CHAPTER 17


    Danie''s roomcked a crib for AJ. Rather than that, there were two beds that, when united, could


    amodate at least five people. She simply wanted additional sleeping space for herself and AJ.


    Afortable nursing chair was beside the window that viewed the seaside for her breastfeeding


    session with AJ. It was far toofy, and the scenery was spectacr, so there was no reason why


    her kid would not fall asleep sucking at her breasts for sustenance.


    Every time she is alone, she cannot help but think of the man who was once her everything. Though


    she had promised AJ that she would focus exclusively on her, she couldn''t help herself. Moving on


    was simple to say...


    While AJ was sleeping, she asked Patty to take over her daughter so she could check on Lilian, but


    when she found Lilian breastfeeding her infant in the living room, she opted not to bother her and


    returned upstairs undetected.


    She grew depressed when she passed their living room upstairs on her route to her bedroom. It''s


    where she used to watch television shows with Marcus, and, unlike the downstairs living space, it


    was cosier and more suited to long chats with family and friends. It included a t-screen television,


    a home theatre system, a video gaming console, and a media yer. Additionally, it features arge


    couch that seats two people and is ideal for lovers and couples. The six-seater sofa was likewise


    built to her father''s specifications.


    "Would you mind if I gave you a dime for your thought?" Lilian was on her way to her room when


    she noticed Danie standing near the second-floor living room.


    "Lilian! "I apologize; I was unaware you had arrived," she apologized. Lilian is probably on her way


    to her bedroom tofort her sleeping daughter. "Why are you refusing to enter my room?" Lilian


    was invited.


    "However, Vanessa was asleep, and I''m sure AJ was as well," Lilian refused her invitation out of


    consideration for Danie.


    "I insist," she stated in response to Lilian''s refusal.


    Lilian arched her brows and followed Danie to her chamber. To be sure, the woman possessed a


    strong personality and a keen sense of self-interest. When she eventually entered Danie''s


    bedroom, she was taken aback by its spaciousness. Although the united beds took up half of the


    living area, there was still plenty of room for virtually everything. "I heard your spouse went to Syria


    tobat terrorists," she exined, recounting the horrors she had heard from the workers.


    "Yes, wasn''t he a gentleman?" That is, not everyone is eager to be deployed abroad to fight," She


    spoke as though she were ecstatic about Marcus.


    "I concur," Lilian stated.


    Daniemented that being a single mother was not an easy assignment. Paloma proposed hiring


    a babysitter for AJ, but she was adamant about caring for her kid herself. Call it insecurities or what


    have you, but she didn''t want AJ to grow up with a nanny. AJ and Vanessa normally yed outside


    throughout the day and afterwards watched chuchu tv. While the children were upied, the moms


    could chat about males.


    "Will your spouse return home before AJ turns one?" Paloma questioned as they stood outside


    watching the children y.


    Danie was taken aback by Paloma''s question. She was supposed to tell her stepmother of the


    annulment but utterly forgot. Lilian was the only one who was aware of the truth about her and


    Marcus. "I''m not certain, Ma, but I''m hoping he can make it." Lilian cleared her throat as she


    listened to their chat.


    "Since he was not there at your child''s baptism, he should be present on her first birthday. Danie


    was scolded by Paloma, "I''m advising you to call him." She was already upset with Lilian, who has


    refused to reveal Vanessa''s father''s name, and Danie''s husband, who has not visited their home


    since he left for Syria.


    "I''ll make an attempt to contact himter, Ma." She lied in order for Paloma to go on to the next


    question, if there is one.


    "How about you, Lilian?"


    Lilian pursed her lips when Paloma''s gaze shifted to her and she stared at Danie. "And how about


    you, Ma?" She was curious as to what Paloma had had for lunch to be so inquisitive.


    "I''m referring to Vanessa''s father." "Could you just tell me who the bastard was?" Her sixtieth


    birthday was approaching, and all she desired was to witness her two daughters marry blissfully.


    "If you want me tomit a crime, I will assist you in locating him," Lilian responded cynically,


    further infuriating Paloma.


    "However, what is your strategy now?" You''re going to marry another man who is unrted to


    Vanessa?" Paloma took a defensive stance and kept lecturing Lilian on her future ns.


    "Ma, please give Lilian time to sort out her feelings for the man," Danie pleaded in an attempt to


    save Lilian from the firing squad.


    "Did you not learn anything from your ordeal, Lilian?" Yes, I was content with another guy who was


    not your father, but the rtionship was iplete since I am unable to bring you to live with us. "IN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    was afraid Greg might do something awful to you while I was gone," Paloma stated as to why she


    refused to let Lilian live with them.


    Danie listened to Paloma''s speech but was taken aback to learn that the woman was fearful of


    her father abusing her loved child. "How are you able to say that, Ma?" Daniemented, "My


    father was a decent man." How could Paloma have anticipated something like this happening to


    Lilian?


