Chapter 025

25.

Jessica sat down on the couch and took a deep breath. Samantha was right about everything. There were times she had wanted to put Estella in her place, but she felt the girl just needed to be loved. She recalled how Estella would cry herself to sleep every night and shut herself out from everyone during the day. There are times she would want to do the work of a mother, but Estella had always been hostile towards her from day one.

She could still remember the incident that occured the first day she stepped her feet into the house.

FLASHBACK

YEARS AGO

Jessica walked into the mansion, her hands wrapped around Ray's arm. They had just tied the knot and he had insisted she moved into the house today. She had no idea he was such an influential person because he was simple yet nice towards her.

"Ray, I know you were rich, but you didn't tell me you were this rich." she gushed over the beautiful interior. Being a designer herself, she couldn't help but admire the intricate designs on the curtains, and the crystal chandelier hanging above her head made her feel like she was in some sort of billionaire movie.

Ray smiled. "I am hoping to become more than this with you by my side, and I am sure my daughter will adore you. She needs a mother figure in her life, and you're the best person she can ever need."

Jessica blushed a bit. "Where is she? I would like to meet her. I bet she would be so lovable."

Ray chuckled. "Estella! Ella baby! Come on, daddy's home!" he exclaimed.

A few minutes later, they heard a voice call out from up the stairs. "Daddy!" Estella rushed down the stairs to welcome her father, but was greeted by the sight of another woman's hands encircled around her father's arms.

She blinked at her father, her tiny eyes searching for answers or probably explanations. "Who is she?" she asked, her tone cold and harsh.

Jessica flashed her a smile. "Estella, I'm Jessica. You can call me mum." she replied but Estella's expression darkened, her gaze shifting to her father.

"Dad, who is she and why is she asking me to call her mum?" she demanded, her eyes flickering between her father and Jessica.

"Baby, at this stage of your life, you need someone that can take care of you and shower you with love. I found Jessica and we fell in love. She is the best thing that can ever happen to anyone," he confessed, looking at Jessica who was smiling dreamily. Estella felt like throwing up. "So, I married her."

"You what!" she snapped. "You married this pauper? How on earth does she compare to my mother?" she asked. "And wait, did I tell you I wanted a mother figure?"

"Mind your language and tone, Estella. I'm doing this for your own good and for the good of the family." Ray explained.

"I do not need a mother! I do not need her!" she snapped and turned to leave but stopped as something clicked in her head. "Wait a minute," she turned back to face them, suspicion evident in her features. "Now I understand what is going on here. Mum left and it hasn't been up to two years, you bring another woman into the house. Don't tell me you were cheating on mum with this whore!" she snapped and Jessica gasped.

"I will not tolerate such foul words from you, young lady! Why would you even think such a thing?" Ray snapped at her.

Estella was unfazed. "This woman is the reason mum left. I'm sure mum found out about her and was heartbroken, now she is gone and you brought this bitch to take her place."

"Shut it!" Ray raised his hand to hit Estella but Jessica held him back.

"Please, calm down. Please," Jessica pleaded.

Estella glared at them. "You haven't spent minutes in this house and my father already wants to hit me. There's no doubt you're a demon from the pit of hell and I hate you so much!" she rushed up the stairs while Ray called after her but she didn't respond.

"Don't worry, I'll go talk to her. She might be shocked and that's why she's acting this way. Don't worry about it," Jessica assured him and went after Estella.

She was able to find Estella's room and she slowly opened the door. Estella was throwing everything on the table to the ground, her face red with rage.

"Estella dear," she called and the girl sharply turned to look at her.

"What do you want? Haven't you done enough?" she snapped, throwing more things away. She was so mad and needed something to vent her anger on.

"I'm not here to harm you, I hope you understand. You don't have to act this way. I know you're probably shocked-"

"No, I'm not. I just hate you and I want you out of my sight!" she yelled. Jessica was about to talk but she stopped her. "Don't even dare try to tell me anything or try to persuade me with those hypocritical words of yours. The only favor you can do is to leave this house. I don't want your love, I don't want your care and I certainly do not want your attention too. Just get the shitty hell out of here you home wrecker!"

"Estel-"

"Get out!" she yelled, picking things from the floor and throwing them at Jessica. She didn't care how heavy they were and if they could harm Jessica, but she kept screaming and throwing stuff at her.

END OF FLASHBACK

Jessica sighed. At first, she had thought that Estella would grow to love her after a while. Years passed by and it was the same thing. When she gave birth to Samantha, it was worse. Estella began to do drugs and would act like a psychopath whenever she tried to come close.

