"Mommy, Daddy, I want those toys!" Luke exclaimed happily in a tone of pleading.Luke, being the only son of the mayor of that town, naturally inherits all of the toys that his father points out to him as being eligible for. They both proceeded ahead of us as we slowly strolled. I was serenely following them, barely behind them. Having them in my life in this way makes me feel more whole as a mother and a wife. I am at a loss for words to adequately express how grateful I am to have them in my life. The paper bags containing his toys are giving his nanny a lot of trouble right now. Even if she didn't express her displeasure verbally, it was clear from the expression on her face that she was unhappy. I really wanted to be able to assist her, but I couldn't because I was afraid of what Lucas might say if he witnessed me providing assistance to her."That's enough, Luke, you've already purchased a considerable number of toys. Son, that can't be played in its entirety all at once."Both o
We already had arrived in front of one of the popular stores, which sold an assortment of various devices inside the mall. Every member of staff inside the store greeted us warmly as if we are the most valuable customer in town. Naturally, the news of Mayor Romanov and his wife making a phone purchase at their shop will get bonus points for the customer in the future due to a random occasion. Like they always said on the land, words have the ability to quickly spread like wildfire. And for me, it was a wise marketing strategy that they took with their company. "Wait, Lucas," I commanded as I grabbed his hand to turn him around and face me. His eyes flickered at me as his forehead wrinkled. He is now full of confusion at my action. "You mean to say you will be gone for a full week?""Hmmm...""It took far too much time, Lucas."After hearing the tone of my voice, which was dreadful, Lucas gave me a sneaky grin as he stared at me. I am unable to determine if I felt sorry for myself or
Wearing a delighted smile, I reached into the handbag that was sitting next to me and pulled out my mobile phone. Glancing at the screen right now multiple times to see if Lucas has sent me a message. That was nothing at all. He may be a little preoccupied in his office at this very moment. When I contemplate what took place one month ago, I can't help but chuckle a little bit and feel quite proud of myself. Because of how Lucas has treated me, I feel that I have matured and grown not only as a woman but also as a responsible mother and wife. This feeling is a direct result of our relationship. And it made me find myself falling deeply in love with him. He also made me feel loved.The campaign trip that was supposed to be taken by Lucas and his uncle Elias did not take place for reasons that are unclear to me; rather, it was rescheduled for some point in the future. As soon as I remembered that, I immediately turned to the driver, who at the time was concentrating on driving. We are c
After hearing that sentence, my gaze went immediately to the person who was driving the car. His statement indicates that I used to enjoy coming to coffee shops very much in the past. Coffee must be something I enjoy, as well as Lucas's, now that I prefer to have breakfast other than just a cup of coffee. As the car came to a stop, my eye traveled all over the surrounding area. It was evident that it was not a peak hour for the shop and that there were only a few customers present inside the establishment at that time. My research and based on my experience as a customer has shown that a business like this is typically swamped with customers in the afternoon or after lunch, which is why right now there aren't very many people in it. I'll just go in, grab a cup of coffee for us, and hurriedly get out, and then I'll advise the driver to head over to my husband's workplace. That uncomplicated. There is no need to instruct our driver to fetch and buy any coffee for us. My plan is simple
For an abrupt moment, I was speechless. I was so shocked, and I couldn't tell how I really felt at that moment. Even though my eyes were firmly focused on the table in front where they were seated, I couldn't help but hold back the need to carefully touch my own face to check our common face. I can't possibly be mistaken about what my eyes are telling me right now! It was completely unmistakable, as I am in the right sense. It was Dominic, and he was with a woman who, even in broad daylight, looked almost identical to me.Who am I, really?What did I do wrong to deserve this punishment?Who is the woman I have seen with him?Is this person the true Adeline?How about me?Which of us is true, and which is not?Who among us is telling the truth, and who is not?Am I the one pretending to be her, or is she playing a crazy game with me now?Is she the genuine wife of Lucas and not me, which is why I have no recollection of any of our lives together?But how is it even feasible for somethi
When I finally made it out of the store, I felt like I was floating and drifting softly on a cloud at the same time. This is the best way I can describe how I felt at that moment. I started looking in a hurry to find the spot where my driver had parked our car. Even though I've been waiting here for about a minute, it feels like an eternity. I still can't find our car in the parking lot, where it was parked.It's possible that the rapid beating of my heart, which is taking place inside my chest, is the reason why I can't hear any other noise in the area besides this one. I wouldn't have been able to tell where the driver was. He hadn't drawn my attention to himself by putting his hand out the open window next to the driver's seat. He continuously waved at me to get my attention on the other side."Madam Adeline, I am here!"When I began to make my way toward the car as well, I heard him start the engine. I compelled myself to put on a fake smile and began to stride forward. Even thoug
