Chapter 3: She is Back

JANE'S POV

— 2 years later —

“We successfully bought Mrs. Baker’s share. Right now, we are one of Moore Estate’s major shareholders…” Miranda, my secretary, announced. Hearing that, a sly smile erupted from my lips, satisfied that everything was going according to plan.

Well, well. What a good news to start this month. I wasn’t wrong when I asked my siblings to go back to Texas weeks before the Moore Estate’s anniversary. As one of the major shareholders, we would be invited, to be sure. 

“I can’t believe that Mrs. Baker would sell her husband’s share right after he passed. Poor woman. She probably doesn’t know how the business world works…” Kaihly, Kelly’s twin, remarked, her head resting on my shoulder. 

“It’s just perfect, alright? I mean, so sad that he died but duh? We got the shares! Jane finally has access to that company!” Kelly responded, clapping her hands for me. 

I did not comment. I had been waiting for this. I made sure that I would get access to that family's assets once I came back. After 2 years of struggling and waiting, this was finally about to happen. The event would happen two days from now. I was dying to see what had changed and what was about to change. 

Gray Moore. My ex-husband. I could not wait to see you.

My secretary had prepared everything for us. Unfortunately, Kaihly would not be able to come, as Kelly and she were identical. Kelly was known by the Moores as Kelsey Robins, Grey’s eldest sister’s best friend, and they did not have any idea that we were all sisters. 

That’s why she looked so familiar the first time I saw her when I woke up from the coma. She was one of the girls I hated when Gray and I were still married. Aside from that whore Hazel, I had known her as someone who wanted Gray, too. Their only difference was Hazel was not pretending and Kelly hated my husband so much.

Little did I know, flirting with Gray was included in their plans all along. For what? To make me leave that shitty marriage. 

My memories were slowly coming back to me, but there was still a lot that I still hadn’t remembered. Kelly kept telling me stories about what I had gone through in that family, though.

I stayed with them in California for two years. They did everything they could to make me fully recover. The first months after waking up were pure hell for me. I had to undergo therapy to be able to walk again. There were times that I almost killed myself when I felt very hopeless. I thought I would become paralyzed forever.

I was lucky enough to have them support me. And now that I have recovered, I will not let those struggles be put to waste. I would make the Moores pay for every damage they caused. 

I could not wait to see them.

*****

GRAY’S POV

“Son, has your sister arrived? Your aunt has been asking me about her. The party would start any time soon…” my mother, who had been tailing me for quite some time now inquired. Fixing my tie, I took a deep breath and stared at her through the mirror.

“Aerah is an adult, Mom. Stop worrying about her. She promised to attend on time, as far as I can remember,” I responded, my face emotionless. My mother let out an almost inaudible sigh. She sat on a single couch behind her, her shoulders dropping in disappointment. 

“Goodness! I can’t believe your sister! Since when did she lose her class? I had been hearing news about her from my friends! From my friends, Gray! Can you imagine how ashamed I was when they started talking about how they saw her doing nauseating stuff with men?” she ranted, the veins on her forehead visible. I could only shake my head in response.

The news wasn’t new to me. Perhaps to my mom, but not to anyone who knew Aerah. She had been doing this since college. She kept fooling around as if she wasn’t a mature adult. She was far from being one if I were to judge.

“She’s stressing me out! She’s becoming like your shitty ex-wife. A whore!” 

Hearing her mention that woman made me halt. Bitterness and anger started mixing within me. Fixing my coat, I cleared my throat and faced my mother.

“Let’s not talk about people from the past, Mom.”

My ex-wife, Jane, disappeared from our lives for almost three years now. She hadn’t signed our divorce papers, so she was still my wife. Legally. So much has changed in our lives since she left. My mother, who hated her so much assumed that she was already dead. There was a report that she was hit by a car when I kicked her out of the house. Even though the police didn’t find a body, my mom still identified her as dead.

Thinking that she was gone somehow pierced something inside my chest. This was probably guilt for everything my family had done to her. I was not saying I was innocent, but there was a part of me that pitied what happened to her and her deceased father. 

Still, I didn’t regret supporting my mother’s decision to kick her out of the house. Her disappearance didn’t erase the fact that she was with a couple of men while being married to me. I didn’t regret divorcing her, either. I never loved her, anyway. 

