chapter 3

It's been seven months ever Since Imoved in with Justin as his pretend wife.

At first,it was hard for me to wrap my mind and play my role as Justin's wife. I didn't know the man well and with the first impression I had of him, I did not trust the man immediately. At first, it felt like I was living with a stranger under the same roof but as time went by and I got to know the real Justin, I found herself dropping the prejudices and growing comfortable around him.

I found herself entangled in a perplexing situation where a relationship that was supposed to be contractual had transformed into something unexpectedly genuine, or so I thought.

Justin began treating me as if I were his actual wife, blurring the lines between fake and real. He spoiled me with everything I ever needed and even more. He showed me off to the public and his family members. He dedicated himself into making me feel loved and cherished, as if I was someone special to him.

I knew that there's a possibility I was deceiving myself or even misinterpreting Justin's actions but despite the warning bells, I llowed myself to fall for Justin.

You couldn't blame me for that, after all, Justin was an attractive man coupled with how well he treated me, I convinced myself that falling in love between them was a mutual feeling.

One evening, Justin had took me out for dinner.

The romantic music playing in the background as we sipped on our wine and ate our steak had my heart fluttering.

Despite his busy schedule, Justin would find time amidst his tight schedule to squeeze a dinner date for us. That indeed moved me.

Each dinner date ended with a passionate night and just like always, I was looking forward to having Justin drive me to ecstasy.

The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by Justin's phone ringing. Casting a glance at it, he excused himself to pick up the call.

Ten minutes later, Justin was not back yet and I was getting impatient.

Just when I was about to head out looking for him, Justin came back but something seemed to have changed about him.

The sweet smile he had earlier was replaced by a forced one.

After dinner, Justin drove us back home.

I could not help but note the change in Justin. Usually at this time, Justin would be all over me, touching me intimately but now, he was so focused on driving like I didn't exist. That troubled me.

Although feeling disheartened, I did not ask him.

I figured out that maybe the call from earlier might have been the one responsible for his change in mood. Maybe it was something concerning his company.

Consoling myself, I leaned on the chair and closed my eyes.

That night, Justin did not sleep besides me.

With an excuse of dealing with company issues, he spent the night in his study room.

The following morning, I woke up to the sight of Justin seated on the bed, his back facing me.

" Good morning hubby?" I greeted Justin happily but was met by silence.

" This is the contract termination form. Fill it and our marriage comes to an end."

Justin announced, making me frown.

" What are you talking about? What contract termination? Today is not fool's day Justin. You are not funny at all." I said, a nervous smile gracing my lips.

After a short silence, Justin said, " I'm not joking Isabella. I want to terminate our contract but don't worry. I will pay you every single cent for the remaining five months. I have also sent a recommendation letter to your email. Sign the papers and we will become strangers."

It was not until then that I registered that Justin truly meant what he was saying. Reality dawned on me at that moment.

" Why?" I asked, fighting the urge to break down In front of him.

" What do you mean why? This arrangement was nothing but a contract. The only difference is that it ends five months earlier. The same would have happened five months later." Justin's tone was cold and detached. I could not relate the man before me with the Justin I have been living with for the past seven months.

" Why now? We were doing just fine." I was unwilling to accept that Justin was discarding me after everything we did together.

I thought that after spending time with him, I meant something to him. Turns out I was deluding myself all this time. To him, I am nothing but a dispensable item that could be trashed when he's bored with it.

" I don't love you Isabella. I only married you because I needed to convince my family that I am capable enough of managing the family. I love someone else and now that she is back,I want to marry her. I want to start a family with her, something real this time."

Justin's words were like poisoned daggers shooting straight to my heart.

So all this time, I was a fake? He dared confess that he was using me all along? That what we had was so unreal and that I was the stupid one who fell for him?

" The call last night?"

" Yes, she is the one who called me. She is back and wants us to meet. I have everything ready for you. Samantha will come later to escort you to the airport. You are leaving the City." Justin ruthlessly announced.

" You are driving me away from this city to hide your dirty little secret? Is that what I am to you? A secret you are ashamed of?" I asked painfully.

" If you put it that way, then yes. I don't want anything coming in between me and the woman I love. I want to start anew with her and that can only happen when you are far away from this city." Justin admitted, his words tearing my heart apart.

" Fine, as you wish." With that I walked out of the room.

Minutes later, Samantha arrived to take her to the airport as instructed.

" Congratulations Miss Smith, you are two months pregnant."

Those were the words that echoed inside my mind as I made my way to my rented apartment.

It's been one month since I left Texas city for New York.

One month of trying to drown my sorrows in an attempt to forget about Justin. Our break up hurt me the most, could I even call it a break up? After all, we were never really a ‘thing’. When I thought everything was going smoothly for us, I woke up to the harsh reality that it was all in my head.

I had finally decided to settle here and start my life afresh but with not just one child but two growing in my belly. I never thought I would end up a single mother. How was I supposed to take care of them all by myself?

I could not go back to Justin because he warned me to stay away from him. The other day, it was Al over the news that the famous businessman Justin Noble just reunited with his first love and that they would get married soon.

What will be the use of going back to him?

" I'm sorry my babies but mother will have to raise you all by herself."

Five years later

" Wake up sleepyhead." I called, tickling my four year old daughter who was pretending to be fast asleep.

