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 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 156NOAH’S POVAfter getting rid of my foster parents and taking over their business empire, I used the available resources to find my biological parents and family. For years I have been monitoring them, hovering over their lives like an eagle without them knowing, patiently planning the perfect revenge mission.I found out they were a powerful family, one of the richest in New York. It broke my heart and made me angrier to know that despite all that wealth that possessed, they still chose to abandon me, choosing my twin brother over me. I mean what does he have that I don’t? Who knew when my biological parents chose to abandon me? Perhaps it was right after I was born, the moment the umbilical cord was cut. Was my birth that insignificant? Aren’t twins supposed to be a blessing? If that’s the case, then why did they choose to abandon me?They might have probably dumped me somewhere like spoilt food before the adoption agency found me because that’s how most kids in adoptio
CHAPTER 155NOAH’S POVI was adopted. Growing up, it bothered me so much that I was different. I shared no form of resemblance to my foster parents who hid the truth from me and never seemed to fit in. I didn’t even have a sibling. Back then, everyone had a sibling or a pet but I couldn’t because my so-called parents couldn’t make me one and I was fucking allergic to fur.My foster parents owned a lot of establishments and enterprises. They were filthy rich and even though they bought me whatever I wanted and never let me lack anything, they were never there for me, leaving me in the care of our maid who was dumb and stupid. The only thing she was good at was cooking and cleaning. I was a quiet, reserved kid who couldn’t properly express himself through words. You would have to know me well and pay close attention to understand me. Because of that, I had a hard time growing up because no one understood me, not even my own parents.I once suffered an accident that made me lose a lot
CHAPTER 154NOAH’S POVFuck! Fuck!! Fuck!!!Anger like never before rippled through me as I pressed my foot harder on the gas pedal, gripping the wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. My car roared down the road at a reckless speed, as if I wasn’t even on a road teeming with cars.My speedometer climbed to 60, 70, 80, my engine growling like a beast hungry for destruction, but I didn’t slow down. Headlights flashed past me, horns blared, and some cars even swerved to avoid me. But I didn’t give a fuck. I was so angry I could run someone over and not even care.Good thing this wasn’t a major road and no police were around, otherwise, I would have been slapped with charges before I could even hit the brakes.This was all Lily’s fault. If only she’d made up her mind and agreed for us to leave the country when I brought the suggestion up, this wouldn’t happened. I wouldn’t have seen that neglectful tramp that called herself my biological mother.Ever since I made it clear to Lily that
CHAPTER 153LILY’S POV~ I didn’t respond to her, acting as though she wasn’t even there. I wanted to grab my purse, my phone, my car keys, my coat, anything that’ll help me locate Robert when the door squeaked open and Noah walked in.My breath glitched and I froze as I saw him. He was holding a bouquet of fresh flowers and carrying a plastic probably filled with other goodies. I wasn’t expecting him at all. What was he doing here?However, his reaction wasn’t one I expected. He stood frozen on the spot, his face paling with shock as though he’d seen a ghost as his gaze flicked from mine to Robert’s mum and again and again. Suddenly, he dropped everything he carrying like they didn’t matter and ran out the door. ~ My brows furrowed deeply as I couldn’t understand the reason Noah reacted that way. “Noah… Noah…” Leaving everything else, I darted towards the door to chase after him, hoping to call him back.But before I could, he was already in his car. The tyres of his car screec
CHAPTER 152 LILY’S POV ~ Pushing all that to the back of my mind, as I had something more serious to ask her, I took a deep breath and leaned slightly forward. “Earlier, you mentioned something about you and your family finding out the truth.” She nodded slightly, paying close attention to understand me better. “Please, hope you don’t mind me asking what it was you guys found out about exactly?” ~ “Robert didn’t tell you?” She asked, staring at me in surprise. “No, he didn’t,” I shook my head. I could have sworn Robert didn’t tell me anything about the truth they found out. If he did, then I won’t be asking. My brows pulled in and I further leaned slightly forward as my interest piqued. I couldn’t wait to hear what it was that made the entire Wilson feel sorry for what they did to me and for her to take a 10-hour flight just to come apologize to me. “We found out that Scarlett was behind it all,” she blurted, her jaw tightening as fury flickered in her eyes. “If
CHAPTER 151 LILY’S POV ~ “Please…” she said with a squeaky voice, seeing how indecisive I was. “I took an eight-hour flight to this place. It wouldn’t be nice if you left a poor old lady standing out here in the sun after such a long journey. Please let me in. Just a little talk, I promise I won’t take much of your time.” I looked away defiantly and after much thought, let out a sigh like one who didn’t have a choice, opening the door wider and stepping aside for her to come in. It wouldn’t be bad to hear whatever she had to say. What’s the worst that could happen? But if things took a turn for the worse and she dared to disrespect me in any way, I wouldn’t hesitate to kick her ass out. ~ “You have such a lovely home,” she remarked casually as she walked into the house, her eyes roaming around the interiors, taking in every feature. Even though my house was neat and well-kept, I knew it lacked the elegance and luxury she was accustomed to because she had very high taste. But
CHAPTER 150 LILY'S POV It’s been a week since that incident at the hospital, and I must say, I haven’t felt the same ever since. I should be happy Robert was finally leaving our lives for good. I wanted this. It was what was best for me and the kids. But why did I feel so empty on the inside? Why did I feel like I was making the wrong choice and I’ll come to regret it eventually? I barely have the strength and will to do anything nowadays. All I do all day is sit on the couch like a potato scrolling through my phone, drag myself to the kitchen to cook and check up on Liam. He was discharged from the hospital hours after the surgery that same day and had to be on constant monitoring during this recovery phase. Because of this, he won’t be going back to school for some time. Lila was the only one going to school now and making sure he didn't miss out on anything. I hadn’t gone to work ever since, using Liam’s condition as an excuse because I had to stay back and take care of h
CHAPTER 149LILY’S POV~ “You don’t have to worry about them running away again because they won’t. They only gave you that ultimatum because they wanted to bring us back together.” He let out a wistful chuckle. ~“What?...” I squinted at him, baffled. “A…are you serious about this?”“Yes,” he nodded softly. “I don’t blame them for what they did. They just wanted us to stop fighting and get back together. And before you think that I made them do it, I didn’t.” I knew he wasn’t lying about this because his expression was genuine. I couldn’t believe Liam and Lila put me up to this. I was thrown off balance and nearly lost my sense of living because of that ultimatum, thinking I might just wake up one morning and not see them again.They had given me a week, and this was the fifth day with just two days remaining for the time to elapse. With every day that went by, I felt more desperate, more lost and more afraid. But now that Liam was severely injured and wouldn’t be able to use his r
CHAPTER 148LILY’S POVI knew he’d be persistent but I didn’t think it’ll be in a place like this. I hated staying close to him. Because when I do, I find it hard to keep my feelings in check. While in the ambulance van, the thought of Liam had helped keep my mind off him. Helped keep me from thinking about our closeness in the van, our bodies almost touching due to the limited space.I hate him. The hatred I felt towards him was unlike any other. I hate him for what he did to me. I hate him because ever since his arrival things haven’t been going well for me. I let him know about that and I was sure it crushed his soul to a pulp. Despite all that hatred and anger I felt toward him, I still hadn’t gotten over him, which was so pathetic and hypocritical of me. I was one heck of a fucking mess and it was all his fault! Seeing his face every day, hearing that deep, infuriating voice that sent tingles running through me no matter how hard I tried to fight it was driving me crazy. He had