CHAPTER 19“W…what do you mean she didn’t make it?...” My voice quivered as I tried to keep it steady. My breath was heavy, coming in short quick gasps that hurt my chest. “S…she’s dead, Lily,” the doctor hesitated before breaking the news with a heavy sigh. “She couldn’t be operated on due to lack of completion of the payment. Her body has been transferred to the morgue. I’m sorry. I did my best. I really did. You need to come now to identify her body and make necessary arrangements…” The weight of his revelation bore down heavily on me like a ton of rocks, crushing me to a pulp. I didn’t know for how long I stayed mute, feeling an acute sense of loss wash over me. My mother. My sweet mother…the only family I had left was gone. I won’t get to see her again. This was all my fault. If only I had gathered the payment and made it to the hospital in time, I could have saved her. She’ll still be breathing by now. Terrible regrets assailed me as hot painful tears burned their way down m
Chapter 20“Don’t listen to her,” the chief detective said in a firm but reassuring tone.As such, I didn’t pay attention to her threat. She could do her worst for all I cared. I was grateful the chief detective had succeeded in kicking her out of the room and taking her off the case. Now that she was no longer here, there was no one to influence his decision and prevent him from listening to me.“Please chief, I need to get out of here. The doctor called to inform me my mother just died in the hospital. I need to go see her, identify her body and pay my last respects…she’s the only family I have left. Please don’t deny me this opportunity,” tears stung my eyes as I pleaded to him as my life depended on it. My mother’s dead image kept flashing in my mind and I struggled with everything in me to push it away.His loud sigh hinted at the impossibility of that as he came closer and sat on the chair in front of me. “Listen, Mrs. Wilson,” he said as I listened to him attentively. “The Wil
Chapter 21Robert brandished a sheet of paper and pen from his side as if they were a weapon. Leaning in and staring into it with my tired eyes, I could see it was our contract marriage agreement.He addressed me harshly, shoving the paper to my face. “Sign this Lily to terminate our contract marriage agreement. I don’t want anything binding me to a murderer. If you check the bottom part, you’ll see I have already signed mine. Sign yours let’s get this sham of a marriage over with.”The detective after getting hold of himself, tried to stop him, a disapproving look on his provoked face. I can’t believe Robert pushed him away like that. “Mr. Wilson, this is not the right time or place to do this. I suggest you wait and get your lawyer to handle this.”Robert washed him with a cold glare. “I’m not leaving this station until she signs this. Try to stop me and I swear I’ll make sure you lose that badge around your neck and your license forever,” he threatened ruthlessly before returning
CHAPTER 22The pungent smell of drugs and antiseptics came wafting into my nostrils. I grimaced in irritation at the sickening smell, shaking my head to ward it off.My eyelids slowly lifted to reveal an unfamiliar environment flooded with bright, almost blinding lights. It took some time before my eyes could accommodate the light. Looking around, I could see the walls of the room were painted white too. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was in a hospital. The only sounds heard in the room were the beeping of the heart monitor and other medical machines I was one way or the other hooked to. I could hear some voices around too.Groaning, I twisted around on the bed and tried to sit up on the bed. My body felt so weak and sore like I had fallen off a cliff but somehow, miraculously managed to make it alive. But then, I couldn’t because my left wrist was cuffed to the bedframe. “Fuck…” I muttered in frustration before falling back on the bed. A wince escaped my mouth as my muscl
Chapter 237years later…The prison gates creaked open and like a baby learning to walk, I stepped out carefully, embracing my long-lost freedom. I couldn’t believe that after seven years of being locked away in this shit hole and treated like an animal, I was finally a free woman. The feeling was overwhelming. As a result, I covered my mouth with both my hands, unable to contain the rush of emotions swelling inside me as tears of joy streamed down my cheeks.After the trial, I was found guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Robert and his family hired some of the best lawyers in the country to argue the case. They did their best to see that I got a death sentence. But as fate may have it, I didn’t. Due to my lack of criminal history and a strong alibi the night the murder was committed, the judge reduced my sentence to seven years imprisonment. My attorney really did her best. From the way she defended me in court as if her life depended on it, it was obvious she was pas
Chapter 24Lila on the other hand, had my late mother’s soft peaceful hazel eyes and sun-coloured hair which seemed to glow in the light. Her hair keeps growing longer by the day which has made me give her the nickname Rapunzel – after her favourite cartoon character. She loved to play with it and would often scatter the strands all over her face after it had been freshly styled.“You know I love you very much right?” Liam said, causing me to look at him. My cheeks grew red hot with smiles as I beamed.“I know my darling,”“More than anything in this world,” he pressed on, causing me to eye him with a suspicious glance while still smiling. He wore a mischievous grin on his face as if planning something clever. He has always acted smarter than his age with a way of speaking so sweetly that could charm anyone. “More than Lila does, right?”“That’s a lie!” Lila snapped at him, fuming with rage. “You don’t love mummy more than I do. Don’t listen to him mummy,” she pulled my hand so I coul
