KRISTIEWhen I got home, James was nowhere in sight. The only ones in the house were Shantel and Dad.Shantel was keeping Dad company when I entered the room. He was telling her stories, and she was giggling as she listened, asking childish questions he never seemed to tire of answering.I stood by the door for a while before Dad noticed me.“Kristie, dear,” he coughed, calling out to me. “You’re back. How long have you been standing there?”“Welcome, Mommy!” Shantel ran over and embraced me.“I’ve only just arrived, Daddy,” I replied. “How are you, baby?” I asked, brushing Shantel’s hair back gently.“I’m fine, Mommy. I thought you’d be gone all night,” she replied and returned to sit beside Dad.“I came back for something very important, baby,” I said. “Is James not back yet?”“No. Grandpa said he might stay out a little late. But he’ll bring me some peanut chocolate ice cream when he returns,” she added with a gleam in her eye.“Come with me, Shantel. This is very important,” I sai
TILDAMy heart literally stopped.I had been trying to avoid this moment all night, yet here it was, standing in front of me in the form of a tiny hand tugging gently at my dress and a voice I could never forget.But what would Oscar think when he discovered the truth? Would he feel betrayed? Would he think I orchestrated all of this from the very start?And the question of paternity—I knew he was aware I had once been married, but how could I explain to him that even now, I wasn’t sure who the children’s father truly was?How would I tell him I got drunk one night and woke up in a stranger’s bed, pregnant with no way of identifying the man?James and Kristie may have been cruel and manipulative, but at least they didn’t conceive children with someone they couldn’t name. Didn’t that make me worse?“We finally found you, Mommy! We looked for you all night,” Diamond squealed excitedly, her small hands pulling harder at my dress.I slowly turned to face her, inhaling deeply, unable to fi
OSCAR GRAY“Where is your mommy?” I asked Diamond gently.I had spent most of the night with the kids, watching them shine as they claimed prize after prize. Yet, not once had their mother appeared. Who was she? And why all this mystery surrounding her?Over time, I had grown attached to them—so bright, so charming. I should at least know their mother. Had I been able to attend their birthday, maybe I would’ve met her then.“Our mommy—” Diamond began.But Dixon quickly cut in, “Don’t listen to Diamond, Mr. Gray. She just hoped Mommy would be here tonight.”I nodded slowly. The little girl must have longed to see her mother at the party. I only hoped her absence wouldn’t spoil her joy.“Oh. If that’s the case,” I said, “I’d like to introduce you to my special friend right away.”Tilda was a wonderful woman, and though I wasn’t suggesting she could replace their mother, her warmth might help the kids miss their mother a little less. I had wanted to do this for a long time.Just then, Au
THIRD PARTYAll through the party, Lady Sheila had been restlessly scanning the crowd for Tilda. But the grand ballroom was swarming with people, and finding one person among hundreds was no easy feat. Her frustration grew by the minute, and in her distracted state, she found herself making reckless moves.In addition to her search, Sheila’s attention was constantly drawn to the quadruplets. The children had effortlessly stolen the spotlight. From the moment they arrived, they’d dazzled the crowd—winning award after award.Almost every prize meant for children their age was claimed by one or another of them, and the admiration they received from the guests gnawed at Sheila’s composure.She watched with thinly veiled disdain as they beamed at the crowd, charming everyone with their intelligence, wit, and elegance. With each passing moment, Sheila’s desperation mounted. She was eager to approach the children, to pry the truth out of them—especially the girl, Diamond. But Oscar’s constan
KRISTIE“Oscar Gray,” Lady Sheila called out, cutting through the tension in the air.“Oh, Oscar, I left everything to honour your day,” I giggled softly, trying to keep my composure.But he didn’t spare me a glance. “As I said, Aunty, you’re free to leave too if you don’t approve of my decision,” he reinstated firmly.“Os… car…” Lady Sheila was stunned. She stuttered briefly, grasping for words.“That’s final, Aunt Sheila,” he said plainly.“You… you can’t do this without informing me first,” she insisted, her voice rising with disbelief.Without another word, Oscar turned and walked away, his men flanking him.I stood there, shattered. He didn’t even look at me. After everything I went through to look this way—for him. I had stripped myself of dignity to wear this scandalous dress, just to impress him. And what did I get?Humiliation.“Aunty Sheila!” I cried.She had been the one to talk me into wearing this. She said it was all I needed to get Oscar clinging to me like a bee to hon
JAMES“Stop the car over here, James,” Kristie hissed. “Must you be useless at everything, including driving?”“I could drive in. Why do you want to stop blocks away from the venue?” I asked.“You’re such a fool, James,” she snapped bitterly. “Do you want everyone to see me getting out of this pathetic car? I know you’re just looking for a way to destroy whatever’s left of my reputation—especially in front of Oscar Gray.”I parked without another word, eager to avoid more of her endless nagging. The sooner she got out, the more peace I’d have.I stepped out and opened the door for her.“I only agreed to be in this stupid car because of your foolishness. You’re completely worthless, James,” she continued, voice rising. “Stick around—I’ll call when I’m done. That is, if I don’t leave with Aunt Sheila after the party.”There was something gleaming in her eyes—too smug, too eager. I knew she wasn’t being entirely honest.“The party will run all night. I can’t just sit here that long,” I p