I Am Baaackkk.

COLLINS' POV

"Collins sweetie please calm down" my mother shrieked wringing her hands in fear. She wisely stood 20 feet away. Right now I was not her son. I had become a demented person who was hell-bent on making everything around me suffer.

This was not the first time she was saying that sentence. As her voice increased with each word as well as her desperate pleas I ignored her as I had been doing for the past ten minutes. I didn't heed her growing screams and her clutching her chest as if she was having a heart attack. Actually, I would be appreciative if she did take a trip to the hospital or anywhere in the world. Preferably Timbuktu. That was not happening anytime soon so to pacify I threw another mirror on the ground and watched with the greatest satisfaction as it shattered to dozens upon dozens of pieces.

The pleasure was so great that I just had to grab another. Then another, then another. To cut it short anything that I could get my hands on was destroyed. I didn't care who get hurt in the process.

"Collins, I know that you are angry but you are really scaring me. You need to calm down" Ashley begged, standing by my mother. She as well was trying to avoid the wreckage that I was leaving.

If I ignored my own mother then what makes her think I would listen to her?

From the corner of my eye I saw the wet bar that up till then had been safe from carnage and destruction. Heading swiftly to it, I started throwing the bottles, ice buckets, glasses, on the floor and on the wall. Drinks were shattered along with the glass. Some of the best liquor in the country were all gone. Gone in a matter of minutes. But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered to me anymore. Nothing. What good is all my hard work if I have no one to leave it to?

"Collins" Ashley screamed at me bringing me out of my thoughts.

The closest thing next to me was a vase left standing was a base I got as a present from my grandma. I promptly threw that against the wall.

"Collins please calm down" Judy screamed clutching her tummy. I don't know why but I detested her at the moment. No I have detested her ever since she and her husband announced they were expecting their first child than 7 and a half weeks ago.

All it took was one look at her and the anger and bitterness hit me like tsunami. I was filled with different forms of emotions, but the most apparent was rage. Here she was carrying her child and I was left with nothing. Here she was picking out baby names and I was left to pick up the pieces of my life. She was busy shopping for onesies and whatnot. Planning a baby showers. Giving interviews and having her pictures taken in magazines left, right, and center.

Isn't life funny? Ashley was the one who insisted that I sign my rights to my child away. She encouraged me. No she forced me to give my children away. She all but demanded that I force Diane to abort my baby in order to blot out any trace or existence of me and Diane's DNA on this earth. And now she demands that I calm down?! What rubbish. Everything she had was supposed to be mine. The spouse, the child they were all supposed to be mine. Mine!

I stopped smashing for a minute to gather my thought. I heard sighs and gasps.

Turning my face, I saw looks of relief on their faces. But that look was quickly replaced by what I said next.

"Get out" in a deathly quiet voice.

I didn't hear anyone moving. "I said get out! I want to be left alone!" I bellowed.

But I didn't hear the scurrying of feet or the door closing. Guess they were not that scared of me. Pity.

Pity. That was the word that summed up my life. My life was pitiful. I had a pitiful family and pitiful lawyers.

How dare him! Since that little worm, Jude had come up with the last hurrah, I had been seething. I had left the courtroom without a word not even waiting for my parents who had hitched a ride with me. I just hopped in my car and sped off home. I won't be surprised if I get 20 tickets tomorrow. All the while the same thoughts came running to my head.

How dare Diane! How dare all of them to think that they can take away my sons. My sons! My little boys. Not to speak of giving them the last name Sinclair. They were Dwight's. Through and through. They were my blood. They had the Dwight blood running through their veins. They were flesh of my flesh.

I get it. I get that I made a mistake, an unforgivable mistake. I was still human. I was trying to correct and repent for my wrong doings and where has it gotten me? Nowhere. A spit in the face. A slap in the face by that woman. That woman that I had once loved. Where had it all gone wrong?

I was losing everything. I was losing my mind and my body. This was not fair. This could not be right. In all my life I had never once regretted a thing. Not once, not even when I failed a class or got arrested, or done anything stupid. I never once had an iota of regret. I just saw it as a teaching moment. Something that came with life. Nothing mattered much to me. There was no sense of deep regret.

