Chapter 22

OLIVIA

Days had passed quickly since the minor conflict Chase and I had regarding the sudden appearance of Natalia Smith in our lives. I would say that my life was still peaceful as expected even after knowing that a woman from Reese's past suddenly showed up. Chase also assured me that he would not fall for or even entertain any other woman out there as he was already content with his gorgeous and great wife, which was none other than me.

It was Saturday. Chase went to work early in the morning as he was scheduled to meet Mr. Jones at their company to help him with a lot of things. The fact that my husband was too devoted and committed to helping Reese's parents made me feel at ease. They were great people, and they deserved all the help they could get from Chase. Despite their fear that Uncle Ernest might do something to their company, Chase was still adamant about helping and bowed to protect them no matter what happened. He was the best son-in-law, I had to admit.

And here I was, taking care of Mikael at our mansion because Lara had to go somewhere, which she did not tell me where it was, as part of her "hunt" to find the writer of the blog posts related to Reese Jones. Her son would stay here for two days, and since I had nothing else to do, I happily took him in. I was so glad that Mikael was here with me, as I swore that staying in the mansion without having Chase around was not really appealing.

"So how is it going, buddy?" I asked Mikael in a curious tone, crouching next to him as I took a peak to his sketch pad.

We set up a picnic table in front of the lake behind the mansion. The weather was so fine and with the fresh breeze in this area, I thought Mikael would enjoy doing some drawing activities out here. He was too serious as he drew the lake in front of us. Sitting on the wooden little chair with his sketch pad placed on a canvas board, his gaze going back and forth between the lake and the pad, I could not help but admire Mikael. Despite his young age at six, I would say that this little kid truly acquired talent from Lara, who also loved to draw in the past.

"Almost done here, Momma Liv," he replied with his softly spoken voice.

"Mikael," I called him, almost like a whisper. "Didn't I tell you that you should call me Momma Reese from now on? Did you forget about it?"

He checked over his little shoulder to meet my gaze. "But Momma Liv, Mommy told me that your name is Liv and not Reese."

"Yes." I checked the whole area to make sure that no one was around, then glanced back at him. "Liv is my true name but I want to be called Reese from now on as that is my new name. And you, since you are a good boy, you have to call me by my new name. Do you get it?"

"Alright, Momma Reese," he responded, sounding a bit confused but he was so cute that I could not stop myself from slightly pinching his cheek. "Ouch, Momma!"

"You are so cute, buddy!" I said, giggling at him. I then ruffled his blonde short hair and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Finish your artwork. I will just go back inside to get more fruits for you. Do not go anywhere, alright?"

"Yes, Momma, and I want more tangerines, please . . ." He then clasped his little hands together.

"Sure, more tangerines for my little buddy!" I said, which made him chuckle.

I stood up and sighed in relief. Mikael went back to his drawing, and for a brief moment, I just remained in my place and watched him as I crossed my arms over my chest.

I wondered what Lara felt when she first saw her firstborn. Was she at her happiest? Did she tear up embracing him for the very first time? Did she feel a lot of emotions? These were the questions whirling around my head. Even before, I was already curious about what most mothers normally feel whenever they give birth to their babies. Did they promise them the world, by any chance? Simply by thinking about it, I could not contain my emotions. While I was happy to see kids with their parents, getting the love and care they deserved, there was a little part of me asking why I did not get a chance to experience such a thing.

I let out a huge sigh, not allowing a single drop of sadness to get through my veins as this was supposed to be a happy day with Mikael. I shook my head and went inside the mansion to prepare another plate of fruit for him.

I hummed as I headed to the kitchen. I had been living here for weeks already, yet every time I went to this part of the mansion, my body still reacted the same way– too excited to check the fully loaded fridge and other hanging cabinets. Perhaps it is because I lived in a normal apartment with Lara. Since we lived paycheck to paycheck, we were deprived of eating expensive food and snacks. But, that was not the case anymore. Chase stocked up a lot of food and snacks, and we even had a mini bar here with a cellar filled with expensive wines and liquors.

I didn't waste any more time and washed the new set of tangerines for Mikael. I even made him a bowl of salad, a smoothie, and then a coffee and chocolate sandwich for myself. After preparing our snack, I went back to the lake, still humming my favorite song.

