CHAPTER 38 – Zara’s POV An hour had swiftly passed, and we found ourselves arriving at our cherished destination—a personal interpretation of a green paradise. Memories of my childhood flooded back when my mother would bring me here on every vacation to escape the monotony of Claybourne. This place was a haven filled with cousins to play with, ensuring that boredom was never an option in the province. The landscape held numerous delights—a river perfect for bathing, trees begging to be climbed and turned into tree houses, and mango trees that yielded juicy fruits. We would rise early to savor the rich taste of fresh cow's milk, a ritual that added to the enchantment of our days. Even in the evenings, our joy didn't wane. We would play on the roads, chasing dragonflies, capturing rice spiders, and marveling at the luminous glow of fireflies. The memories of my childhood, so full of innocent bliss, are priceless and irreplaceable. Despite the passage of many years, Clayland had manag
CHAPTER 39 – Lucas’ POV I marveled at the incredible effort my wife put into making me feel better. Her dedication made me realize just how important I am to her, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for not recognizing her value sooner. With a single smile, she had the power to brighten my day, and I cherished the fact that she was not just a woman but an integral part of my life, alongside our son. In the serene countryside where we found solace, breathtaking views, and fresh air enveloped us, providing a stark contrast to the stress and chaos of Claybourne. It was a pure paradise, offering a haven of peace and tranquility to anyone seeking respite from the world. Our lunch was a culinary delight, with each dish meticulously crafted using fresh ingredients. Even the rice, fragrant and of the highest quality, served as the perfect complement to the flavorsome offerings on our plates. As the afternoon wore on, my son and I succumbed to the pleasant fatigue of a satisfyi
CHAPTER 40 – Zara’s POV I suddenly forgot that he had already changed, that he had been doing his best to change his ways. And I also knew that it had not been easy. It should have been my part to understand more first. In the morning, I told Mei and Rhea what had happened yesterday. That bitch! Grace had even tried to involve my husband in her affairs. I was amazed when Mei said what Lucas had done, how he had refused Grace and stood up for our marriage. I breathed next to my husband, and at the same time, I felt guilty for what I had done yesterday. I should not have judged him that fast; I should have known better before I acted like that. But the important thing was that we learned from each of our mistakes. What was important was that we were strengthened by trials. We shouldn't have been torn apart by the likes of Grace or Giselle. I should have also shown my worth to Lucas so that he knew the value of what he would lose if it really happened. Josh and Andrew, the brothers,
CHAPTER 41 – Zara’s POV “I have been married for about seven years. I have a lovely wife and a great son that I have hidden from all of these years,” Lucas said, bravely facing his parents like a true Blackwood would. Their expressions were hard to read, and their intimidating presence was undeniable. It was challenging to stand before them, but I had to maintain my composure. “Start explaining now, Lucas. I want all the details,” Mrs. Blackwood said, fanning herself. She looked glamorous, and it seemed the beauty of the Blackwood matriarch never grew old. My husband took a deep breath, and I could sense that his explanation would be a long one. I held his hand tightly, knowing he needed someone to lean on. We would be each other's source of strength through this. “It all started one fateful night. Giselle and I had a heated argument. I was at a bar when I met Zara, and she got pregnant. I didn't know that everything would turn out this way, and her parents wanted me to marry her.
CHAPTER 42- Zara’s POV As we were engrossed in our conversation, a maid discreetly entered the room, interrupting us. “Apologies for the inconvenience, ladies. Our chef won't be able to make it on time today, so there won't be lunch prepared,” the housekeeper informed us. The lady pondered for a moment, contemplating our options for lunch. “If that's the case, we could consider ordering from a buffet or dining out at a five-star restaurant for a change,” Mom suggested. However, I had another idea brewing in my mind. “Would it be alright if I take charge of preparing our lunch?” I asked, feeling a surge of confidence. Stephanie smiled, seemingly impressed. “Wow! You can cook? I'm so envious! I've never been able to pick up the skill, so only my husband cooks for us. I still dream of being able to cook for my family one day,” Stephanie admitted wistfully. “I could teach you sometime. Cooking is something our family truly enjoys. I want my son to grow up appreciating my home-cooke
CHAPTER 43 – Zara’s POV Lucas responded calmly, not allowing Giselle's presence to rattle him. “I have nothing to explain to you, Giselle. We are over, and you should stop this scandalous act.” The model stood up, scanning the room and fixating her gaze on us, particularly my son. “We're over? We only broke up a month ago, and you already have a son who's about to become a teenager! Hey, Lucas, have you been cheating on all this time? How dare you reveal what I did? It was supposed to be kept hidden! You damn cheater! Everyone should know about this!” Giselle shouted, her laughter filled with madness. Sensing the need for calm, I suggested that Stephanie take the child inside to spare him from witnessing the unfolding scandal. I didn't want my son to be traumatized amidst what should have been a joyful gathering. After all, there should always be a sense of fun associated with such occasions, right? Stephanie agreed and guided the boy indoors, while Giselle continued her persisten
