Chapter 4 Episode 04

I woke up on the cold floor of the club. It was empty now, the music silenced. Scarlett stood above me with a smirk.

"Leo asked me to make sure you leave by tomorrow morning. He never wants to see your face again."

I clutched my stomach. My babies. Our babies.

"You're still clinging to that thing?" Scarlett scoffed. "He doesn't want it. He doesn't want you."

Something inside me snapped.

I forced myself to stand, my legs trembling, my heart shattered into a million pieces. But I looked her in the eye.

"I'll leave," I whispered. "But I will never let anyone make my children feel like they don't belong."

She laughed coldly. "Empty words. Now get out."

I turned and walked away, each step heavier than the last. Zoey was waiting for me in her car.

"Take me away," I whispered. "Please. Just take me away from here."

She drove into the night. Zoey didn't say a word. She just drove, letting me cry, letting me break.

I watched the city lights fade through the window, my reflection staring back at me-broken, humiliated, alone.

I placed my hand on my stomach. Under the moonlight, I gritted my teeth and made a silent promise. I will survive. For my children. And I will never let anyone hurt them again!

6 YEARS LATER

"Doctor Lena, what a wonderful surprise it is to meet you."

I chuckled and nodded. "Good day, ladies."

They were here to hear my story-how I had managed to become this successful.

After I was rejected six years ago, I came to the Crescent Pack with Zoey. After joining the new pack, I changed my name to Lena-a new identity, a new beginning. That was where life began for me.

It wasn't easy. There were times I wanted to give up and tell myself that I was nothing. But I didn't.

"You've come so far as a single mother and a successful doctor. How did you manage all of that in just six years?" one of the ladies asked, admiration in her eyes.

I chuckled aloud. Thinking about my past was sometimes heartbreaking, but knowing that my story always gave life and hope to many women out there made me stronger. I had this feeling that there was more in stock for me.

"It's a really long story, but I'd like to start from after I was abandoned by my husband." I chuckled again.

"It wasn't easy, believe me, ladies. I wanted to end my life as well when I thought about where to go, who I could turn to, and the babies growing inside my womb. I couldn't run to my parents because it would worry them so much."

I told them I worked so hard at that time, living in a one-room apartment with five ladies who bullied me because of my size. Taking up to six menial jobs wasn't so easy especially because I was also carrying three babies. But life had never let my children and me go.

"My world nearly came crashing down when I heard my parents were attacked by some wild animals. At that moment, I became an orphan and I was fired from three of my jobs." I heaved deeply and wiped away the tears that brimmed my eyes.

"I never once cursed the father of my children. I was a simple girl who had nothing to offer him." I paused. "But I promised myself I would never let him see my babies-the children he abandoned and called bastards."

The ladies gasped. "That was so cruel." One of the ladies uttered.

"With the help of my very good friend, I was able to return to school and further my education. I studied so hard, burning the midnight candles, and every day I had to look at my babies, I grew stronger. I told myself I wanted to give them the perfect life, one that they truly deserved with everything good. My babies gave me hope and made me realize that I was stronger... and today..."

I sniffled. "Those three little devils are my everything. Because of them, I am where I am today."

The ladies clapped, some wiping tears.

"Thank you all for coming today."

"We should be thanking you, Doctor Lena, and your story is such a touching one." The ladies all began laughing and I joined them as well.

As I walked outside, Zoey was waiting. She hugged me tight, "I'm sure you did great."

The drive home was filled with our usual chatter. But when I walked through the door, three little voices called out in unison.

"Mommy!"

My kids ran to me, and I hugged them tight. "I missed you all so much."

I noticed Karla, my daughter, had a gloomy look. "What's wrong, baby?"

"We were bullied again today. Everyone thinks Daddy ran away and didn't want us."

I held her close. Karla was softhearted, just like me.

"Come on, baby. Don't ever believe what anyone says about Daddy, okay? What do I always tell you?"

"Daddy loves us so much."

I kissed her forehead, even though I knew it was a lie. He had abandoned them. Called them bastards. But I couldn't shatter their soft hearts.

As we headed inside, the nanny stopped me.

"Ma'am, there's a letter for you."

My heart stopped when I saw the Moon Shadow Pack seal. Leo's pack. The same pack that had cast me out and threatened my life.

"Zoey, take the kids upstairs," I said quickly.

Once they were gone, I opened the letter with trembling fingers.

"Dear Doctor Lena Everhart, a great disease has befallen Moon Shadow Pack, and your medical expertise is urgently needed. We offer great benefits in exchange for your help. Please write back at once."

I knew that handwriting.

I would recognize it anywhere.

Leo?!

With a burning rage fueling Inside of me, I folded the letter and threw it into the dustbin, then I scoffed aloud,

Now he needs my help?

If there was one thing I was sure of, it was the fact that I would never offer any help to his pack, never!!