~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.
~SIERRA~I pulled my hands out of Nana's hands and said, “I have to go.” I didn't want to have this conversation.“I know, you will go once we are done, it will just take a few minutes,” she said, and I couldn't be crazy and insist on leaving.“Nana…”“Listen to me first,” she said then took my hands. “Gilbert told me he loves you,” she said, and I shook my head. "I mean, I've always known the day in the hospital—on your labor day, the way he acted gave it away, he behaved like he was the father of the kids,” she spoke with a smile on her face."Nana, please, Gilbert is a good friend.”“That's what he disguised himself to be, as he knew telling you would make him lose you.”"No, I...” I stood up.“Listen to me, Sierra,” Nana stood up too. “I know you've been hurt, that's why you built that around yourself.”“I didn't build anything around myself.”“You know what I'm talking about, Sierra. Because of the way Damian treated you during your marriage, you believe men are the same.”“I can
~SIERRA~He smiled and said, “You look surprised to see me.” He played with the pencil in his hands.“How did you get in?” I asked and walked towards him.“The secretary asked me to wait for you here,” he said, “and this was the only comfortable seat.”I cleared my throat and said, "Okay, Mr. Fosters, right, if you are here to discuss the contract, then it's Mr. Winters you should be talking to or Ethan; I'm just a shareholder,” I said, hoping he would understand. I didn't have the energy to
~SIERRA~Damian scanned Alejandro before he turned to me, then to Ethan.“Mr. Winters, good morning, I’m actually...”“Didn’t Ethan tell you? Ethan, you didn’t tell him?” Damian turned to Ethan.“I did, he’s not here for the contract.”“Then why is he here?” Damian sounded cold. Well, I wanted to see what Damian was capable of doing—I mean, here he was acting all jealous when in our years together he never cared. Well, I don't know, as I never got a chance to go out without him.“I’m here to see Sierra,” Alejandro said.“You call her by her name?” Damian sounded surprised."Well, it’s what we used to call her back in school until she became this lady, sorry, I meant Ms. Reid.” Alejandro sounded stubborn."Well, this is an office, if you want to talk to Ms. Reid, then you should wait for her and not near my company,” Damian said. I noticed the frowns on his forehead."Oh, come on, is it that you have a little crush on her too?” Alejandro said, I could see Damian’s hands, which formed i
~SIERRA~I knew if Bruce saw me, he would tell Gilbert about Damian because, with the way Gilbert talked of Bruce, they seemed to be buddies—maybe even closer than Damian. I couldn't let Gilbert find out I was Damian's ex-wife, so I thought of an excuse, but Ethan ruined it."Hey, I'm still here. Can we go for coffee?” He shouted, and Gilbert heard it.“So that's why you pretended to be in a hurry, you could have told me you were s