I planted myself into my couch, leaving a shaky breath, I grabbed my towel and wiped my sweat off my face, I looked at my mirror, the true colour of my face showing, the real face I was hiding from everyone, I looked at my reflection, for once, I saw Odette Rose Carter again, I wish I could be her, again. 

I grabbed swiped through my phone to drift my mind again, maybe something can help clear my mind? Instagram? Youtube?

The Carter Industries to tie a business deal with Kathrine Fobes?

Who is Kathrine Forbes? Billionaire businesswoman or a huge mystery?

I threw my phone over my side and covered my face in my hands, weeping silently, my body shaking with the intensity of my cries, I am weak again, I was becoming weak after years of trying to be strong, those walls I made all crumbled into dust when I saw him again.

I felt a soft hand on my left shoulder, I looked to my side and saw my daughter with her eyes filled, her blue eyes emitting her love for me.

'' Momma, why are you crying? did daddy hurt you?'' she asked gently wiping my tears with her tiny hands, I looked at her with my mouth agape, how did she know that he was her father?

''Who Lia?'' I asked making her sit on my lap. She wiped my tears with her little hands and smiled cheekily at me.

''That uncle that we met today, he said that I can call him daddy'' Lia chuckled making my heart twist in agony. When did Eric say that to her? I won't let him take away my daughter from me again.

'' No my child, he, he is not your father and doesn't call him that'' I lied hugging her tight ''Will you listen to Mumma? Don't call him that ''

She nodded slightly and kissed my cheeks deeply making me chuckle, I don't want to lose the only ray of sunlight to him, I hugged her again and looked at the night sky with yearning, My moon is my daughter and I was missing my sun.

♡ ♡ ♡

I dragged my suitcase into the airport, covering my face with my clutch, its wheels making a sound against the ceramic, flashes of the media camera blinding me as my daughter held the edge of my dress to save herself from the crowd, I was safe once I entered the airport, away from the swarming media, I was going to London, the place I was born to meet with, Eric, I don't from where I am getting that courage. I always hated this publicity and there is no salvation from this until my death.

I opened my phone and his message flashes on my screen, I frown at it when I read it.

Eric - Kat, meet you in London, can't wait to see you again friend! See you soon! Happy Journey!

Love, E.E.C 

I smiled slightly and walked towards the private jet that awaited me, I picked my daughter in my arms, she wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled in my neck, she was sleepy as it was so early in the morning, she was quick to fall onto the lap of slumber and I knew when I felt her gentle breaths on my neck. 

I sat on the luxurious couch that beautified the exquisite interior of the jet, Claire came towards my side and bowed slightly, I softly placed my daughter on the bed and kissed her head.

''Make sure all the arrangements are made once I reach London'' I said and she nodded her head and walked away with a file in her hand.

 Jaxon entered the jet and accidentally hit claire making her file drop on the floor, the papers scattering on the floor, I clicked my tongue in disappointment, so clumsy.

''Sorry sir, I will take them, please don't worry'' she whispered, blushing red, I frowned, and as a smile formed on my face, Jaxon and Claire, Cute!

Jaxon smiled handsomely and took all the papers and handed them over to her and patted her shoulders ''No worries young lady''.

She smiled back and walked away with meekly, Jaxon chuckled and planted himself beside me.

''So Kat, are you sure about this , you have been mentally down for quite a few days after meeting Carter, just remember who he was to you , I will never tell you to forget him because he is your baby daddy of course, but, get a grip, you are strong and confident, not like you older version'' he explained, I smiled at him and nodded in agreement, he was right , I am not Odette, who was weak and pathetic, I am Kathrine.

I hugged him softly, he patted my back and gave me a tight-lipped smile, he was still scared of me after getting a slap for his recklessness, Oh I am so the boss here!

♡ ♡ ♡

''Welcome, Welcome to London Ms Kathrine Forbes!'' Eric cheeky tone and smirk gave me the urge to slap his face, I shook his hands and hugged him in a friendly way, strictly professional Odette! I reminded myself.

Flashes of those stupid cameras followed, because why not? The media were always behind us for gossip, I shook his hand again for camera purposes, he was welcoming me to London? The place I was born? How Ironic.

''Kathrine, I invite you to the birthday party of my dad, let's celebrate our business deal as well? Hmm?'' he asked with a huge smile, extending his arm, a sign of humbleness, Good.

I looked at Jaxon again for assurance, should I go back to that mansion that withheld a thousand beautiful memories? He nodded and gave me a thumbs up in assurance, Eric again shot daggers at him, Jaxon just lowered his head meekly.

''So you brought that idiot bag of bones here Kat?'' he asked leaning forward, whispered near my ears, his breath near my neck brought back the sensual moments that we shared, I inhaled deeply and have him a stern look.

''He is my partner in business, so it is highly essential that he is present'' I said with my head raised high, He gave a mocking scoff and looked away.

''Daddy!'' we heard her squeal again, I looked back and saw Lia running onto Eric extended arms, he had a beautiful smile on his face, he laughed when she hugged his neck tightly, I tried my best not to cry and keep my stern face, I will cherish this forever Ric because even if you don't know, she is your daughter.

His whole office went awed which irked me more, I looked away as tears filled my eyes, tears of joy along with the fact that I can never be with him again, Jaxon came to my aid and locked our fingers together, I looked up at him, my eyes glossy, Jaxon nodded and gave me a smile and  mouthed ''Let Lia be''

''So Kathrine'' Eric suddenly asked and I turned towards him again ''I would like to know what happened to your husband, how a man can be so cruel to leave a beautiful angel-like uhh..'' he stopped looking down at Lia who was playing with the edge of his tie, I could watch this forever.

