28. "I was in the neighborhood so I decided to come say hi to you and Ethan." he answered. "How did you know I live here, Lucas? What the heck is wrong with you? Why won't you just leave me alone, huh?" she snapped, her expression hardening as a friend settled on her face. Lucas sighed and ruffled his hair. "I'm sorry if I came here out of the blue, Janette. I just wanted to see my son-" "Stop calling him your son!" she yelled, her fists clenched. "You lost that right when you almost killed me years ago." "I had no idea you were bleeding for real, Janette," he said, his voice breaking. "I thought you were doing that to get my attention, but it's not an excuse and I'm sorry. I won't get tired of apologizing until you forgive me," his eyes turned misty and Janette could only stare at him with wide eyes. "You're free to do whatever you like with me. Punish me, insult me, beat me up, or even break me, but please," he looked into her glassy eyes. "Please, don't keep me from seeing my
29. A week later, “Do you think Uncle Liam will be able to make it, mummy?” Ethan asked Janette as they waited at the park. She smiled and nodded. “Yes. He promised that he was going to be here.” she answered but she wasn’t so sure anymore. It had been thirty minutes and she was beginning to wonder if he was going to make it or not. A few minutes later, she knew he wasn’t going to make it. Her smile faltered immediately. He promised… he promised her he would make it to the park to make up for all the times he hadn’t been able to spend with them. He personally suggested they came to the park and wait for him, now he was nowhere to be found? Janette facepalmed. She couldn't do this anymore. She was sick and tired of giving him second chances only for him to disappoint her all the time. She looked down at Ethan. “I guess he’s busy.” she said and Ethan nodded. “Let’s go home, mummy! I don’t feel like playing on the swings or running around the water fountain anymore.” he lo
30. After Ethan had played to his satisfaction, he fell asleep in Lucas’s arms as they walked back to where the car was parked. Janette walked beside Lucas, her eyes darting towards them now and then. Sophie, on the other hand, seemed to be in her own little world. She maintained a straight facial expression, but it was like a volcano was about to erupt inside her. She took deep calming breaths severally to maintain her composure. When they got to where the car was parked, Janette opened the door and Lucas helped tuck Ethan in. Janette made sure he was secure and wouldn’t fall while she was driving before shutting the car door and facing Lucas. “Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to play with Ethan today,” she gave him a polite bow, but Lucas only raised a brow. “Jane, stop that,” he said, and she looked up to meet his eyes. “Why are you talking like it’s a job I was paid to do?” he sighed. “It’s my responsibility, so you don’t have to thank me. I should be than
031.When Janette got home, her eyes darted to Liam’s car which was parked in the compound. With a sigh, she parked her car beside it and got out, took Ethan who was still sound asleep and walked into the house.Liam was seated on the couch and sprung to his feet the minute he saw her walking in. He approached her, attempting to take sleeping Ethan from her, but she moved back, her expression hardening as she headed up the stairs to Ethan’s room.Liam facepalmed. There was no doubt that she was mad that he had bailed on them when he was supposed to come have fun at the park with them. He rushed up the stairs and walked into Ethan’s room where he saw that she had already taken his shoes off and tucked him into bed.“Jane,” he called, but she acted as if she didn’t hear him. Instead, she focused on making sure Ethan was comfortable. “Please, hear me out.” “Do you want to wake him up?” she asked, not sparing him a glance, and he pursed his lips as he waited for her to finish.When she w
032.“You seem to be in a very good mood today, Lucas.” Alan took a seat on the chair facing Lucas’s desk as he studied his best friend’s expression. He hadn’t seen Lucas this happy ever since the divorce with Janette six years ago.He wondered what could have made him like this. Lucas swayed in his chair. “Alan, my buddy, you wouldn’t believe that I ran into Janette and Ethan at the amusement park yesterday,” he began and Alan’s ears perked up to hear more. “She actually wanted to run like she used to and be all cold and savage on him, but I developed the courage to speak to her and got her into making me spend time with Ethan,” he smiled, remembering how Janette had stared at him while he was running around with Ethan.She might think he didn’t see her, but he was watching her from the corner of his eyes. He could see how she spoke with Sophie with her eyes fixed on them, and even though he had no idea what she was talking to Sophie about—something he had planned to ask later—he di
33.HARRY CORP“Believe me, I tried, but Rosa is one tough nut to crack. She almost poked my eyes out with her fork.” Alan pouted, looking at Lucas, who gave him a knowing look.Lucas folded his arms relaxing his back on his chair. “What happened to you knowing your way around women, Alan?” Lucas’s eyes narrowed at Alan.Alan cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. “Rosa isn’t just any woman, Lucas,” he muttered, running his hands through his black hair, his gray eyes holding frustration. “She is more like a man in a woman’s body if you ask me.” Lucas sighed, shaking his head. “So you’re trying to tell me you weren’t able to convince her to help us, is that it?” he asked and Alan bit his lower lip. “She is Janette’s personal assistant. Without her help, we can’t get through to Janette, and I need to plan that date and make Janette fall in love with me again.”Alan shook his head in frustration, his eyes darting nervously around the room as he considered the situation.“We need to find