But now I was regretting my life. I was regretting letting things slide. Above all, I was regretting the day that I turned my backs on my sons. The day that I let my pride, ignorance, arrogance, prejudice and heartlessness rob me of the happiest moments of my life. Right now I can see myself in that room on that day. The day that I had signed the best things of my life away.

Funny isn't it? Up until four months ago I had forgotten that day. Now for the last four months, it was becoming the air that I breathe. Every time that I open my eyes, I can see myself signing that paper. If I could go back in time I would. I would tell that young man not to listen to what anyone said about Diane. I will tell the young me to accept the kids because they will become more precious to me than anything else.

Life is not fair. Why me? Why did I have to be so stupid? Why did I have to be so callous and heartless? I don't know why I did what I did. I have racked my brain countless of time trying to come up with a reason for disowning my children. And absolutely nothing makes sense. Even a child will not accept any of my reason. My subconscious kept mocking me and berating me.

I remember what I was thinking that day, but I don't know why I did what I did. I now recall, seeing myself praying that that woman will lose the child. I remember praying that Diane will just die along with her baby because I didn't think her worthy to carry my heirs. To carry my precious jewels. To be the mother of my children. And now the mother was keeping me away from them. The same woman who had begged me to be a part of their lives.

The day that I signed my own life away. Life was not fair. Here was I in the prime of my life and I didn't have anyone to be proud of. Here I was ready to settle down and have a family and I couldn't have that. I wanted my boys.

I had lost everything. Nothing makes sense anymore. I knew the trial was all but lost. The judge would surely not turn to my favor. From the little I read of him he was a family man. I got to hand it to Diane and George's lawyers they were good. They were some of the best I have ever seen. Their defense was solid. I would applaud them if I didn't detest them so much.

This was pure evilness. I didn't care which side you are standing at. I had the right to be in the lives of my son. I had that right. The system was downright useless. Here it was trying to keep me away from my children when they let children get abused and killed every day. And I was the bad one?

I couldn't give up. I was Collins Dwight. I was the man that for battle and competition that rendered on psychotic. But that was who I was. I had studied for years to be classified as one of the best business tycoons in America and in Europe and in Asia. I was the guy who everybody loved, the crazy playboy. The one who could crack a joke and get everyone on the floor rolling with laughter. I was the lovable one. Loved and respected by anyone who is anyone. I was loyal and had the backs of my family and friends. And they had my backs.

At least that was what I thought up until five months ago. NO! Up until 11 years ago when every single person that I trusted turned their backs on me. When they let their selfish motives drive them to stab me in the back. They did what was best for them not me. My mother was ashamed to have a woman like Diane carry her grandchildren. Eric hated his daughter for destroying his reputation. The rest I don't know or don't care.

I had been betrayed.

I wanted my boys.

My boys, I couldn't help but say that with pride. The day that I learned that I had twins, I swear my heart missed a beat. They were so handsome. They were identical, strong and I could tell that they were mischievous little imps.

I can imagine me going along with their antics. Then leaving them to face the consequences and punished by their mother. I can imagine teaching them tricks to get the ladies. To fight. To defend themselves. To take random trips and just hang-out. Yet that dream will never happen. That dream is all but dead.

I was angry. How could this be happening to me? I wanted my kids. They were in my thoughts every single day. How they're growing up. Who they were hanging out with. What were their likes and dislikes? I kept thinking of what if I didn't sign them away. What if I had requested for at least joint custody? Or better yet taken them from Diane as soon as they were born.

I accept it. I was a terrible father. But everyone deserves a second chance. I had changed. I had repented. I had tried to win Diane's forgiveness. But no she didn't care. The monster would rather let her children be llabeledas bastards than let me be anywhere near them.

I didn't know what to do. I had already fired those two incompetent lawyers. If this went to trial I was not so sure that I would win. And I, Collins Dwight always wanted to know if I could win.

What could I do? What could I say that will make Diane change her mind?

"Collins" someone called from behind me bringing me from my deep thoughts.

"I said get out mom" in a taut voice.

"Collins" she said in a desperate voice

"I said get out" raising my voice.

"Collins sweetheart please. Now is not the time for you to be pushing people away. We need to put our heads together and come up with something. We can help you. If you let us" she said in a motherly voice. The same voice that used to soothe me and comfort me as a child.

