Chapter 25
“I never said I didn’t respect your decision,” Jane said, her face twisting with worry. “It’s just that I’m going to miss you guys so much. Finally getting out of prison, I wanted us to spend some time together as best friends. I can’t remember the last time we had some girls’ time.”
She looked at the kids with a wistful smile on her face as they ran around the car happily. “I have grown so attached to them I already feel like their second mother,” she held back a chuckle. “They’re good kids and they always look out for each other. It was an honour taking care of them. Christabel is going to cry her eyes out on learning they’re gone.”
I folded my lips in empathy, understanding her pain and feeling bad for her. As much as I wished it could have been different and I could stay back with her, I couldn’t. Leaving this city will be the wisest and safest choice I can make for myself and my babies.
“I’m sorry, Jay. I wish it would have been different. I really want to spend time with you and have Liam and Lila visit as often as possible but my hands are tied. Every part of this city reminds me of Robert. It reminds me of the pain he caused me. For my sake and that of the kids, I have to start a new life somewhere far away, where he or any member of his family will never find me. Remember they wanted a death sentence for me. If they see me again, they might just find a way to make it happen.”
Robert and his family practically ran the city. Now that I was out of prison, it wouldn’t take them long to find out my whereabouts. If they do, old grudges will resurface. Robert will find out about my babies. He’ll want to get rid of me and take them away from me. I can’t bear the thought of that happening. And then there’s Scarlett. If she learns I had twins with Robert, she won’t take the news well. She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants, not caring who she hurts in the process. I can’t let her set her evil eyes on my children.
Leaving the city is the best option I could come up with. I decided to move to Los Angeles. That way, I’ll be leaving my horrible past and all the toxic people in it behind, starting my life afresh with just my babies around me. And it will be easier for me to get a job there since it’s a big bustling city. Good thing I was no longer head over heels for Robert. That way my feelings won’t get in the way of me deciding to move out of this place.
“I hope you understand,” I took a step closer to Jane and gently held her by the shoulder. “I have thought deeply about this. It’s for the best and we will always keep in touch. You and Christabel and your husband too can always visit during holidays or whenever you want.”
Taking in a deep breath, she nodded her head, left with no other choice but to agree with me.
Liam and Lila’s loud giggles rang through as they came darting around us like butterflies. It seemed like they were playing tag because Lila ran behind me, trying to hide away from Liam.
“You can’t catch me!” Lila teased, using my body to shield herself.
But Liam was fast. He manoeuvred and soon tagged her back. “Now you’re it!” he shouted, turning to run away. Lila giggled and chased after him, both of them smiling as they ran around the car.
“Wherever you’re moving into should have ample space because they play a lot,” Jane said, laughing heartily as she watched them.
I breathed out in relief, a peacefully satisfying smile spreading across my face as I watched them briefly. Seeing them all happy and full of joy was the best moment of my life. I never want to lose the feeling. Neither do I want those heartwarming and carefree smiles to fade from their faces. I will do everything I can to keep them happy. I will give them the life I never had.
“Can I see our IDs and the flight tickets?” I asked Jane, gently drawing her attention from the kids.
“Right,” she opened the door to the back seat, sliding in to grab a small backpack.
She zipped it open and handed it to me. Peering in, I could see all the travel documents we needed. They were all intact. My brows furrowed as I peered in closer, noticing some wads of cash just beneath them.
“Jane…” My mouth fell open as I looked at her. “I didn’t expect this at all…this is a lot of money.”
She smiled like it was nothing. “You’re living in the city with two kids in your care, you need all the money you can get.”
She had done more than enough for me, even handling all the travel documents and arranging the flight herself. I didn’t expect her to give me another money for settling in once I got there. Since all my bank accounts were frozen by Robert and I had no savings, I had planned on taking a small quick loan and paying it back as soon as I could once I secured a job in Los Angeles.
“Thank you so much,” I said, tears of gratitude filling my eyes. “Once I settle well and get a job over there, I will pay you back every penny you have spent on…”
“I have already told you that isn’t necessary,” she brought her hand forward to stop me from continuing, almost growing frustrated with my persistence. “Just take care of yourself and the kids. I packed some of their clothes and other essentials in two suitcases in the trunk but they don’t know so you’ll have to tell them. I’m less busy and since my husband will be picking Christabel up from school, I can drive you guys to the airport to save you the stress of having to board a taxi and pay. But I have just one request to make,” she revealed, moving closer to me with a smile.
“What is it?” My attention was piqued as I leaned in slightly, ever ready to welcome whatever request she wanted to make. For everything she has done for me, I was more than willing to do anything she asked of me.
She wanted to say what it was when Liam interrupted.
“Mummy…?” He called out as his face fell. “Why are you carrying the backpack? Are…are you planning on leaving us again?”
“No…” I grimaced in bewilderment, rushing to him. I held his hands and lowered to his level, reassuring him. He looked very sad and disappointed, almost on the brink of tears. “I’m not leaving. I’m NEVER EVER going to leave you two again. You understand?”
“Then why are you carrying the bag?”
“We…we’ll be going on a little trip,” I said with a forced happy face, doing everything I could do to snap him out of his gloominess.
“A trip?” He asked as his eyes widened in some excitement.
“Yes…” I nodded rapidly.
“Will Aunt Jane Christabel and Uncle Kenny be coming along with us?” Lila asked. She had been observing us closely.”
Looking at her, I let out a deep sigh, trying to come up with a response. Jane didn’t tell them we would be leaving the city today. As such I had to make it sound as convincing as possible to them. If not, they might not want to come along, leaving the little life they have built here behind; they had grown attached to Jane’s family and we’re also schooling here.
Luckily, Jane came to my rescue. “Sadly, we won’t be coming today as Christabel is still in school and Uncle Kenny is busy at work,” she brought her close, playing with her long hair. “But we will be joining you guys tomorrow.”
Jane flashed me an awkward smile, hinting she couldn’t come up with anything else.
“Will we go to the park and mall every weekend over there? Will there be lots of ice cream and fun games?” Liam asked enthusiastically.
“Yes, sweetheart… yes,” I replied, my voice shaky, silently begging them to agree.
“Then let’s be on our way!” He shouted with a giggle, throwing himself at me to hug me as I breathed out in relief.
Jane’s request was for us to at least come home with her to enjoy the welcome-back cake she’d made to celebrate my release from prison. I couldn’t refuse. After all, we still had plenty of time before our flight. Fortunately, her husband, Kane, and Christabel hadn’t returned yet when we got home.
After we finished, she drove us to the airport. But I asked her to stop by the cemetery as I got some flowers to pay my last respects to my late parents something I didn’t get the chance to do seven years after my mother was buried.
After my mother died, I asked Jane to help me bury her corpse alongside my father’s. That way they could be reunited on the other side. I still wished she was around to see the beautiful twins I made for her. During the ride, I told Liam and Lila everything they needed to know about them. They wished they met them. Sadly, I didn’t have any pictures of them. All of my family photos were in my apartment which Robert has already sold by now and the ones in my phone couldn’t be accessed because the phone broke seven years ago.