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CHAPTER FIVE
Last Updated:
2025-02-07 09:03:08005
SIX YEARS LATER JOANA’S POV “Mom, this is where you grew up?” My son, Japheth, asked, making me smile. After the drama with Clinton, I decided to open a fashion company with my family's support. To my greatest surprise, Caleb decided to help me, and even became my partner, even though he had his own companies to manage. In the early years of serendipity fashion, Caleb and I encountered dating rumors due to the fact that he was always with me. Some people accused me of dating my brother-in-law while playing the victim to make my ex-husband get bashed. The jealous Clinton who once came to make a scene at the studio made it even worse. So, we decided to move the head office abroad and finally returned today. The kids recognize Caleb as their dad since he's the one who has been there from the beginning. I felt someone pulling at my sleeves, making my attention return to the present. “Mom, what do you think?” I immediately felt confused because I had not been listening to them. Before I could come up with a suitable way to brush off the unknown question, my eyes met a familiar cold billionaire, making my heart skip multiple beats. Clinton was coming towards us with his secretary and a few bodyguards. I quickly grabbed my kids and rushed behind a car. “Mom, what's wrong? Why are you acting like a child stealing candy?” Jake, my second son asked. “Mom, why are we hiding?” Mirabel my daughter chipped in. “Just shut up already. What if he turns in our direction?” I hissed at them as I squatted behind a car. “Damn it! God, don't let him see Caleb.” I muttered, suddenly remembering that Caleb was still out there since he went to get our luggage. My phone vibrated at that moment, and I quickly picked it up. “Our car is at exit B., I'm already there waiting for you guys,” Caleb said through the phone. A bright smile of relief spread on my face as I quickly shepherded them towards exit B, feeling relieved that we managed to escape Clinton. **** “Have you seen the kids?” Caleb suddenly asked me making me turn around. “No. But they should be somewhere close by.” I whispered. My eyes never left the models preparing for the showcase for even a moment. Today was the grand opening of the jewelry subsidiary and Hera city headquarters, and I'm buried neck-deep in work. I moved the headquarters back home and added more subsidiaries to serendipity fashion. Now we deal in both clothes, shoes, and jewelry. “Joanna, were you even listening to me? The kids are not anywhere around the backstage. They're not with the models, nor are they with the Junior designers.” “They would be with my brother then,” I replied absentminded, adjusting the clothes on our plus-sized model. “Joan, maybe if you listen to me, you will understand what I mean.” He muttered in exasperation and left. I frowned as he left. He seemed to love the kids even more than I, their mother. However, I'm not worried one bit. This place is filled with security and CCTV cameras. Besides, I'm sure the kids went to find my brothers. Nothing could go wrong. I just needed to focus on the showcase. Caleb returned at that moment, and I found myself smiling at him. However, his face was etched in tight lines. “Clinton is here. I'm off to find the kids. You stay here and wait for them.” He whispered and left again. My heart dropped to the pits of my stomach the moment I heard that. What's he doing at my showcase? He hasn't discovered that I gave birth to his kids right? Impossible, I went abroad before my baby bump began to show. I immediately became distracted and panicked, but I knew leaving the backstage wouldn't be wise. As Caleb pointed out, the kids might return here to find me. My nerves were jumping at this point, and it took all my willpower to not leave the backstage in search of my precious kids. “Boss, what are your thoughts about this? I think we should remove the purple feather strap dress from the showcase since there are already blue and pink ones of the same design on stage.” My assistant said, tapping my arm. “Whatever, whatever,” I whispered, dismissing her. Work was the last thing on my mind at the moment. “Mom!” I heard Japheth shout, making my heart leap for joy! If he was here, the other two must not be far behind. I immediately hugged him, feeling dizzy with relief. “Oh, my sweet boy. I told you three not to run around. What if you run into your heartless dad? What will I do then?” I muttered, rubbing his back. “Mom!” Mirabel shouted, making me look up. My heart sank the moment I saw the man whose hand Mirabel was holding. Damn it.
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124 JOANA'S POV “We also need to consider the media,” Clinton added. “Your name is known, Jo. All it takes is one article to twist this story and make you look like you're the villain.” “I’m already ahead of that,” I said. “I have a PR team ready to release a statement if anything leaks. We’re keeping the narrative tight—no emotional outbursts, no public fights.” “Smart,” Caleb murmured. “Real smart.” “I’m trying,” I replied softly. The three of us each sat in silence for a while and brooded over our thoughts. Caleb continued to look at me like he still had more to say, but holding it back, while Clinton leaned back into the chair and scanned the room. Pushing the blanket aside, I said, ‘I’m going to get the files I’ve compiled.” “No,” Clinton said quickly, standing. “Rest. I’ll get them.” I hesitated, then nodded. “In the brown folder, top drawer.” He nodded with a tilt of his head and left. “Are you scared?” he asked. Lying would have been to pretend, but I w
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120 JOANA'S POV “Stop…” I muttered quietly, taking a deep breath, I yanked my hands away from Caleb's, causing a shock in his gaze. “Caleb, I want you to just stop it,” “But–” “But nothing,” I snapped. “Can you just stop fighting for a minute? I hate it. It's discomforting, I really am tired of this. Just stop…” I tried to catch my breath, I wanted to unite the two brothers before anything else, but as long as I was in their midst. It would be impossible. Without saying a word, I got in my car and drove away. My phone kept buzzing with calls from Caleb. I ignored it, pressing the accelerator, I went faster than usual and suddenly pressed the brakes, hitting my head on the steering wheel. “Ouch…” I muttered gently, slowly touching the side of my head. Blood stains on the tips of my fingers. An exhausted breath escaped my lips, I turned on the engine, but the busted engine gave me a sign that I was done for. I called up my last caller without thinking, and
