Chapter 2. Live for the Twins

Kara's throat constricted. Her heart broke seeing Finnic's tears.

"Please ... trust me, Fin. I didn't sleep with Mr. Rolland."

"Enough Kara! Every word from your mouth feels like a thousand needles piercing my heart. You have broken my trust, my dreams, my hopes. From this moment on, I don't want to see you around me, even in our city."

"But-"

"You will regret betraying me! Wherever you go, I'll make sure you suffer. There would be no place that would accept a loathsome girl like you."

Finnic slammed the door and stepped out.

"Wait ..., Finnic!"

Kara tried to catch up, but her knees were still weak. She hit the floor again. The only thing she could do was to lament her fate.

At the same day, the dismissal email came. Her social media was flooded with insults. Everyone unfriended her. In the blink of an eye, Kara's world had turned dark.

***

Four and a half years later, Kara still couldn't get out of her misery. The only reason that kept her going was her family-her mother who never left her, and two little angels she couldn't give up before.

"Louis, Emily! Your mommy is home!"

Hearing her grandmother's call, the eyes of a little girl sparkled. The gray glow outshined the brightest stars. She removed the book from her lap and slumped from the bed. Laughing, she had a quick battle with her brother.

"Mommy's home! Mommy's home!"

Right after Kara put the plastic groceries down on the table, the twins lunged at each of her legs. Seeing those cheerful cuties, her weariness vanished. She smiled and stroked the toddlers gently.

"Why are you running so fast? It will hurt if you fall."

Showing his tiny teeth, Louis shook his head firmly. "I can't fall, Mommy. My legs are strong."

"My legs too," Emily said as she flipped her long, thick, wavy hair. She looked exactly like a little Kara. Only their eyes' colors were different, and Kara's hair had just been cut to shoulder-length.

As for Louis ... he was a hundred percent replica of that gray-eyed devil. Even so, Kara loved them just as much.

"What did you buy, Mommy?" Louis' tiny finger pointed toward the plastic groceries. "Is that why you're late?"

Kara's joy suddenly faded. She had just been fired. Finnic's grudge was still burning. He didn't let Kara work, even as a sales promotion girl.

The manager who had to fire Kara felt sorry. He gave her severance pay from his own savings, and also some gifts.

"Storybooks? Mommy said we have to be frugal. But why did you buy this many, Mommy?"

"Look at this Rubik's cube, Emily! This is the latest release. It must be expensive!"

Kara had to fake a smile. She felt sorry for the twins. Soon, they would turn four and go to kindergarten, but their mother just lost her job.

In her bedroom, Kara sighed as she looked at the numbers on her passbook. There wasn't much left. The severance pay from the manager was enough to sustain life for one month. But, what about next month?

'Should I look for that gray-eyed devil and demand responsibility? His heart must have melted when he saw the Twins.'

A second later, Kara blinked and pushed the despair out of her mind.

'No. That cruel man would not hesitate to kill me. Louis and Emily could become orphans in an instant, or even ... follow me to heaven.'

"What are you thinking about, Kara?"

Hearing Susan Martin's voice, Kara spontaneously put her passbook into the drawer.

"Mom, I just ... calculated this month's expenses and income. We're safe," she nodded, faking a smile. However, when she found a piece of paper in her mother's hand, she failed to hide her anxiety.

"Don't worry. This is not a bill," Susan sat next to Kara. Her expression was somewhat nervous and tinged with pity. "It's ... Finnic's wedding invitation."

Kara's face immediately darkened. That name never failed to rule her heart. Even after being put down countless times, Kara didn't hold grudges. She was just disappointed and trying to understand him. She once tried to hate Finnic, but failed within seconds.

"He's getting married?" Kara sighed subconsciously.

Before her mother answered, she let out a dry laugh. "That's great. It means he has managed to forget me. He won't bother our lives anymore, Mom."

Susan smiled sadly. Stroking her daughter's thin shoulder, she whispered, "Kara, you don't have to be tough all the time. If you want to cry, cry."

"I'm not sad, Mom. I'm actually relieved. Now, all that matters to me are the Twins."

Kara covered the sadness well behind her steady voice. However, her eyes could not pretend. Her mother was in pain to see her gloom.

"Mommy." A small voice suddenly came from the door. Emily was standing there. The new storybook she was dragging almost touched the floor. Beside her, Louis was busy working on his new Rubik's cube. "We have a guest."

"A guest? At this hour?"

"Yes, we heard a knock on the door." Louis nodded briefly before shuffling the Rubik's cube so the colors were messy.

In an instant, Kara was engulfed in worry. Without thinking, she went to the front door.

Peeking out of the window, Kara saw a woman at her mother's age. She was neat and charismatic. Vaguely, Kara could see the twinkling of pearls on the brooch on her left chest.

Behind the woman, two bodyguards stood firmly. They were fully alert, not looking dangerous but still suspicious. Nevertheless, Kara dared to meet her guest.

"Good evening, Miss Martin. I'm Vivian Bell from Savior Group. Would you mind taking some time to chat?"

Kara blinked uncertainly. Her hand was reluctant to let go of the door handle.

Observing the girl's hesitation, Vivian handed her a business card. As soon as she checked it, Kara gasped.

'She's a commissioner? Why would someone in that high position meet me? And isn't the Savior Group a well-known company in the neighboring city? Are they fraudsters?'

"I actually planned to see you tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, I have to return to L City tonight."

Considering her very well-ordered speech and calm demeanor, Kara finally agreed. Even if the woman was a fraudster, there wasn't much she could take. Kara's account was dying!