Were you mine?

Chapter 66 AFTER THREE YEARS

A leap into the future

Lea's POV

PHEW!!!

I sat in my new office, a far cry from the days spent in the hospital and that old house in the hills. The large glass walls behind me offered a panoramic view of the city, but I barely noticed. The banner of the Sully industries flew across the billboards across the city. My desk was cluttered with papers and files, and my computer screen displayed a long list of emails. I adjusted my glasses and pushed back a stray lock of hair that had escaped my tight bun. The coat and formal attire made me feel like a different person, but this was who I needed to beI was so deep in work that I didn’t hear the door open. Suddenly, I felt small arms wrap around my shoulders from behind. My heart skipped a beat, and I looked down to see tiny hands. I turned my head slightly and saw a pair of bright eyes and a mischievous grin that looked just like Jake’s.

“Mommy!” the little boy exclaimed, his voice full of joy. "Hey there, buddy,” I said, my voice softening instantly. I swiveled my chair around to face him and pulled him onto my lap. “What are you doing here?”He giggled, his little face lighting up the room. “I missed you, Mommy.”

I brushed my fingers through his soft hair, marveling at how much he looked like his father. “I missed you too, sweetheart. Did you have fun?"

"Yeah! We went to the park, and I saw a big dog! It was this big!” He spread his arms wide, his eyes wide with excitement.I laughed, the stress of work melting away. “That sounds amazing! Maybe we can all go together next time.”He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Daddy too!”

I smiled, but a pang of sadness hit me. Jake… I pushed the thought aside and focused on the here and now.My child knew who his father was. He saw him on the screen and news. He had pictures and posters of him. He slept with them. He dreamt of his father all the time. He was his role model. But the two of them had never met. Jake didn't even know he was his or did he but never cared? Phill knew the truth. Was it possible he never told his brother?

“Of course. Daddy too.” I answered with a soft touch on his shoulder.

"Can I draw on your papers?” he asked, looking at the documents scattered across my desk. I chuckled. “How about we find some proper drawing paper instead?"He giggled again, his laugh infectious. “Okay, Mommy!”

As I searched for a spare notebook, I realized how much I needed this break. This little boy, with his father’s eyes and my stubborn determination, was my world. No matter how tough things got, moments like these made it all worth it.Sitting at my desk, I couldn’t help but drift back to that night, the one that changed everything.

The memory of Rosa’s words still stung like a fresh wound. I remembered her standing there,soaking wet,her voice trembling as she revealed that Elizabeth Rodgers was the one who had murdered my family. She said she had overheard Jake and Phill talk. I would have never believed her but she had that little snippet of their voices.

My heart had shattered at the revelation.The news hit me like a punch to the gut. I had felt utterly alone, lost in a whirlwind of grief and anger.Those were my two lifelines. The ones I thought were my nearest and dearest.I had to sever all ties with Jake, Phill, and the rest of them. It was the only way I could begin to heal.

Even though I chose not to press charges against Elizabeth, I took back everything that was rightfully mine. The process, surprisingly, was seamless. There was no messy battle over my inheritance or the family’s assets, it was as if the universe had cleared the way for me to start anew.

I gave birth to my son in a new city, far from the shadows of the past. I remembered the quiet of the hospital room, the feeling of holding my baby for the first time.I remembered missing my Jake. I miss him everyday.

I often wondered about the other child Rosa was carrying. The idea that Jake might have two children...one with Rosa and one with me...made my heart bleed. I wondered if Rosa’s child looked like Jake too. Did he have those same striking eyes and that same mischievous smile? I couldn’t shake the thought of what might have been if circumstances had been different.

I wondered if Jake ever thought about that baby, the one growing inside Rosa. Did he ever imagine a future with them, or was he consumed by his own struggles? I couldn’t deny the bitterness I felt.The thought of Jake holding a child that resembled him, being a father, brought up a whirlwind of feelings. It was hard not to feel a pang of jealousy mixed with sorrow. I kept telling myself that I must focus on the future and the life I was building for my son. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder how Jake’s life has turned out.

He had ventured into production and bigger projects and his private life was not very much on display anymore. He maintained a quite public profile and he looked more matured with every passing year. Like old wine. He looked more and more intoxicating.

My son’s tiny fingers clutched at my coat ,nudging me slightly, " Mommy, do you like this one? "

There were some stickmen and some birds and a dog and a cat and other stuff which I couldn't decipher. " It's beautiful! " I said. He nodded like a wise old man and kissed me on my cheeks. " Don't worry, Mommy. Someday we will have all of that! " He pointed at his drawing.