Thinking about my response made me remain silent for a second. Even though Lucas couldn't see me, I vigorously shook my head in response to his statement. Despite the fact that we are only communicating with one another over the mobile phone, I made the effort to respond to his question by doing that."Nothing, Lucas, I just want to—" "Lucas, don't be late, and hurry up as soon as you can! In a matter of minutes, we will be leaving for the airport. If we are unable to reach the destination on time, the airplane will take off without us! Do you hear me?"I was able to hear Lucas uncle Elias voice giving him instructions at that time, which I could hear in the background. My forehead became creased. My entire existence started shaking once more as I heard his voice on the phone as if the sound of his voice resulted in me being traumatized.They are going somewhere, aren't they? Where do they intend to go at this time?"Honey, please excuse my delinquency. Would you mind telling me abo
"Luke, Mommy has something to ask you, and I hope you don't mind."I am aware that my statement is ambiguous, but what if our son has some information regarding where Dominic frequently goes? Based on the events that took place at the ice cream shop, they appear to be rather close. I need to give my best effort to ask him a question so he can answer me honestly."Are you able to give an honest response?"He continued to eat the ice cream in spite of the fact that he had not enjoyed it earlier. After a moment, he turned his face toward me."What is it, Mommy?""Don't you have any fond memories of your Uncle Dominic? Who is that, your father's best buddy we met at the ice cream shop?"He nodded slowly. His round set of eyes bore into my face. It was very innocent and naive. At that moment, I already had a guilty feeling about this, but I continued to speak."Are you familiar with the places that he visits frequently? I simply needed to convey something to him, which meant I had to see
ANNIKA POVWho would have thought that all the ordeals Lucas and I encountered in the journey we could overcome by moving to another country?“Mom, hurry up!” Luke got my attention as I looked after them from my instance. “We must take some pictures before the increasing snowfall destroys snowmen,” he continued.My lips parted to give them a genuine smile. It almost reached my ear. My parched and cracked lips became painful due to the freezing weather in the country. The season is winter.“Yeah, I'm coming.”“Be careful, Wifey! You might fall. It's slippery!” Lucas yelled, who was there with Iris and Luke.“Instead of worrying, why don't you come here and lend me a hand? It's dangerous, right?” “You need help?”I rolled my eyes heavenwards. Does that even require to be asked? He could see that I was struggling to step closer to them. Why are the snowmen they made so far from o
The next day, I decided to visit Uncle Elias in the prison. His sentence is life imprisonment, and there is no chance of parole, but for me, that's not enough. He deserved more agonizing and severe punishment for him after knowing what he had done to Annika. He never did anything reasonable in his life anyway.“Why did you do that?!” I yelled as soon as I saw him approaching. If I could have broken his bones at this moment, I would have done it. “What's done is done, Lucas,” he answered calmly. To my ears, it sounded like he was proud. Sitting before me, I hit my hands on the table. If there were no police guard in the area, I would have already broken his neck and killed him. “There's no benefit in any regrets—”“How many more innocent girls have you robbed of a chance to live a normal life? Aren't you ashamed of what you did? You are disgusting! Most of them are minors! Didn't your body even tremble after you did that horrible thing to t
LUCAS POV I was heartbroken, and my heart seemed to break into a million pieces as I scrutinized the anguish reflected on my wife's face. I clenched my fist while I couldn't help but tighten my jaw. I was devastated as I assumed we would have no more challenging situations. But look at this: I was dumbfounded to find out that there is more. Heart-wrenching is the best way to describe my feelings towards my wife, not pity. At this moment, I really want to punch Uncle Elias face until it bleeds and see wounded pain so I can get revenge on my wife's behalf. If I can do that now, I will undoubtedly do it without regret.“Don't do anything dangerous that you will wish undone later, Lucas. Let's just let it go. That will also give us precedence over other information about us within the country. I'm embarrassed to ask you this, but I don't wish everything to get major problem of our family.”I didn't make a reply, but at the back of my mind, I wi
In two weeks of our honeymoon, Lucas and I made the most of it. We truly made the most of every moment, indulging in delicious food and intimate moments, taking some rest, and occasionally, taking a dip in the seawater to restore our bodies for long endurance. We are sole, so having intimate moments was not that tough. By reason of that, on the day that we had got to leave the place and return to reality where our two children were waiting. We didn't have anything to regret. Coming to have a vacation in this place is worthwhile and also priceless, to be accurate. It is worth the price: money, ambiance, and precious time with my husband.“Tell me honestly, Wifey, did you enjoy our two-week vacation? Or was it not enough?”I nodded in response. We are packing our things now, putting them back in the traveling bag. Tomorrow, we have an early dawn flight.”Do you want to have an extension period?”“No, this is already enough.”
