6 YEARS LATER

Janette’s POV

A familiar feeling crept up my belly as I stepped out of the plane, back in New York, the city I had stayed away from for the past six years, the city where I had suffered and almost lost my life. It felt good to be back, and I was able to shake off the feeling of unease that welled up inside me.

Everything was fine now because I had put my past behind me, and have come here to start anew. After leaving here, I was blessed to have met a good man, who accepted me the way I am, and helped me achieve my dream.

It’s been a hell of years, but I’m proud because I am now one of the most sought after medical doctors in America.

“Mommy!”

I turned to where that angelic voice came from and smiled as my bundle of joy, my sunshine, my son, Ethan rushed out of my Secretary’s grasp to embrace me.

“I missed you.” He wrapped his tiny arms around me and I returned his hug with just as much warmth and affection.

“We were in the same plane, Ethan. You only followed Rosa to claim our baggage, and you miss me already?” I asked, chuckling a bit.

“Yes!” Ethan exclaimed, pulling away from me just enough to meet my eyes. “But you were way up front, with the fancy people.” His face lit up, and he giggled as I knelt down to his level.

“Oh, were you jealous?” I teased, a playful glint in my eyes. “Well, from now on, I promise to stay close to you forever,” I wrapped him in another hug, breathing in the scent of his hair and he giggled.

I stood up, taking his hand in mine.

“Now, let's go get you settled in, okay?” I said, leading Ethan towards our luggage. Rosa stood by patiently, a polite smile on her face.

“Where's Uncle Liam?” Ethan asked, his little face scrunching up in confusion.

“He'll be here in a bit,” I explained, ruffling his hair once again. “He has something to take care of back in Chicago and will join us soon.”

Ethan's expression brightened as he spotted our luggage. “There's my suitcase!” he exclaimed, racing over to grab the handle. “Come on, Mommy!”

We made our way to the car, chatting excitedly as Rosa loaded our luggage into the trunk. As we drove through the bustling city streets, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought me back to New York.

Six years ago, I had left this city broken and alone, but now I was returning as a successful doctor, with a handsome son and a strong support system. It felt like a dream, but one I was determined to hold onto.

We arrived at our new home, a spacious and elegant penthouse on the Upper East Side. As Ethan skipped up the steps, his eyes wide with wonder, I felt a surge of pride and joy. We had come so far together, and now we were finally able to call this place home.

Rosa unlocked the door, and we stepped inside, taking in the sight of the grand foyer. The light streaming in through the windows cast a warm glow over the marble floors, and I could already imagine filling the space with laughter and memories.

Ethan ran into the living room, his arms spread wide. "Mommy, this place is huge!” he exclaimed.

I chuckled as I watched him spin around, taking in every detail of the spacious room. “Yes, it is, Ethan,” I replied, a smile on my face. “And you'll have your own room here, with plenty of space to play and explore.”

He turned back to me, his expression one of pure delight. “Can I have a toy room too?” he asked, his eyes shining with hope.

“Of course you can, darling,” I said, ruffling his hair. “This is your home, and you can have whatever you want.”

As Ethan dashed off to explore the rest of the house, I stood in the living room, taking a deep breath. It was hard to believe that after all this time, I was finally back in New York.

My thoughts were interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Rosa, with her iPad placed on her chest.

“I just got a message that the grand opening of your hospital will take place by noon tomorrow. Is that okay with you or do you need any readjustments?” She asked, but I shook my head.

“It’s fine with me. I’ll be taking Ethan to register at his new school tomorrow. I should be done before noon and join you at the hospital.”

She nodded with a smile.

“You can leave now.” I said, and she smiled before walking out of the house. Rosa has been my secretary at our branch in Chicago. I’m glad she agreed to come work here with me in my hospital, since she grew up here and also had her accommodation. It made everything easier and less strenuous for me.

I tried to call Liam, but his number wasn’t going through. I wanted to tell him that I had arrived, but it seemed he was still in the meeting. I sighed and looked around with a smile.

“Janette, it’s time for a new start,” I smiled and clasped my hand.

“Mommy, come! I found something!” Ethan drew my attention.

“Coming!” I took one last look around before rushing up the stairs to meet him.

***

The next day, I dressed Ethan and myself up and drove Ethan to the school I’d be registering him. I had stayed up all night, searching for the best schools in the state for a 5-year-old. Ethan was a smart kid, but it was necessary he started from kindergarten.

As we approached the school, Ethan bounced excitedly in his seat. “Is this the place where I get to learn new things, Mommy?” he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

“Yes, sweetheart, this is where you'll go to school,” I replied, squeezing his hand. “I know you're going to have so much fun here.”

