Chapter 3
Six years later,
The Los Angeles Airport was bustling. The humid air did not hinder the people who walked back and forth in colorful clothes.
The sounds of luggage being dragged and conversations in various languages buzzing in the air were something familiar, but long unheard by Skylar Laurent James,
The first thing Skylar did when she set foot in Australia six years ago was change her name. She dropped the name Carter and used her mother’s maiden name, James.
After six years, she finally set foot back in her homeland. A place that had given her so much pressure, sadness, and heartache that weakened her soul.
Now she was back, a different woman. She was no longer the weak Skylar who could always be used as a punching bag, blamed for anything, even
her birth:
Skylar stepped her long legs wrapped in shiny black high heels onto the airport floor confidently.
Beside her. Anthony Rhein Bernard, put his warm hand on Skylar’s waist and looked at her intently.
“Are you ready, Sky?” she asked softly. “We’re going to have some tough days after we get out of this airport.”
Skylar looked into Anthony’s deep Turkish eyes, took a deep breath, then her gaze shifted to the two boys standing in front of her, who were looking around curiously.
Twins,” Skylar called.
Noah and Nile, identical twins, five years and a few months old, turned when Skylar called them. Their hands were holding their respective
suitcases.
Skylar crouched down to their level, smoothing Noah’s slightly messy curls. “Are you guys hungry?” she asked, smiling despite the unease senling in her stomach.
“Starving!” Nile grinned. “Food on the plane is very limited.”
Noah, a little quieter than his brother, nodded in support
Anthony chuckled. Then let’s get something on the way. We have a long day ahead.”
Skylar smiled, feeling a little relieved knowing she was with people who would always be there for her and support her.
Skylar walked with Anthony and his two sons, but her mind was already elsewhere.
The funeral
The inevitable confrontation with her past.
Her grandfather had been one of the few people in her family who had truly loved her. She had to be there to pay her respects, even if it meant stepping back into a world she had sworn never to return to.
Anthony understood what was going on in Skylar’s mind. He squeezed her hand under the table, as they stopped at a restaurant for lunch.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said softly. “You are the best version of yourself and let others, especially those who have hurt you see that”
Skylar looked into Anthony’s eyes, took a breath, and nodded. A smile crept across her lips and she convinced herself that she was ready
*The Silver Wings Hospital =
The Carter family gathered in front of the funeral room, where Aaron Carter was laid out before being taken to the cemetery.
Relatives, friends, business associates, and his subordinates during his lifetime, gathered to pay their last respects to the American real estate king whose expertise was widely known.
Aaron Carter was a businessman with magical hands. He could find a piece of barren land and turn it into an elite residential area that was fought over by celebrities, or tum an abandoned apartment building into a hotel that was always full all year round.
Most of the guests who came were accompanied by question marks, who would be his successor, as the main heir to the Carter Real Estate Company business octopus, considering that so far Aaron Carter had never shown that he was marking anyone.
11/2
Chapter 3
ide by side with Lilian, his wife, and next to Lilian was Jenna, who was sticking closely to David Lawrence, her
Gerry Carter sat on a long sofa, side funce
The sad faces and low voices that filled the room were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the floor getting closer and then all eyes turned to the door.
Skylar walked with slow, graceful steps, approaching the Carter family gathered.
Gerry was the first to react. He let go of Lilian’s grip on his arm and stood up.
“Skylar, are you.. Back?” Gerry asked in a soft tone.
of white r roses that decorated the casket made
Skylar nodded and continued walking towards where Aaron Carter’s casker was placed. The scent of Skylar drift away in sadness.
“Grandpa… I’m back.” Skylar said softly. She stroked the edge of the casket and bowed her head, saying a prayer in her heart.
Behind her. Lilian and Jenna looked at each other with disbelief.
Lilian’s lips thinned, clearly showing her displeasure
“Why did she come back all of a sudden. Jenna muntered, tightening her grip on David, as if she was worried that Skylar’s presence would make bavid evaporate from her side,
As for David, be stiffened like someone who had seen a ghost in broad daylight,
He hadn’t seen Skylar in six years, and yet the moment he laid eyes on her, it was as if time had collapsed. She was even more stunning than he remembered.
Skylar features sharper, her presence even more
ore commanding. She was very beautiful, with an aura of confidence that made her appearance look dazzling
Skylar turned her head and unconsciously David’s lips moved to smile, but then he realized that Skylar’s eyes passed him and fell on..
“Baby, come in. You need to meet my grandfather,” Skylar said in a soft voice.
A man, tall, athletic, and undeniably handsome, walked up to Skylar and then there were the children. Two litle boys who bore a striking resemblance to the man. They looked very much like each other. Identical twins
Skylar’s arms were around the shoulders of the two boys, on her right and left sides, while the handsome man stood behind them and his hands were on Skylar’s wakt, guarding her with a possessive attitude.
“Skylar,” Gerry called. “Where have you been all this time?”
Skylar and the three men with her turned around and smiled coldly. “I don’t think you want to know”
Lilian regained her voice. She glanced at the man next to Skylar before her words were directed at Skylar
“After being gone for so long, you suddenly come at a time like this? Lilian said in a sharp tone.
“You really don’t know yourself, Skylar. You made everyone look for you six years ago, and now when everyone has forgotten about you, you’re walizing back here.” Jenna said sarcastically,
“Skylar has every right to come back here and see her grandfather in his final bed,” said the man next to Skylar. His voice was deep and heavy. flowing calmly
David was not pleased. Who was he, speaking for Skylar and acting like he knew everything
“I don’t think you have the right to speak, sir!” David said coldly. “And who exactly are you?”
Skylar clicked her tongue impatiently. She reached for Anthony’s hand and held it tightly.
