A few days after I came out of the hospital, we went home to the mansion, and there, I decided to have a serious talk with Lucas. What I do every day is too much for my conscience to bear. Yes, everything was wonderful, and Lucas became very nice to me, possibly because he felt terrible for physically hurting me, but I am still unable to get a good night's sleep despite the fact that everything else was fine. Knowing that I'm not being honest with him, I get the uncomfortable feeling that I'm duping our relationship. I decided that the ninth time would be perfect and that I should reveal my real identity. It is up to him whether or not he wants to believe what I am saying, but the fact that I have brought everything to light is what is most vital here."Are you sure that everything is okay with you and that you can consume any alcohol at this time?" He asked me that question multiple times, and my response each time was to simply nod in agreement.I needed some help working up the ne
Lucas looked at me with sad eyes. After taking a deep breath, he gulped down the contents of the wine glass he was holding. I remained silent, as I didn't know what to say."We need to give Luke a sibling now. Maybe that will help and enhance our relationship."I know it was a joke, but I was horrified by what he said. Half of my body was excited about that too. However, I couldn't imagine that he would get me pregnant and that we would give Luke a sibling when I wasn't his legal wife. It's scary that maybe when he gets me pregnant, I won't be able to leave him and Luke in the future, even though I need to. Our offspring will be miserable too because the whole of society will judge him or her for being born. I'm not being selfish, but I don't want this to happen to my own child."Lucas—"I didn't even finish what I had to say when he leaned over me and covered my lips with his frigid mouth. I tasted the wine he drank earlier. The kiss lasted only a few minutes, but it was worth it, as
LUCAS POVA while ago, I was staring at the blank space while sitting at my desk. Nothing else is going through my mind but what my drunken wife taught me last night. From the tone of her speech, who would have thought that she was still making up stories to escape? No one, not even me. Honestly, it used to be very convincing. Several times I felt and touched both of my senses that hurt while closing my eyes. It gives me headaches. I went back to that scene in my mind. "Why don't you want to believe that I'm not your wife?" she asks me between our kisses.I was stunned for a moment and thought about what she said for a few seconds. That's absurd! What do I have to do to make her stop thinking that she is not my wife? I'm getting tired of hearing that over and over again. Even though she doesn't even remember anything, that doesn't diminish the fact that she was my wife. Why does she think this?"Are you too dazzled by this look, Lucas? Do you love a woman with this face that much?"I
Until the end of that day, I felt like I was floating, and that day I did nothing sensible other than think about what was happening in my family. If Uncle Elias hadn't knocked on my desk, I wouldn't have known he was in my office and right in front of me. Another thing that keeps bothering me is his insistence that I run for President of the country in the upcoming election. I know my political experience is too shallow to aspire to that high position. However, I could not refuse him. Actually, I have already done it several times, and I just suggested that he could run to that position since his position is close to that, but he said he doesn't want to and rather wants me to do it."Looks like you're deep in thought, Lucas. What do you think? Is it about your near filing of candidacy for President?"I just gave him a forced smile."Listen to me, Lucas. Don't you dare miss this opportunity. Why is it so hard to convince you? You have a lot of potential to be a good and reliable Presi
ADELINE POVI've been going back and forth, going up and down the stairs, while waiting for Lucas to come home. He wasn't by my side when I woke up this morning. The helpers said he left early when I asked them about him. He didn't even eat breakfast, which he doesn't often do. It seems to have become a part of Lucas daily routine to eat breakfast before going to work. It was only now that he actually did the thing that worried me more."Oh, maybe Lucas has a lot of work to do in the office, which he had to finish, so he left early," I replied to the helper who answered my inquiry. Doubt was evident in her eyes.How many times have I tried to remember what happened between us last night, but I don't remember anything? My mind is blank for that, as if I passed out drunk last night. The last thing I remember is that he left the room last night, and his reason was that he wanted to breathe fresh air. After that, I drank the bottle of wine alone before I fell asleep to hide the shame of w
The next day, I did not see Lucas again the moment I woke up. It was almost clear that I couldn't sleep thinking about the day of my departure from the mansion. What I still remember is that I hugged him tightly. Making the most of the time, I can still do it to him. I didn't ask the helpers about Lucas when I came down; they might even suspect that we have some marital problems if I keep doing it. I took Luke to school, but now his nanny is with me everywhere I go."It's Mayor Romanov's order that I can't leave you. I apologize, Madam Adeline; it's just part of my work. I don't want to lose my job. That will only happen if I don't plan to watch over you and your son, Luke. Don't get mad at me, as I am only doing my job. I hope you won't be angry with me if I am being like this now."We were in the car and headed back to the mansion. We have already taken Luke to his school. Without a choice, I just nodded to show her that I understood everything. Even if I get angry, nothing will cha
I waited for a while before I finally heard Adeline's furious, mad voice on the other line. Of course, what else can I expect from her? She will probably be angry with me. I even moved Luke's nanny's mobile phone away from my ear because of how loud she shouted because of her animosity."Are you dumb? Didn't we talk about this last time and agree that you are now Adeline Parker? What is this? Why are you still bothering us?" It's her open speech to me; I haven't even been able to open my mouth to greet her. Dominic seems to have already let her know that I called them."Hey, listen to me first now. I already remember everything. I know who I am. I learn how our paths crossed that night—""I don't care about your story! Can you hear me? Just keep it to yourself, because it's useless now. It's ineffective because even if you remember everything, I won't trade with you. Now that I'm free, am I going to waste the opportunity to have the freedom I want?""Please, have mercy on my family th
By the evening of that day, I did not expect Lucas to come home early. Maybe because he told me not to wait for him and eat dinner first earlier that day. Luke and I were only halfway through our dinner when he walked in the door. He joined us to eat instead of going upstairs and changing his clothes first. Something that puzzled me. Of course, I did not expect it because he did it just now during my few months stay here. Lucas prioritizes changing his clothes first after coming home before eating dinner."How's your day, Lucas?" I greeted him first after he kissed me on the right cheek, as he did with Luke, while his eyes shone with joy."It's fine. You guys?""We're fine too. Luke and I were in the playroom all day long. We have nowhere else to go.""Why don't you two go out and shop at the mall or walk and spend time at the park?"I watched him take his food. He carefully placed it on his plate after taking out a utensil. It's funny; everything seems to be normal for us again. It's
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