And the same voice that pushed me to destroy my life and steal the most precious thing in existence from me.

I laughed wryly. I couldn't help it. Then I turned to her in a bitter voice to ask "Just like you helped me to disown my own children?"

"Collins" she gasped clutching her chest.

I finally got why people committed matricide.

"What? It's the truth."

She looked down. "Collins that is not fair" she whined.

"Really? Weren't you the one who screamed and berated me for ever being with a woman like Diane?"

"Collins she was not right for you" in a defensive voice.

"Oh what about my children? Were they not right for me? Come on mom. They were your grandchildren" I sneered.

"Collins that was a long time ago. If I knew what I know now I never would have done it. How was I to know that you could never have children?"

When the words left her mouth. I now realized how awful they sounded. I now realized why Diane might not want me to be near her kids.

I disowned my sons because they were disposable. Because they were not worth anything.

I as my parent had a choice. And I choose not to care about their welfare, let alone love them. It sounded so wrong. What kid would want to be in an environment like that?

I didn't answer her question. I didn't have the strength to formulate a competent sentence. So instead I picked myself off the floor and headed to the door. But before that I turned to the three hovering women. "By the time I get back I want you three out of my house" I growled.

"Where are you going?" my mother called.

"Away from you" I called back not bothering to turn my head. I needed to get away from them, before I commit an offence that will land me in jail. I grabbed the nearest car key off the garage and pressed a button. I guess I was taking the range rover. I sped out of the driveway and just started driving aimlessly. I didn't have a mindset. I

THIRD POV
Simultaneously as Collins pulls out of his driveway to start exploring the town of Proca 50 miles away, another meeting was about to be held. Unlike Collins who had no set mind frame and was slowly losing his sanity and wisdom, another man had all his affairs in order. This gathering some would call it sinister and others would call it a business cause. Whichever way you spin it there would be winners and there would be losers. The outcome would forever change the lives of those around them.

Sitting at a restaurant table at Book and Cup on 23rd Street a tall man with looks like Collins was patiently awaiting the presence of another man. He didn't bother to check the time or get irritated by his guest tardiness. He had all the time in the world. He could come back to this table every day for a year and it would mean nothing for him. Because he knew once he got his plan in motion it would only take a week and he would get results in his favor. Like the black, no sugar coffee he was sipping, his soul was dark and had no room for sympathy.

He faintly heard a hostess mention his name and direct his guest to his seat.

"Sorry I am late Heath. Traffic was crazy" pulling up a chair and taking a seat.

"No problem" he replied simply. "Want anything to drink?" he offered.

"No I am good."

There was a momentary pause. Each man trying to read the other.

"I think you know why I called you here Eric" Heath began.

"I have an idea" nodding his head.

"We are both businessmen. Very good ones at that. We have amassed wealth beyond anyone's expectation. But before business we are fathers. Nothing will ever come between our kids. Or grandkids. Today at court I came to the realization that I have failed my son" his voice somber.

Eric looked at him expectantly. He was angry with the verdict that the judge gave. But he couldn't fault the judge. The defense had very strong points. Their case was airtight and impeccable. He still couldn't understand how Diane had managed to snatch such good lawyers. Not only were they good lawyers, they were loyal and steadfast. Before the trial he had a man try to buy them. Offer them lucrative deals. Anything that will get them away from his daughter. But they refused. They saw right through it and bluntly told the man that they were satisfied with where they were.

Now those were people to fear. People who couldn't be bought. People who couldn't be cowered into doing anything. If he was speaking the truth he was scared of the woman called Nina. He couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about her that screamed danger.

"I failed him 11 years ago and I failed him today. Today at court, after the judge came in with the decision I felt like yelling. I had this rage of destroying that court room and burning everything to the ground. I was in pain knowing that the chances of reclaiming my grandchildren was slowly slipping from my eyes. But more than that I was in pain knowing that my son was suffering for a mistake you made"

"Excuse me?" Eric blinked at him. What mistake did he make?

"Yes. Your mistake of a daughter" not backing down.

"What?" he growled.