''Ophelia, Ophelia Diane Ca- uh Forbes.'' I said looking at her, Eric smiled gently ''What a beautiful name for a beautiful child, you are so lucky Kathrine.'' 

I smiled back at him and mumbled a thank you ''So will you tell me what happened to your husband?'' he asked again and I froze again ''Did he leave you or is he dead? He must be such bustard to leave you, and die? Such a coward.'' he seethed, with raw fury painted on his face.

I groaned, why is saying all these things? Does he know He is calling himself these words? ''Don't you dare use those words for him!'' I said pointing my finger at him ''He was an angel, he was my everything, my smile, my tears, my soul, my heart , every breath I took , I felt him on it,  he was the reason for my happiness ..'' I said looking at Eric deeply, drinking the essence of my words.

Eric coughed making me snap out of my reverie ''Oh, that is so painful for you I guess, then?'' he asked rocking Lia softly, she snuggled closer into his warmth, a purr leaving her little mouth

''H-He died suddenly, mysteriously, leaving me alone and Lia wasn't even born ..'' I tried my best to look at his eyes, tears threatening to spill out, Eric, Please

''OUT!'' Eric suddenly yelled at everyone in this room, all of them went pale and bowed quickly tattered out, Eric glared at Jaxon, Jaxon did not budge, I looked at Jax and pleaded at him to leave , he sighed and walked out, his head hung low.

''Kathrine then? Was there any sign of his body? How did he look?'' he asked placing his palm on my shoulder, I went weak at that moment, no one asks me about my husband , and he himself is asking me, how can I control my emotions now? I suddenly burst into tears, I failed again, That confident Kathrine showed her vulnerability to Eric Carter again, because he is the only one who saw my weakest part.

''H-He, he looked like Lia, Blue eyes, Dark Black hair an-'' I couldn't say any more, my breath was stuck of my throat, if I describe him , I will end up describing this person infront of me, we were supposed to be strictly professional but he was crossing that line, Eric softly placed Lia on the chair beside him and made me stand up.

He was hitting the weakest point of my heart, my legs went weak and he quickly hugged me tightly, I held the collar of his expensive suit and cried onto his chest, His left hand rested on the back of my silver hair and the other was wrapped around my back, he rubbed my back softly.

''I can understand your pain Kathrine, to be honest, even I lost someone as precious as my soul too..'' he softly whispered, that brought me back to my senses, if he talking about me?

''Who is that?'' I asked suddenly leaving him, He sighed sadly and cupped my face and wiped my face softly.

''That's a story for another day.'' 

♡ ♡ ♡

I looked at my mirror and was quite satisfied with the result, I look smoking hot and pretty desirable, my silver and my green eyes went amazing with my low cute black gown, I extended my leg to reveal that long slit, I ruffled my hair softly for a final touch.

I was ready to go to Ruben Carter's birthday, I took a deep breath and smiled at myself, You are ready Kathrine, let's do this!

''Mummy you look beautiful!'' I heard my little in her cinderella gown, I can't believe she is four years old, it feels like I gave birth to her just yesterday, I bend down and kissed her cheeks softly.

''Thank you, angel, you look, gorgeous yourself honey'' I said hugged her tiny body ''Ready to go?'' I asked Jaxon who looked dashing in his suit, he smiled and adjusted his coat.

I linked my arms with his bicep, he flashed a smile and I held Lia's hand and we were ready to go. He can only be my partner for tonight.

I waved at the media and crowd we entered the prestigious Carter Mansion, I controlled my emotions as I entered that house that held so many memories, the ballroom was huge and decorated beautifully, memories came back like lighting back to me.

''Ah, Kathrine! At last!'' Eric came into view, My mouth hung open when I looked at him, he looked like a walking god, how can someone be so perfect? His perfectly tailored suit hugged him so perfectly as his muscles lined his arms, his tall frame looking intimidating.

''You look smoking hot Kathrine!'' he smirked raking his eyes down my slim body and tanned legs.''Let me introduce you to someone, yes?'' I nodded, who is it now?

He waved his hand and a graceful lady with auburn hair and two kids came forward, one was a boy that looked a few years elder than Lia and a girl was so small whom the lady, that I guessed was her mother held in her.

''This is my wife Sofia, my son Damian and my daughter Anabelle'' he uttered those words that shattered my heart into a thousand pieces, it broke so much that I knew it would never mend again, I could physically feel my heartbreak.

My clutch fell on the ground with that shock as my face went pale, Jaxon snapped his head at me, his expression petrified and inscrutable, No, This can't happen, Eric can't forget me so fast and marry some bitch and have two kids! 

I looked down and control my rising agony, I gave Eric a made-up smile and nodded, his son, Damian come forward and suddenly hugged me, my heart melted that instant ignoring the hate for this kid.

''Hi, Ms Kathrine! I am Damian, Damian William Carter and I am 6 years old, it's a pleasure to meet you!'' he said with a handsome smile, Anabelle, his daughter looked like her mother Sofia but Damian did not look like either of them, strange, he had the same black hair but amber eyes, which none of us had.

I nodded and patted his head, he walked towards Lia who was hiding behind me shyly , Damian held her arms softly and pulled her out gently.

''Hi, I am Damian and you are?'' he asked shaking her hands, Lia looked at Damian and smiled slightly, she was always timid among strangers.

''Ophelia''

♡ ♡ ♡

Oh I stan Kat!

𝚆𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 ,

𝙳𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝙿𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐

https://youtu.be/rtOvBOTyX00

XOXO