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 27 With a serious yet light expression on my face, I sat in front of my laptop, crafting a pitch for a potential client regarding our company managing their advertising campaign when I noticed Noah peeping at me from the doorway. He thought I hadn’t noticed him but I did. “I see you, boss,” I said with a sly curl of my lips while still looking at my laptop screen and typing fervently. “I know it’s you. If you continue peeping at me like that, then I might not get this job done and I might also start charging you for spying,” I finished with a flash of playful grin to him. “I’m sorry,” he raised his hand in a playful surrender as he came out of his hiding place. “I can assure you it won’t happen again.” “That’s like the hundredth time you’ve said that,” I shot him a teasing glance, taking a sip of the coffee beside me before turning my full attention to him. “But apology accepted. Now, what can I do for you, boss?” “Is it just me or do you keep getting more bea
Chapter 28ROBERT’S POV“Please exercise a little more patience,” I said with an awkward smile to the client waiting. “She’ll be here any moment from now.”The client rolled her eyes away angrily, impatiently tapping her feet against the floor. She’d been waiting for almost an hour now. Anyone in her position will be angry. And she was a new client, the owner of a five-star restaurant with branches all over the country. The offer she made us was very good. I won’t want to lose it at all.Beads of sweat were forming on top of my brows and my tie suddenly felt like it was too tight around my neck, almost to the point of choking me. Glancing around nervously and restlessly, I loosened it a bit. I checked my wristwatch for the umpteenth time to see it was almost mid-day. This appointment was scheduled to take place in the morning to accommodate other appointments that will be coming later in the afternoon. We were running dangerously behind.“I will be back shortly,” I said to the client
Chapter 29ROBERT’S POV“Scarlett! Scarlett!! What are you doing?” I couldn’t believe the sight before me as I rushed in to intervene. The client was thrashing under Scarlett’s grip around her neck. Her eyes had become bulgy and her face red as she was gasping for breath.I managed to free her from Scarlett. I moved Scarlett away from her to the corner of the room. The client cradled her neck, coughing violently and trying to catch her breath.“You tried to kill me…” she said through laboured breath, her face only reddening more with fear and utter disbelief. “You all in this company are crazy!” Grabbing her handbag, she scurried out of the room.Returning my attention to Scarlett who was glowering in the direction the client left as if she wanted to chase after her, I scolded her harshly. “What has gotten into you? You almost killed our client…what if she presses charges?”“I couldn’t just sit back and watch her bad mouth the company like that,” she said, looking away defiantly.“Sh