"Did I stutter? Your mistake of a daughter. The daughter you conceived because of your recklessness. Because of your indiscretion" looking him straight in the eye.

"Really? Now you are going to cast out blame?" Eric asked indignantly.

"When the situation calls for it and it is the truth sure why not" shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"Oh forgive me Mother Mary for not being holy as thou." Eric sneered. His voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Please Heath don't start. You and I both know that you have had your fair bit of "indiscretion". If I recall even at your bachelor party. You know it and I know it. If we look long and hard enough I am sure that some "indiscretions" will come crawling out of the woodwork. We are the same you and I. The only difference was that I was the unlucky one. I was the one left with the reminder"

"That is the point. You never know how to clean up your messes Eric. You have done this since we were kids. I told you countless of time to send that woman packing. But did you? Oh no. You let her live in your house and that bimbo Diane coiled herself around my son" he yelled.

"Well at least my daughter was able to conceive. How about all the women that Collins has been with, did they ever conceive or produce a child for him? Huh tell me. You should be thanking me because if it was not for my indiscretion as you put it, Collins would never have any children."

"How dare you?" He was now seething. He was filled with apprehension and rage. And it was all being redirected to two people he saw responsible for the pain that his son was going through.

"It's the truth isn't it? Isn't Collins impotent?" he taunted. If he was not so angry he would never ever have talked like this about his godson. But he was indignant on Heath calling him out like this.

"That is not the point. From the get go Collins was supposed to be with Ashely or Judy or Sara. That was the plan. That was all you had to do. But did you? Oh no? You botched up the plan by creating a monster that will steal the most precious thing from my family. And even yours" he explained quickly.

"How many times will you remind me of that?" he cried in uncontrollable annoyance.

"As many times. Even when Diane was under your roof you couldn't control you daughter. You could never keep her in line. Now the snake has reared its ugly head and is ready to strike my son"

"I kicked her out. I sent her away from the house. Far away from Collins. What else was I supposed to do? Have her killed?"

There was a pause.

"I don't know. I am so confused. I think it was a mistake you sending her out of your house"

"Really? So my action was better than your suggestion of forcing her to have an abortion? You should be thanking me. I saved the only grandchildren you might ever have" sneering at Heath.

"Whatever. The point is this; fix it" standing up and grabbing his phone. He looked at his best friend for over 50 years long and hard.

"I mean it Eric. Fix this. Or I will fix you and I hope for both our sakes it doesn't get to that" with that he walked past him and left.

Eric just sighed. Reaching into his pocket he dialed his head of security "Get me Esther."

Meanwhile at the other side of town Collins wandering had taken him to place he never thought that he would be. His reckless driving had brought him to the door of Rachel Timmons building. Contemplating whether to step out of the car and go through with the idea, he remained in the vehicle for five minutes. Figuring his day could not get any worse he descended and threw the keys to the valet. Briskly he walked to the receptionist desk.

"Hello" gaining the receptionist attention.

"Good afternoon sir. How may I help you?" he replied with a smile.

"I'm looking for Rachel Timmons"

"Is she expecting you?" he asked typing into the computer.

"No. Can you please call her room"

"Of course. Your name?"

"Dwight. Collins Dwight"

"Okay. One moment please" grabbing the receiver and placing a call.

"Alright. Mr. Dwight she said to come up. It is room 718."

"Thank you"

"My pleasure"

Taking the elevator he couldn't help but be surprised that Rachel was allowing him into her hotel room. His mind kept on going to the last few times that he had been in the same room with Rachel. There was tension to say the least. Both people were high strong and stubborn. They both enjoyed getting their own way.

The elevator brought him to the right floor. He had to walk a couple of feet till he reached room 718. Knocking on the door it was momentarily opened by Rachel. She was in a whit summer dress.

"Hello Collins" opening the door wider to let him in.

"Hello Rachel" he responded stepping into the spacious living room. He had to admit that Rachel had great taste. This place was all white with hint of navy splashed across the room. It looked a little bit like a bachelor pad. He was quite surprised with this new Rachel. This was very unlike the prim and proper lady he had known all his life.

"Rum?" already pouring a glass from the wet bar.

"No I am good" Collins answered. Standing there awkwardly. He had never been close with Rachel. She was polite and respectful but he always felt that she kept him at bay. At arm's length.

