The house felt emptier without Kate. Only the cries of Hayden and Harper echoed through the George residence. To lighten the mood, David suggested breakfast at a small café outside town. Racheal agreed, and they stepped into the cool morning air, hoping for a brief escape from the lingering emptiness. As they sipped their coffee and nibbled on pastries, the warm glow of the café seemed to envelop them, casting a comforting spell that temporarily lifted their spirits. But the tranquility was short-lived, shattered by David's sudden movement as he slid a folded newspaper across the table.
"You need to see this," he said.
She picked it up, her fingers trembling. The headline made her stomach drop.
OLD WINE HOUSE RENOVATION RAISES QUESTIONS: INSIDERS CLAIM IT'S MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS DEAL.
David leaned in, his voice low. "People are talking, Rachael. Something isn't right."
Her grip tightened around the newspaper. The article hinted at shady dealings, and though no names were mentioned, a sense of unease crept over her.
"I need to go home now," she said abruptly.
"Sure, I'll drive you."
When they arrived at the George estate, an unsettling sight awaited them. Several police officers stood at the entrance, and before she could fully process it, her mother was led away in handcuffs.
"Mom!" Rachael ran forward, panic rising in her chest.
"What is going on?"
Inspector Jones stepped in front of her.
"Your mom is under investigation for transporting heroin through Festac and neighboring towns."
"No!" "That can't be true!" Rachael shouted, her voice breaking.
Harriet turned to her, her expression unreadable.
"Let them do what they must. Call my lawyer."
Rachael nodded, her throat dry. "I will."
"And call Adam too," Harriet added before being taken away.
Rachael stood frozen, watching the police car disappear down the street. A few hours later, Adam arrived. She recounted everything, but instead of shock, he simply nodded.
"Your mother will be home tonight," he said with certainty.
Rachael frowned.
"How is that even possible? Why was she even arrested?"
Adam didn't answer. They sat in tense silence until, just as he had predicted, Harriet walked through the front door that evening.
"Hello, I'm home," she said with a smile.
Rachael rushed forward but stopped in her tracks as Adam reached Harriet first, and kissed her.
Rachael's breath caught.
"Mom! Uncle Adam! What's going on?"
Adam pulled away, unbothered.
"Just a friendly kiss."
"That didn't look friendly," Rachael countered, her voice rising.
"Wait, are you two?."
"No!" Harriet cut in sharply. "Whatever you're thinking, no." Then, as if nothing had happened, she sighed.
"Now, I'm hungry. Is there food?"
Rachael clenched her jaw. "You were arrested today, and that's all you have to say?"
Harriet dismissed her with a wave.
"I said I'm hungry."
Rachael exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm.
"I made rice and stew. Let me get it."
"Thank you, darling." Harriet smiled as Adam took her hand, leading her to the dining table.
Later that night, Rachael called David.
"Do you think my mom is dating Adam?" she asked.
David scoffed. "No way. We saw him with Martha. It's not possible."
"But"
"No buts, Rachael," David interrupted, irritated.
She sighed. "Okay."
Unable to sleep, Rachael went downstairs for a snack. As she passed her mother's room, she noticed the door slightly ajar. Murmured voices drifted through the crack. She stopped.
Inside, Adam sat on the edge of the bed while Harriet, clad in a silk nightgown, stood before him. Rachael leaned closer, trying to make out their words, but before she could hear anything, Harriet suddenly turned and shut the door.
Her heart skipped a beat. Why is Adam in Mom's room? And is she even aware that he's involved with Martha?
David had accused her of overthinking things, so she decided not to mention it. Instead, she made herself a bowl of cereal and sat in the dim kitchen, deep in thought.
The days passed quickly, and soon, it was the eve of her birthday. The weight of last year's tragedy pressed down on her. Her twin, Richard, had been kidnapped on their birthday and found dead days later. The thought of celebrating without him felt unbearable.
While playing chess with David in the living room, Kate arrived.
"Rachael!" she squealed, hugging her tightly.
David smiled. "You look great, Kate, what is the secret?"
Kate beamed with pride, her eyes sparkling.
"I've been working out," she announced, striking a pose to showcase her toned physique.
Rachael's eyes widened in admiration.
"That's amazing!" she exclaimed.
But Kate wasn't finished yet.
"And I started my own business!" she declared, her voice bubbling with excitement.