*****

“Mr. Moore, your speech is ready for later. Also, I have checked all the things that we need to take care of. Everything’s ready. The food and the venue are all perfect. What else do you need me to do, Sir?” My secretary, Hazel, announced as we walked down the hallway. We just arrived at the hotel where the event would be held.

Yes, Hazel. The woman I fucked the same day my wife left the house. I was not connected to her in any way aside from being my secretary, but I knew the woman still had feelings for me. 

Jane was wrong when she told Hazel that my family would not like her due to her social status, as my mother was too fond of her. She liked Hazel because she was good at her job. She started liking her for me when she saw how Hazel could contribute success for our company.

I was gonna fire her when my wife left, but she begged not to as she was the breadwinner of their family. That was the only reason why I let her stay in the Moore Estates. 

“Just make sure that our guests are treated well. Accommodate them with respect. One more thing, Hazel. We have a VIP guest, right? Have you called them?”

“Is this about Ms. Ambers? Her secretary contacted me minutes ago. They are on their way here, Sir. I told our men to escort them once they arrived.”

“Everything is settled, then.”

Ms. Ambers was our new major shareholder. She bought Mr. Baker’s share when it was first offered to her. She also donated millions to charity under our company’s name, giving us all the credits. My mother made her our VIP guest when she knew that. 

Time seemed to run so fast, as the event started shortly after we arrived. I was one of the most important people here, but I instructed the coordinator to give the most highlights to our guests. I delivered my speech shortly—I didn’t even spend two minutes on the stage. My contribution to the company’s success wouldn’t even be half compared to my father's, so I didn’t have much to talk about. I was just the one who handled it when he passed. 

“My brother! So sorry for arriving so late, okay? Geez, I missed your speech!” 

My mother and I were in the middle of conversing when a familiar high-pitched voice registered in my ears. I turned my gaze to my side—only to see my sister, Aerah, walking toward us with poise. She was wearing a pink bodycon dress, her hair curled. She looked decent in my eyes until I saw a red mark on her neck. I clenched my jaw.

This woman never acted like a mature adult.

“Aerah! Where have you been? Do you think this is a joke? And what’s that disgusting on your neck? Come here!” my mother whispered, her tone irritated. Aerah sat beside me, rolling her eyes as if she was done hearing our mother’s sermons. 

“Oh come on, Mom! Will you please save that for later? We should enjoy the event, alright?” 

“Stop talking back! Where have you been young woman—”

“Alright, alright! The night is starting to get more fun. But before we dive deeper, we would like to introduce our only special guest for this event. Today, we have the privilege to be in the presence of the newest member of Moore Estates. Are you guys excited to know who she is?” 

Both of them were interrupted when the host in front spoke. I turned my gaze to the stage, giving my full attention. The lights were turned off, and the surroundings started to get dark. The spotlight was focused on the host, having all of us looked at her. 

“Is she about to introduce Ms. Ambers? Oh, I have been waiting for this…” my mom muttered excitedly, forgetting my sister’s sudden appearance.

“Who the heck is Ms. Ambers?” Aerah remarked, but no one paid attention to her. Surely, that would be Serena Ambers. None of us had seen her face. Her secretary was always the one who would show up for her, saying that her boss had an important matter to attend to. Tonight would reveal who she was. Even I couldn’t help but wait for her. She had always been a mystery ever since she joined our company.

“This woman has helped with the company’s development and contributed innovations that added to the company’s success. She only joined the Moore Estates recently, yet her outstanding performance, ideas, and vision would surely benefit not just her, but also the people who worked for her. Please welcome, Ms. Serena Ambers!” 

A woman, wearing a red strapless dress came out of the stage. Her black wavy hair reached underneath her shoulders, almost covering her chest. Her familiar-looking siren eyes eyed the crowd, only stopping when they spotted mine.

My heartbeat raced, and a sudden coldness started consuming me. My mouth parted open, a tingling sensation could be felt within my chest. Whispers started echoing all over the venue, and some of the guests started looking at me. I could hear my mother’s gasp beside me, followed by my sister’s curses. I stiffened in my seat, my muscles suddenly felt so rigid. That woman...

“T-That’s… Jane.”