034. Janette paced the living room as she waited for Liam to come pick them up. He'd already told them he was on his way, and she kept praying that he made it; that he wasn't just telling her lies. They were to go out for family dinner today, and this was the last chance she was giving him to prove himself. To prove that he really cared for their family. Soon, they heard the honk of a car. "Uncle Liam is here!" Ethan yelled as he rushed down the stairs. "Careful, Ethan!" Sophia rushed after him and was able to scoop him into her arms before he got to the end of the stairs. "Whoa, aren't you excited today." she chuckled, descending the stairs and setting him down. Ethan giggled, rushing into Janette's arms. "Oh my little ray of sunshine," she pecked his forehead. "You're a fine young man." Ethan smiled, wrapping his tiny arms around Janette. "You're beautiful, Mommy," he said, his smile so innocent that Janette couldn't resist kissing his cheeks. Janette turned to face Sophia. "
035. "It's surprising that you finally found a family. Who's that little boy? Did you adopt him because I know you can't bear a child, not after the countless abortion you've done." "Abortion?" Liam whispered. Janette stood to her feet. "Bella," she gritted her teeth. "What are you doing here?" Bella snickered. "What am I doing here?" she sneered. "What? Don't I deserve to be here? Not everyone is as miserable as you are, barren woman." Janette's fist tightened. "For a slut and homewrecker, you sure have some nerves, don't you?" she asked, closing the distance between her and Bella, whose confident mask slipped off immediately. Janette not only had an angry expression but a don't-mess-with-me kinda aura. "Take those stupid words you said back... immediately." Bella scoffed. "Why should I? They are true," she snickered and walked past Janette to face Liam. "Is this your new chick, Janette? I bet he doesn't know the kind of person you are," Bella batted her lashes at Liam, who look
068.When Janette was out of the restaurant, she leaned on the wall there, fearing that if she moved further, she might fall. Her heart was aching badly and he began to feel instant regret. All the things she said echoed in her head and she placed both palms on her head and ruffled her hair.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she heard Lucas’ shout. She said she’d forgiven him but why did she say all those mean words to him? She could have just turned him down politely or better still walked away, but she just had to get all emotional and cause both of them pain. Maybe she had said all those words because she hated him for real, but a deeper part of her knew that she’d only said those words because she hated what she felt at that moment. Rosa, who was at a corner with Alan and had seen her walking out — looking all dejected, rushed to her immediately with Alan trailing behind her. When Janette saw them, she snickered. “I guess this is the guy you said you had feelings for,” she began, h
067.Janette stared at Lucas’ hand, her expression hardening. What the heck was happening? Did Rosa just set her up? She should have suspected something was up when Rosa suddenly came to tell her about a girls night out. She should have known it was all a facade when Rosa dressed her up this much and didn’t even dress herself up. Janette snickered. They’d actually played her for a fool.“Did you plan this with Rosa?” she asked, her face twisting into a frown.Lucas stared at his outstretched hand and pulled it back, trying his best to make sure this went well. Janette didn’t look pleased with what they did, and now he felt like he was standing on thin ice. Any stupid mistake would cost him, so he had to tread carefully.“This was all me.” he answered.“Do you think I’m stupid?” Janette snapped. “If you and her didn’t do it then why did she dress me up like this? And why did she bring me here of all places with all these nonsense?” she snapped, pointing at the table and the cookies.Lu
066.CALIFORNIA…“What the heck did you just say?” Liam asked, his fists tightened so hard his knuckles were turning white.“Her car drove into the Harry’s mansion. She’s been there for like three hours now, and the informant says she hasn’t driven out of there yet.” Victor spoke up from the other end of the phone.Liam couldn’t believe what he was wearing. Did Janette actually wait for him to leave before going to see Lucas? And why didn’t she tell him where she was when he called? Did that mean she didn’t trust him at all? He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t been gone a day and Lucas was already being an asshole. Oh, he couldn’t wait to teach the bastard a lesson.“You know, Victor,” he began, his voice taking on a more dangerous tone. “I didn’t want to follow my father’s plan from the beginning, but I think I will. If Lucas can play dirty by calling my woman to his place when I’m not in town, then I can play dirty as well.”“What are you going to do?” Victor asked.Liam chuckled. “W
