CHAPTER SEVEN

Every step felt like a celebration of her victory. Six years of silence, transformation, and becoming more than the woman she had once been reduced to had all brought her to this moment.

The award was placed in her hands. The host gave her a warm smile before leaving Tessa alone at the centre of the stage.

"Thank you," she began, her voice calm and steady. She gently dabbed the corner of her eyes with a wipes, the bright lights reflecting the tears gathered there.

"Wow... I honestly don't know where to begin." A gentle smile spread across her lips.

The hall fell completely silent, with every pair of eyes fixed on her. It wasn't her first time standing on a stage, but tonight felt different.

"When I first began this journey six years ago, everything I had and everything I held dear slipped away from me. I thought I couldn't make it. I thought it was all over." Her eyes moved across the audience. "But there's one thing about life: it doesn't matter whether you fall. What matters is whether you find the strength to rise again.”

"And tonight, as I stand here, I feel proud, not because I've received this award." She raised the trophy slightly. "But because I never gave up. I want to use this moment to encourage anyone who has been ignored or silenced... it's never too late to rise again."

The ballroom erupted in applause once more, a powerful wave of cheers sweeping through the hall.

"And none of this would have been possible without my husband, Richard. Please, come forward."

Richard stepped out from the crowd as cameras clicked rapidly around him.

"Thank you so much, Richard, for noticing me when I felt unseen, for being the voice that encouraged me to carry on when all I wanted was to give up,  and for reminding me of the woman I am. Thank you for everything you've done for me. And tonight, I want to remind you of something: it's forever until death do us part... I love you, Richard," she said, unable to hold back her emotions.

With that, she lowered the microphone, her final words still hanging in the air as applause filled the ballroom and cameras flashed around them.

"I love you even more, wifey," Richard replied, his eyes glowing with affection.

She gently held his face in her hands as his arms slipped around her waist, then pressed her lips against his in front of everyone.

Gasps swept through the ballroom, and the cameras flashed uncontrollably.

In the crowd, Justin smiled brightly. Ethan and Eliana covered their eyes in playful embarrassment, making Justin chuckle.

Outside, a taxi came to an abrupt stop. Sophia paid the driver with trembling hands and hurried towards the entrance, but two security guards stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

"Ma'am, do you have an invitation card?" one of them asked.

"I don't have one, but please, I need to speak with my sister," she pleaded, panting, desperation clear in her voice.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't enter without an invitation card."

Her jaw clenched.

"Are you deaf? I said I need to see my sister! It's a matter of life and death!"

"No, ma'am. You need to leave now, or we'll have no choice but to call the police!" the guard warned, his expression remained firm.

She moved back at his words, her thoughts racing. Perhaps waiting would be wiser, but she didn't have the luxury of time.

Inside, the applause was still ringing through the ballroom when she spotted an opening near the entrance. The guards' attention turned towards the new high-profile guests arriving. Sophia seized the opportunity and slipped past them, quietly making her way inside like a shadow.

She halted when she reached the end of the ballroom.

Tessa was still on the stage grinning with Richard. The moment Sophia's gaze met hers, she froze.

Her smile faded. Her hand tightened around Richard's, her knuckles turning white.

"What's wrong?" Richard asked anxiously.

He followed her gaze and spotted Sophia. He held Tessa's hand protectively.

Sophia walked forward, ignoring the looks, the clicking cameras, and the whispers. She stopped right at the end of the stage.

"Tessa, we need to talk now before it's too late!" she said loudly enough for the microphone to pick up.

Tessa exchanged glances with Richard, her body already growing restless.

"Who is she?"

"What is she doing here?”

Sophia ignored the whispers and stepped closer.

"Please hear me out Sophia. It is about Declan," she said. "He is  in the hospital. He needs two million dollars and a blood donor. You're B positive..."

Gasps filled the room.

Tessa looked at her, the mention of Declan making her furious.

"Excuse me, did I know you?" Tessa asked, her eyes cold.

"Tessa, it is me..."

"Security, please take  this woman out of here. I don't know her!" Tessa yelled.

"Right now!" Richard added firmly.

"You liar!" Sophia screamed.

Then Tessa's hand lashes out on her face, the slap echoing through the hall.

Sophia looked at her. The security guards grabbed her arms and dragged her away.

"You will regret this, Tessa! You will!" she shouted.

Tessa closed her eyes in relief, but Richard couldn't afford to wait. He knew the media would question her and might insult her as well.

He took her hand and signalled Justin, which she  immediately took the twins out.

"Mr. Richard, please tell us, who is this woman?"

"Tessa, say something. Who was that woman? Did you really not know her?"

The reporters hurried after them, but they didn't stop.

They all got into the car, and the driver immediately sped off.

Inside the car, with the twins sitting between them, Richard called his secretary to put an end to any rumours.

Tessa wasn't herself. She was trembling, yet she didn't let the twins notice.

"Mom, why did we leave the function so quickly?" Ethan asked.

"Nothing, Sweetheart," Tessa replied, holding back her tears.

"Mom, why are you sobbing?" Eliana asked in her sweet, worried voice.

Tessa blinked away her tears and smiled softly. Then she lifted Eliana onto her lap, pulling Ethan into her warm embrace at the same time.

"We love you, Mom," they said in unison.

Richard was still busy tapping his phone.

Tessa kissed their cheeks before turning to look out of the window, the cool breeze gently blowing through her hair.

Her heart ached as Sophia's words echoed in her mind.

'It's about Declan. He needs two million dollars and a donor.'

Although she is married to Richard and loves him deeply.

But Declan was still the father of her children.

No matter how tightly she held Richard's hand, her heart murmured a truth she could never silence—she never stopped loving Declan.