FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Thank you, Rico,” Alessa said with a smile as he stretched her income towards her, and she smiled a little as she took it.

“You are welcome and this is for the baby,” he added and gave her a few bucks. Alessa smiled and nodded at him.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

The past four months have been really hard for Alessa, she did multiple jobs to survive. She finally got a little place to stay a month ago after sleeping on the streets for three months.

Things started to get better a bit when she started working for Rico, who owns a little grocery store close to where she lives.

He hired her immediately after she came begging for a job because she was pregnant.

Alessa’s bump was now visible. She cries every night when she thinks about how her life changed so fast months ago. She couldn't get over what happened and she never thinks she will.

Moving to the rural areas of the city made things easier for her, not everyone could recognize her, and the few that did mocked her of her situation.

Rico knows about her story, she told him everything that happened and he felt so bad for her.

The cheers outside the store caught Alessa’s attention. Everyone was running which confused Alessa.

“Rico, do you know what is going on?” she asked as she turned to him.

“Oh, you didn't hear about it?” Rico asked and she furrowed her brows, confused.

“Hear about what?” she asked back.

“Your ex… Mr. Hart is coming to the central hospital today. Judging by the present situation, he is there already, having a press conference.” He replied and Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

Before Rico could speak, Alessa rushed out of the store and ran towards the central hospital which wasn't so far from the store.

She had no idea why she was heading there but she was sure of one thing, she just wanted to see Bryan.

Her heart was racing as she ran. She couldn't wait to see him, despite the pain he put her through, she still loves him. She isn't even mad at him for what he did.

If she gets a chance to see him today and he sees her state, maybe he will take her back. He can't let her suffer, he isn't a bad man.

Alessa was willing to let go of everything if he tried to talk to her, she was ready to ignore the pain she had gone through these past few months.

Alessa got to the central hospital, and he exhaled heavily as she saw the crowd in front of it.

She took in a deep breath before entering the crowd, and somehow, she made her way to the front.

There he was, looking handsome as always in his well-tailored tuxedo. Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart raced in excitement, She was happy to see him.

He seemed to be rounding off with his speech and Alessa felt bad that she would only see him for a few minutes.

He ended his speech and the crowd cheered, Alessa also clapped her hands. He was about to walk away when his eyes fell on Alessa, he froze as she held his gaze.

Alessa felt her heart beat rapidly as he stared at her. She was surprised he saw her.

Alessa could swear she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes but they disappeared almost immediately. The crowd was starting to notice, including the reporters.

Bryan hurriedly looked away and his guards escorted him away.

Alessa exhaled heavily as a tear rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed and wiped it off immediately.

The crowd slowly started to leave. In minutes, the front of the hospital was empty but Alessa remained in a spot.

She could bring herself to move, she kept thinking about what just happened. The look in his eyes, the long stare, she couldn't get everything out of her head!

‘Did he miss me?’

‘Does he care now?’

‘Does he regret his actions?’

Different thoughts kept popping into her head.

Alessa snapped out of her thoughts after a few minutes. She turned away from the hospital to head back into the street.

“Ma’am.”

“Ma’am.” She heard a voice call repeatedly, and she turned to see a man whom she recognized immediately. It was Bryan’s bodyguard.

Alessa was confused.

“Excuse me, ma’am, Mr. Hart wants to see you,” he said. Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

“Me?”

“Yes, ma’am. Please come with me.”

Alessa nodded immediately without a second thought, and she followed the guard into the hospital.

As they walked in, Alessa felt her heart do a happy dance. He cares after all! He is going to take her back! Finally, her suffering has come to an end, and she will be happy again!

The guard took her to a private wing in the hospital and stopped in front of a door.

“You can go in ma’am,” he said. She nodded then opened the door.

Bryan was standing in the middle of the room with his hands in his pants pocket, he looked up at her as she walked in.

“Bryan,” she called and rushed to hug him but he took a step back from her. She paused as he did.

“You… you stink and you look dirty.” he said and Alessa mouthed an ‘oh’ before letting out a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah. Sorry about that,” she muttered and wiped her hands on her clothes. Alessa looked down at herself in the process, she was in ripped jeans and a dirty sweatshirt.

“Sit,” he ordered and she slowly nodded as she took a seat on one of the chairs, he sat opposite her too.

Alessa stared down at her fingers and played with them nervously.

“I… “

“I forgive you, Bryan, you don't have to apologize. I forgive you.” she cut him off and looked up at him Bryan furrowed his brows confused.

“Apologize? I am not here to apologize to you,” he replied.

“Huh?”

“I called you here to warn you to stay away from me,” he said. Alessa felt her heart shatter into pieces.

“Wh… what?” she asked with her voice trembling.

“That conference was live and you almost ruined it. You weren't supposed to show up.”

Alessa’s lips parted in shock, and she shook her head in disbelief as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I look dirty and I stink. I am struggling to survive which you can see and this is all you can say to me?” she asked.

Bryan ignored her statement.

“I am here to make you a deal. I will give you money to start a new life outside the country, you… “

“No, no, no. I don't want your money.” she shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Bryan, this is not fair. I am pregnant with your child and you are treating me like trash. I barely survived the past few months. Why are you doing this?” Alessa cried.

Bryan kept a straight look as he watched her cry.

“Bryan, please.” Alessa fell to her knees and crawled to him. She held his feet and Bryan stared down at her.

“You have to take me back, take me back Bryan. I don't mind living like a slave in your mansion, I will do anything to get off the streets, please.” she cried as she held his feet.

“Look at me,” he ordered but she didn't look up at him.

“Look at me Alessa,” he ordered again and she looked up at him in tears.

Bryan held her gaze watching how her ocean eyes glistened due to the tears.