065.After the cake was ready, Janette served it into plates and smiled. She heard someone running towards the kitchen and turned in time to see the door opening and Ethan rushing in. Ethan’s little eyes widened the minute he saw Janette.“Mummy!” he called, spreading his arms wide.Janette smiled and picked him up, planting kisses on his face. “My sweet hero,” she said, giving him another peck on the cheek. “You’ve woken up?”Ethan nodded. “Grandma read me a story and I slept off. Then I smelled cake and had to wake up and rush down here.” he beamed.Janette chuckled. “I had to make it for you since that’s your favorite.”“It’s your favorite too, mummy.”Janette smirked. “Like mother, like son then,”Ethan smiled at her. Janette placed her hand on his forehead, the fever had calmed down. She sighed in relief. “You’re fine now, right? Do you feel pains anywhere?”Ethan shook his head. “After Daddy brought me here, I feel better. I got sick because I missed Daddy.”Janette blinked at h
064.Lucas watched Janette as she mixed the batter, his love for her growing with each passing moment. His eyes were on her through all the process. Janette looked up and their eyes met.“Are you watching me or what I’m doing, Mr. Harry?” she asked.Lucas shamelessly nodded. “Both.”Janette rolled her eyes. When she was done and put the cake in the oven, she turned to face him, his eyes were still on her. She folded her arms. “Seriously? You aren’t going to stop staring at me?” she asked.Lucas took a step forward and took her hand in his. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice low and his gaze fixed on her.Janette bit her lower lip. “Uhhh…”“You’re hesitating,” he smirked. “That means you do not want me to stop.”Janette scoffed. “Of course I want you to stop.”“Then why did you hesitate?” he asked, closing the distance between them.Janette met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to maintain her composure, but the intensity of his stare was making it difficu
063.Janette didn’t know why but when she heard that Lucas was the one who too Ethan home, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She didn’t know if it was because she trusted that Ethan was in safe hands, or if she actually developed a soft spot for her ex-husband.She sighed and quickly placed a call to Lucas who answered immediately. Janette wondered if he was expecting her call.“Hi, where did you take Ethan?” she asked.Lucas snickered from the other hand. “Why are you asking like I kidnapped him or something?” Janette bit her lower lip. “Did I come off like that?” she sighed. “I mean, where are you and Ethan?”“Thats much better. We are at the mansion.”Janette nodded. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”“Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to come pick you up.”“No can do, Lucas,” she said. “It’s faster if I come there on my own. I’m so worried.” she hung up and removed her coat, took her jacket and picked up her car keys.Just as she was about going out the door, Rosa came in and arche
062. “What are we going to do about Bella?” Alan asked after Bella left. Lucas sighed and took his seat. “What do you mean?” Alan leaned forward, worry etched on his face. “If you and Janette get back together, do you think Bella will just let you be?” he asked and Lucas raised an eyebrow as he thought about it. “We have no idea what she wants or why she came back. But don’t you think she might be waiting to separate you two again?” “That’s not possible,” Lucas answered. “She already has a son. That means she’s married.” “Then why does she keep coming here?” Alan asked and Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t you find it suspicious? If she’s married, she wouldn’t be coming here to remind you about the past.” “I thought she was only trying to make me feel bad for losing Janette.” “But what if there are ulterior motives?” Alan asked and Lucas sighed. “I didn’t want to say this before but you have to be prepared. Have you seen her husband anywhere?” “How’s that supposed to
061. GEOFFREY CORP. “Dad, you know how critical this time is. You can’t just ask me to come to California out of the blue!” Liam snapped at his father over the phone, his face twisting in rage. His father—Reynold Geoffrey—switched the call to video call, his angry face popping up on the screen for Liam to see. “Look, Liam, it’s mandatory you come to this place right now. I know you want to get things done with Janette first, but she isn’t going anywhere. This is more important.” Liam scoffed. “Who says she isn’t going anywhere?” he asked, his tone hard. “I told you, didn’t I? I told you she’s been getting swayed by her ex-husband lately. If I leave, I’m only giving him the chance to come closer to her and win her back.” Reynold pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “You know nothing, do you? Did I make a mistake by making you to handle my company?” he asked and Liam lowered his head. “With the weight of what he did to her in the past, she would never forgive him. And if she’s
060. Lucas paced in his office, massaging his chin as he thought about Janette’s words. “Everybody deserves a second chance.” he muttered and a smile broke out on his face. He knew exactly what to do. Alan walked into his office that moment, beaming with smiles. “Good day, sir.” he said and Lucas turned, his brows raising in question. “Since when do you ever greet me this way, Alan?” he asked, suspicion lacing his tone. Alan gasped. “Are you calling me disrespectful now? For goodness’ sake, I am your assistant.” Lucas responded with an eye roll. “Why are you so excited, Alan?” he asked, taking a seat. Alan cleared his throat and sat down as well. “I made up with Rosa,” he said but Lucas wore an expressionless face, though Alan could swear he saw a hint of a smile on his face. “Aren’t you happy for me?” “Of course I am,” Lucas responded. “I just wanted to be sure you aren’t pulling one of your numerous pranks on me,” Alan chuckled. “I’m being for real this time,” he said and Lu