    "Pardon me, E; I was just attempting to protect her. You''ve seen the news reports of stepfathers


    who were spiteful against their stepdaughter. "I hope this makes sense," Paloma stated.


    Danie nodded, knowing that as a mother, she would do all possible to safeguard AJ. However,


    her father Gregory would never rape another woman''s daughter if he had his own. She cast a


    nce towards Lilian, feeling empathy for the other woman. It must be excruciating for Lilian to miss


    her mother on a daily basis!


    "If that is the case, then I do not require the presence of a guy in my life!" Danie and Lilian both


    made derations.


    Paloma shook her head incredulously as she walked away from them and into her car to go


    shopping. She''d be in desperate need of a new gown for her forting birthday! Communicating


    with Danie and Lilian was simr to speaking with a friend on messenger, except that the


    messages you wrote were only viewed by Danie and Lilian.


    Patty handed Danie a box from an unknown source the day following her tense conversation with


    Paloma and Lilian. When the box came, they were all in the living room. She was delighted to


    receive it since she was anticipating a delivery from Rainbow Tots.


    "Stop!" Paloma yelled before Danie could cut the tapes that were around the box. They had no


    idea who sent the package, so what if it contained a bomb? It might be her age, but Paloma has


    recently developed paranoia.


    "You''re being very emotional, Ma." "Perhaps this is AJ''s new dress that I purchased online,"


    Danie said, opening the package.


    "Common sense dictates that it is better to be safe than sorry." E, please bring the gift outside


    and we''ll open it together. "Patty, you look after the children," Paloma said as the three of them


    stepped outside to inspect the package.


    Danie raised her eyebrows but carried the package outside as Paloma directed. She gently


    opened the wrapper with a cutter. "Oh my God!" she said upon discovering the urn inside the


    present.


    "Is that a vase for flowers?" "I didn''t realize you had a suitor," Paloma pinched her brow, "but he


    should have sent some flowers, not just a vase." Paloma expressed her point of view.


    Danie removed the urn from the box and showed it to the others; she then discovered that it


    included a card and read it aloud. "He is no longer alive!" She informed everyone that Marcus had


    died and that the urn contained his ashes following his cremation.


    "What? How did you be a widow at the age of thirty-one?" Paloma burst outughing when


    she learned of Marcus'' death and admonished Danie about picking a military as a partner.


    Danie was at a loss for what to do if she burst into tears at the tragic news. She sent a silent gaze


    at Lilian and begged for her assistance, but the foolishdy shook her shoulders. She then


    copsed.


    "E!" Paloma shrieked as Danie fell. She must be devastated to learn that her spouse perished


    battling terrorists in Syria. She cried out for assistance, and Peter rushed over to assist her in


    carrying Danie inside the home.


    Danie had been out for around two minutes, and when she awoke, she was bewildered. "What


    transpired?" She enquired.


    "I''m sorry for your loss, E, but could you please be strong for AJ?" Paloma broke the dreadful


    news gradually and advised her stepdaughter to be strong for AJ''s sake.


    "He has departed, Ma." Danie''s eyes were wet and she cried gently as she processed the


    dreadful news about her spouse.


    Lilian was at a loss for words, and Paloma was concerned about Danie. She was still in her


    twenties and had already been widowed at the age of thirty-one.


    Paloma volunteered to arrange for the burial in the family mausoleum, which was built to allow both


    conventional and cremation burials. Danie insisted on keeping her husband''s remains in her


    bedroom, but Paloma protested, arguing that all remains, whether Marcus'' or another family


    member''s, should be ced to rest in a final resting ce.


    The next day, her husband''s ashes were moved to the tomb, where they would rest in peace. For


    identification purposes, his name was etched on the vase, and a picture frame containing his


    photograph was put next to the urn.


    Lilian approached Danie surreptitiously while Paloma was upied with something else. "I''m


    speechless! You submitted Vanessa''s DNA for the paternity test first, and we''re currently preparing


    for his burial. "What are your ns for the future, E?" She enquired.


    "It''s time to celebrate!" Danie spoke in hushed tones to Lilian. When the moment was perfect, she


    would apany her daughter to the tomb to pay her respects to her deceased father. The


    strategy was wless from the start. She would take care of AJ entirely on her own and would


    defend her daughter with everything she had. Marcus, how about you? He could as well go to hell


    and never return! She silently prayed that their paths would never cross again...ever!


    "You''re insane!" Lilian stated, and Danie responded with a chuckle. "But then, mother''s birthday is


    coming, so don''t you think it''s a perfect asion to celebrate?"


    "Hmmm, sounds a good idea," Danie agreed.


    Initially, the idea of holding the party in a nice hotel appealed to her, but she quickly realized that


    she is already a senior citizen and that going a considerable distance would weary both her and


    some of the visitors.


    Danie was relieved when Paloma changed the location of her party since travelling with a


    newborn was exhausting and AJ was a bit overweight for her age. However, it was to be a one-


    week celebration with a variety of events taking ce on their estate.