“I don't care about you Alessa and I never will. I don't care that you are pregnant and I don't care if the child is mine. You mean nothing to me Alessa and you never will.” he said softly and raised his hand to her hair.

Alessa couldn't believe her ears, This isn't the man she was married to. He kept a straight look as he said hurtful words to her. How did he change so fast?

He slowly tucked it behind her ear as he stared at her, he trailed his hand to her wet cheeks and held it softly.

Alessa exhaled heavily as she closed her eyes and leaned on his hand. She missed his touch so much.

“Take the money, Alessa. Start a new life away from here, you don't have a place in mine anymore,” he said.

She opened her eyes and sniffed.

“Bryan, please… “

“Not another word.” he cut her off and she gulped.

He pulled his hand away from her and stood up.

“The guard outside will be with the cheque, in case you change your mind,” he added as he stared down at her. Alessa looked at him in tears.

Taking one final look at her, Bryan walked towards the door.

“Goodbye, Alessa.”

SIX YEARS LATER

“Do you think she can hear us?” Aiden asked his sister as they both stared at their mother lying on the bed.

“I don't know, this was your idea,” Aria whispered to him.

“My idea? We both want this.” Aiden whispered back.

“Well, she is not awake. This should be easy.” Aiden added and moved closer to the bed. He stared at his mother and smiled seeing how beautiful she looked in her sleep.

He suddenly felt a presence behind him and flinched. He glared, seeing it was his sister.

“Don't sneak up on me like that,” he whispered.

“Sorry.” she giggled silently.

Aiden raised his hand to pick up her phone next to her when she suddenly opened her eyes and held his hand.

“It was Aria’s idea.”

“It was Aiden’s idea.” The twins chorused at the same time.

“Hey.” They chorused again and glared at each other.

Alessa chuckled and slowly sat up.

“What do you want with my phone when you have yours?” she asked with a smile as they both got on the bed with her.

“Yours is better,” Aria replied with a smile.

Alessa chuckled and ruffled their hair.

It's been six years since she left New York and started a new life. It was a long sad story but she survived and became a billionaire.

The best in business in most states in Australia.

She is famous in the country but as famous as she was, she kept her life off the media. All she is known for is her wealth and business status.

She stared at Aiden who picked up her phone, his ocean eyes lit up immediately. He is a replica of Bryan.

When she gave birth to him, staring at him caused a lot of pain for her but she grew to love him as time went by.

And Aria. Aria also has ocean eyes but has most of her features. They both mean a lot to her and she was grateful she changed her mind last minute about getting rid of them.

“Why is she staring at us like that?” Aria asked her brother snapping Alessa out of her thoughts.

She didn't realize she had been staring at them for too long.

“I understand why. I look too good.” Aiden replied proudly and ran his hand through his hair with a smile.

“No, you don't. I look better than you.” Aria argued, flipping her hair dramatically.

Alessa shook her head as she laughed, sometimes they act older than their age.

~

Alessa sat at the table having dinner with her kids. The maids were gathered around the table watching the kids carefully.

Alessa’s phone beeped and she picked it up, reading the text she received. She exhaled heavily knowing what it meant.

“It's time,” she muttered.

“Mummy, what did you say?” Aria asked as she licked her fingers.

She dropped her phone and looked up at them with a smile.

“We are going on a trip,” she announced and her kids exchanged confused looks.

“What's a trip?” Aiden asked and Aria laughed.

“See? This is what happens when you don't pay attention to the lessons,” she said and threw her fries at him.

They have always been home schooled.

“Hey,” Aiden yelled at her.

“That's enough,” Alessa said and they turned to her.

“We are traveling to New York City,” she said and they cheered happily.

They were excited, they don't leave the house very often. Alessa has always been extra careful with them.

“Tomorrow,” Alessa added. They clapped their hands happily before eating their meals.

~

“Are you comfortable?” Alessa asked as she helped her kids with their seat belts. They both nodded in response.

They were flying in her private jet, and everything was new to the kids.

“How rich are you, mum?” Aiden asked and she smiled.

“Very,” she replied.

“Why are we going to New York?” Aria suddenly asked.

“To visit some old friends.”

“I thought you didn't have any friends,” Aiden said.

“Yes but I have old friends, I also have business to settle there,” she answered.

“Will we meet these friends of yours?” Aria asked.

“Of course you will,” Alessa replied with a smile.

“How long will we be there?” Aiden asked further.

“A few weeks or a month. At least till I am done with what I need to do.”

“What?” they both chorused and Alessa smiled.

“Okay, that’s enough questions for the day,” she replied and they both pouted.

“Get ready, this is going to be a long ride.”

Alessa stared at her kids as they slept peacefully. She thought about how the next few weeks would be.

It's finally time to do what she has waited and prepared for in six years, she needs to set things right and make those who hurt her pay.

It won't be as easy as it seems but she is ready. She has everything she needs already.

She recalled what happened six years ago, the humiliation she went through. The pain and suffering.

She was lucky to have survived, not everyone can survive in the streets while carrying twins. She had no idea she was carrying twins till she was close to giving birth to them.

It really wasn't easy for her, living from hand to mouth. She glanced at her kids again and smiled. They looked so peaceful in their sleep.

Alessa exhaled heavily as a smile slowly formed on her lips, time to make things right.

They finally arrived in New York City. Alessa's guards helped her carry her kids and bags. They were still asleep.

She walked out of the plane with her head up high, she took in a deep breath, and shut her eyes as the wind blew her hair.

She waited patiently for her heart to race or to feel anxious but nothing happened. She was better than she was six years ago, she was back strong.

She smirked and walked towards the cars waiting for her.

It's time to make the Harts and her parents pay for what they did to her.