However, my happiness slowly faded away. I stopped walking. My mouth was half open when I saw a familiar woman who was conversing with Mikael. For a brief moment, I felt a strike of panic inside my chest. My hands began to quiver as I watched her every move, but I managed to keep a firm grip on the food tray because the last thing I wanted was for these foods to fall on the bermuda grass and make her feel that her presence made me tense.

Her eyes saw me, which made me freeze in my place. But then, the irritation started to get through my veins when she smiled wickedly at me and even waved her hand, gesturing me to come closer.

What the hell was Chandria Maxwell doing here at our home?!

***

I'd lost count of how many times I'd sighed here in my spot, standing near the sliding doors that led to the living room, watching Chandria walk around near the swimming pool.

A couple of minutes earlier, I decided to drag Chandria here as I did not want Mikael to see us having an argument or pulling each other's hair because, apparently, we hated each other. I wanted to throw her out of the mansion so badly. She was not welcome here. However, I was well aware that it would only cause a bigger fuss, and that was the last thing I wanted to happen.

Why was she here anyway? I was living fine with her brother, completely forgot her existence and her parents' until she invited herself in despite being unwelcomed.

"So how does it feel to be my brother's wife?" she asked while walking towards one of the sun loungers and sat on it, her tone was truly irritating as it sounded so offensive to me.

But even so, I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper because of her mere presence.

"Oh, I am so glad you asked. I am so delighted now that Chase and I are already married . . . happily," I said, then I gave her a fake sweet smile.

Her insulting eyes wandered around the place.

"Happily. It is such a nice feeling, isn't it?" She then glanced over at me. "To be able to get married with the man whose pockets and banks are fucking loaded with money that can secure your life until you get old. Of course, you have the right to feel happy. You even secured the life of the future generation of your filthy bloodline. Thanks to my brother," she added, every word dripping off sarcasm.

I swore anger went through my veins because of her statement. Well, I was not saying that those weren't true but this devilish girl really went too far just to ruin my day.

"Well, you can say anything you want, as if you, attacking me verbally would ever change everything." I shrugged my shoulders and made it appear that I was not, in any way, affected by her rude behavior. "And speaking of filth, can you tell me the reason why you are here? As far as I remember, Chase nor I did not invite you to come over."

She laughed sarcastically. However, my eyes could see the irritation on her face based on how it reddened the moment I said she was filthy. I rolled my eyes and kept up with the pretense that I was not bothered.

"To pay my respect to the newly wed, I guess, even though my sister-in-law, who happened to be a trash, is someone who cannot earn my respect," she said and smiled at me. "To see how well you are enjoying my brother's money. And to be honest, I was shocked to see you are with a kid who calls you mommy. Sounds interesting . . ." She nodded and then stood up to close the distance between us while her arms crossed against her chest. "Who is that filthy kid, anyway? Is he your secret son whom you want Chase to father?"

"Mind your language, Chandria!" I almost yelled at her as I already lost my patience the moment she spoke ill about Mikael. "Why are you including the kid in this mess? He is just an innocent little kid for Heaven's sake!"

She laughed and shook her head, obviously not buying what I just said.

"That did not answer who that filthy kid is in your life, Reese." She walked even more closer to me, which made me grit my teeth. "Is he your son? Why can't you answer me, you filthy bitch?"

That was it. I could still take all those hurtful words she wanted to throw at me, but her calling Mikael in that manner was way out of line.

Rage overpowered me up to the point that I could no longer control it, and with that, I found myself slapping her so hard in her face. It was so damn hard that she got out of balance and almost fell onto the cemented ground.

"Are you deaf? I told you not to include an innocent child in this conversation," I said through my clenching teeth. "And with your behavior, I want to tell you that you look filthier than me."

"How dare you!" She screamed on the top of her lungs and rushed towards me.

Soon after her hands started to pull my hair, I felt an instant pain in my scalp. I tried to remove them from my head, but she was so strong, gripping my hair as if her life depended on it. I ended up pulling her hair too, and at the same time, scratching her arms using my nails while cursing her.

"You have no right to call me filth, you stupid cheater!" she yelled. "You do not deserve my brother! You can't be part of our family! Let go of me, bitch!"

"Damn you! I swear you are going to face hell this time!" I said and pulled her hair until some of it literally clung to my fingers.

