a sweetheart to Evelyn as he kept asking repeatedly if she was okay and seeing them being good to each just always brings a smile to my face.“Let's make a round of applause for our hostess tonight.” Everyone began to clap loudly as the lights went dim and the spotlight landed on Mrs Anderson. The sound of applause slowly died down and someone in the crowd gasped loudly as it was like something hitched in her throat. The spot light followed Mrs Anderson until she reached the stage and the lights instantly went back on.She had a huge smile on her face, as she looked so oblivious to everyone's reaction. Evelyn and I looked at each other and a small laughter coughed out drawing people's attention towards us. But it was obvious they felt the same as we did and as if it was planned, a bun
MRS ANDERSON'S POV:THE NEXT DAY:After taking a shower with my eyes all swollen up from crying, I took a seat at the edge of my bed wearing a white robe. Last night had to be the worst night of my entire life. I couldn't sleep the entire night and the stares from different people had me so embarrassed, my face turning red and I could feel it burning as well just for the different looks from people who adored me and held me in high esteem.And the words from Ross…that was the icing on the cake and the hurt in his eyes, the anger and pain in his tone. He must have had only hatred for me and I deserved that…I deserved it but we could have spoken…he could have told me.I had no idea I was intoxicating and controlling, I just wanted what's best for my son. Is that so hard to believe? And Nina is a great woman, and any woman would like her as her daughter in law, after all she was like a daughter to me.What's worse is that I even have grandkids…I had my son not experiencing their birth a
MRS ANDERSON'S POV: The Lord knows how much I hate her. And there are so many more.Was I really this mean to people? Was this the type of hurting I had the mother of my son's children going through?Who am I?***********TWO DAYS LATER:It had been two days of just staying in bed, I couldn't stand being dirty so I just bathed and drank water and returned back to my bed in the dark of the room. I was tired of reading the comments and the fact that no one had even come to check up on me except for the maids who came occasionally to check if I wanted to have something to eat.But no one else even calls and they had been realizing a lot of things. Not even Nina and her mother, who I considered my best friend. I was appalled.And over the years, on a wild night I had with a few of my old friends from business school and though we were older women, they helped me pick a man and we had a fling but I felt so disgusted after. I was a great woman and I was sleeping with another man aside from
3RD POV:THAT EVENING:Ross, after a long day of work and attention drawn to him, picked up his suit jacket from the coat hanger in his office and wore it in a haste and in excitement. Though Terra had revealed everything about herself, leaving out how horrible her marriage was, Ross felt a sense of hope and told himself, ‘This really marks a new phase in my life.’But was it?He called up and Terra an hour ago and asked if she was free for dinner tonight and she declined his offer to go out with him but fifteen minutes after, she called back and informed him that the twins would love for him to join them for supper which made him literally jump out of his chair and get ready.As soon as he got to the ground floor, strolling towards his car which the driver had made ready for him. His smile and joyful demeanor seized at the sound of his name being called, “Ross.”He heaved a sigh and waited a bit though he just wanted to enter his car and zoom off. “Son, I'm sorry.” Those were the fir
3RD POV:Soon after they moved into their dream house, with the beautiful gardens, lawns, the most aesthetically pleasing backyard with a huge pool, and huge and wide rooms for all they needed. It was beautiful and to celebrate their marriage, they organized the housewarming/ wedding celebrations and it was a night to remember. Ross had been grinning ever since and his assistant, Mady had quit since he was happy and he had a new young hardworking assistant, Kelly.“You look ravishing.” Evelyn complimented hugging her, grateful her second child, a ten months old baby girl was now sleeping and she could have time to enjoy herself. She often accused Jackson of impregnating her again so she doesn't flourish in her career as a studio owner and it caused arguments but they ended up making love and shutting out negativity and pointless accusations.“You do too. I'm so happy to see you guys.” She hugged the guys, and Whitney. James and Whitney were engaged after James agreed to stay in Saland
TERRA'S POV:“In the abduction and murder Asian Griffin. The court finds you GUILTY!”“In the murder of Amber Griffin, the court finds the defendant ... .guilty.” There were murmurings among the people. It was crazy how she murdered the two sisters…all for what?“In the theft at the supermarket owner, the court found the defendant guilty. “ I shook my head and watched the jury who looked at her with displeasure.“In the harassment charge of two men, the court finds the defendant…not guilty.” “In the attempted murder of Mrs Anderson, the court finds the defendant guilty…” There were more crimes such as gun possession, trespassing on property and she was found guilty for all the crimes.Someone next to me muttered, “I know for sure, she's going to be sentenced to death, as that's what the law of Salandi prescribes as she is definitely a nuisance and multiple murders and attempted murders, Come on. I would know since I am a paralegal.” She bragged and I glanced at her for a second and s
TERRA'S POV:THREE MONTHS LATER:“How busy are you? ‘Cause I was thinking we can go out for lunch so I can make it up to you.” Ross suggested, and I rolled my eyes playfully at him. He knew I was mad at him for him being mad at me for worrying too much and stressing out about the kids as it was their first day at a new school.It had just been hard since the welcome party and literally settling in Salandi was hard for me in a way that it was hard for the kids.“I'm actually extremely busy right now, and I will be heading to Nina's trial as today is the sentencing. Later tonight?” I suggested and he heaved out a sigh, obviously displeased at the fact that I was headed to Nina's trial but I needed to be there. I just had the need. Everyone had been totally stunned hearing that Mrs Morris had killed herself and it was all over the news. Everyone in the golf clubs, and the elites titled the Morris as a pure disgrace, shame and waste.And I truly did not care, as long as my kids and I got