We arrived at the school entrance, and Ethan rushed out of the car, eager to explore. As I trailed behind him, I couldn’t help but admire my baby boy. He was my driving force and the reason I withstood everything to become successful today.

We got to the office and were greeted by a friendly lady. She introduced herself as the receptionist and walked me through the admission process while Ethan looked around the office, admiring the colorful dots on the wall.

“He is quite an explorer, isn’t he?” She asked with a smile and I nodded.

“Yes.” We finished the registration process, and she gave me all the books he would be using.

“He can start today if you like, and if not, it’s okay for him to start tomorrow.” She mused and I nodded.

“He will start today,” I stood to my feet. She directed me to where the kindergarten was located, and I held Easton’s hand, leading him there as I felt a wave of nostalgia.

Walking through the halls of the school, memories of my own childhood came flooding back. It seemed like only yesterday that I was starting kindergarten, full of the same excitement and wonder that Ethan was displaying now. Though my happiness was short-lived when I lost my parents and was dumped in the orphanage. I was adopted by nice couples, who gave me everything and raised me from a child to an adult. They’re gone now but I will forever remember them and make sure I stay alive to give Ethan the best as well. He is my source of joy and I would do anything for him.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as we entered the classroom, where a dozen other children were already seated at their desks. Mrs. Johnson, the kindergarten teacher, greeted us with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Ethan, to kindergarten! You're just in time for circle time,” she said, gesturing towards a colorful rug on the floor. They must have informed her of our registration for her to have known Ethan’s name so quickly. It was cool.

Ethan glanced up at me, uncertainty flitting across his features. I gave him an encouraging smile and knelt down, bringing my lips close to his ear. “It's okay, sweetheart. You can sit down with the other kids,” I whispered. “I’ll come pick you up later in the day, okay?”

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips, and made his way towards the rug. As he settled in next to a little girl in a pink dress, Mrs. Johnson began to read a story aloud. I smiled and walked away.

I got to the parking lot and opened my car.

“Janette?”

I froze at that familiar voice. Cold shivers ran down my spine. It’s been six years and I can still remember that voice vividly.

“No way.” I muttered. Maybe I’m hearing things.

“Janette, is that you?” The voice came again, and I turned, only to come face to face with the person I didn’t expect to see again.

Lucas!

My ex-husband!

Lucas' POV

“It is you! It’s really you, Janette!” I exclaimed, shock written all over my face. I had seen her walking into the school premises whilst holding the hand of a little boy. I thought my eyes were deceiving me and had waited patiently for her to come outside. When she didn’t come out, I thought I was just hallucinating, but then she came out and… and, I can’t believe my eyes. Janette is right here in front of me, looking all different from the woman I knew six years ago. She had become even more beautiful than I remember.

Oh, Janette! I couldn’t help my joy at the sight of her.

Without thinking, I rushed into her arms, but she pushed me away.

“What do you think you are doing?” she snapped, wiping her body with her face scrunched up in disgust. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on me? Have you no respect?”

I gasped and couldn’t believe my ears. “Janette, it’s me, Lucas. You haven’t forgotten me, have you?” I asked, my voice laced with hurt.

I couldn’t believe she was treating me with so much contempt and acting like she had no idea who I was.

She scanned me from head to toes. “I don’t care who you are, but the next time you come that close to me again, I will make you regret it.” She tried to get into her car, but I held her hand.

“Janette,” I called, my heart aching. “I…” I trailed off. She yanked her hands away from me as if my touch repulsed her. “I saw you walk in there with a little boy. Who is he?”

“Why do you care to know? It’s none of your business.” she scoffed and made to get into the car again, but I held her.

“Please, Janette, who is he? He looks a lot like me.” I said, and she went quiet for a while without saying anything.

Suddenly, she burst out laughing and I creased my brows, wondering what was so funny.

“Looks like you? My son? Looks like you?” she scoffed and pointed her index finger at me. “I have no idea where you got your imagination from, but that child is my son and is in no way related to you. In case you don’t know, I have a fiancé, and we are getting married soon, so stop this gibberish you’re saying.” She huffed and I could feel my heart bleed.

“Fia… fia… fiancé? You’re getting married?” I asked and she flashed me a smile I could swear didn’t reach her eyes.

“Yes, Lucas, I am getting married. I’m single after all.” she said matter-of-factly and got into her car.

“Janette! Janette! Please, we have a lot to talk about. Please hear me out.” I clasped my hand together in a pleading manner.

“Hey, do I know you? I have no idea who you are so stop pestering me, okay?” she spat in disgust and turned the car on.

“Janette, please, please, Jane!” I called but she ignored me and drove out.

