CHAPTER 26
About 2 years later…
“Wow Mummy, you look so beautiful!” Liam complimented, his brown eyes widening with sparkle and excitement on seeing me.
“Yes mummy, you are the most beautiful mummy and the most beautiful woman in the whole wide world!!” Lila added exaggeratingly in a carefree way, causing my cheeks to overheat with a blush as I walked down the stairs.
Leaving my past life behind, I embraced a new look. I dyed my black hair a rich chestnut brown and reduced the length to my neck level. I dressed more sophisticated now, always in designers from hair to toe, looking like a modern-day goddess.
My once parched and shrivelled skin is now glowing, smooth and creamy like silk, and my face is more beautiful than ever, with light but well-done makeup and a radiant smile that could melt hearts. People can’t believe I’m a single mother of two and not dating anyone when I tell them. Men, both rich and poor won’t stop asking me out. But after experiencing so much heartbreak in my past, I’m only focused on healing myself and making sure my kids live their best lives.
My kids rushed to hug me the moment my feet touched the last part of the stairs. They had just finished preparing for school. They looked so cute and smart in their school uniforms, ready to leave.
“Wow Mummy I love your dress,” Lila said gleefully, running her small delicate fingers over it as she couldn’t take her eyes off it. “And your shoes, your diamond necklace and ….”
“That’s enough!” Liam scolded, swatting her hand away. “You’re touching too much. You’ll ruin Mummy’s dress and accessories and make her not to be beautiful anymore.”
“My hands are clean and you’re also touching too much,” Lila shot back, angrily folding her hands against her chest and scowling at him.
“That’s enough you two,” I said, calming them. “It’s rather too early for another one of your little fights. Let’s just go and have some breakfast before the school bus gets here.”
I took both their hands and we happily made our way to the dining table. Mae, a middle-aged, part-time nanny I hired to help me take care of the kids was making a breakfast of pancakes and crispy bacon for us, the mouth-watering aroma wafting through every corner of the house. Liam and Lila inhaled deeply, savouring the aroma. They quickly left my hands and took their seats on the dining table as Mae served them their share.
I sat on my part of the table. We said a little prayer before we started eating. Liam and Lila won’t stop rambling about how excited they were to start school and see their friends after the long summer break.
I glanced at them with a satisfyingly peaceful smile on my face as they ran their mouths. After all these years, I’ve never been so happy in my life, enjoying the company of my kids. I no longer went to bed in tears, worried about proving my worth and love to a man that never deserved it or worked my ass off only to be paid with insults and ingratitude.
Two years after we arrived in this city, it didn’t take us long for us to settle in. I still had Noah’s business card saved inside the back of my former phone pouch. He was the CEO guy I met at the club who offered me a job. I gave him a call and was surprised he remembered me after the seven years we last met like it was yesterday. I considered the job offer and he handed it to me without thinking twice as if he’d been waiting for me to call. Good thing the company, an ad agency just like Robert’s was based here in Los Angeles. It started about six years ago but has grown to one of the most successful ad agencies in the country. Due to my years of experience and expertise, he gave me one of the top spots in the company.
With the handsome salary I earned, I have been able to buy a house, and a car, put my kids in the new school they were attending, hire a nanny and cater for our other needs. I was now an independent woman who didn’t rely on anyone’s bullshit to support me and my kids. And I was proud of that. This was the kind of life I wanted. It wasn’t the most perfect life but I was content and had peace of mind. That was all that mattered. If I hadn’t left that god-forsaken city along with Robert and his toxicity, I wouldn’t be living the life I deserved now. With my work separated into shifts, I was able to do other things I liked while still having to spend ample time with my kids.
I acted as both father and mother to my kids, doing my best to create a happy and stable environment so they wouldn’t even think to ask about their daddy. So far, so good- they haven’t asked shit about him and I preferred it that way. They didn’t know Robert existed and it was better to keep it that way. I don’t mind keeping it that way till they mature, get married and have their kids. That’s how much I hated Robert for everything he did to me.
We hadn’t eaten for long when the school bus honked its horn as it stopped in front of our house, letting us know it had arrived.
Liam and Lila quickly grabbed their bags and lunch boxes and kissed me goodbye on the cheeks. “Goodbye Mummy, we love you, see you soon,” they chimed in unison as they dashed out of the house.
I ran after them, making sure they weren’t forgetting anything while reminding them of my usual advice every morning before they went to school: to behave well and stay out of trouble. I kept waving at them as the bus drove off and was out of sight. After that, I got everything I needed and headed to work.