ALICE’S POV

The last person I expected to see in front of my new apartment was Williams Nicholas, my ex. Husband.

My life was going quite smoothly before I met him that night at a party.

I could have attributed my clumsiness to being drunk, but I wasn’t even drunk.

I had opted for a soft drink as I was well aware of what happened to me the last time Janet and I had a bet on who could gulp down a glass of tequila without blinking. I had made a total mess of myself as the whole content came out from my mouth the moment it touched my tongue.

While I cussed Williams for my misfortune, I was also grateful to him for the beautiful children he left me with.

I knew how hard it would be to avoid him in Willowbrook, but I was not expecting to run into him so soon, and not on my first day in Willowbrook.

The lump in my throat had stretched further making it impossible to say anything without stuttering. 

Even in the thick darkness, I could still make out his chiseled face and well-built body. Surprisingly, he didn’t change one bit. His voice sounded the same, maybe a little hoarse.

“I don’t remember staying married to you. We got divorced five years ago” I said, stressing on the word divorce as if to bring back his lost memory.

“Oh really? We would find out about that” he says while handing over the keys to the apartment to me.

“Welcome home, my dear wife” this time, accompanied by a loud giggle and an order from his driver to start the car.

“He’s not changed one bit” I mused and went over to open the gate.

As I took a final gaze at the woman before me , I concluded that she was not as smart as I thought she was. I was certain that it was her idea Liam bought to start another company here in Willowbrook. She was definitely looking for every opportunity to be reunited with a long lost love, a very shameless woman. To think she once accused me of being responsible for her pregnancy. Women will never fail to amuse me.

I would make sure she pays for the pain she brought upon my family and I, even if it meant taking away what mattered to her the most.

My mind suddenly drifted to the scene outside the house, she had three children with her and they were the same height, which meant that they are triplets.

A sudden pang of envy hits me, what if these kids are truly mine? I had slept with her that night without any form of protection, neither did I make any attempt to withdraw when I cummed into her.

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If Williams thought he could taunt me like he did in the past, then, he should think twice. 

The house was as beautiful as my boss described it. I was also shocked to discover that the house was furnished to the last. The furniture? There is something surreptitious about them. Now, I clearly remember, they were the same set with the ones I admired greatly the day I visited Williams at the Nicholas mansion.

The rooms were quite spacious with bright lights and king size beds. “The chandelier in the living room is so pretty,” Laura remarked, clapping her little hands excitedly..

“I guess, I would bid y’all goodnight now” Alec finally spoke, he had been silent since he walked into the house. I knew that the awkward meeting with Williams had brought back some sad memories.

“Oh! That’s true, I almost forgot about that. Kids, can you go to your room and start unpacking while I see uncle Alec off?

“Okay mom” the two girls chorused while dragging each other into their room.

As for James, his handsome face had ceased into a frown and his frustration was etched on his face.

Alec was the first to notice this. He playfully jerked him up and threw him up several times until the room was filled with his laughter. 

“Mom, can Uncle Alec stay with us tonight? I like him a lot.”

This is James for you. There’s really not much difference between him and Williams. While the girls would be a little restrained in saying certain things, James was rather outspoken and blunt too.

Although I adored this part of him, I also made sure to shut him up when he went overboard with his demands.

“Uncle, Alec has a family to go home to, okay?” I said this while patting his back and hoping that he didn’t make another alien demand.

“Uncle Alec, will you come to our house some other time?

Alec shrugged before picking James up in bridal style. “I will be here as long as your mom wants me to be.”

When my boss called the next morning, he was quick to ask about Mr. Williams, something I found very annoying, but I faked being unaffected by the question.

“You know, he actually saved me from incurring further expenses by giving out his house for free.”

Oh! He really did that? He must be an honorable man!” I quickly chipped in, eager to end the conversation.

“Oh yeah! He is. You will also find out for yourself.”

My ears tingled upon hearing this last statement. The last thing I wanted was to be in the same workspace with Williams or anything that reminded me of him.

“His company is the one in charge of the reconstruction at the new site, and I have pleaded with him to do the supervision himself.”

“You did what? But how on earth am I supposed to…… Never mind,” I stuttered, as it dawned on me that my boss is not aware of my past involvement with Nicholas Williams.

“Do you have any problem with that?” I could feel the concern etched in his voice, and I wished I could open up to him, but I quickly covered up with “Not at all. I am very much okay with the decision.”

The driver arrived at the stipulated time, and we drove to my family house first. I wanted my parents and siblings to see my children. I owed them that after leaving town without informing them five years ago.

The kids sat quietly throughout the ride, their small hands propped out to cuddle their faces. I took a quick glance at them and marveled at how calm they could be if they wanted. Lilian caught the stare and blinked hard at me.

The house was still as plain as it always looked. No innovation had taken place, and I wondered what my brothers were doing with their earnings.

Dad was the first to see us. I watched him adjust his gaze from me to the little children; his surprise could not be hidden by his reading glasses hanging from his protracted nose.

He covered the remaining space between us and grabbed me in a tight hug.

“I thought I would never see you again” He muttered over my shoulder, almost in tears.