Chapter 1

The golden chandeliers were lined up meticulously on the ceilings, and their lights glistened over the banquet hall of the Davidsons as it was a few days to Christmas, hosting an evening party was a trading that they've practiced for years from several generations.

There were guests everywhere, people moving back and forth, dressed in their best, women wore elegant designer dresses while the men were clothed in fine suites.

Katrina could be seen at a corner leaning in front of two finely dressed kids, a boy and a girl with similar hair colors but different dress style. The boy, Jeremy, was the naughtiest, she couldn't trust him watching over his sister for that evening at the party

“Joanna, you're in charge of watching over your brother tonight” Katrina said to the little girl who'd smeared chocolates over her mouth and face, although she was immersed in the pleasure, she still respected her mother enough to focus on her instructions.

“Yes, mother” Joanna responded, the four years old kid was as fluent as an adult, they attended the finest schools in Germany, even though their mother moved back to Italy with them, the knowledge they'd uphold from before could never leave then.

“Fine, then I'll leave you both to enjoy the party. Please move together and do not wander about” Katrina added before she stood up to find her grandfather.

Staring back at her bundles of joy, Katrina was proud of herself for singlehandedly raising two fine kids in the last four years. She also didn't regret keeping the pregnancy as well, even though the night she'd conceived them held a painful memory for her.

She tried to recall the events as it was her stepsister, Lucy, who took her there to the party to have fun a night to her wedding. She didn't expect that it was all a set up to get her framed up by having her in bed with another man.

Katrina could never forget the pain she felt inside her when she found out the whole truth that they've been sleeping together for months since she'd introduced Frank to the family as her fiance.

She tried to find the man whose children she'd carried on the night five years ago but all her efforts proved futile, he didn't even bother to find and compensate her after he'd forced himself on her. Recalling it all, Katrina almost shed tears.

She arrived outside her grandfather's bedroom, and as soon as she stared at the door, the memories of five years ago came flooding in.

“Useless girl, how dare you get pregnant and bring so much shame to the family? After all we've done for you?”

Her own father insulted her, he made her feel unwanted and threatened to make her get an abortion but she refused, instead, she decided to run away with her pregnancy.

Only her grandfather, Joseph Davidson, believed in her and allowed her to go abroad to have her kids. Katrina could never forget how much the old man had supported her in these past few years.

She finally placed a knock on the door and was allowed to go inside.

Her stepmother, father and stepsister, Lucy, were all in there with him. Wishing and singing him a happy birthday song. The old man's dull face brightened up the moment he saw her walk in, it was as if he'd been sad over her absence.

She greeted everyone politely, even when the atmosphere showed that she wasn't welcomed there. Katrina still came because of her grandpa. She'd missed his birthday parties in the last few years, now that he'd hosted one alongside their annual Christmas banquet, she just had to honor him.

“If it isn't the prodigal daughter.” Lucy remarked but she'd ignored her. “What are you doing here, Katrina?’’ her stepmother asked her quickly. Although her father didn't utter a word, it was obvious that he also didn't want her to come here.

“I invited her over.” Mr Joseph Davidson quickly cuts in. “Welcome my child, how are you, doing?” The old man asked, his eyes wandered around her like he was expecting another person.

“Where are they? Your kids?” He asked again, Katrina smiled as she leaned down to hug him. “They're both fine grandpa, happy birthday” she immediately said.

“Thank you so much, Katrina. I've missed you” he added

“I missed you too, grandpa”

“The kids are downstairs at the party. I will introduce you all later” she explained.

“Oh, than that will be nice. I cannot wait to lay my hands on my grandchildren. Lucy, you and Frank should give us children soon, it's almost three years since your marriage” Mr Joseph Davidson said.

Lucy's face flushed in embarrassment as she turned her gaze away slowly. “Grandpa, Lucy will birth an heir when the time is right.” Mrs Davidson said.

“Right, then I will be waiting for that time. For now, I want to meet the little geniuses Katrina birthed”

“Hi everyone, happy birthday grandpa” a man walked into the bedroom, greeting the family with his normal sarcastic tone, however, he didn't notice her quickly.

He leaned forward, offering the birthday gift to Joseph who turned his gaze away. “I do not want anything from you, Frank. You know I never approved your marriage with my grandchild, now, you both haven't given the families any babies yet” he stated.

Frank's face turned cold immediately, he was embarrassed. He stood back up and then he noticed the beautiful woman dressed elegantly in a light pink dress standing a few steps away from Mr Joseph.

“Katrina? What are you doing here?” He quickly asked. His eyes flushed with excitement and his heart heaved. Recalling what he'd done to her many years ago, he was hoping that she wouldn't report him. He couldn't leave the family now, it would be a shame for him and his family.

“Long time no see, Frank” Katrina responded in a cold tone.

“Hehehe” he scoffed, out of words to respond to her. “You changed a lot” he said, and Lucy immediately kicked his foot.

“I'm sorry, love.” He quickly apologized,

Katrina smiled inside her, seeing them make a fool out of themselves.

The door of the bedroom abruptly opened and a maid rushed inside to inform Katrina. “Ma'am, your kids fell the birthday cake” she announced.

Katrina was immediately embarrassed and her heart pounded deeply. She rushed downstairs to check the situation, hoping that Jeremy and Joanna weren't hurt.

“I said it, nothing good comes out of that woman. Now, her little brats had ruined our surprise for grandpa” Lucy remarked, before they all headed downstairs.