DECEPTION AND DESIRE

Chapter 19: The Other Side?

VANESSA

“YAY!” Colby and Collins yell at the same time, their voices bouncing off the walls. Their excitement fills the air, making the tiny living room feel almost too small to hold their energy. Even Harper, usually so reserved, is grinning from ear to ear, her cheeks flushed with happiness.

“Is it really a mansion?” Colby asks, his big, round eyes sparkling with wonder.

I nod. “Yes, baby.”

“Wow! We’re moving to a mansion!” The boys grab each other’s hands and spin in circles, their laughter ringing through the room like music.

I watch them, warmth spreading through my chest. I was afraid they wouldn’t want to leave, but here they are, thrilled at the idea. Maybe they feel it too—the need for a fresh start. The past few days have been heavy, leaving invisible scars. But now, we’re heading somewhere safe. Somewhere new.

I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with hope. The air smells of old books and the faint scent of Mom’s lavender perfume, still lingering in the corners of this house.

Who would’ve thought I’d meet someone as kind and generous as Richard? He’s been a light in all this darkness. I just hope, one day, I can tell him the truth.

I pull my phone from my purse and dial his number. It rings, but he doesn’t pick up. My fingers tighten around the phone. He’s probably busy at work. I type out a quick text instead: The kids are happy. We’re ready.

Thirty minutes later, my phone buzzes.

Richard: Glad they agreed. Take the train to the next stop. Walk into the big mall. My assistant will pick you up there.

I frown, reading the message twice. My stomach knots. Why all these extra steps? Why not just pick us up himself? It doesn’t sit right with me.

“Nessa, when are we leaving?” Harper’s soft voice pulls me back.

“Soon, sweetheart,” I say. “Just bring your books.”

She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

I exhale slowly. “Everything we need is already there.”

Moving through the house, I run my fingers over the worn wooden furniture, over the framed photos on the wall. My heart clenches. The air is thick with memories, the echoes of laughter and whispered bedtime stories. I grab only the essentials—our family pictures and Mom’s special box. Everything else stays.

When we step outside, the evening air is crisp, carrying the scent of damp pavement and distant food stalls. The streetlights flicker on as the sky turns from soft blue to inky black. We have no luggage, just Harper with her small backpack. It feels… strange.

My instincts buzz like an alarm in the back of my mind. I glance over my shoulder. The street is quiet, but an uneasy feeling wraps around me like a too-tight coat. Is someone watching us?

I swallow hard. We’re just being paranoid. Right?

The taxi ride is silent except for the occasional sniffle from Harper. As we pull away, I turn to look out the window. Our home—our small, imperfect, memory-filled home—shrinks in the distance. My chest tightens.

Am I making the right choice?

What if Richard finds out I’ve been lying? What if he throws us out? The fear creeps in, whispering doubts.

I squeeze my hands into fists. No. I can’t think like that. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I have to trust that this is the right move.

At the train station, the scent of oil and metal lingers in the air. The platform is crowded, filled with the chatter of people heading home. The train arrives with a low rumble, and we step inside, settling into a corner. I glance around, scanning faces, but no one seems to be paying attention to us. Still, the feeling of being watched lingers.

At the mall, bright lights and polished floors reflect back at us, making me feel even more out of place. We wander for a moment before a young man in a crisp blue suit strides toward us.

“Hello, Miss Jane. I’m Henry, Sir Richard’s assistant.”

“Oh, you’re the one picking us up?” I ask.

“No, ma’am.” His voice drops slightly as he steps closer. “Sir Richard is waiting for you in a van on the other side.”

I frown. “The other side?”

He nods, then leans in just a little. His voice is barely above a whisper. “There’s a private exit. He wants you to use it.”

A cold shiver crawls up my spine. A secret exit? How does Richard even know about that? And why would the mall owner allow it?

A lump forms in my throat. One thing is clear—Richard isn’t just a successful businessman. He has power. Influence. He’s more than I thought.

“I’m here to help you shop,” Henry says smoothly. “Sir Richard asked that you take whatever you need.”

I hesitate, my fingers curling around the shopping cart handle.

“…Alright.”

I move through the aisles, picking out essentials, but I don’t go overboard. It’s not my money. I don’t want to seem greedy. But Henry frowns when he sees how little I’ve taken.

“Ma’am, Sir Richard wouldn’t be happy if you don’t take enough. Please, feel free to pick more.”

I blink at him. Richard has always been kind, but this level of generosity feels… excessive.

Still, I nod. “Alright.”

After checkout, we don’t head toward the main entrance. Instead, Henry leads us through a dimly lit back hallway meant for staff. The air smells musty, like dust and forgotten spaces. My heart pounds as we step through an old metal door into a narrow alley.

Ahead, a white van waits beside an abandoned school building.

“There we go,” Henry says, pushing the cart.

He opens the door, and inside, Richard sits like he owns the world. His sharp gray suit is immaculate, his dark sunglasses masking his expression. The way he sits—relaxed yet commanding—sends a thrill of unease through me.

“Hey, love,” he says, a slow smile spreading across his lips.

“Hi, darling.” I force a smile as the kids climb in.

“Hey, cuties!” Richard pulls them close, ruffling their hair.

“Good evening, sir,” they say shyly.

“They’re adorable,” Richard says with a chuckle.

Then his voice shifts, firm and unwavering. “Move,” he tells the driver.

As the van pulls away, the silence in the car is thick. My heart pounds in my chest.

And then it hits me—I never told my siblings about my name change.

If one of them calls me "Nessa" instead of "Jane," everything could fall apart.

I swallow hard. The first thing I’ll do when we get to Richard’s place is make sure they understand.

Because Richard must never find out the truth. It's not yet time.