So proud of myself. I gave back a cheerful and broadened smile at Lucas for his every word of acclaim. Am I mistaken in my response? I am different from other women because I have him. Why did he respond like that? Does he have a twin without me knowing? It might be as cliche as it may sound, but for me, he was the only Lucas Romanov in the world. “Am I incorrect?” I asked him and was almost about to crack up at his surprising and unimaginable reaction. “I have you, Lucas, which made me unable to be typical of another woman. Is it difficult to figure out?”“Yes, sure. You are right, Annika. I'm only only.” Lucas replied, slightly ripping off my cheeks. Despite the fact that the beginning of our love story was not significant in most people's eyes, I can only say one thing. We both felt love that was pure, even though it transpired at the wrong time with the wicked reasons behind it. Lucas and I were wounded in our cores and separated for quite a while. It taught us countless life le
Seizing for air, my eyes darted away while turning red. I'd instead stare out the car window to cover up my face. Lucas surely knows a lot of gibberish things. He kept getting on my nerves even though it was not his intention. As I spoke, my heart pounded with pressure. I felt Lucas motion to my side, probably to continue what he was doing, but I ignored him. My eyes remained outside as if he was not with me. Unhurriedly, I bit my lower lip to reduce the uncertainty that I felt. My body reacted and heated up at Lucas actions. If anyone else saw that, they might think he was out of his mind and a maniac. Lucas cannot close his pointed tongue and does not know the boundaries about speaking such things. I mentally roll my eyes. He cracked up so hard when he saw my response to what he spoke out. He was very pleased with the unexpected retort he got from me. Consistently, I ignored him. I didn't dare to look him in the eye as I learned my whole being was bewildered.“Don't worry, Annika.
As I expected, Luke's nanny Emily still resided in the mansion. Her appearance did mature but she was still the affectionate nanny of Luke. I didn't know if she knew my real identity because she always smiled at me from the day that we met and every time she made eye contact with me. To think about it, that seems impossible. My face is now reversed. I'm in my real appearance. There are no specks that once in the past five years, I pretended to be Adeline. Not unless Luke who is chatty like Iris, will tell her who I am. In that case, the reason was acceptable. “Mom, don't worry about my sister. I can take care of her too. Just enjoy your vacation with Dad. You don't need to think about us.” Luke stole my attention by expressing that as he rubbed his sister's back presumably to comfort her. “I'm a big boy now. I won't leave her alone or behind. You can depend on me right, Mommy?”“Alright Luke, thank you for your concern. I appreciate that.” I replied and
Our honeymoon vacation is organized for two weeks. At first, I did not approve when Lucas told me to decide which country I wished to go to. To be honest, I don't like to go out of the country, especially without our children so Lucas chose to have a honeymoon on one of the well-known beaches within the country. If we ever go and schedule to have a fun vacation in another country, the children must be with us. In my honest opinion, we don't require this. It's not necessary to do this after all we are already old. I believe the honeymoon is only for newly married couples who don't have children yet. And we are not counted among them. “We already have a child, Lucas. Is that still essential for us?” I appealed to him when he opened up about this concern to settle in. “Yes, that's a normal thing Annika to the couple after marriage. Even if we have a child, we can still do it. There is nothing wrong with that.” “But, we won't be required to
Adeline's parents also attended with so much excitement at our wedding. They never criticize me as a replacement for their daughter in Lucas and Luke's life. Lucas was correct. He already dealt with everything before he set a dinner with his entire family. They cannot stop saying gratitude and compliments for the greatness of my soul. At this moment, I feel like they are genuine for saying those words. They're not acting up just to please me. Unlike when I was in the shoes of Adeline, their words were full of bitterness and remorse towards me. I did not expect that their behavior would not as tough and rough as before, especially Lucas's mother. The level was diverse then.“Welcome to our family, Annika!” she exclaimed, she kissed me on both of my cheeks after hugging me.I just emphasize a slight smile. I couldn't halt my lips from trembling as I was frightened of them on the day that Lucas introduced us. Like even if Lucas told me to calm down because h