Chapter Two

Elena’s Pov

The night air hit me as I walked out of the hall, the heavy doors slamming shut behind me. My heels clicked on the pavement, and my legs were killing me, but I barely noticed. The whispers and camera flashes were gone now, replaced with my silent despair.

I needed to get back to my twins, Mia and Max. They were all that mattered. Lucas’s words still echoed in my mind—calling them bastards, denying they were his. It hurt more than anything else. He was my first love; the only man I ever gave my body to.

 Struggling against the crisp wind, I Increased my pace. When I reached the mansion gates, the head of security, Robert, approached me. His face didn’t show the usual warmth.

 “Elena,” he said quietly. “Mr. Lucas instructed me to pack your things. The twins will be brought to you shortly.” I was no longer “Mrs. Lucas” or “ma’am,” but Elena.

 My heart sank and my eyes filled with painful tears. “No. I’ll get them myself.”

 Robert shook his head, a flash of pity in his eyes. “I can’t let you in. Those are my orders.”

 “Robert,” I pleaded, my hurt evident, “you know me. You’ve known me for years. You’ve watched my children grow up.”

 He looked down, avoiding my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

 I understood; he was only obeying his boss. I nodded, and he went inside. I stood outside, waiting. The cold caused me to shiver on the inside, but I didn’t mind. I couldn’t wait to hold my twins. After what felt like hours, the gates opened, and the nanny walked out with Mia and Max.

 “Mommy!” Max yelled, running into my arms.

 I hugged him tightly, tears rolling down my face. Mia followed, clutching my hand. I wiped my tears quickly, forcing a smile. “We’re going on an adventure, okay?”

 “Where is Daddy?” Mia asked, looking above my shoulders.

 “He will join us soon...” I lied.

 “Okay, mummy…”

Later that night, I sat in a tiny hotel room, watching my twins sleep. Their soft breathing calmed me, but my mind was a mess. I couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas and what had happened. How could he believe I betrayed him?. Right before our children slept, their questions had been endless. Where is Daddy?. Why isn’t daddy tucking us in bed?, Where is grandma and Aunty Bella?. Again, I had to lie to them. Max and Mia were closer to Lucas than they were to me, they adored him. How would they feel with his constant absence in their lives?

My phone buzzed with a message. It was from Alex, Lucas’s PA.

( “Mr. Lucas said I should send 100,000 dollars to you, because of the children. He said they are innocent and they don’t have to suffer for your promiscuity.”)

 Anger burned within me.

( “To hell with him. I don’t need his money… Neither do my kids…”)

I responded with shaky hands.

The next day, the media buzzed. My humiliation was all over the tabloids. I didn’t hurt so much for the embarrassment, as much as I was hurting that Lucas didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself. Desperate to escape the public humiliation, I decided to go to Singapore. My Uncle and his wife invited me after they heard what had happened. Shortly after the news was released, I got notifications of my account being frozen, all I had was gone. Lucas suddenly changed the name of the official beneficiary to the investments he had in my name. I was left with nothing. My social media account was plagued with angry comments. I had to deactivate my account. My whole world came crashing down. Luckily for me, I had a few dollar bills in the purse I took to the gala. I was able to get food for my children. I was feeding Max and Mia when Sabrina rushed into my hotel room, her eyes blazing with anger. “How could he have done that to you? It’s all over the gossip blogs…”

“I know nothing about his accusation, Sabrina…” I muttered, my voice breaking.

“I know, you will never cheat on Lucas, “But why would he suddenly do a DNA test?…You guys were the perfect couple.…” she said.

“I don’t know… something is wrong. I don’t know who is behind this…and I am too broke to pull any strings… I have nothing Sabrina..”. I sighed in frustration, hot tears burning in my eyes.

“Lucas does not deserve you, Elena… he is a pathetic coward, and he will regret his actions. Don’t ever go back to him…” She said, pulling me into a deep hug.

I leaned into her, thinking my support system was solid, but I wasn’t ready for what I discovered later that day.