“Mom, he was behind it all—the sending of Winnie to in-patient care—just because he had an image to protect. Can you imagine that, Mom?”
I am shouting at the top of my voice now, ignoring the perspiration running down my brow, the pain in my feet that is bound inside my shoes, and the pounding of my head, focusing only on unleashing my rage on my father, who is standing before me.
“Children? Winnie? Sam, is this true?”
When he doesn't answer immediately, my once-calm mother goes berserk, clutching his shirt and dragging him till his face is inches from hers.
“Sam, is what our son is saying true?”
The look on my father's face is not pitiful. It is proud and arrogant, like always. He is not shameful.
“I did it for him, Grace. I did it to save him from himself, to save him from that–”
“Oh, you did it for your image. It has always been about you, Dad, never about me. Also, if you care to know, the wedding was fake—there was never a wedding! Now, if you'll excuse me, I do not wish to deal with your mess anymore. I only pray the heavens to make me a better father to my kids than you have been to me.”
With those words, I closed my box, struggling to carry my duffel bag as I tried to leave the room.
“If what our son has just said is true, Sam, this is the end. I can't, and I won't be a party to a crime, no matter how much I love you...”
I leave the room and head for Winnie's room, not wanting to hear more. I pack a few things together and then head down the stairs to where Winnie is waiting with our little girls—to where my beautiful family is waiting.
Enveloping them in a hug, I kiss Winnie slowly but passionately, then stop abruptly as I whisper, “Let's go.”
Outside, the sun is shining brightly, and as I stand next to what was once my house, I envision that what lies ahead is shining even more brightly than the sun.
I smiled at my family and opened the car for them to get in.
CHAPTER 18
Winnie
I let the faucet run, allowing the water to wash away the contents of yesterday's leftover dinner into the sink.
Although it seemed like a small feat, yesterday was one of the best days of my life—my family had dinner for the first time under the same roof!
It had been a joy to watch Ted giggling as he fed Isla and Luna and his mother’s warm smile as she carried her granddaughters.
This was joy and happiness in a single package—something I had wished for all my life and never dreamt of having after my “precious little darlings” had been taken from me.
Smiling, I turn off the faucet, straining my ear to hear the cries of the babies–my babies. It felt strange that I had them together again after such a long time. I had fantasized about this moment so much that it felt like a dream.
I was happy that Ted had gone out of his way to make sure a guest house was ready for us while he was planning to buy one of the magnificent mansions we looked at during our quality time together.
It all felt too good to be true. I did the dishes while whistling an old tune, letting the washed dishes dry in the plate rack as I stacked them on top of each other.
Sometimes, I wonder what would've happened if Ted's father hadn't come into the picture with his treacherous plans. Would Ted love me unconditionally as he did now? Would he have accepted the children wholeheartedly like he was doing now?
I wonder how well things have gone and cannot help but let a seed of doubt creep into my head. What if Ted took the babies away? What if I woke up the next day and never found my precious little darlings anymore?
I use the dishcloth to dry the plates, letting my thoughts run wild. Ted is everything I am not: self-confident, dominant, overbearing, and loving seamlessly.
What was I thinking, being with a man whose father had felt I wasn't suitable for his son? What right did I have to believe Ted wouldn't act like his father in the near future?
He is a multi-billionaire and the heir apparent to the Gates group of Hospitals Foundation, and he is well-connected worldwide.
What was I thinking of being with a family that didn't want me here?
And look at how rich they are. Who said money couldn't buy the law? Who said money couldn't cover up the crimes Dr Sam had committed?