I ruffled my hair and clutched to my chest, my eyes watering. Janette just said she had no idea who I am. After searching for her for six years, she claims not to know me and now has a son and a fiancé?

“Fuck!” I exclaimed and looked around. I knew I deserved whatever she just did to me. Everything I did to her six years ago was still fresh in my head. Bella had tricked me into believing that Janette was sleeping out and had done numerous abortions, which is why she wasn’t able to get pregnant. Coupled with the pressure from my family about having a child was my anger and resentment towards her for cheating on me.

I thought I would feel better if I cheated on her as well with Bella. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was what I went along with, and I ended up hurting her and asking for a divorce.

After that, I thought I would be happy, but I was hurt instead. Bella soon became a thorn in my flesh when I refused to get married to her, and she left me, but not without mocking me about believing her lies and not trusting my wife.

After she left, I realized just how much I needed Janette and searched for her. I even went to her adopted family’s residence but was told they had passed away and Janette was nowhere to be found. I realized how much of an incompetent husband I was. I didn’t even know what was going on with my wife and left her all by herself to face her problems alone, and still she loved me and wanted to be with me, but I chased her away from my life.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. “Will you ever forgive me, Janette?” I muttered under my breath.

I walked into the school and made my way to the kindergarten. Since I was one of the school sponsors, I had the leverage to come in anytime I wanted, and so for today, I used that to my advantage and went into the kindergarten.

I stood by the door and used my eyes to search for the little boy Janette had brought to school. I found him, in no time, sitting while listening attentively to the story the teacher was reading to them. He looked like a mini me, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of this little boy being my son.

He suddenly turned and our eyes met. He held my gaze for a while, a look of curiosity in his eyes, before his face softened into a cute smile. My heart melted and I found myself smiling. I quickly broke eye contact and rushed out of the school.

I stopped in front of my car and massaged my temple. “Could it be that Janette was actually pregnant six years ago?” I asked myself and an idea struck me.

I know the only person that’ll have an answer to this question. And so, I got into the car and drove straight to the hospital I knew she frequented when we were still together. I was lucky enough to see Doctor Bree outside and rushed to her.

“Good morning, Doc. I really need to ask you a question. Would you kindly spare me like five minutes of your time?” I asked.

“Sure, Mr. Lucas. What’s going on?” She inquired and I sighed.

“I believe you know Mrs. Janette Wayne? She usually comes here for pregnancy tests six years ago.”

She smiled. “How can I forget Mrs. Wayne? She set a record—”

“Good,” I cut in. “How did her tests go?”

“The last time she visited the hospital, I can recall she was bleeding, but fortunately, we were able to stop it and she and her unborn baby survived.”

“So, she was pregnant?” I asked, and Doc. Bree nodded.

“Yes. Her baby should be five years old now. Are you her relative or something?” She asked and I nodded.

“Thanks for the information,” I rushed back to the car and rested my head on the wheel.

Janette was pregnant! She was actually freaking pregnant… for me and I divorced her. I could still recall the smile on her face when she rushed to me and gave me the test results. I didn’t believe her.

She told me she was bleeding, but I thought she was faking it and ignored her.

And then I realized, and my confusion cleared as tears rolled down my cheeks again.

That little boy….

That little boy is my son.

That little boy she said wasn’t related to me is my son… my heir!

Janette’s POV

I sat in the event, my thoughts drifting far from what was happening on stage. I couldn’t believe it. I saw Lucas, that scumbag! Never in my life did I imagine that I would see that jerk again.

After all these years, after six fuckìng years, he had to show his face to me again and open closed wounds. He had to come back into my life at a crucial time like this, a time that I was getting out of the ashes he put me in.

Why the heck did I have to see him of all people and ruin my day, huh? Why? Why him? After leaving the country, and surviving the harsh reality of his behavior towards me, I saw him as dead to me and never wanted to see him again, but fate had to be so cruel to me and make us meet again. Why didn’t he remain dead? Why—

“Ma’am,”

I gasped and turned to see Rosa looking at me with a worried expression on her face.

“Are you alright?” She asked, and I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Yes.” I answered.

“Good because it’s time to cut the ribbon and announce the hospital officially opened. They’ve been calling you to come up for a while now.” She relayed, and I quickly stood to my feet, embarrassed that I had zoned out in my own grand opening ceremony.

I rushed to the stage and gave them an apologetic smile before holding on to the scissors along with the shareholders.

“And with great joy and pride, we announce the official opening of the Janette Heart Care Hospital!”

“JHC Hospital!” The crowd cheered, a sea of clapping hands and happy faces surrounding me. I let out a sigh of relief, my nerves slowly dissipating.

