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 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 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 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 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 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
PROLOGUE – Zara’s POV Antoinette and I found ourselves perched on stools in a dimly lit bar, the lively hum of music and clinking glasses filling the air. It was the ideal spot to unwind and let go of the day's stress. As we sipped our drinks, Antoinette began chatting about men. The more the alcohol warmed my insides, the easier laughter came, and my concerns seemed to dissolve like winter frost under the spring sun. We were thoroughly enjoying our night out, but then something—or rather, someone—caught my eye. Lucas Blackwood, the man I'd been crushing on since college, had just walked in. My heart fluttered wildly as I watched him stride in, his brooding eyes scanning the room. He looked worn out and, more noticeably, unhappy. I'd never seen him so downcast before, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened. “Zara, are you okay?” Antoinette's voice was a faint echo, drowned out by the rapid pounding of my heart. “Y-yes, I'm fine,” I managed to stutter out, though my voice
CHAPTER 1- Zara’s POV The morning sun spilled through the drapes, rousing me from my slumber. As I stirred, the memories of the previous night with Lucas came flooding back. However, a wave of regret washed over me. I had allowed myself to be carried away by the heat of the moment, and now, in the harsh light of day, the reality of my actions was sinking in. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the gravity of my mistake. I had given myself to Lucas, not just physically, but emotionally as well. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm my racing heart. I wished I could turn back time, erase that fateful night, but life didn't offer such conveniences. Instead, I was left to face the consequences of my actions. How had I ended up in bed with my famous college batch mate, Lucas Blackwood? Why him? There were countless other men who were more attractive, but why Lucas? Why had I surrendered myself to him? “Zara Delafontaine! Come here right now!” a voice called ou
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