2. THE LANCASTER ESTATE

The phone remained pressed to my ear, my vision blurred. So many things happening at once- I close my eyes tight in an attempt to prevent the tears from falling.

I looked back at the mansion I had just walked out from, the lights remained on shadows moving inside but none cared enough to even spare me a glance.

My chest ached and my fingers tightened around the test results in my aim. Why did he do this? I thought, searching my mind for any flaw but all I saw was a life close to a perfect housewife if not completely perfect.

Through the curtains I saw their shadows pressed into each other, probably kissing with Serena celebrating her victory of successfully defeating me this time.

"Am not going back there" I whispered to the air, more like words to hold into "Am going back home" I added my picking up my phone and tapping on the name that dust would have probably covered if it was sitting out of this screen.

"Good day Young madam" his deep baritone voice rang out through the speakers and my hand trembled instead. A minute of silence passed before words finally formed properly in my head.

"Five minutes, nothing more, nothing less" I said and dropped the phone from my ear, my gaze still locked on the mansion in the distance.

I finally stood up walking away. "You aren't gonna have the satisfaction of seeing me break Serena." I muttered my leg padding to soil beneath with a determined rhythm.

My heart still ached for him but I already understood the fact that some sacrifices are too much for the actual worth of the person. A few more steps into the dark tarred road a convoy of black Rolls-Royce pulled up by my side.

I stopped looking up, the result remained squeezed in my palm but my shoulder squared up, chin held high. Several guards rushed out lining themselves up and bowing their heads respectfully.

"Young madam" An elderly man stood by the side of one of the cars. Ermund, my most loyal house manager. I nodded at him and got into the car. The door slammed short just right after.

The car pulled away every roll of the wheel taking away from the painful betrayal that had itself latched on me.

My gaze remained locked on the window re-watching my life over again in my mind.

For five years I had lived as Kiera White, an ordinary woman playing the role of a dedicated housewife so perfectly.

I disdained to bargain prices, cook meals without servants rushing around to attend to my needs. I just wanted a normal life, not because I hated wealth but because I wanted to feel loved. Someone to love me without it.

He had once held my hand and said "I would choose you forever" I recalled his exact words, funny how a lie can sound so beautiful.

My hand reached out and rested over my still flat tummy. "I am choosing us now" I murmured.

Then the gates appeared, two enormous iron doors bearing a silver 'L'. The gates opened and the car rolled past fountains and gardens.

I am back, to a place I never considered home.

Servants already stood outside and in the middle of them all Catherine Lancaster, perfect as always, but I wouldn't dare miss the disappointment and anger she tried so hard to hide.

"You have returned," she said coldly as I stepped through the open car door. I took a step forward looking directly into the entrance, "You have finally remembered you have a family".

"I remembered who I am, and realized my worth" I answered equally coldly, my legs moving, walking past her and into the open doors of the mansion.

Maids trembled taking steps back while guard stilled. "Young madam is back" the maids hidden behind pillars whispered but no single murmur escaped me.

Dad will never believe his so sensitive daughter was actually fooled so well.

Catherine stepped in front of me and stopped my gaze dragging up her form lazily. "The Lancaster Group has been under my management for five years" she said defensively. Already scared, woman?

"So..." I asked, tilting my head with raised eyebrows.

"If you think you can simply return and take over..." I paused my lip squinting my eyes.

"Take over?"I asked, a bitter smile touched my lips. I took a step forward, a silent question and she answered accordingly by stepping back. "Good..."

I walked past her again towards the stairs, but her voice called over again. "What about that bastard child" she asked and my legs went stiff.

"You will only ruin the reputation of the Lancasters with things. So you either get rid of it or step down".

She was right, I only have those two choices but I wasn't choosing any now, I kept moving climbing up the stairs.

I heard her groan, then that same voice that had mocked me in Alex mansion. "Mom, what's wrong?" she asked softly.

"Useless..." Catherine scoffed walking away and my lips twitched but my eyes stung. Her voice serves as a constant reminder of Alex's betrayal.

The smell of medicine hit me first as I pushed the door open.

The continuous bearing of a heart monitor welcomed and the old man laid on the bed, his wrinkled eyes flicking open.

"Little Kiki..." he rasped and my footsteps quickened. I quickly knelt down beside him and found his frail hand in mine.

"Grandpa am home" I whispered tears rolling down my cheek. His fingers squeezed my hand with a surprising strength he shouldn't have in this condition.

"Dear Kiki..." he called again accompanied by a slight cough, he bent over then stood back on the bed.

"I let you leave... because I want you to choose love freely" his dry lips stretched sadly in a smile. "But never abandon your home and your duty for a man who doesn't deserve you" he croaked.

More tears slipped down my cheeks, my head nodding profusely and threatening to fall off. "I won't" I whispered like a prayer, a promise.

He closed his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips as his body relaxed into the bed.

Outside, footsteps padded hurriedly through the hallway before Ermund knocked once. "Young madam" he called, stepping in and standing up.

"Levi is here..." he said and I stood dazed for a minute. My lips formed an 'O' and I nodded walking out. Levi was my assistant and he will always remain my assistant.

"Levi" I called, stepping out and the man standing a few feet away turned, his lips spread in a smile he struggled to contain but failed.

"Boss..." he called, then cleared his throat stepping forward. "The executives from White Technologies have been waiting at the Company"

he said then paused.

"They're here to negotiate the project" he added, but the name registered first

Alex