Chapter 434 Photos And Memories
Caroline's POV:
I had just arrived at the gate of the Moore mansion when Charles called me.
James opened the door with a beaming smile.
But what I saw next disappointed me. Raina was hugging Charles. The scene in front of me brought a pang to my heart.
How could he fool around with that woman while talking to me on the phone?
Was this why he did not want me to come to the Moore mansion today? He did not want me to disturb them, did he?
My gaze fell on Raina.
She raised her chin and smiled meaningfully.
To make things worse, the shirt she was wearing right now was the one I had bought for Charles when we were still together.
Thud.
My phone fell to the floor.
It was only then that I came to my senses. I immediately covered James's eyes so he would not see what was happening. Then, with a bitter smile, I looked at Charles with an icy cold gaze.
"Excuse me." I picked up my phone, held James up, and brushed past Janet and Tracy, who were both in utter shock.
The emotions I had been bottling up felt like they were going to explode any second. Not wanting them to see that I was hurt, I strode out of the door without looking back.
All of a sudden, a pair of small hands touched my cheeks and wiped the corners of my eyes.
"Mommy, don't cry," James comforted me.
I stopped in my tracks and looked at him.
Then, I wiped my tears and forced a smile.
"Can you keep it a secret for me? I'm already an adult, but I still cry. It's embarrassing."
"Okay!" James grinned. The way his eyes curled when he smiled looked so adorable.
"Caroline!"
Charles's deep voice came from my behind. Before I could turn around, I felt his hand on my shoulder.
I suppressed all my emotions and looked at him indifferently.
"I'll visit the kids another day. Is there anything else you have to say?"
"Please don't jump to conclusions. The thing is, something had happened to Mom and the twins. Raina saved them in time, but she sustained some injuries. Mom insists on making Raina stay in the mansion until she recovers," Charles hurriedly explained.
My mind went blank when I heard that something had happened to them.
"What?! Did they get hurt?" I anxiously asked.
Charles stroked my arm comfortingly. "Don't worry. They're fine."
Despite his reassurance, I remained flustered and worried. "I want to see them."
James pursed his lips and chimed in, "I'll go with you!"
Charles nodded, picked up James, and pulled me into the house.
When we entered the mansion, Raina was in the living room.
She opened her mouth to speak, but I just brushed past her.
I went straight to the stairs, not in the mood to talk to her.
When we reached the second flight of the stairs, James pointed the way for me. "Their room is on the right!"
But just as I was about to push the door open, Alice grabbed my wrist. "Scarlett, how dare you show up here? You're an incompetent mother. You don't deserve to see the twins!"
"I heard what had happened today. I just want to see if they're fine," I reasoned out.
Chloe, who was standing behind Alice, looked at me with narrowed eyes and said crossly, "You're Caroline, not Scarlett. The kids have nothing to do with you. What right do you have to see them?"
I was too anxious about my twins' condition to argue with these two.
"Don't bully my mommy!" James shouted at Alice and Chloe. I felt proud to have a son who would stand up for me.
"Stop it. Let her in!"
Christine's voice came to our ears.
My heart tightened in my chest.
I turned around and saw Christine leaning against the wall for support and looking at us. Her skin was as pale as a sheet. She did not look so well.
I could not help worrying about her.
Alice did not seem to notice that something was wrong with Christine.
She looked into my eyes and firmly said, "No. I'll only let you in if you admit that you're Scarlett. Otherwise, you're just a stranger to us. How could we let you get close to the children when we don't even know who you are?"
I was at a loss for words.
Could I really see my children as long as I admitted that I was Scarlett?
But...
"That's enough, Alice."
Lawrence walked over and shot Alice a warning look. Then, he turned to me and said, "I can assure you that Jason and Jerry are safe and sound. You can visit them some other time. I'm afraid today isn't the right time to do so."
I clenched my fists in anger and frustration. My mind was a mess, like the chaos after the storm.
In the end, I held back my surging emotions and politely replied, "Of course. I'll see the kids next time."
Lawrence nodded. "You should go now,"
I nodded at Christine as sign of respect and walked down the stairs.
Charles, who was standing by the railing and holding James in his arms, stared at me with an inexplicable expression.
"Caroline, I'm sorry. I didn't expect that things would turn out like this."
"Don't worry. I have." I forced a smile and cast a meaningful look at him.
Just as I took a step, I felt someone tugged the hem of my clothes.
I turned around and met James's tearful eyes.
"Mommy, don't go. Stay with me and my brothers. Please?" he pleaded.
I stroked his face with love and affection and kissed him on the forehead.
"I'll take you with me soon, then we'll be together all the time," I loudly said for everyone to hear.
