CHAPTER 3
Three months later, life had become a relentless struggle. Claire's days blended into nights of exhaustion, juggling her own survival, the needs of Maja and Janelle, and caring for her aging father. Money had long run out. Every last penny spent on food, diapers, and basic necessities. Still, it never seemed enough. She could feel her girls' tiny hands clutching her as if sensing her desperation, and it tore her apart to see them suffer.
And then… an idea, born of desperation, flickered in her mind. One of the twins.
She took a deep breath and spoke to her father, her voice trembling. "Father… I… I want to take one of the girls to Sebastian."
Her father froze, his face clouding with anger and disbelief. "And how sure are you that Sebastian would even accept her? How could you even think of that?" he scolded.
"This is the only option I can think of, Father," Claire said, her voice quivering but resolute. "I want my children to have a good life. I know only Sebastian can give them that. I'm not giving my daughter to any man on the street… it will be to their own father. Please… allow me to do this. One of them will have a chance at a brighter future, and I'll take care of the other."
Her father's shoulders slumped, heavy with worry. "I don't want the twins separated. They deserve to grow up together. And what about Sebastian's wife? She already has a son for him. What if she mistreats your daughter?"
Claire swallowed the lump in her throat, tears pricking her eyes. "I know, Father… I know all of that. But Sebastian won't reject his own child. If he doesn't believe me, he can run a DNA test. Then he can choose… accept her or reject her. I just… I just want what's best for the girls."
Her father looked at her long and hard, seeing the determination etched on her tear-streaked face. Finally, he let out a sigh.
Weeks later, Claire stood in the quiet evening, sunlight fading to a warm orange glow through the window. Her heart felt like it might shatter. It was 6 p.m., and she was preparing to take Janelle to her father.
She held the little girl carefully, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. Tears glistened in her eyes as she whispered softly, "I'm doing this for you, baby… it's for the best."
For Janelle, life would now be one of privilege, comfort, and safety, everything Claire could no longer provide. And for Maja, she would fight to give her the love, care, and opportunities she could muster with what little she had.
Claire snapped several pictures, wanting to remember this moment, the last time all three of them would be together like this. Her father joined her, capturing her holding little Janelle in his camera, a bittersweet memory they would cherish.
She hated this decision. Hated that she had to split her daughters apart. But the thought of keeping both of them in a life of poverty, hunger, and struggle was unbearable. They were too young… far too young for such suffering.
She kissed Janelle's forehead, holding her close one last time. "Go live the life you deserve, my love. I hope one day you'll forgive me. And Maja… mama will give you everything I can."
Claire's chest ached as she prepared to step into the next chapter of their lives. One daughter in the hands of a father who had once abandoned them… and one daughter she would raise, fighting for a brighter future against all odds.
This was heartbreak. This was a sacrifice. But it was the only choice she could make.
At the Sebastian Mansion. Kenny, their little son, was already fast asleep in his crib, while Nessa was in the bathroom. Sebastian sat alone in the living room, scrolling through his phone, enjoying the quiet of the night.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Moments later, the faint cry of a baby followed.
At first, Sebastian assumed it was Kenny, but when he glanced toward the crib, he found the boy still sleeping peacefully. A frown creased his forehead as confusion settled in.
The cry came again.
He rose quickly and headed for the door.
As soon as he opened it, he froze.
There, lying on the doorstep, was a baby, a tiny, fragile infant wrapped in a blanket.
Shock coursed through him.
Who would leave a child here?
Recovering slightly, Sebastian immediately called for the guards. When they arrived, they explained that a woman had pleaded to be let inside earlier, giving her name as Claire.
The name struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Claire.
A realization dawned on him, heavy and unsettling.
This… this might be her child.
"Alright," he said quietly, his voice firm but low. "You don't have to mention this to my wife."
The guards exchanged glances before nodding and leaving.
Sebastian bent down and carefully lifted the baby into his arms. Almost instantly, her cries softened, then stopped altogether. As he adjusted the blanket around her, a folded letter slipped out.
He quickly picked it up and slipped it into his trouser pocket, just as Nessa's voice echoed from behind him.
"Honey… who is that?"
She approached, her steps slow, her eyes fixed on the baby in his arms. Shock spread across her face.
"Who is this?" she asked again, her voice sharper this time.
Sebastian hesitated.
"I… I don't know," he said, forcing calm into his tone. "I just found her here. Someone left her on the doorstep."
Nessa's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering across her face.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "Then you should have left her out on the street!"
Sebastian frowned, tightening his hold on the baby. "She's just a child, Nessa. I'll report this to the police tomorrow."
Nessa let out an exasperated sigh, clearly displeased.
"I don't want to see that thing here by tomorrow," she snapped. "Who even has the audacity to bring a baby to our house? This isn't an orphanage or a charity home. Seb, take this baby somewhere else."
He gave a slow nod, though his expression remained unreadable.
Without another word, he carried the baby upstairs to his room. Gently, he laid her on the bed, making sure she was comfortable.
Then, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the letter he had found tucked in her blanket.
"To Sebastian…
This is our child, Janelle, born on the 25th of July. Life has become unbearable for both of us, and I know you're the only one who can give her the life every child deserves.
I will never forgive you for what you did to me, but the only reason I brought Janelle here is because I want the best for her. I know I can't take care of her.
Please… do this for me. For our baby. Because you may never see me again."
Sebastian read the letter over and over again, each word sinking deeper into his chest like a blade. His gaze slowly shifted to the baby lying quietly on the bed.
Janelle.
That was her name.
His daughter.
A heavy wave of guilt washed over him, tightening around his heart. Thoughts of Claire flooded his mind, and for the first time, he truly felt the weight of what he had done to her.
Kenny now has a sister.
But how was he supposed to explain this to Nessa?
He ran a hand through his hair, already dreading her reaction.
"You brought another woman's child into this house?" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage as she walked into the room.
Before Sebastian could react, she stormed forward and snatched the baby from the bed.
Janelle let out a soft cry.
"What are you doing?" Sebastian's voice rose, panic flashing across his face.
"This mistake shouldn't exist!" Nessa hissed, her grip tightening as she lifted the child slightly, her eyes wild, unrecognizable.
Sebastian's heart nearly stopped.
"Put her down, Nessa!" he shouted, rushing toward her.
But she didn't move.
"This child will ruin everything!"
"ENOUGH!"
His voice thundered through the room.
For a split second, everything froze.
Then, with a voice colder than she had ever heard before, he said.
"She's not a mistake."
He paused. "She's, my daughter."
Silence.
Heavy. Suffocating.
Nessa's hands trembled as the truth settled in… her grip on the baby tightening just a little more.
And then...
Her lips slowly curved into something far more dangerous than anger.