3RD POV:“Nina Morris, daughter of Late Business Tycoon Mr Marcus Morris, has been apprehended for multiple charges, kidnapping of the twins of Billionaire Ross Anderson and Catherine Williams, Murder…..” The reporter listed out..Mrs Morris was seated in front of her television, watching the news with tears running down her cheek, seeing her daughter being labeled as a criminal. Hot tears ran down through her cheeks and her chest rose up and fell repeatedly. “Everyone will view my daughter as a criminal. How could I have given birth to such a useless being? So freaking useless!” She hit the television stand in anger and shook her head.“I have already lost. I have nothing again, no way to clear my name out of Nina's stupidity. I failed as a mother, as an elite woman in society, as everything. I am just as useless and I can't live with it….I just can't.” She cried out and continued mumbling the last sentence as she walked into the room.She grabbed a rope in her closet, mumbling the
3RD POV:A DAY LATER:Terra held onto Eleanour who was sleeping on her lap while holding onto her father's hand as he was sitting next to her on the couch fighting the sleep forming in his eyes. He hadn't closed his eyes ever since the kids were kidnapped.It had been a rough twenty four hours for everybody and for Ross's little family, it had been a rough 72 hours. They had been able to give the old woman and her grandson the sum of a million for their help in finding Nina and the family was given the media space to be able to show their appreciation to Ross and Terra, letting them know it will go a long way in pulling them out of the hand to mouth lifestyle they had been living especially since the grandmother was single handedly raising the boy.“Mummy.” Eric called out from his bed with droopy eyes, and she waved at him with a smile trying her best not to wake Eleanour who was finding it hard to close her eyes.Eric was not shot neither was Ross but Terra still requested he stayed
3RD POV:AN HOUR LATER:Asian was drained and tired but she took great compassion on the twins especially Eleanour, seeing her as a young version of Amber who was sad and always needed her. Which is why she was more than happy when she saw that Nina had left a glass cup on a high table where farmers usually kept stuff for their animals and it was next to them.Her plan was simple, hit it repeatedly till the glass shatters to the floor, afterwards she would move in her seat and with her back facing away, she would hand Eric the glass to unloose the ropes on his hands carefully, afterwards he would unloose both hers and Eleanours. Then they run out to the nearest farm or police station and get help. And safe!This is a solid plan after all …I can do it, what could possibly go wrong? Asian thought to herself, and like an annoying best friend, her mind pictured all the different possibilities of what could happen.“I'm going to try and get us out of here.” She mumbled and the kid's mouth
TERRA'S POV:“No…It's not your fault. I came out for work and for you and I met the love of my life and became a member of a very problematic family, but I guess all families have their own issues. But coming here, it was just the regular day to day activities and then trips during the holiday but coming here made me realize there's a lot more to life. And I just think…everything happens for a reason and I have experienced all I need to here.” The fact that he didn't hold me accountable or become harsh to me made me feel bad for yelling at Ross and his mother…for another person's action.“I have been thinking about moving away as well. Morgan and Sarah have been calling me everyday since they heard of this. And I totally feel the same way you felt about here and Aurenia except I didn't find the love of my life here.” We both chuckled weakly and he responded, “Yeah okay.”As they both discussed more about moving back, unbeknownst to them Ross and Evelyn, who was bringing breakfast, ove
TERRA'S POV:A DAY LATER:It had been more than 35 hours since I had last seen my kids and since the kidnapping. A flier with Nina's face had been posted everywhere and according to my friends and Fiona, the entire police force was working on it.But it was just Nina….what was so hard about finding and capturing her?I had just been numb, and I could neither eat nor sleep. Last night, when I couldn't sleep, I snuck out in my own mansion in order to prevent Evelyn, who was literally everywhere, from waking up. I drove in one of my old sports cars, which allowed the cool night breeze to run through my body and blow away the tears which kept flowing and I drove to weird looking areas, banishing the thought that I might be robbed, and showed them images of Nina if they had come across her but they had nothing.A particularly shabby looking man asked for some money before providing answers, feigning that he recognised her and as soon as I handed him money, he tucked it into his pocket and
3RD POV:They both went ahead to take a seat on the couch in the hospital room.Without giving a response, Ross brought out his phone from his breast pocket. And dialed Nina's contact and placed it on a loudspeaker, the call rang for a moment and at the fourth ring, there was finally an answer making Chandler's eyes go wide in excitement.“Nina, Where are you? Tell me where are you now and what do you want?” Ross asked with desperation and the other line remained silent.“WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?” He shouted in anger, making Chandler jump a bit.“Hello? Who is this? I just found this in the dumpster ... .What did this woman do though I don't have a television so I need some drama?” Ross clung to his hand with so much force, Chandler thought he would crush it so he quickly collected it from Ross.“Okay…okay…A dumpster where? And what's your address?” Chandler asked smartly as he believed it would lead them to Nina or maybe it was the same area.On the other hand, Terra was at the police