    Lilian was in charge of transportation and amodation set up for their visitors who were not from


    Oslob, whilst Danie was in charge of decorating and flower arrangement. It was less arduous


    than Lilian''s duty because she did not have to coordinate her efforts with others. The remaining


    chores required to guarantee a wless celebration of their mother''s birthday were outsourced to


    other staff members and the organizer. While their nner was capable of handling all-party


    logistics, she and Lilian offered to assist in order to make it more memorable for their mother.


    Paloma''s visitors werergely her friends, with a total of more than twenty confirmed attendees.


    Couples might share a room, while singles would be separated by gender. The east wing was


    designated fordies, while the west wing was designated for guys.


    "May I have a minute, E?" Lilian made her way to Danie''s greenhouse, where she was


    arranging flowers for the celebration. Previously, she was perplexed about how to greet guests who


    were single but apanied by an escort.


    Danie began the floral arrangement early in the morning, as the celebration was scheduled for


    tomorrow. "It is, but what is it?" Danie enquired.


    "I''m not sure where to ce Mr Marcus''s escort," Lilian exined.


    Danie''s attention was sparked upon hearing the name and she wanted to ask Lilian for more


    information, but then she remembered herself that there were possibly more than a thousand


    people in the nation named Marcus. "Married?"


    "Nope, I''m not married. To be fair, I enjoy the sound of his name. Do you believe Marcus Edward


    was an alien?" Lilian sought Danie''s advice.


    Lilian took offence at Danie''s failure tough at her joke. "Whatever. How are you going to snub


    my joke? Anyway, returning to the room assignment, do you believe his escort would object if they


    were unable to share?"


    "I believe not! That is against our stringent policy, Lil. Only married couples are permitted to share a


    room. Is that all you wish to inquire of me?" Danie wished she could punish her stepsister for her


    misbehaviour. Lilian was well aware that she was allergic to anyone named Marcus and yet she


    came to seek her advice.


    Lilian rushed out before Danie could express her rage. Indeed, she has another unwee


    guest. His name was virtually identical to that of the guy who had deceived her, or perhaps her


    imagination was running wild. Alexander and Alexis? No, they were two distinct individuals. Lilian


    shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. She was OK throughout thest few months and


    made a concerted effort to move on.


    "Hey, is there a problem?" Paloma inquired when she observed Lilian was so absorbed in her


    thoughts that she missed her daughter''s approach.


    When she heard her mother''s voice, she was taken aback. "I''m all right. Are you on your way


    somewhere?" When Lilian noticed the vehicle key on her left hand, she queried.


    "Yeah, just around the corner." Paloma responded. "By the way, has Alexander verified his


    impending arrival?" Although he confirmed his impending arrival in an email a few weeks earlier,


    she desired confirmation.


    Lilian checked the guest list to see whether there was another Alexander and discovered that there


    was just one. Alexander Ortega was on the list, and he shared Alexis'' surname. Suddenly, her heart


    began to race. "Are you referring to Alexander Ortega?"


    "Yes, and I want you to give him the house''srgest guest room." Paloma gave themand.


    Lilian wrinkled her eyes when Paloma instructed her to assign Alexander thergest guest room,


    imagining the worst-case scenario. Could this Alexander have been Paloma''s boyfriend? "E is not


    going to agree, Ma." The room in issue was Marcus Madrigal''s when he was at home, and no one


    had dared to open or clean it until now. Following the burial, Danie reced the urn with another


    vase of simr hue and reintroduced his ashes to the space he previously upied.


    "Do not worry; I will speak with her before to leaving." Paloma was certain Danie would grant her


    birthday request and proceeded to the greenhouse where she was employed.


    Paloma, Gregory''s wife, avoided frequent visits to the greenhouse since they reminded her of the


    lady who had stolen Gregory from her. When they were still dating in college, her connection with


    Gregory was kept a secret. Her family was not wealthy, and his parents arranged for him to marry


    Danie''s mother. Gregory defied his parents'' wishes and abandoned her, and on the night of his


    wedding, she was drained by sadness and slept with a total stranger she met at a bar, and Lilian


    saw the world nine monthster.


    That was why she was unhappy with Lilian for not disclosing Vanessa''s paternity; she was scared


    that her daughter had made the same mistake she had made years ago and had slept with a


    stranger as well. She slowly entered the greenhouse''s entrance and noticed Danie tending to the


    flowers. "E," she addressed her.


    "Are you sure, Ma?" Danie raised her eyes to find Paloma approaching her. Her stepmother''s visit


    to the greenhouse was unexpected. As far as she could recall, she had never sought to be in her


    mother''s favourite location.


    "I am expecting a very important guest tomorrow and would want to amodate him in the room


    that yourte husband upied," she informed her.


    Danie blinked numerous times, not wanting to say yes but also not wanting to annoy her VIP


    tomorrow. "Certainly, but do not move the furniture. "Simply get it cleaned," she directed.


    "Thank you, my love; I''ll see youter." Paloma was relieved when Danie epted since it


    indicated that she had moved on from the death of her husband.