"Please. You are at my home. Something must have happened. Here" handing him a rum neat which he accepted.

"Let's go to the balcony. It is cooler there and this heat is starting to kill me" and she lead the way down the five steps to the view that overlooked the waters. Taking their seats they gazed the peaceful scenery each to their own thoughts.

"I am honestly surprised to see you here. Want to tell me what is going on?" Rachel queried looking at him

"Did you know Diane had twin boys?" wanting to catch her up to speed.

"I do" she affirmed.

"Who told you?" slightly surprised.

"Does it matter?"

I guess not. Well anyway, we had the deliberation today. You know to get back my children" he started to explain. It was not lost on him when she raised her eyebrow when he said my children.

"Oh? And how did that go?" she queried. She didn't sound overtly interested. Just a tad bit curious and out of courtesy.

"Bad. Things are not looking too good" he said somberly taking another sip of his drink.

"I didn't expect anything less. But why are you here. I figured you would be with your family cooking up some concoction or scheme to win" she joked lightly.

She was right. He wasn't far from the truth. "I just needed some space." getting angry again at the thought of his mother and Rachel's own daughters.

She let out a chuckle. He was doing exactly what she was doing "From whom exactly?"

"Everybody" he answered truthfully. It was time to lay all the cards on the table. Perhaps that was why he came to Rachel. Somehow deep down his subconscious knew that if he wanted to get any straight answers and real truths she was just the person.

"It isn't fair, you know?"

"What isn't?"

"The conspiracy to keep me away from my children. What Diane is doing isn't fair"

"I guess that was the same thing that Diane said when you signed your rights away and kicked out of the house."

"I didn't see you do anything to stop her" he bit back. He was tired of everyone making him to be the only bad guy.

"At the time I thought that the further she was away from you and Eric the safer she would be. I guess I am glad to know that my gamble was right" smiling and turned her head away.

There was a long pause. Each person to their own thoughts and to think deeply about what the other person had said.

"You must be pleased" Collins commented quietly.

"What?"

"I said that you must be pleased that I am suffering" he accused.

She looked at him quietly before answering "Why would you think that?"

"Just the aura I get from you. You always seemed to detest my presence."

"I never detested you. I was disappointed with the man you became. The man who so easily turned his back on his own flesh and blood. I knew you would come to regret that decision. You of all people should know better than anyone the world we live in. Money, lust, backstabbing, gossip, wickedness, all part of the high elite. But children, especially yours are what keep you sane. What keep you pure if you will. If it weren't for my children, I would have walked out long ago and not looked back."

"Even Diane?"

"Even Diane." she resounded.

"Why?"

She took a deep breath. She knew where she was going there was no going back "Diane reminds me so much like my sons"

"Morgan and Zion" he stated but he was confused.

"No."

"I wasn't aware you had any more boys" now really confused.

"Two. They didn't make it. They weren't alive long enough for me to name them" she laughed bitterly.

"I am sorry. I didn't know." he was honestly surprised. There seemed to be much more to Rachel than he thought.

"You weren't supposed to" in a cold voice.

There was a long pause.

"Do you want me to get my children back?" he asked her directly. No beating around the bush.

"Speaking as a mother, I have to answer no."

"I thought so." he said in wry voice. "I have another question for you"

"Go ahead"

"Why did you leave Eric?" he always wondered why she didn't leave him years ago.

"I was tired." she answered simply.

"You never loved him" he mused.

"What?" surprise in her voice.

"Uncle Eric. You never loved him. Or at least it looked like you didn't"

"Why would you say that?" no anger in her voice just curiosity. Quite a few people have mentioned that. Even her own children. But the rest if the world thought that they were the perfect couple.

"Observation." shrugging his shoulders. "Every time he was around he could never please you. He could never do anything right in your eyes. And he would bend over backwards for you but you always ignored his advances. You were always so cold to him that I felt for him. All of your kids feel for him. We will always wonder why you hated him so much"

"Hated him? I adored him. You know we grew up together. He was ahead of me in school but every girl in the city dreamt of marrying him. Who wouldn't?" she laughed.