Chapter 25“I never said I didn’t respect your decision,” Jane said, her face twisting with worry. “It’s just that I’m going to miss you guys so much. Finally getting out of prison, I wanted us to spend some time together as best friends. I can’t remember the last time we had some girls’ time.”She looked at the kids with a wistful smile on her face as they ran around the car happily. “I have grown so attached to them I already feel like their second mother,” she held back a chuckle. “They’re good kids and they always look out for each other. It was an honour taking care of them. Christabel is going to cry her eyes out on learning they’re gone.”I folded my lips in empathy, understanding her pain and feeling bad for her. As much as I wished it could have been different and I could stay back with her, I couldn’t. Leaving this city will be the wisest and safest choice I can make for myself and my babies.“I’m sorry, Jay. I wish it would have been different. I really want to spend time w
CHAPTER 26 About 2 years later… “Wow Mummy, you look so beautiful!” Liam complimented, his brown eyes widening with sparkle and excitement on seeing me. “Yes mummy, you are the most beautiful mummy and the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world!!” Lila added exaggeratingly in a carefree way, causing my cheeks to overheat with a blush as I walked down the stairs. Leaving my past life behind, I embraced a new look. I dyed my black hair a rich chestnut brown and reduced the length to my neck level. I dressed more sophisticated now, always in designers from hair to toe, looking like a modern-day goddess. My once parched and shrivelled skin is now glowing, smooth and creamy like silk, and my face is more beautiful than ever, with light but well-done makeup and a radiant smile that could melt hearts. People can’t believe I’m a single mother of two and not dating anyone when I tell them. Men, both rich and poor won’t stop asking me out. But after experiencing so much heartbrea
CHAPTER 73 ROBERT’S POV~ As I tucked my phone back into my suit pocket and headed back inside, I saw that Frank had the lady all tied up and immobilized as if she were some dangerous criminal. As my gaze settled on her, I couldn’t help but ask, “Scarlett is dead. She committed suicide last night. Tell me, did you have a hand in her doing this?” ~Frank gasped from where he was standing beside the lady, his features distorting from intense shock on hearing that. “Scarlett is dead?” He stared at me with wide eyes and a slacked jaw, saying the words like one learning to talk. But I didn’t pay attention to him as all my attention was focused on the lady. I wanted to hear from her because, from the way I was seeing it, she just might be responsible for Scarlett taking her own life.She was shocked too, even more than Frank.“Don’t lie to me or else I’ll kill you here with my bare hands,” I threatened in an attempt to make her spill the truth.“No…!” She blurted out, grimacing in bewild
CHAPTER 72ROBERT’S POV~ “Just pass the phone to her,” I insisted, becoming impatient and angrier.“I can’t.”“Why?” My brows pinched in sharply.“Because she’s dead.” ~Noah’s words hit like a thunderbolt, leaving me confused and speechless. Blinking repeatedly, I brought the phone down from my ear and checked the screen to make sure I was speaking with the right person. And yes I was, Raphael Walsh – the same man Scarlett left for me, Jake’s biological father.“This is some serious talk, Raphael,” I said as I brought the phone back to my ear. “Are you being serious right now or is this some trick…?Did Scarlett tell you to do this so she can escape me and what’s coming for her? I know she’s there with you. Pass the fucking phone to her or else I swear I’ll come over there and make you regret it.” Anger lit up my tone as I vented my frustration on him.“I’m serious, Robert,” he said, his voice heavy and trembling, as if he was on the verge of tears. “I’m telling you the truth. Scarl
CHAPTER 71ROBERT’S POV~ I resisted Frank, swinging my elbow back as it connected with the side of his face. I tightened my grip on the poor thing’s neck and she gasped desperately for air that was fast eluding her system, her skin turning scarlet red like a swollen tomato. I wanted to squeeze the living breath out of her and watch her die that slow painful I wanted. ~But in the wake of the moment, I remembered Frank’s words and realized I was letting anger cloud my judgment. I wasn’t a bloody murderer like her and will never be.With a disgustingly defiant expression on my face, I released my grip on her neck and looked away from her pale face with a conflicted heart. She cradled her neck and coughed violently to regain her lost breath, looking at me like I was a monster straight out of the pit of hell. But I was only a monster she made. Before she killed my grandpa, I don’t think she bothered to conduct a background check on him to know the kind of family he came from. If she di