The fact that Chandria was slowly losing her hair as I kept pulling it made her scream louder this time. She tried to scratch my face, but I was easily able to dodge her hands. However, when she tried to pull my entire body, I got out of balance, and the next thing I knew, we fell into the cold water.

I thought she was going to stop attacking me as we were both trying to catch our breath, but when I swam away from her, I felt her hands pulling my hair once again.

"What the hell, Chandria!" I screamed at her when she tried to drown me under the water. "Fuck! Let . . . Let me go! Chandria!"

I kicked her leg under the water, which made her let go of me, and I used it as an opportunity to get away from her. I immediately rose from the swimming pool and coughed so hard on the ground.

"Are you . . . are you trying to kill me?!" I screamed out of anger.

"I swear I am going to tell this to our parents!" she said, trying to scare me when she rose from the water. She rushed towards me and slapped me on the face. "I hate you!" she then screamed.

Her scream was followed by a child's cry. A pang of anxiety went through me when I saw Mikael hiding behind the sliding doors, watching us as he cried.

"Ha! Now here comes your filthy kid!"

"He is my best friend's son, for Pete's sake, Chandria!" When I was able to compose myself, I then gave her a deadly glare.

Mikael ran towards me and hugged me on my knee. "Momma, I am scared!"

"See what you have done?!" I yelled at Chandria then pointed to the sliding doors. "Leave before I call the police!"

Her eyes widened. "What the hell did you say? Who are you to report me to the police? I swear my father will know about this!"

"Then tell your father, I don't fucking care! Chase will know what happened here too. Now, get out of my house! You are not welcome here!"

"How dare you!" Her whole body quivered out of anger. She screamed like a lunatic asking for too much attention.

"I said get out of here! I don't want to see you here ever again, Chandria!" I gave her one wary look before I held Mikael's hand and dragged him inside.

***

When Chase got home that night, I told him everything that happened in detail. He was so mad that he wanted to go to his family's house and teach Chandria a lesson, but I calmed him down as I was too tired to think about what had occurred.

Right after our dinner, we both soothed Mikael, who appeared to have experienced trauma because of Chandria's sudden visit here. He slept in the master's bedroom with us, soundly asleep between me and Chase.

I watched how Chase tucked him in with a comfortable duvet, and I could not help but smile as he was like a father taking care of his child.

"I did not want Mikael to have such a traumatic experience while he is staying here with us. Rest assured that I will still talk to Chandria and make her know her place," he said in a serious tone.

He lay down beside Mikael and slightly tapped his shoulder repeatedly.

"I do not want another trouble with her, Chase," I said as I looked at him.

"She should have not come here in the first place. She asked for it."

All I could do was sigh. I was all too aware that Chase would never let it slide. I just hoped Chandria would learn her lesson soon. She was really getting on my nerves!

"Mikael is such a cute little kid," Chase's voice was filled with admiration when he said those words.

His gaze was fixated on Mikael. As I watched him intently, I could not understand why my heart was pounding so aggressively inside my chest. What I was seeing was like a clear vision of a father watching his own son sleeping.

"Now, I wonder how it feels to be a father," he uttered softly, gazing back at me.

"I think it is fun and there is no doubt that you will be a great father, Chase . . ." I did not know where it came from, but those sincere words came off my mouth naturally.

I blushed instantly when I realized what I said. A smile escaped his lips after.

Still looking at me, it seemed that he was already giving me an idea that he already wanted us to have a child. I gave him a small smile, but at the back of my head, I was all too aware that I would not be able to fulfill it. Getting pregnant was not part of my plan and never would be.

The baby would just end up suffering once Chase found out that I was a different person and the real Reese Jones was nowhere to be found. I bet he would even loathe me if he found out the truth. And with that, I thought it was much easier to escape and leave him all by myself, not with a baby who would become a constant reminder that I once deceived a billionaire who only hoped to be loved by the woman he treasured the most.

"For a record, I know you would be a great mother, too, Reese . . ." he said after minutes of silence and me spacing out. "I can't wait to see you bearing our child inside your womb, giving birth and carrying the baby in your arms." He smiled while imagining such impossible things and it made my chest feel a lot heavier. "You and our future child will be my priceless possession, and I promise to love both of you until my last breath."