~DAMIAN~There was no doubt that she was my child, it was possible—maybe Sierra never got an abortion as I requested.“Damian, I'm talking to you, and what?”“I don't have time.” I stood up.“Then you should make time,” she told me as I walked out. Cassie was stubborn and getting on my nerves. “I thought it was Sierra all this time, are you not guilty of cheating on me? I mean, you were guilty of talking to me when you were with Sierra but not me?”"Cassie, I'm not in the mood,” I said as I walked down the stairs.“You have to get in the mood,” she said and held my arm, and I forcefully released my arm. I don't know how it happened, because now Cassie was rolling down the stairs.“CASSIE!” I screamed and ran to save her, but it was already late as she was on the floor crying in pain.“Ah!”I kneeled and said, “Cassie, Cassie, can you hear me?” She was conscious but whimpering in pain.“My baby!” she said, and her hands reached for her belly.“Oh my God, the baby!” I panicked, picked h
~DAMIAN~I took steps towards her. “You knew that Sierra has a child?”"Damian, lower your voice, you will wake Cassie up,” she said, but that was just to try and change the topic.“You knew all this while and kept it from me?” I sneered.“Calm down, I didn't–I didn't know she had a child. Even if she did, you asked her to get an abortion, why do you care?”“That was before.” I calmed myself and scrat
~DAMIAN~Ava noticed my presence, and her eyes widened in fear, as if hiding something.“D-Damain, w-what are you doing here?” She stuttered, and I didn't respond, as I myself was in shock. The girl blinked and smiled. I loved her smile, it was like seeing Sierra smile–years when I would come from work and find by the door smiling but I would only ignore her and push my office bag in her hands.“Aunt, you have a patient,” the
~SIERRA~I walked out of Ava’s office without saying a word. I was in shock. I didn't expect to see Damian here, much worse for him to see my daughter. Ingrid looked like me, it would be hard for him to tell she was his daughter, but if he did the maths and looked at her carefully, he would figure it out. I know I owed him no explanation as he asked me to abort, but still, he was the father, and the court might permit him to see them. I didn't want that to happen–I would not let that happen. My kids are mine and mine alone; he didn't want them, so it will continue to be like that.“Sierr
~SIERRA~I looked at Lana unbelievably. “She was what?” I asked as I hoped for her to tell me it was a joke, Nana was still recovering, and I didn't want this to stress her.“She was taken as soon as you left.”“And you didn't inform me because?”“Ms.
~DAMIAN~I paced, unable to comprehend what Ava just said to me.“You're not the father, Damian, I don't want you to confuse yourself with this issue, Cassie's life is the one you should be concerned about,” she repeated, and I held my chin as I thought of ways I would get that little girl's hair for DNA. I didn't care if she was my daughter or not, all I knew was that I should get DNA, that would be the only way I would have peace. I faced Ava and almost asked her to do me the favour since I found her with her—it would be easy for her, but I swallowed my words as a knock was heard on the door, and Ava asked the person to come in.“Mr. Winters, Mrs. Winters is ready to leave,” said the nurse from earlier."Alright, thank you for informing me, I'll be with her shortly,” I said, and the nurse shook her head.“I'm sorry, but she's asking for you. It's best you come with me now,” the nurse said, and I nodded. I turned and bid Ava goodbye. We hugged, and she patted my back. I was grateful
~DAMIAN~Everything was my fault; I wish I could go back in time and fix it. “Damian?!” Cassie shook me out of my thoughts. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of them. I know how much their deaths affected you.”“It's fine, Cassie, it's not your fault, I need to be alone,” I said and walked out. Of course, she tried to stop me again, but I didn't turn this time. I walked straight to the living room and got a bottle of whisky. I knew a drink would help me calm down and forget about my terrible mistake. I walked up to my room, gulping down the whisky without needing a glass. When I reached my door, I kicked it and it opened, I walked straight to my bed. I gulped down the whisky, then caught my breath as I felt chills run down my veins and a burning sensation in my throat, which was the result of the alcohol. “Sierra, yes, let me call her,” I said out loud as I remembered her. She always had a way of calming me down, even when I denied it years ago. I knew she was my happy place.
~SIERRA~I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I had set an alarm because I knew I would oversleep. I walked straight to the bathroom. I absentmindedly removed my clothes and went under the shower. My mind was on Gilbert—he confessed to being in love with me last night. How did I miss all that over-respect in the name of professionalism? It was right in my face. How could a man be this kind and loving towards me and my children? He always loved me, but he was never honest about it.I was now done with the shower. I dried my body with a towel, then walked to my wardrobe. I didn't bother checking the time as I was not running late; I only wanted to get to the office to escape Gilbert. I couldn't face him after his confession.