Alicia’s POV Five years later“Bye Emily, send my love to Harry!” I said in my curated English accent and waved goodbye to Emily, my coworker who dropped me off with her tiny fire engine red car.“See you Alice, enjoy your weekend!”I smiled, waving at her until her car disappeared down the road before I let my hand fall. I let out a sigh, checking my phone for any extra texts and calls. Most of the texts I had were from my coworkers wishing each other a happy weekend.I would have never believed my life would end up like this. In the past I had a shitty job with Daya and hid away, afraid and wary to be seen. Now I work as a secretary, mingled openly , and made friends. The past Alicia would have never openly laughed and smiled and gone for drinks with her coworkers.But I wasn't Alicia. I hadn't been for the past five years. I was now Alice Duncan Alcott, regular office worker and a single mother. That's how I'd lived for the past five years.Turning back to my driveway I walked tow

Alicia's POV By the time we were done with unpacking, it was almost the designated time Jason had told me the driver would arrive. Entering my temporary roomI changed to a simple black sheath dress and a pair of matching flats before entering the children's bedroom to wake them up.“It's time to wake up.” I whispered. Once they were fully awake and alert I got them prepared, helping them wear the clothes I'd picked out for them for this occasion.“Where are we going mom?” Dante asked, always the more outspoken one while Ashford didn’t bother saying anything, simply staring at me with the question written all over his face. I crouched down to their level, meeting their curious gazes. Leaning in, I kissed both of their foreheads before cupping their cheeks.“Today” I said, giving a small rueful smile as grief settled in on me, “We are going to send your grandfather off.”Flashback:I closed my eyes to try to quell the growing headache. Exhaustion filled my eyes, but it was nothing com

They led me and my sons through the labyrinth of halls until we reached a place.“This was his study.” Ashley whispered to me right as Jason opened the door. There were people already seated there, the older woman that glared at me included.While Jason, and Ashley moved forward , I stayed back, sitting in the back row of seats with my sons. Despite Jason's insistence I still doubted that he had left anything for me. I was only here as an obligation.The lawyer sat in front of the desk with the will presumably in his grasp. After looking at all of us, he nodded.“Now that all Mr Stevens close relatives are here, we can now commended the will reading. The will reads as follows;To my only son Jason, I hand over the majority of my property and my responsibilities to ensure that his mother lives a good life.”I looked at Jason who nodded, as though he had already expected it. The will reading continued while I listened throughout, reading all their expressions.Ashley got her trust fun

K. Alicia’s POV“Thank you so much Andy,” I told her in a solemn voice as we walked back to the house. I couldn't deny that I was still shocked at the turn of things, but the fact that I had gotten out thanks to her was the only silver lining.Dante was snoring peacefully in my arms as I carried him while Ashton was in Andy's arms. They were both asleep now, and neither if us were eager to wake the up, especially after the tumultuous day we'd had.Both of them had been under so much stress that they didn't deserve it from the moment I was arrested. They had followed me to the police station and had spent most of the time crying and yelling at the policemen to free me. Despite being so close, they were blocked from seeing me and I could only watch them look at me anxiously and try to appease them. It hurts my heart that I was locked in a cell unable to reach them and give actual comfort.Guilt flooded my chest. I was responsible for this. If I hadn't come back and gone to the funeral

Alicia's POV My breath hitched. I had almost forgotten that it was there. So lost in seeing them I nearly forgot her presence. She had heard everything I said, including me pinning my children on her.Guilt welled up in me. K reached out to hold her hand and looked into her eyes “I'm so sorry, for lying and using your name as Dante and Ashton’s mother.” I said.“But this is different. I can't let them know. If they find out…” I shook my head.If they found out, they would never let them go and by extension me as well. I had already done so much with her to get out of that life. To have my boys dragged into it would break my heart.“Please Andy, I'm begging you here, you can't let anyone know that I was lying, especially right now. “Any single mishap and the word could spread like wildfire. Now that Mikael and Acker were on my tail, they would no doubt catch wind of it.My eyes burned with tears. I knew that I was asking her for a lot, but this was what had to happen. Until the ma