"He had the charm and the strength and the looks. Much like your father. Perhaps that is why they are best friends. The day my grandfather and father told me that I would wed him that was the happiest day of my life. I had the bragging rights of the town but in actuality I became the fool of the town when I thought he would be mine alone. The year of our engagement he chased every girl in town. I felt worthless yet I suffered silently. Our wedding was always pushed back because he was not ready to settle down and have a wife. As he was chasing every Jane and Mary, I found someone else. Timothy was his name. Handsome but not as handsome as your uncle mind you. At first it was just an attempt to get Eric jealous. But then into something much more real." smiling at the fond memory.

"What happened?" Collins asked when she paused for breath. He was engrossed with the story. He had never seen so much emotion from his aunt.

"Your uncle happened. He flew in a jealous rage when he found out. Weeks later I found myself walking down the aisle."

"Is that why you hate him?"

"No. I fell for him. I loved him with everything I had. But sometimes that is not enough. I guess it was never meant to be" she sighed.

"You know last time we spoke Sara asked a very good question. Why do you always support Diane?" This question had been plaguing him for weeks.

"Because she is like a daughter to me" she didn't understand why everyone was so surprised at this. That was one of the reasons why she grew to resent Eric. His wickedness towards his own daughter she couldn't fathom. Diane became a real child to her. At times she wished Esther Maria was never in the picture. Then she could have adopted Diane as her own. As her own child. A child who would love her for her.

"She isn't even your real child" Collins snapped. Annoyance and disdain were evidence in his tone. This woman before him had no loyalties.

"Are any of my children?" her quiet voice more of a statement than a question.

"What?" the glass paused midway to his mouth. He must have misheard her. He had to have misheard her.

"You heard what I said."

"No. No no. I must have misheard you." he laughed trying to pass it off as a bad joke. "You got me there. For a second, I thought you said are any of my children mine." still laughing to himself.

But she was not laughing. She was all too serious. "That is correct."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean none of my children are biologically mine." taking a sip of her drink. She knew she was treading on dangerous grounds. There was no going back after this.

"What? I only thought it was Zion." he caught himself too late to stop himself from repeating what his mother had told him in secret. Years back Rachel had travelled abroad to "have her baby" but his mother had told him different. She explained that Rachel had actually adopted Zion from an orphanage. It was a secret that not many people knew. Not even Zion.

"I suppose your mother told you that right?" looking slightly angry but not surprised.

He could only nod his head in affirmation.

"You weren't supposed to know that" she sighed. One of the reasons she disliked his mother.

He felt a tad bit guilty. But it was no big deal if Zion was adopted. He was still a child of Eric and Rachel. He had the name Timmons. And it was more than evident that Eric loved him. Eric never hid his disdain or love for anyone.

"So all of your kids are adopted?"

"No" she stretched the o. "They have the Timmons blood in them alright." she laughed with no humor in his voice.

"I see you are confused. Morgan, Judy, Ashley, Sara, all products of affairs that Eric had"

"What?" he yelled. Then why did Eric hate Diane so much? He always assumed that it was because Diane's mother had tried to wreck the family. Yet all his kids were products of affairs and he adored them. Why was Diane so different?

"You are wondering why he loves the rest and detests Diane aren't you?"

"I am. It makes no sense."

"The world we live in Collins makes no sense. A month after we were wed, I found myself pregnant. I was excited. A child to love. When he was born he was a very handsome. Big eyes and a voice that could wake the dead. Imagine one minute you are holding a miracle and the next the doctors are snatching your boy and telling you it will be a miracle if he lives. He died the next day. 3:28 p.m. I cried like I had never cried before. Eric tried to comfort me but it was no use. For a year I was nothing more than a walking corpse. And when one of his mistresses showed up at my door yelling and screaming at me for Eric impregnating her"

"That must have been tough" he suddenly had new found sympathy for Rachel. That must be tough. Losing your child and finding out that your husband has impregnated another woman.

"It still doesn't explain why Eric hates Diane" he had to try and understand why.

"Eric's mistresses were always rich and well to do families. Young girls that come from homes with powerful backgrounds. To avoid shame they willingly give their children up. Nevertheless they still have links and ties and a right to any inheritance. Smart right?"