CHAPTER 44 – Zara’s POV I took his invitation spontaneously, running my hand over his hard chest and down to his abs. I pulled him close, kissing his lips once again, longing for the connection. The flames of passion began to engulf us once more. He expertly removed my clothes, revealing that I wasn't wearing a bra. He kissed my breasts, massaging them with care before gently suckling on them. “Oh, Lucas, don't stop!” I moaned between every gasp. It felt like I was going crazy with every touch of our skin. It was hot, scorching, but there was a strangely pleasurable sensation coursing through my body. His hand roamed, exploring my body like he was worshipping a goddess. He didn't even skip my cave; his fingers played skillfully, making my legs tremble from the sensation. He was not just an expert; he was a master of the game. It was as if he knew exactly where to touch every sensitive spot on my body. As he prepared himself with lubricant, I felt a mixture of excitement and appr
CHAPTER 45 – Zara’s POV When I heard the name of another woman, my world suddenly stopped, and I just stared at him. I didn't stop him, and I let him finish. I had to endure the pain of his betrayal. I wanted to break away, but I didn't. Maybe it was okay if he mistakenly called her name once, but he did it again. He mentioned Giselle's name repeatedly while he was inside me. I couldn't help but wonder how many times he had deceived me. “I trusted you,” I said because there was nothing else I could do but to have faith in him. But he kept mentioning her name, and I couldn't bear it anymore. I tried to hold back my tears as I confronted him directly. “Has something happened between you and Giselle?” I didn't pretend anymore and asked him straightforwardly. “Why?” Lucas retorted. “I just want to know when and how many times you've betrayed me,” I said, trying to hold back my tears in front of him. “I won't force you if you don't want me because I was used to it, but I wish you had
CHAPTER 75 – Zara’s POV Fifteen years have passed since Lucas and I exchanged our vows, a journey filled with ups and downs, tears and smiles. We have faced countless challenges, nearly losing hope at times, but our determination has kept us fighting. Has it been an easy road for us? No, there's no such thing as a perfect relationship. We, like any couple, have experienced moments of doubt and contemplation. But we have also found reasons to hold on tightly, to weather the storms together. We understand that true happiness and a healthy relationship require effort and commitment. They say that when you're truly happy, time flies by unnoticed. And indeed, the time has flown. It feels like just yesterday when my children were young, and now they tower over me, grown into remarkable individuals. Enrique, our eldest, was already twenty-five years old. He has blossomed into a handsome, intelligent young man, dedicated to his studies and still possessing a gentle sweetness. He would be
CHAPTER 74 – Zara’s POV The night weighed heavily upon us as we slept, carrying with it unresolved grievances. No greetings were exchanged, no apologies offered, and our stubbornness held us captive. The emotional distance between Lucas and me mirrored the separation of our children into separate rooms. The air grew cold, and doubts crept into my heart, leaving me feeling insecure and unimportant in his eyes. The warmth of our marriage seemed to wane, and tears streamed down my face throughout the night, burdened by the fear that his love for me had vanished. How had we come to this? I believed Lucas and I were destined to endure together until the very end. Yet here we were, estranged and adrift. His heart had seemingly changed with alarming swiftness, and I questioned why. Was it just me? Why had he distanced himself so abruptly? The weight of my emotions consumed me, and tears flowed ceaselessly. I cried out all the pain and anguish burdening my heart, emptying myself of the sor
CHAPTER 73 – Zara’s POV The party was a success but then I felt something weird. I didn't know if it was just me, or I was just being paranoid. A woman's intuition was really something else when it kicked in, and I wasn't wrong when I saw that shameless woman. The daughter of our local mayor, who clung to my husband as if her life depended on it, and now she even dared to kiss my husband. As I watched her and Lucas together, it felt like I was punched with anger and jealousy in my heart. I remained calm, just observing the situation, but deep inside I wondered if Lucas would ever change for the better. We just got reunited, and there’s another woman already who was vying for his attention! “What the fuck, Nadine!” my husband exclaimed angrily, wiping his lips after the woman kissed him. They hadn't noticed me watching them yet. Nadine, that was the name of this shameless woman! Damn! “Lucas, I've loved you since then! I am willing to be your mistress, just keep me close to your he