CHAPTER 70 ROBERT’S POV ~ I wasn’t thinking clearly. An unquenchable rage filled every part of me, driving my thoughts and control. In a swift move, I grabbed the knife from the floor and aimed for her left breast where her heart lay, right where she had stabbed my grandpa twenty times. ~ Frank came from behind to restrain me just in time before the tip of the blade could connect with the woman’s chest. Skillfully, like one trained to do so, he held my right arm where I held the blade and twisted my fingers a little in a way that made the blade fall off, and kicked it under the bed. The woman’s eyes bulged, as though they were about to fall out from their sockets, her face etched with the terrific expression of someone watching their life flash before them. Paralyzed by fear, she gasped and panted like one having a panic attack. Instinctively, she began cowering back until she reached the edge of the bed without knowing and tumbled off, hitting the floor with a hard cras
CHAPTER 69ROBERT’S POV“Grab a knife and cut the remaining ropes restraining that woman,” I ordered Frank with a firm tone. “We can’t be holding her here against her will when she has a life out there to live.” I turned and started making my way down the hallway to leave. I wanted to leave immediately for the hospital Lily’s mum was admitted. There wasn’t enough time as I still had other important business matters to attend to before the end of the day. But Frank said something that stopped me.“Boss, I can’t let her go,” he said a bit hesitatingly, his voice carrying a note of apprehension as if something bad was going to happen if he let her go.My brows pinched in bafflement as I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him. “Why?”“If we do, she won’t think twice about going to the police to report us,” he explained.My brows furrowed even more as I looked away in deep thought. Frank was right. I didn’t even think of that. What do I do about this now? I had already too much o
CHAPTER 68 ROBERT’S POV ~ I shot Frank a furious glare and slashed out a sharp breath, not saying anything. I returned my attention to Lily and took off the small sack bag covering her face only for my jaw to drop on seeing her. ~ “Please I’m sorry…” she pleaded desperately with eyes that were red and swollen from too much crying and dishevelled hair that plastered on her face due to sweat. “Spare my life… Don’t kill me…I didn’t mean to do it…” My brows furrowed deeply in confusion as I stared at her, scrutinizing every inch of her features. After giving her a thorough look, I concluded that the woman shivering and whimpering before me wasn’t Lily but someone else. Though she shared some sort of resemblance with Lily especially in terms of facial structure as they both had a delicate heart-shaped face that could easily fit into the cup of my hands, she was anything unlike Lily. The Lily I knew, my Lily had thick ebony black hair that always tumbled carelessly along her ba
CHAPTER 67ROBERT’S POVThe noisy buzzing of my phone disrupted my sleep as I groaned loudly in frustration upon waking up. I usually switch off my phone before going to bed to avoid disturbances such as this. But last night I was so tired and forgot to do that. Now my sleep was ruined, and it wasn’t even 7 a.m. yet.Who could be calling at such early hours of the morning? I just hoped it wasn’t Carrey. At this point, I don’t think I can take any more devastating news of the company losing another client or learning we’d gone lower in the ad agency rankings.Blindly, I reached across the bed for my phone which was on top of the nightstand, knocking down a few things as I did. Not bothering to check the caller ID, I answered the call and with a frustrated, sleep-deprived tone asked, “What is it?...”“Boss I finally found her!” Frank’s overexcited voice boomed through the phone speaker.“What?...” My eyes widened, the drowsiness in them suddenly vanishing like it was never there. As i
CHAPTER 66 LILY’S POV As I stared at that figurine, the gory image of me grabbing it and driving into the side of Noah’s neck over and over again before burying it there as blood flushed out filled my head, darkening my thoughts. I wanted to hurt him back. To retaliate most brutally. I wanted him to feel the tremendous amount of pain his betrayal had caused me. But in the wake of the moment, I realized I couldn’t do it. No matter how much I wanted to, how badly I wanted to force myself to grab the figurine and get this over with, I just couldn’t. I was helpless against him. The memory of all he had done for me, the good times we shared with my kids lit up in my mind, engulfing that dark thought. All I could manage to do was push him away which seemed easy because he wasn’t using much effort to hold me back. I landed a slap on his right cheek before yielding to the compulsive sobs that shook me like a violent earthquake, the tears in my eyes falling in torrents down my cheeks
CHAPTER 65 LILY’S POV ~ I looked back at him with my brows furrowing deeply in suspicion but worse, with tears stinging at the back of my eyes. “Noah… How did you manage to find me and know I was in danger?” ~ Noah scratched the back of his head and his diamond-shaped face quivered with a nervous smile as if he was finding it difficult to give me an answer. This only added to my fear and suspicion, a confusing mix of anger and heartbreak but mostly heartbreak making my heart quake in my chest. If Noah turns out to be behind these attacks, I don’t think I could bear the pain of the betrayal. Moving to this part of the country, he’s the one person I’ve come to trust and rely on in almost every situation. Without him, I don’t know where I’d be right now. Because of him, I was able get a quick high paying job that has enabled me take care of my kids. Because of him, the scars I sustained from my past relationship were healing. Because of him, I was gradually learning to love ag