Nine years laterElizabeth had grown into a brilliant, smart and intelligent teenager. She took after Lucy's face and body shape even as a teenager. She is a distinction student, and her teachers loved her for her inquisitive mind and thirst for knowledge. Her parents, Liam and Asher, adored her so much and did everything they could to satisfy her. She got all she wanted from them. Every holiday, they took Elizabeth to visit Stanley and Lucy, the biological parents who had given her to them nine years ago.Elizabeth had also developed a deep love and respect for Stanley and Lucy. They had become like a second set of parents to her, and she considered herself lucky to have them in her life. Every time she went to visit them for the holidays, Stanley would find it difficult to let her go. He loved her much more than his twins, and the thought of her leaving always made him sad. He would always wish he had not given the child to Liam and Asher and that he had stubbornly taken custody of
Lucy had fought Stanley bitterly concerning the issue of taking Elizabeth custody but Stanley was bent on having his daughter back no matter what Lucy had said to him. Lucy informed his family on the matter and despite all meetings held on him, he refused to agree. They had made Elizabeth understand the situation that was ongoing. The little girl already knew the details of her pregnancy and the circumstances that had led to her being placed in Liam and Asher's care after everything that happened.Despite the love she has for Stanley and his family, she has made it clear that she wishes to stay with Liam and Lucy but Stanley refuses to respect the child's decision. As Elizabeth's custody issue dragged on, it became clear to Stanley that he was fighting a losing battle. Lucy was not interested in fighting for custody, and Elizabeth herself had made her decision clear.Frustrated, Stanley consulted with his lawyer and made the decision to file a lawsuit against Lucy and Liam. When L
"Mrs. Lucy," the judge said, his voice stern and impatient. "We don't have all day. If you don't have anything to say, then we'll have to move on." He said after Lucy had chosen to stand there, silent and crying. The courtroom was filled with a tense silence, as everyone anxiously waited for what she had to say. Stanley and Liam steal glances at each other several times with worry and anxiousness written on their faces. "I'm sorry, Stanley. I'm sorry, Liam" Lucy began, her voice cracking. "It's too difficult for me to say this, but at this point, I just have to say it". She said again, looked at Elizabeth and said, "My darling, I'm so sorry for what I did". "What did you do?". Stanley shouted, her voice shaking as he became impatient but the court clerk called him to order and he composed himself. "Stanley, you are not the father of Elizabeth". Lucy said, her voice cracking. The courtroom erupted into chaos as soon as Lucy spoke those words. Stanley staggered due to the shock, he
"We have the new DNA test results here". The judge said, his voice stern. The courtroom was silent as everybody awaited the next action.Lucy and Stanley were standing in the same dock. Since the last court visit, Stanley had been avoiding Lucy and refused to speak to her even though they stayed in the same house. Despite interventions and pleading from family and friends, Stanley still remains distant. Lucy had taken their children to stay with her mother, so they would not have to be around to witness the tension between their parents.Liam was also standing in the other dock opposite Stanley and Lucy. He has looked lean, and one would tell that he has been depressed in the past few weeks as the toll was evident in his eyes. Asher and Elizabeth are seated in the audience with their faces sad and unhappy. The doctor who had performed the previous DNA test was also present in the dock, his head hung in shame. He had been accused of going against medical ethics, and he was there to
"Where do you think you are going". Stanley said to Lucy as she was about to follow him inside the house. His tone was sharp and filled with irritation. They had just returned from the court, even though they entered one car, it was a silent ride, no one spoke to each other. "Baby please, I am sorry about what happened, I didn't mean to hurt you". She said, her eyes brimming with tears. Stanley ignored her and was about to step inside when Lucy quickly grasped his angles and dropped down to her knees."Please, forgive me". She sobbed but her plea was ignored by the stone - faced Stanley."You made me look evil in court". Stanley seethed, his face twisting in disgust. "Lucy, I will urge you to leave, you won't like what I would do if you stay, you evil woman". Stanley said but his threat seemed to fall on deaf ears as Lucy rose with a strong face and determination to enter the house."You are the evil dripping with hatred and jealousy" She bellowed, her face filled with rage. "If no
"Hello". An unknown voice said over the phone to Stanley"Who is this please". Stanley replied, his voice deep and laced with a weary of annoyance. The call had jolted him from the thought of the disintegration of his marriage."I got this number from an accident victim emergency contact". The unknown voice said. "An accident". Stanley repeated, his mind racing from shock and confusion. "From the identification card found in her car, we have confirmed that the victim's name is Lucy Williams." He said. The information was like a blow to Stanley's disrupted mind. "What did you say happened to her". His voice trembled, sweat dotting his palms from fear and anxiety. "She's involved in a ghastly motor accident and she is brought here by a good Samaritan to our hospital. She's currently receiving treatment". The unknown caller said."Please who are you to her". He asked again when he couldn't hear Stanley's voice again. "I'm her husband". Stanley replied, his voice shaking with fear.
ELIZABETH'S POVI became frustrated that I chucked my phone onto the bed. I had been fruitlessly trying to get in touch with Aunty Lucy, but all my attempts seem to be in vain. Her calls were not answered and I wondered why. Even though I knew she had done something that cut the rope of friendship, I still couldn't bring myself to judge her based on that. After all, she's still my biological mother, and that's a fact I can't deny. In a fit of exasperation, I flung my body onto the bed, burying my face into the covers, trying to force myself to sleep so I could stop worrying about Aunty.My father had become adamant about severing ties with Aunty Lucy after her past missteps, but I couldn’t help but see a scared young woman in her. Fear could make people do horrible things, and even though her actions had been inexcusable.Just as I was about to finally drift off into sleep, my phone rang out, jolting me back awake. I scrambled to answer it, hoping that it might be Aunty Lucy on the l
ELIZABETH'S POVAunty Lucy, now conscious, beamed with joy when she saw us. She couldn't let go of my hand as she grasped it tightly, tears streamed down her cheeks each time she looked at me. My mom and Uncle Stanley stood by her bedside, offering words of encouragement for her. Mr. Stanley, overcome with remorse, apologized for his previous intentions to divorce her and he vowed to remain by her side. To make Aunty Lucy feel relaxed, uncle Stanley started to crack jokes and the laughter gradually filled the room. I was also glad she had been distracted from her condition. I was jaw dropped when I saw my father standing in the ward doorway, his presence unexpected and surprising. Our laughter and mirth suddenly hushed as we all stared in disbelief. Just hours earlier, he had refused to accompany us, saying he would have nothing to do with Aunty Lucy again. And now here he was, standing before us, his face sober.My mother shared a confused glance with me, both of us struggling to