The little one burst out laughing while struggling to escape my grip.

" Enough!! I'll wake up!" She gave up and only then did I let go of her.

Five years ago, I gave birth to two lovely twins. Amelia and Aiden. The two have been my source of joy and happiness, they were the reason I could continue living and surviving.

" Let's get you ready. Your brother is ready for school." I announced, carrying her to the bathroom to wash her face.

" Mother, can we not go to school? The other kids tease us, saying that we are bastards without a father." Amelia said in her childish voice.

I felt my heart constrict painfully.

Children nowadays could be really mean, why would anyone tell that to someone's face? Besides, it's not like they didn't have a father, their father just had no idea they existed. Even if he did, I'm not sure if he would care seeing that he's with his true love.

I had picked that kindergarten and spent a fortune to enroll my children there because Iwanted them to study without any problems. Seems like I will have to pay the school director a visit.

" Haven't I always told you that your father is very busy with work? Once he's done, he will come back home and never leave again." I said in an attempt to soothe the little one. It's been a year since I started telling this lie to my daughter, I feel guilty but I'd feel even worse if she knew the truth right now.

I didn't need to lie to my son because he has always been mature and never disturbed about his dad, he probably knew that I was hiding something and I'm grateful he understands.

" Okay." After preparing the two, I drove to the school to drop off my kids.

After that, I proceeded to the director's office.

" Hello, good morning Miss Smith? What can I do for you?" The director greeted me warmly.

" Let's go straight to the case. My children are being bullied by other kids and being called bastards. I don't know how the children have been raised by their parents but as a school, how can you let bullying happen right under your nose?" I reprimanded.

" I'm sorry Miss Smith, we will look into this matter. Rest assured."

I left the director's office and headed to my office.

Over the years, I had managed to secure a job at a small company as the finance Manager.

I worked extra hard for years to support myself and my twins.

I had just stepped inside the office, ready to start the day when James followed me behind.

" I figured out that you didn't have breakfast so I brought you some." James said with a smile.

I was aware of James' feelings towards me, it was quite obvious really and for years, I had turned him down.

To be honest, James was everything a woman would love. He was caring, attentive, nice and most importantly, he never once looked down on me or questioned me for being a single mom.

Despite treating him harshly and turning him down, he never gave up. I wonder where his enthusiastism and optimism came from.

" What? Do I have something on my face?" James asked. He was used to me turning him down ruthlessly so I knew he felt weird and suspicious with the way I calmly stared at him.

" Nothing. I was just wondering if you are free for lunch today " I asked.

James was indeed nice and had proved his worth over the years, it's high time I try to move on and give him a shot. It's only fair, he has been trying really hard. He could be the new definition of relentless.

Yes, I was hurt in the past but now, I will have a different reason for accepting James.

My children need a father and who would be better than James who treats them like they were his own. It was selfish of me but no one is innocent of this, I was used before and thrown aside. At least, I wasn't going to throw him aside.

" Are you serious?" James asked, disbelief painted on his face.

" You know what, never…"

" Of course I am free. Very free." James answered, grinning widely.

He just couldn't believe that I had asked him out for a lunch date.

" Alright then, I'll see during lunch time." I said and James took that as his cue to leave my office.

After placing the cup of coffee on the table, he walked away, casting one last glance at me before disappearing into the hallway.

" I hope I don't regret this." I mumbled to myself, taking a sip of the coffee.

Time passed by quickly and before I knew it, it was lunch time already.

James knocked on my door, a smile plastered on his face.

" Give me a minute, I need to save this." I said, finalizing with the document I was working on and saving it.

" Done." I announced before shutting my laptop and picking my pouch.

We walked to a fancy hotel situated a few blocks from the office.

After ordering our food, James decided to strike a conversation.

" Thank you for agreeing to have lunch with me." He said.

" I invited you here, remember?" I replied with a smile.

" Yeah, my bad."James said with an awkward smile.

Taking his arms in mine, I said," I am aware of how you feel about me James." I was going to make the first move.

James looked at me anxiously, even I knew this was going to sound weird coming from me.

" I like you Isabella and I have always hoped that you could give me a chance to make you happy. I'm not saying you are not happy, I just want to give you another reason to be happy."

" But things are complicated James. I am a mother." I voiced out. My children were the reason I was careful not to let another person into their life. I wanted to protect them.

" You think I don't know that? Aiden and Amelia are such adorable kids. If you give me the chance, I'd like to take up the role of their father." James proposed.

I could tell that James meant what he said.

Maybe this was my chance to finally have a complete family.

" Okay, I'm willing to give it a shot. Let's try and see if things will work out." I said, a gentle smile gracing my lips.

James leaned in before kissing my cheeks. For a moment, I panicked, thinking that he would kiss my lips. I was glad he didn't.

" Thank you Isabella. I won't let you regret ever giving us a chance." James swore, smiling gently at me.

' You better! Otherwise I don't know what will save me this time.'

In the past, my children helped me get over Justin's betrayal. They gave me the strength to stand again and live with my head held up high.

That night, I had just finished tucking the children to bed when the bell rang.

It was already so late, who could be knocking at that time of the hour?

Deciding to check it rather than contemplating, I rushed downstairs and opened the door.

The sight before me made my blood turn cold as anger overtook my every nerve.

" Hi princess, long time no see."