Rachael's face lit up with a bright smile.
"That's incredible, Kate! I'm so proud of you!"
Kate's expression turned reassuring as she addressed Rachael's unspoken concerns.
"My mom is handling everything, so don't worry," she said, her voice filled with confidence.
"I'll be here until the twins turn one, so we've got plenty of time to catch up."
David nodded in approval, his smile broadening.
"That's really nice, Kate," he said, his voice low and sincere.
Kate's eyes sparkled with excitement as she asked, "Where are Hayden and Harper?"
Rachael smiled, pointing upwards.
"They're upstairs."
Without hesitation, Kate rushed up the stairs, her footsteps light and eager. She disappeared from view, leaving Rachael and David to exchange a warm smile.
Kate's face glowed with happiness as she descended the stairs, her babies securely tucked in her arms. Rachael and David couldn't help but beam with delight at the heartwarming scene unfolding before them.
On the morning of August 5th, instead of feeling the excitement of her 25th birthday, a quiet heaviness settled over Racheal. The excitement of her 25th birthday was tempered by the memories of the previous year. The pain still lingered, refusing to be forgotten.
She sighed, dragging herself out of bed and down the stairs. But the moment she stepped into the living room, she froze.
A crowd of familiar faces greeted her. Her workers, her mother, Uncle Adam, Kate, Eloise. They were all there, standing in a semicircle, beaming at her. Wrapped gifts piled high on the table, ribbons catching the morning light.
"Happy birthday, Rachael!" they chorused, their voices filling the air.
Rachael's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing with emotion. The sound of a violin drifted through the room, its melancholic melody piercing her soul. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she struggled to contain her emotions.
David stepped forward, a bouquet of fresh roses in his hands. His gaze softened as he looked at her.
"You deserve happiness, Racheal," he said gently. "No matter what happened before, today is about you."
She took the flowers, her fingers trembling, and as he pulled her into a hug, the weight of her emotions broke free. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
Then Harriet stepped forward, clapping her hands.
"Now, Racheal, get ready,"
She announced with a playful smirk.
"It's your 25th birthday, and it's a big deal. We have guests coming.I know you wouldn't have wanted this, but I had to do something to make my daughter happy."
Applause followed. The room hummed with warmth, love, and celebration.
Racheal turned to her mother, her heart swelling. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around her, holding on as if the embrace itself could freeze this moment in time.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"I really appreciate this. And thank you, everyone, for being here."
For the first time that day, a small, genuine smile found its way to her lips.
As the day deepened, guests arrived in waves, filling the George estate with laughter and chatter. Her father's business partners were not left out. Powerful men and women of Festac graced the occasion, their presence a testament to the family's influence. It was a spectacle, grander than any birthday celebration Georges had ever hosted. The tables overflowed with food, glasses clinked in endless toasts, and the night shimmered with an air of prestige and festivity.
As the celebration wound down and guests began leaving in batches, Racheal felt an ache settle deep in her chest. The weight of the day, the expectations, the forced smiles, became suffocating. She needed air.
Pulling out her phone, she quickly typed a message to David, who stood across the room, deep in conversation with Adam and his friends.
"I'm stepping out. I'll be back soon."
David's phone buzzed in his hand. Glancing at the screen, his brows furrowed slightly before his gaze lifted, searching the room. Their eyes met across the space. She stood near the exit, waiting. Without a word, he gave her a small, knowing nod. That was all she needed.
Racheal slipped away.
The walk to Silent River was familiar.Every step felt heavier. The river had once been her sanctuary, a place of solace. Now, it was a graveyard of memories.
She reached the edge and stood still, staring at the water.
"I miss you every day, Richard," she whispered, her voice barely above the sound of the lapping waves.
"I miss you so much. Doing life alone isn't worth it. If only I could turn back time… stop you from leaving Festac… stop everything from falling apart."
A tear traced down her cheek as she knelt by the bank, clutching a bouquet of white lilies. Slowly, she extended her hand and let the flowers slip from her fingers. They floated away, carried by the gentle current, just like the brother she had lost.
As she turned to leave, the hairs on the back of her neck rose.
Someone was there.
A tall man stood a few meters behind her. His presence was striking. Broad shoulders, a strong jawline, and an air of quiet mystery that seemed to command attention. Rachael's eyes widened in alarm as the stranger's sudden appearance sent her heart racing.