Chapter 3: Her return

The room fell silent; one could hear a pin drop. Tatiana forgot how to use her mouth and only stared at her son.

"Is Father a bad man?" Dylan asked innocently. He didn't look upset but worried.

"Dylan," Catelyn cut in.

"No, he is not a bad man. He is a wonderful man that you'll meet someday. But now is not the right time, dear, but I promise, you'll meet your father," Tatiana answered, and Dylan's smile returned.

"I bet he is as handsome as me," he chuckled.

"He sure is," Tatiana agreed, and the room returned to its cheerful atmosphere.

After putting Dylan to sleep, Tatiana went to grab a glass of water, trying to control her breathing.

"Tatie," Catelyn called behind her.

"I just promised him that he'll meet his father soon when I don't even know who he is, what he looks like, or what kind of personality he has. What if he hates me and Dylan? What if Dylan hates me? What if..."

"Relax, Tatie, it's not the end of the world," Catelyn held her hand.

"I don't know what to do," Tatiana whispered.

"You'll have to find him. As far as fate brought you two together that night, fate will do the same again. You just have to follow your instincts. It's your choice, Tatie," Catelyn smiled and left the kitchen.

"Look who's glowing," Jolene and Isabella, Tatiana's younger sisters, teased on the video call.

The first wife of Mr. Wallington bore three daughters: Maya, Tatiana, and Isabella, respectively. She died of a disease after Isabella turned a year old. Mr. Wallington didn't waste time marrying another woman who bore him a pair of male twins.

Maya was married to an influential man in the city; her marriage was the first to add more resources to Mr. Wallington's empire.

The same thing was supposed to happen after Tatiana married Nathan, but she was glad to know the monster lurking behind those charming eyes of that asshole.

"Did you see my movie? It was a hit!" Isabella squealed on the phone.

"I did. You are now a superstar. Your acting skill was awesome, and I'm so proud of you, baby girl," Tatiana complimented.

"Thanks to your manager Jolene, that I borrowed from you. And thanks to the skills you showed me. I'm like the younger version of you. When will you begin to act again? We should make a movie together."

"Ah, right, that would be so awesome," Jolene grinned as she exchanged glances with Isabella.

"I told you guys I'm done with that world. I need to focus on Dylan. He needs me," Tatiana retorted.

"Oh," Isabella's face dropped but lightened up again. "How's Dylan? The cutest kid I've ever seen." Isabella and Jolene both knew how she got Dylan.

"He is good, and he is asleep."

"I can't wait to meet him, for real. You need to come back, Tatiana. The storm has cleared," Jolene said.

"I've missed you, Tatie, and I can't wait to meet Dylan too," Isabella spoke.

The trio chatted over the video call for a while before Tatiana decided to go to bed. She tried to sleep but couldn't; Dylan's words kept ringing in her head.

She took out her phone to read some novels until sleep took her away, but her phone suddenly went off.

Groaning, she tried to charge it, but it didn't turn on. Mumbling to herself, she decided to buy a new one tomorrow. She had wanted to do it a long time ago but never got the time.

She lay on her bed again, and the thought of that night lingered in her head.

She had thought never to set foot in that country again, but it seems her wish is not possible.

___

The next day was the weekend, a day Tatiana spent with Dylan. She took him out to get a new phone, then headed to the park, Dylan's favorite place.

Dylan had been her medicine over the years, and she never once regretted having him. She would walk through fire and water just to make him happy.

"Hello, miss, can I take a photo of your kid?" An elegant woman with her husband asked Tatiana. "He's so adorable. It's fine if you don't want it."

"I don't mind," Tatiana smiled. This wasn't the first time anyway; Dylan attracted a lot of attention.

After the couple took his picture and left, Tatiana bought Dylan's favorite cookies, and they headed home.

"We are home, Mrs. Cat," Tatiana announced as she walked in with her son. A frown settled on her face, spotting Catelyn staring at the television with a shocked expression.

"What's going on?" she asked after sending Dylan upstairs. Tracing Catelyn's gaze, it was now her turn to be shocked.

____

~The famous actress Isabella's indecent photos and videos exposed at the peak of her success~

~Isabella Wallington found dead this morning, seems to have committed suicide by jumping off the bridge and drowning herself~

____

Tatiana felt her world crashing down on her. She stared at her sister's picture on the television, with the word 'RIP' boldly written on it.

Her feet finally moved after being frozen for minutes. She rushed upstairs, grabbed her old phone, and began to do all the necessary things to get her messages, voicemails, and some other important things.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, her body trembling.

In a while, she got back everything, and her heart shattered seeing so many voicemails on the carrier server from Isabella. Taking a seat, she clicked on the first one.

"They are everywhere, Tatie. My nudes are everywhere. I don't know what to do. Your number is the only one I know by heart. I can't even call the police; they are not listening. I don't even know where I am..."

Isabella's voice trembled badly from the speaker. Her fear was intelligible. Tatiana clicked on the next, tears cascading down her face like a waterfall.

"Tatie, why is your phone dead? I'm scared, I'm so fucking scared. People are everywhere. I'm dressed in black like a criminal and hiding. I reek of rotten eggs and gutter. They are calling me names, Tatie, like they are going to kill me. What do I do? Please, I need to talk to you. Please..."

Tatiana trembled more and clicked on the third.

"I... I can't believe this is happening. What did I do wrong? It's definitely someone who knows me. I'm not a whore. They drugged me overnight and took pictures and videos. The whole of Australia hates me. I'm lost... I... I gotta go, someone is here. Please call me back if you get this. Please, Tatie."

Tatiana couldn't take it anymore. She wanted to scream but that would alert Dylan, so she ran outside the house, not minding the rain that poured down heavily, and let out a loud scream.

"Fuck!!!" Tatiana went on her knees, pulling down her hair.

Catelyn stood by the doorstep in tears, watching her helplessly.

___

With a pale face, Tatiana stared outside the airplane window. Yes, she was on her way back to Australia. Isabella's burial was tomorrow, and she needed to be there.

Dylan was still with Catelyn; they would be coming in two days. She didn't want Dylan anywhere near funerals and was glad Catelyn agreed. Catelyn was the only one she could trust at this moment.

Hours later, the plane landed safely. Tatiana stepped off the plane, returning to a country she hadn't set foot in for six years: Australia. Once upon a time, this was home, but not anymore.

___

Clad in a black, expensive suit, a man overlooked the city before him, his gaze sharp like a blade and his aura domineering.

His black-and-white office was adorned with grand architecture. The crystal nameplate on his desk had the word 'MR. KING' boldly written on it.

His phone buzzed, shattering his tranquility. He answered the call and waited for the man on the other side to speak.

"Hello, Mr. King, the woman you had a night with six years ago just returned to the country."