A Love Trap

The rumors going around didn't matter to Belinda. After all, there was usually very little truth in them. As long as her daughter said that Andrew was a good man, she would continue to believe it.

There was seldom a dearth of 'topics' when it came to conversations amongst women. They could talk about anything under the sun, unlike men who often found themselves lost for words.

Ashley and Belinda strolled from one end of the garden to the other, immersed in their conversation.

Ashley glanced at her watch, breaking herself away from their discussion for a moment. It was a force of habit for Ashley. She always knew instinctively when it was time for her children to get back from school. She slowly led Belinda and herself into the living room to welcome her children who would be arriving shortly.

Her three children were at the door in a matter of seconds just as she had expected. Dany was leading the trio with Fabio and Richard trailing tiredly behind him.

The first thing Fabio always did when he got back home was to look for his mother.

Earlier it had been only Fabio and Richard in the house. But now, they could spend more time with their mom.

The moment Fabio and Dany saw Ashley sitting on the sofa, they dashed towards her cheerfully, with their arms outstretched for a hug. "Mommy!" they squealed excitedly.

"I am so happy that you two are back home! I've missed you, my darlings!"

She held the two kids in a tight bear hug and placed a gentle kiss on their foreheads.

Looking at the three children running excitedly into the living room, Belinda and Martin were stunned.

Were they all Ashley's children?

All three of them were adorable and Ashley's parents got the feeling that they'd all grow up to be beautiful someday.

Jeremy had met Fabio before, so he knew that Fabio was a carbon copy of Andrew. The similarity in their features was almost uncanny.

"Hi, Uncle Jeremy!"

said Fabio in a sweet voice when he saw Jeremy.

"Jeremy is my brother. So that makes him your uncle, do you understand?"

Ashley rubbed Fabio's head and then turned to her other children with kind eyes.

"Ok! We got it, mom!"

Fabio, Richard and Dany spoke in unison.

"Good kids!"

Jeremy felt a mixture of pride and joy brimming in his heart as he looked at his nephews and niece.

occurred to him that he hadn't brought

for the kids the next time I visit, ' he thought to

on the couch. Then she said to

at Belinda and Martin, and then they turned to Ashley. They arched

the couch were

be impossible to their young

up believing that Cynthia and Zen were their only grandparents. During the four years they spent in N country, they had not known another truth. So it was natural that they couldn't wrap their head

shushed them with a simple look- one

on now. Greet your grandparents," she said enthusiastically.

"Hello, grandpa and grandma."

had told them. They slowly stepped up to the couch and extended their

Fabio?" The moment she laid her eyes on

This is my

authority of a leader introducing

a darling young

anxiously. She wanted to hold her grandchild in her arms more than anything

at Ashley subconsciously. He always did that when he wasn't sure what to

Ashley nodded reassuringly.

You can hug

out his little arms and bounced on to Belinda's lap. She

was the scent of childhood. His body felt tiny and warm in her arms. She felt a rising wave of

them from afar but didn't say

knew all about Ashley's past.

So it was essential that he knew her past.

members. Chant felt delighted for her from

rather sullen, was brimming with a newfound energy. The light

looked at the scene that was unfolding

all she'd ever wanted.

whole day with Ashley and her

home, he was surprised at what he saw.

the living room, basking in each other's company. It seemed to him

in, but he stopped

Jeremy coldly. He

to

a cold stare upon him and turned around

hold a grudge against

with

"You're here!"