Andrea’s POV I rushed out of the kitchen with my heart thumping wildly in my chest. Had Zayden gone crazy or was Zion really here? I had been expecting him last night, but when he didn’t come over to Cromwell Mansion to meet his children, I thought he didn’t want them. Maybe he still had his doubts about them. Then why did he come here? My eyes widened at the sight of him in the living room, with Zayden leading him to the sofa. “Sit, Dad. Now teach me from scratch. I was so bored with just football to keep me busy.”“Zayden, aren’t you getting late for football practice?” Both turned their attention to me and I felt awkward in an apron with a spatula in my hand! “Okay, mom. I’m going, but don’t let Dad leave.” I glared at Zion but he sat comfortably as if he lived here with us. “I’m not going anywhere. Finish your practice, son!” He rushed out, closing the door after him when I stood glaring at Zion. “Why are you here, Zion? Can’t you get it? You’re unwanted here?” He didn’t bud
Andrea’s POV “Why did dad leave, mom?” asked Adrian impatiently. “Yes, he promised to stay with us forever.” I watched their unhappy faces, but I couldn’t tell them about Zion’s true colors. I knew he could not be trusted. After announcing he would stay with us forever, he received a phone call and rushed off. Ever since the twins had been eating, my brain asking after him. It was driving me crazy! How could Zion charm them so much with just a single meeting? Maybe the way he charmed me, too. Even after all these years, even after his betrayal, and the heartbreak I was suffering because of him, I hadn’t been able to get over him. Why did I still love him?“Mom, do you have dad’s number? Why don’t you call him?” asked Zayden, as I tried to get some work done. Working from home was a futile effort, as the twins hardly left me alone. With Kristina still on leave, I couldn’t go to work. The kids were in a weekend mood, with no school and only one topic to harp on. Their dad and his pr
Andrea’s POV “Yay! Dad’s going with us!” said Zayden with a cheeky grin on his face. “I’m sure he has other work to take care of, Zay. Did you force him to come along? Did you call him?” I glanced at my mobile phone lying on the sofa. I was sure they had tampered with it.“I’m sorry, Zion. They didn’t know you were busy. You can go back to work. I can manage this.” I couldn’t look at Zion out of embarrassment. Now I was sure the twins had forced him to come here.“But Mom, I wanted Dad to go with us,” wailed Zayden, placing the phone back to where it was. “I told him not to call Dad, but he didn’t listen to me,” mumbled Adrian. “Zayden, you will be punished for this. We aren’t going anywhere.” “Hey, relax, everyone! Andrea, he just called to inform me about the trip, but it was entirely my decision to accompany you.” I was ill at ease. Why did he want to leave his other obligations and accompany us? “I’m sure you have other important work to do.” I tried my best to dismiss him,
Andrea’s POV Throughout the two-hour drive towards San Diego, the twins were bursting with excitement. Their infectious mood seemed to have caught up with Zion, too. He cracked jokes with them but strangely all his sentences were double-edged. Was I imagining their underlying meaning? “Dad, are we going to a learning center or a ranch?” asked Adrian, after checking out their thirtieth ranch along the stretch. “It’s both, I think. Ask your mom. She has booked a room for us.” I gaped at him, unable to contradict him in front of the kids. I had booked a room for the three of us only. “Um, it’s actually too small for the four of us.” He didn’t at all look perturbed and flashed me a charming smile. “That’s alright. I’ve upgraded it.” My jaws now dropped further. When did he upgrade?“Yay! So will we stay at a ranch, Mom?” I nodded at the twins of them.“It’s a working ranch where they rescue, breed, and preserve wild hoof stock, like zebras, giraffes, deer, antelope, and many more. Yo
Andrea’s POV “Mom, look!” Adrian’s voice brought me out of my daze and I watched Zion ride Chesterfield with the twins in front of him! It didn’t bother me since I trusted his horse-riding skills. I smiled at the excited look on their faces. It made me realize how badly they needed Zion in their lives. Maybe they didn’t need me as much as they needed Zion! The inexplicable bond that had developed with Zion within such a brief span of time was indeed surprising. I hadn’t thought about it at all. In fact, I had never expected it to happen. Now that they had grown so close, I didn’t know how they would stay away from him. I knew how busy Zion was. It wasn’t possible for him to stay here with us for long, and I wouldn’t leave everything and go with him to Athens. This was a dead end, and I didn’t know how to deal with it. “Mom, do you want a ride?” asked Zayden, as they galloped past.“No, I’m good.” I refused to look at Zion as I turned away to walk towards the cottage. The memories w
Andrea’s POV We had a quiet dinner in the cottage since the twins were too tired to go out. “Tomorrow is our last day here!” sighed Adrian, finishing his meal and glancing at me hopefully.“Mom, are we going to Athens with dad?” asked Zayden while I shook my head. “Not this time.” They protested immediately, turning to Zion for help. “I’ll come back for you. This time, your mom isn’t ready to go.” I looked down, knowing there will be war on this now. Our peaceful vacation was already disrupted. “Why? We’ll help you pack up, mom!” I sighed, turning towards the twins to address the issue. “It’s not about packing, children. I have two ongoing projects I have to oversee. Once I complete them, maybe I can take a break!” They groaned in agony since I was never free from these projects. “When are you free, mom? You’ll take more work.” They sulked all throughout the meal, and I didn’t know how to cheer them up. Zion kept silent, refusing to help after dropping the bombshell and dumpin
Zion’s POV After pining for Andrea for five long years, my dream of sleeping with her finally came true. Last night I had the best sleep of my life. I was tremendously upset with her when she termed our relationship a mistake. She might repent it, but I had never once felt that way, not even when I had to marry Elena. If I repented anything, it was my behavior towards her that drove her away from me. Yet I had no control over my jealousy and my mouth when I met her after so many years. If only I would have started on a positive note with her instead of misunderstanding her at every step of the way. Maybe we would have been together by now!“Dad, aren’t we going? You aren’t ready yet!” said Adrian, tugging at my hand to bring me out of my dazed state. “Yes. We’ll leave in thirty minutes. Zayden, wake up your mom.” “Yes, Dad!” He rushed out while I packed up a small bag of essentials for the twins. “Here are your clothes. Freshen up quickly and wait for us.” I went out of his room t
Andrea’s POV The twins were inconsolable on realizing that Zion had left for Athens without meeting them for the last time. I couldn’t admit it out loud but I was disappointed too. It was true I couldn’t accompany him to Athens at such short notice, but at least I could see him before he left. Now I knew he wouldn’t return soon. Would it take him another five years to remember us?“Maybe he was too busy to come over. Why don’t you two call him in the evening and talk to him?” They cheered up, and I dropped them off at their school. It was so easy to comfort children. I drove over to my office, but strangely, the zeal to carry on had left me. I felt dull, and sad, with no energy left in my body. “Are you unwell or something?” asked Roberta, and I shook my head. I couldn’t tell her I was physically fit. It was only my heart that was sick! Why was I missing Zion so much when all we did was fight together? Somehow, I repented my behavior towards him. Why couldn’t I give in once to my he