Charles stared at me in awe, and I stared back at him.
"No way!" Alice roared.
I did not say anything in response, nor did I give Charles the chance to speak. Before he could utter a word, I marched out of the mansion.
"Caroline," Elena, who was waiting for me outside the door, walked up to me and asked with concern, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine,"
I answered with a nod. The document in her hand caught my eye.
It was the case analysis report that I was supposed to give Charles.
I felt sorry that he had been suffering from his disorder. But judging from what I had seen between him and Raina, it seemed that there was nothing to worry about at all.
In a fit of anger, I snatched the report from Elena's hand and tore it into pieces.
Elena gasped and looked at me with eyes wide in shock.
At this moment, I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. "Elena, you head back first. I want to be alone for a while."
"Oh. I see. Be carefully, okay?"
Although reluctant, Elena handed me the keys and did as told.
I sat in the driver's seat, started the engine, and stepped on the accelerator.
The car sped away at once. The wind rushed into the open window and made my hair fly everywhere.
It hurt when my hair whipped on my face, but the pain was nothing compared to what I was feeling inside.
But I did not care.
Raina and Rita's faces flashed
through my mind. I could see them laughing madly and staring daggers at me. Nevertheless, the malice in their eyes remained the same. They were like witches, stretching out their hands to me. But instead of having hands, they had talons.
A myriad of emotions collided in my heart. It was devastating.
A few moments later, a familiar beach came into view.
I stepped on the brakes, and the car came to a screeching hall. Its loud, piercing sound brought me back to reality.
I looked around the beach. The
scenery was beautiful. But to me, it was bringing me nothing but pain and trauma. The wind, the tide,. of the
everything just reminded me net
place where Rita had hidden James
back then in New York.
What was more, Charles himself planted the seed of sin-Rita.
It was all because of him that my life ended up like this.
How ridiculous.
How could I forgive him?
Suddenly, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked at it and found that it was Simon who was calling.
It must be Elena who tipped him off.
I rolled my eyes, but I answered the call nevertheless.
The instant I pressed the answer button, Simon's voice came to my ears. "Caroline, are you okay?" he asked with concern.
"I'm fine," I answered.
"Where are you?"
I gazed at the boundless sea in front of me in desolation and answered, "By the sea."
"Send me your location and wait for me. I'll be right there."
Simon's deep voice was attractive, but I was not in the mood to admire it right now.
Raina's POV:
The atmosphere in the living room was awkward and heavy as the Moore family gathered here.
In dismay, I decided to head back to the master bedroom quietly.
When I walked to the window, I happened to see Caroline's car speeding away.
I was overjoyed.
Even if Caroline seduced Charles, she would be kicked out of the Moore mansion, just like what happened today.
Caroline could try, but she could not kick me out.
I could stay here for as long as I wanted, and there was nothing she could do about it.
I was certain that Charles would eventually forget Caroline and open his heart to me.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
While I was in deep thought, my phone rang.
I immediately answered the call, and Susan's shrill voice greeted me.
"My men just saw Caroline leave the Moore mansion! Well done, Raina."
I let out a snort and smiled triumphantly. "Of course. Caroline is nothing against me."
"Anyway, try to stay at the Moore mansion for a couple more days. I don't care how you do it. Just make that happen."
"I will."
Suddenly, I heard her turned serious. "Don't forget what Adam had asked you to do."
I just uttered a brief response and hung up the call irritably.
A knock came at the door the instant the call ended.
I turned around and saw Alice come in with a glass of milk.
When she saw that I was out of the bed, she walked over to me and advised, "Raina, you're still injured. You should stay in bed for the time being."
Without a word, I obediently did as told and accepted the milk she had given me.
Alice sat on the edge of the bed and gently said, "Please don't take Charles's attitude to heart."
This was what I wanted. I let out a
sob and looked at Alice with tearful eyes. "Is Charles mad at me? Maybe I shouldn't stay here anymore." "Of course not." Alice stroked my hair and reassured me. "Don't mind him. You can stay here until you've completely recovered."
I held her in a tight embrace. "Thank you, Alice."
Alice hugged me back and patted me comfortingly. "I understand your worries. Don't worry. Time will prove everything. I'm sure he'll see how much you love him one day."
"Okay," I replied in a low voice.
I hoped that time would quickly pass by.
I could not wait to be the one in Charles's heart.
Alice did not leave the room until I had finished drinking the milk.
As I huddled up in the quilt, I gazed at Charles and Scarlett's photos together.
They were smiling brightly, and I could almost see the love they had for each other.
I gritted my teeth in resentment, and hatred filled my heart.
I would do whatever it took to replace these photos for the ones of Charles and me.
This plan must not fail.