Chapter 4

7 YEARS LATER

*Astrid's POV*

It's been 7 years since Lucas took me under his wings and also the birth of my sons, Jayden, Kayden, and Braden and I must admit that my kids were the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I was so proud to be the mother of three lovely angels.

After the triplets' birth, things took a huge turn for the better and thanks to Lucas, I was able to achieve so much in life and eventually became a successful businesswoman. My life couldn't be any better and I couldn't be more happy than I am.

The kids were so fond of Lucas, and they all called him dad. At first, I had thought Lucas would have a problem with that, and I tried making them stop calling him dad, but when Lucas found out about it, he cautioned me and made me stop trying to make them stop calling him dad. Lucas insisted that he had no issue with that, and I eventually gave up on trying to stop them from doing that.

Lucas has been a great father figure to my kids and for all he's done, I am deeply indebted to him. He gave me my own office to work in, and I couldn't be more grateful.

“Aren't you going to rest? You've worked a lot lately, and I think you deserve a rest.” Lucas said, when he saw me working in the study one night.

“The files were so important that I just couldn't drop them without doing something. I'm to present it to the shareholders of the board at tomorrow's meeting, so I need to make it the best because your company deserves something spectacular.” I smiled.

“You don't have to work your butt off for my company, Astrid.” He sighed.

“Of course I will. You made me who I am today. I wouldn't have achieved all these without you, and you expect me to neglect you like that? No, that's not going to happen.” I chuckled.

He sighed in surrender. “Well, if you say so. But make sure you go to bed soon. It's almost 12am, and I wouldn't like you to be stressed out in the morning. You do not want to fall asleep while making your presentation to the shareholders, you know.” He joked and I laughed.

“Noted.” I smiled.

He placed a peck on my forehead before leaving. After he left, I couldn't help but bless the moon goddess for her help. It wasn't easy, and here I am. Lucas was like the best thing that has ever happened to me and my babies, and I couldn't ask for more.

After I was done working, I switched off my laptop and carried it in, dropped it on my table before sliding into my night wear. As I sat on the bed and glanced at the three gifts given to me by the moon goddess, I couldn't help the lone tear that dropped from my eyes. 

It's been 7 years, and I was still haunted by the memories of all I had to go through to get here. Everything Kai and Kathryn did to me was fresh in my head like morning bread, and no matter how much I tried to forget about it, it just didn't work out.

I remember it whenever I sit alone or in the midst of people, and it always succeeded in putting me in a foul mood. Occasionally I try to forget about it and move on, but life wasn't like that. I thought of how we could have been if he had given me the chance to share that news that day. I thought of how our life would have been if I hadn't caught him in bed with my best friend. 

We would have been happy and raised our triplets together, but no, he was fucking faster than his shadow and showed me how much of a monster he was. He betrayed me, my best friend betrayed me as well. And each day, I wonder what fate has done to them. And I always prayed for them to get ten times the pain they've cost me.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at Kayden. Among all of them, he reminded me of Kai the most. He was the exact carbon copy of Kai and acted like him too.

“I'm sorry, my babies. I'm sorry you won't be able to see who your real father is. Turns out, he's a jerk and an evil man, and I wouldn't want any of you to exhibit his attributes at all.” I whispered in tears.

“Astrid?” 

I turned to see Lucas standing at the door. He must have heard me crying since his room was close to ours. I quickly wiped my tears as he walked in.

“Not again, Astrid,” He sighed and bent to look at me. “You need to stop this thing you're doing. It's been 7 years; 7 fucking years, Astrid. That asshole doesn't deserve your tears. Karma is probably at work on them right now, so stop crying. You don't need to think of him while I'm here, okay?” He encouraged me, and that only made my tears roll down more.

I just wanted to cry it all out. I wanted to cry out all the emotions I've had pent-up for 7 years. I don't want to feel the pain anymore, but I can't help it.

He pulled me into a hug and patted my back. “Thank the moon goddess that you're now a successful businesswoman. You're climbing to the top, and make sure you deal with anyone that tries such nonsense when you're there. I love the woman you've become, Astrid, and it hurts me that you don't realize that,” He sighed and pulled away from the hug to wipe my tears. “Astrid, you're a strong woman. Forget about him. He doesn't deserve your tears, and he doesn't deserve your kids either. Cry no more.” He said, and I nodded my head in agreement.

He was right. Kai doesn't deserve me or my kids. I'm going to forget about him and leave like he never existed. 

Yes, I'll throw away every feeling that has to do with him, and he would never find out about these kids because they're mine and not his.

He rejected me while I was pregnant, and that means he rejected the kids as well.

Farewell, Kia. I hope we never see each other again.