Page 28 of The Billionaire's Contract Baby

"Go change what you're wearing. I wouldn't be caught in public with you dressed like that." She pulled me away from the railing and pushed me to the door.

I sighed, letting her humor and bright energy wash over me. I was going to do this. I should do it now before Lorenzo decided to send him off to another country with his siblings. Behind me, Jen picked up the photo album and her bag and followed me inside.

I got in the shower and washed myself with renewed energy. I was allowing myself hope even when I knew the chance of getting into his residence or even seeing Alfred was negligible.

Jen joined me in the bedroom to pick out an outfit – a nice sweater and pants. Dressing up again and wearing light makeup made me feel alive. My cool and easy outfit was in sharp contrast to Jen's all denim casual attire. Packing my hair in a ponytail, I sized up myself in the mirror. I had lost a little weight, but nothing too serious.

"Are you ready to face your number one enemy?" Jen asked from the corner of my room, where she was going through the photo album.

I looked at myself in the mirror. The person who stared back gave me a different feeling. I didn't feel weak or inferior. I had stared down Lorenzo and argued with him; I could do that again. "Yes, let's leave now before this newfound confidence fails." I resolutely left my room, and Jen rushed after me.

I had nothing to bring along with us except what was in my mind and heart - I hoped that would be enough. Getting into Jen's car, I breathed slowly through my mouth. Jen gave me a look. I nodded in response, and she started the car and drove away. I had nothing left to lose except the hope that one day, I’d be reunited with my son.

Chapter 17

CRYSTAL

Jencarparkedinfront of the Rosii residence. The gate was barred, of course. It was a mansion that occupied a large portion of land. Trees littered the sidewalk, providing shade for those who wanted to walk their pets or just stroll. It was a pleasant evening. I had only been into Lorenzo's home once, and my takeaway that day was that Luna hated having me around. She wasn't here now, so I didn't have to fear her.

"How do we get in?" Jen asked, looking at the gate with no one visibly controlling it.

"It opens based on facial or plate number recognition. Let me go and see if my face works on this thing." Jen nodded. I unlocked the car and stepped out. When I reached the bars of the gate, it trembled for a moment then swung open. I breathed a sigh of relief and beckoned for Jen to drive in.

I entered the car, and we drove a distance on a long driveway before we got to the main structure. A sprawling cream mansion dominated our sight. No matter how many times I got to see it, I was always amazed. Jen parked by a water fountain with a lion roaring water out of its mouth. It was a short walk to the front oak doors.

"Damn. Crystal, this house is huge. How can one person live here alone?" Jen asked as she alighted from the car. I joined her. We closed the door and stood side by side, taking in the breathtaking sight of the house.

"Jen, focus." I gave her a nudge with my elbow. She chuckled, waving her hands in a gesture of appeasement. I was not angry. "I want to be quick with this." I marched to the door, Jen just behind me.

I had calculated that Lorenzo wouldn't be home yet; however, someone should be home. Either a staff or a nanny that I could persuade to let me in. And if he was home, I just had to be extra convincing. When I got to the door, I pulled the metal banger that served as the doorbell.

A loud rattling sound echoed from the impact. The door was like a relic from the medieval period. I would have preferred a ringing bell, but it seemed that Lorenzo was content with this style of knocking. "Your man seriously needs to update his door. Hey! Open the door." Jen joined my efforts.

"Hey! Keep it down. He's no longer my man." I ignored the question in her eyes and knocked again.

This time a reply came, and the voice shocked me. "Oh please, stop. I told Lorenzo to change that damn door, but he never listens." The voice sounded at ease and from what I heard, although muted, it was a woman, and she was on a first name basis with Lorenzo.

I seethed silently. He had moved on so quickly. Too quickly in fact. I was right. I was just a toy to be used and discarded. Was this woman to be with my son? The door shook, then the knob turned, and the door opened. I watched as myson's new motherstepped out of the house, closing the door behind her. From her pose, she seemed all too comfortable acting as the mistress of the house.

She wore a sleeveless pink crop top sweatshirt and skintight shorts that accentuated her fine figure. Her skin glowed in the soft light of the sun. I reined in my jealousy. I was confident in myself.

"And who are you?" she asked in a bored tone. There was a natural haughtiness in her voice and the way she looked at me.

I stood straighter and looked her directly in the eyes. She didn't flinch. "I'm Crystal, Alfred's mom. I'd like to see my son."

"Oh, it's you… Crystal." Her eyes roamed my body, dismissively. "And why are you here?"

"Like I mentioned…."

She cut me off with a snap of her manicured fingers. "I heard you, but you have no right to be here. How did you even pass the gate? Forget it. I know all the ins and outs of the issue, but you can't see Alfred. He's no longer your son. If you're here for blackmail or to beg for money, you better leave, or I'll call the cops on you." Her tone dripped with condescension. I rolled my eyes in frustration. Was this who Lorenzo had replaced me with? Why did I even care?

"Where is Lorenzo? He shouldn't be a coward. I want to speak to him and not his…" I gave her a dirty look, "his mistress or whatever you are."

She looked startled and then burst out laughing. "Oh, my God, aren't you just interesting? Get that thought out of your mind. If he and my brothers hear this, they'll laugh till the end of time. Look here, Crystal, I'm Marie Rosii, Lorenzo's sister. It's so sad that he never mentioned me to you. He's not around, so you better leave. "

What the hell?He did mention her, but I never imagined I'd meet her so soon and under these circumstances. Jen, who had been silent, spoke up, “Hi, I'm Jen, Crystal's friend. Can we all take a breather? Crystal is just here to see her son, she's worried sick. As soon as she's done, we'll be out of here. Just do us this favor." With how insulted I felt, I was in no mood to beg here.

"And what? Both of you will gang up on me, then kidnap my nephew and blackmail my brother? That won't happen on my watch." She had no qualms saying all this with a bored face.

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