Sometimes, she would hurt herself and threaten Jessica to leave else she would continue the torturous process. Jessica became utterly powerless in her presence and it continued till now.

"Ma'am," Linda called, distracting her from her thoughts.

Jessica looked up at Linda, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes. "You must think I'm a bad and weak mother too, right?" she asked and Linda quickly shook her head.

"No, ma'am." she answered but Jessica wasn't convinced.

"I couldn't even control a little girl and now she has turned into this." Her voice broke as she spoke.

Linda bent down to stop her tears from falling. "It's not your fault, Ma'am. You tried your best. You did all you could to make her see reality. I've been with this family for a while now, and you're doing a good job till date."

"I feel like everything is falling apart. All I want is this family's happiness. That's why I've been holding back for years." she sobbed, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of everything.

Linda hugged her and parted her back to comfort her. "It's okay, we're all here for you. I know you're trying to keep the family together, but there are certain things that shouldn't be tolerated. I'm not asking you to go all savage mode, but there are times you should put her in her place. If you really want to be a mother figure, you have to act like one. Discipline when you have to, and bring close when you have to, even though Estella as well know isn't someone to be brought close."

Jessica nodded and Linda continued to pat her back.

Samantha walked in that moment and was shocked to see her mother in tears. She had gone outside to calm herself down, only to return and see this? Was she too harsh?

She walked to where her mother was seated and bent down as well. "Mum, why are you crying?" she asked softly.

Jessica sniffled and forced a smile. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine, you're crying," Samantha's expression turned sad. "Was I too hard on you? I'm sorry. I just felt bad because I loved you. I didn't want you to-"

"I know, I know. You did what you were supposed to as a caring and loving daughter. I wasn't crying because of what you said, I was crying because I got a wake up call, and I thought about it. I won't allow myself to be looked down on anymore." she smiled.

Samantha sighed and hugged her. "That's my momma."

Jessica smiled, returning the hug.

*****

THE MILLERS

Nathan returned home after a tiring day at work and after settling down, Laylani decided to have a word with him.

"Nathan, you do know that the Sullivan group is in the palms of the Salvadors, right?" she asked and he turned to look at her, wondering where she was headed.

"What are you trying to say, mum?" he asked.

"I'm trying to say that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket," she replied and he raised an eyebrow, showing his confusion. "Why are you so dumb?!" she hit his shoulder, her expression hardening.

"Calm down, mum. You aren't giving me good explanations. How do you expect me to understand you?" he rolled his eyes.

"She means you have to be on the winning team. You shouldn't rely solely on the contract Bianca's father gave you, but also try to bring Samantha to your side as well. Do you understand now or should I throw more light?" Lucas asked in a rather mocking tone.

"So what you're saying is that, I have to get a contract from Samantha's company as well?" he asked and Laylani nodded. "And you think that's possible? How do you think Bianca is going to take this? Wouldn't she feel like I'm double-crossing her?" he asked and Laylani rolled her eyes.

"Weren't you already planning on double-crossing her or you think I have no idea what you're planning in that hard head of yours?" she narrowed her eyes at him, causing him to mute immediately.

"B... But, do you think Samantha would willingly agree to work with me? She doesn't even want to see my face for a split second." he rubbed the back of his head.

"Don't tell me you're already trying to back out from the plan of winning her back. Weren't you the determined Nathan, who vowed to win her back at all cost?" Lucas let out a throaty laughter that earned him a glare from Laylani. He went mute immediately.

"Don't mind what Lucas is saying. Listen to me, you have to do all you can to bring Samantha to your side. If the Sullivan group mistakenly falls into her hands, you will be at her mercy more than you are already, so don't waste much time and make her love you again." she patted his shoulder.

Nathan knew winning Samantha back was an impossible task to do. He could recall how she gave him the divorce papers which she had neatly signed, and from the death glare she threw his way, he knew she didn't even want to see him at all.

There are times he would feel like he stood a chance since he was her first love, and according to the saying that first loves were always hard to get over. It hadn't been long since their divorce and he felt like one way or another, she wouldn't be over him that quickly. There must be some feelings still locked inside her.

He ruffled his hair as he thought about what he could possibly do. He knew that he was at her mercy right now, and who would have thought that one day, she would rise to the top, and he would be below her, pleading.

That was the irony of life.

"What are you thinking about? Are you doing it or not?" Laylani snapped at him.

His phone rang and he saw Bianca's name flashing on the screen. With a deep breath, he ended the call and turned to his mother, suddenly feeling determined and courageous.

"I will do it."