“This hospital is not just a building,” I started, addressing the crowd. “It represents hope, healing, and the power of second chances. It is a symbol of my own journey, from pain and loss to triumph and success.”

The shareholders beamed proudly at my words, and I felt a surge of gratitude towards them for making this dream a reality, especially Liam. It would have been better if he was here by my side.

As the celebration continued, I mingled with the crowd, answering questions and accepting congratulations like I should, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in my chest. Remembering how Lucas ruined my day did me dirty. As much as I tried to get rid of his face from my head, it kept coming back to me.

After the celebration, Rosa came to me. “The doctors that will be assisting you will join you soon. I have also posted job openings for professional nurses and cardiovascular experts like you asked.”

“Thank you so much, Rosa. How about the nanny I asked you to find for Ethan?” I asked the most important thing on my list.

Due to how busy my schedule was going to be, I needed to hire a nanny to take care of Ethan.

“I haven’t found any that meets the descriptions and qualifications you gave me, but I will keep looking.” She answered, giving me a small smile and I nodded.

“Inform me as soon as you get one, okay? I will be doing the interview myself. It has to be someone I can trust.” I stood to my feet and started heading for the elevator.

She followed me immediately. “Noted.”

We took the elevator to my office on the top floor of the hospital. The windows offered a stunning view of the city, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what I had achieved.

I looked around the office and took a seat.

“Is there anything left for me to do again today?” I inquired, but she shook her head.

“You’re all good.”

“Alright. I’ll stay here for a while before going to pick Ethan up. You can leave now and rest. We will have a lot of work to do soon, and you need to relax before then.” I stated, and she nodded with a slight bow before walking out, her heels kissing the floor as she left.

I took my phone and called Liam again. He answered after the second ring and switched it to a video call.

“Babe!” He called, a wide smile spreading across his face.

“Today’s meeting must have been so hectic. I haven’t been able to reach you since morning.” I pouted and exhaled.

“Yes, it was. I almost died of a heart attack but seeing your face now just healed me completely.” He winked at me, causing me to chuckle.

“You and your sweet words. When will you be coming to New York? We still have our wedding to plan.”

“I’ll be back soon, okay? I saw your hospital’s grand opening on the news today. Congratulations. I am very proud of you, babe.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but return it.

“Thanks. I wouldn’t have done it without you. You’re the best.” I blew him a kiss, and he acted as if he caught it and placed it on his chest.

“I miss you so much. I know it hasn’t been long since you left, but it feels like years already.” He sighed.

“I know, right?” I giggled.

“Mr. Liam, you have a meeting in 10 minutes.”

I heard a male voice yell, and he looked at me apologetically.

“I have to go now. I’ll call later in the evening to see Ethan, okay?” He hung up before I could answer, and I sighed, dropping the phone on the desk.

“Liam and work,” I sighed with a smile and stood to my feet, grabbing my phone and car keys. It was already time to pick Ethan up from kindergarten.

I drove to the school and rushed in. It’s been hours without him and I already miss him so much. As I walked through the hallways, I could already picture the smile on his face when he sees me, and feel his tiny arms wrapped around me.

I got to the classroom, but the teacher wasn’t in. I used my eyes to look around.

“Mommy!” I heard his cute voice and my face lit up with smiles, but my smile died the moment I saw who he was with.

There with my son was that jerk, Lucas, stacking building blocks with him. He stood to his feet when he saw me and I frowned. I stormed to where they were and held Ethan’s hand, taking him out of there immediately.

“Jane! Janette!”

I ignored him and got to the car, but he somehow caught up with us and held my hand.

“Janette, please hear me out.” He demanded, but I yanked my hands away from him.

“I want to hear nothing from you. Stay away from me and most especially my son!” I snapped at him and put Ethan in the car, closed the door and wanted to get into the driver’s seat, but he held me again.

I wanted to slap him so bad, but I held back because Ethan was in the car.

“It was all a misunderstanding, Janette. I’m sorry for everything I did to you. I was misled—”

“Shut up!” I snapped at him, my voice breaking. “I don’t want to know whether it’s a misunderstanding or not. I want you to stay away from me. I do not know you. Stay the hell away from me and my son!” I sassed and slipped my hand away from his.

“He is my son too!” He said, and I froze. “Ethan is my son, my blood. I know I have hurt you badly, and I know sorry isn’t enough to mend what I’ve broken but—”

“Don’t, Lucas! Don’t! Go away!” I turned, but he grabbed me and pulled me to himself. I struggled to get out of his grip, but he didn’t budge.

I looked up and our eyes met. I couldn’t explain what I saw in his eyes. Longing? Regret? No way!

What he said next made my eyes widen and threaten to burst out of its sockets.

“Dear Ex-Wife, Let Us Restart.”