CHAPTER 72 – Zara’s POV We had been tirelessly searching for donors, hoping to find the perfect pair of eyes for Ava. As we awaited her recovery from the recent eye surgery, she remained fragile due to malnourishment. To ensure the well-being of both Ava and Enrique, we sought the assistance of our trusted pediatrician. Regular check-ups and monitoring their health became our top priority. “Thank you, Mom. I love you!” she exclaimed, planting a sweet kiss on my cheek. I offered my cheek, making it easier for her to reach. Our youngest overflowed with affection. “Mom loves you too, my dear. Alright, let's take a break from the cookies for now and have lunch later, alright?” I suggested as we moved to the table. “It's okay, Mom. These dolls are just for me to play with,” she assured me, referring to the gifts from her uncles and aunts. I anticipated that they would spoil her, especially since she was currently the youngest among her cousins. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal that Mom
CHAPTER 71 – Zara’s POV That very day, we joyfully brought our daughter out of the orphanage, relieved to discover that she harbored no resentment. She expressed his happiness at having her wish fulfilled and being reunited with us. The overwhelming joy I felt was impossible to contain. Lucas, Enrique, and I had a delightful time together, showering our daughter with love and affection. Enrique, being the older brother, embraced him warmly, forming an instant bond. As we sat in the van, she curiously asked, “Where are we going?” It was late, and darkness had enveloped the surroundings. But we were nearing our grand mansion. The anticipation among everyone to meet our son, the long-lost member of the Blackwood family, was palpable. Gratitude filled the hearts of our relatives, thankful that we had finally found our daughter, our missing piece. It was as if a void in my heart had been miraculously filled. Lucas and I couldn't help but smile, radiating pure joy. “We're going home, sw
CHAPTER 70 – Zara’s POV When Nick dropped that bombshell, it felt like the world turned icy. In an instant, a chill ran through my body, leaving me speechless and teary-eyed. The weight of his words pressed down on me, making it difficult to face him any longer. I feared that my emotions would betray me, causing me to say something I'd regret later. Leaving the precinct, I could feel my strength draining away. My knees wobbled, threatening to give out beneath me. I felt utterly weak, vulnerable in the face of such overwhelming news. The news of my daughter’s survival brought a mix of joy and guilt as a mother. I couldn't shake the feeling of remorse knowing that while I slept soundly in a comfortable bed and had three meals a day, my child was living in an orphanage, possibly feeling unloved and abandoned. “Let's go to Lucas, our child! Please!” I pleaded, my heart constricting, making it hard to catch my breath. “Honey, please, try to calm down. We'll be reunited with our son soo
CHAPTER 69 – Zara’s POV We headed straight to Dr. Brown's clinic. Once we parked the car in the parking lot, we got out. The clinic was a three-story building. As soon as we entered, my husband immediately caught everyone's attention. Ever since I had known him, Lucas had always been like that. He effortlessly captured anyone's attention. His presence was enough to command respect and admiration at the same time. He was tall, with a perfect face, and he epitomized the idea of a handsome man. I felt so lucky among all the women in the world that he chose me. There was nothing particularly special about me, but he still chose me, even though I had disappeared for three years like a bubble. I wasn't a girl with self-confidence. I could barely stand up for myself. I didn't know how to be the best, and yet I was lucky to have someone like him. He had fallen in love with me deeply. It was back in college when we had met. He had been like a star I couldn't reach. He had been like the mo
CHAPTER 68 – Zara’s POV All the nervousness from that night had vanished, especially after embracing my son and rescuing him from that horrific place. The scene was so distressing that I felt like I could faint at any moment. Now, Nick was in trouble. They had forcibly removed him from jail, but we would ensure that he wouldn't escape the consequences of his actions. He needed to spend a significant amount of time behind bars to reflect on what he had done. When we arrived home at the mansion, all of my husband's brothers and their wives were waiting for us. They were concerned about our well-being, and even though we reassured them that everything was fine, anger was brewing over Nick's behavior. Stephanie embraced me, and I felt a longing for that sibling connection. You see, I never had a sibling since I was the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and my biological father wasn't involved in my life, while my mother never sought a life partner. So having a sister like Stephanie, my
CHAPTER 67 – Zara’s POV It seemed like the glass I was holding slipped from my hand, and it shattered, cutting me in the process. The pain stung, a physical representation of the emotional turmoil I was going through. I was in the kitchen, cooking breakfast while Lucas and our son haven't come down yet. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by an inexplicable nervousness, and that's why I dropped the glass and got injured. Lucas quickly approached me, seeing my bleeding hands, and scolded me, “You need to be more careful, my dear!” “I don't know, I just suddenly got really nervous! That's why I dropped the glass. I'm sorry! Please don't be angry,” I said, feeling overwhelmed. He sighed with defeat in his voice, “Alright, just be careful next time, okay? Don't make me worry!” Then we decided to call Enrique, but the maid informed us that he was not in his room. Panic started to set in, and my phone rang from an anonymous number. Trembling, I answered the call. “Hello!” I said. “Hello, lov