She didn't wait for an answer. "He thought so. How could you not like children who could one day bring you back fortune? He loved them as father should love a child mind you. Like how your mother and father love you. Anyway it was all kept hush hush. No one was the wiser. No one will ever have to know. Fake baby bumps. Secret deliveries it should have been a movie. Everyone thought they were mine. And they were. When I held Morgan and Judy for the first time I fell in love with them. They were so helpless and small. They became my children. I would spend hours on end watching them, making sure they don't end up like my first baby."

"Wow" he whistled. This woman was a saint. Loving kids that were not biologically hers. The more he heard the more and more he was racked with guilt and shame. Listening to Rachel he had no excuse whatsoever to sign his kids away. He was now even angrier at his mother and father and godfather. They had helped in killing his children and here was a woman who had taken in children that were not even hers and loved them as her own. He was disappointed in his mother. She failed as a grandmother. She denied her own blood.

"Then Sara came along. Then Ashley. By then I was used to it. It was the same procedure over and over again. At times I wanted to get up and leave all the pain and cheating and silent humiliation. But I will take one look at their faces and I will resolve to stay. Besides my parents and his parents wouldn't let me. They blamed me for not giving Eric the children he wanted."

"But he was cheating on you" Collins said with disbelief.

"Yes. They told me to suck it up. But in his own way I knew he loved me. Or the very least cared deeply for me. Diane was not so lucky. Her mother came from nothing. Esther was a mistake. And she gave birth to a mistake in Eric's eyes. You wouldn't believe, the raving and ranting he did when it came out that the great Eric Timmons had gotten a maid pregnant. Esther was a case that wouldn't go away. By that time everyone had seen me and knew very well that I was not pregnant. And Diane has Latina blood in her. I think that is why he resents Diane so much."

"Is that why you care for her? To appease what your husband had done?"

"No. I cared and still do care for Diane because Eric hated her. Because she came from nothing. All his kids he adored but Diane did he detest. It was through his hatred did I grow love for her. She was untainted. If it was possible I would have had Esther sent away and adopted Diane myself but Esther was a lioness who would not give up her child." she chuckled recalling the memory of Estelle yelling that she would rather die than be separated from her daughter.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked. She had kept this a secret for over three decades. Why was she now sharing her story?

"Because I want you to understand how stupid you were. How detestable and disappointing you became in my eyes the day you gave up your blood. Why you don't deserve the right to call those children yours."

He remained silent.

"I envied her you know."

"Who?" he asked confused.

"Esther I envied the bond she had with her daughter. Whenever I was with Diane I felt at peace and secured. For a brief time I was happy. I knew Diane chose to like me and daresay love me. With Morgan, Judy, Ashley and Sara I always had it at the back of my mind that one day if the situation called for it they would deny me as their mother. If their real mother showed up and they had to pick I would lose."

"That's not true" he argued.

"Really? They hate their half-sister yet love their father even though he is the one who is guilty. They are ruthless. They will do anything at all to make sure that they are success. And you really think if a situation arrived where claiming their real mothers would benefit them they won't go for it?" she scoffed.

He remained quiet. And that spoke volumes. Because he and her both knew that Morgan, Judy, Sara and Ashley were capable of doing just that.

"But can you blame them. They were raised to be ruthless. When they were babies they were so happy and pure. They would laugh and giggle at the slightest thing. And as they grew they turned into spoiled brats. Ruthless, mean and cold. I couldn't understand how they went from sweet and innocent to bullies. They acted like they owned the world. And your uncle, and father and mother and their grandparents did nothing to quell that. The older they got and the feeling of one day being rejected by them for their real mothers became stronger. And Eric will do nothing to stop them"

There was a pause. Each person with their own misery and sorrow and memories. Right now at this moment they were at a true. Tomorrow they will be at opposite ends. The months to follow they will fight with their blood, sweat and tears. But for this very night as the moon was rising, it was a time of cease fire.

Collins was taking the silence to process everything that he had just learnt. It was a lot to take in and his mind was shot. He couldn't believe the amount of secrets that both families had. He was at a crossroad. "I don't know whether to hate Eric or continue to love him"

She looked at him long and hard. Then she replied in a cold voice.

"You don't have a choice. You are exactly like him"