Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Chapter 33 His end “It’s been a week since the tragic end of the Winston group’s heir, Harry Winston. His death was accompanied by the Winston group declaring bankruptcy after the anti-money laundering commission seized all their assets.”

Tessa furrowed her eyebrows, anger surging through her at the mention of Harry Winston on the He was the talk of the City. All his illegal businesses had come to the surface and how he used prohibited drugs in his pharmaceutical company was exposed.

Michelle clicked her tongue and folded her arms as they watched the news in the visitors’ lounge at the company.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust and said, “It is true what they say. You can never know someone completely until they show you their true colours Who would have thought Harry was a hardcore criminal?”

Tessa sighed and replied, “He was so sincere that I would never place him as someone who would do such a thing. I was so grateful that he helped Mom get better. Who knew he would turn on my kids and kidnap them? I feel so guilty that I made them trust someone who hurt them.”

It had been a hard week for Tessa. Having someone she trusted betray her like that was like a punch in the gut.

She recalled how Aaron warned her about him. By that time, she found it hard to believe that Harry had purposely approached her. Heck, even if he had, he had helped her mother so she didn’t think much about it.

However, human trafficking was a very serious crime. And to make her marry him, Harry orchestrated a plan to kidnap the triplets so that he could play the hero.

Tessa’s heart ached when she recalled the last conversation she had with him before he jumped off a cliff.

~FLASHBACK~

The children spent some days in the hospital. Both Tessa and Aaron stayed with them. They took care of them together, alternating between feeding them and giving them baths to regulate their temperature.

By this time, the news was out there. Aaron had spread the news of Harry’s crimes to make everyone know he was a wanted criminal.

Their parents soon found out about the kidnapping, so they visited the kids at the hospital.

Elena, Edmund and Aaron were all chatting with the kids so Tessa excused herself.

She hadn’t talked to Edmund since that day when he told her Aaron would marry Serena Staying in the same room with him was making her feel uncomfortable.

A bodyguard followed her as she went up to the roof to get some fresh air. When she reached, her phone suddenly rang Tessa’s heart jumped to her throat when she saw who was calling.

It was none other than, Harry Winston.

The man who was wanted for kidnapping, murder, human trafficking, tax evasion and many other crimes.

Anger surged through Tessa when she recalled how weak her kids had been. The doctor said they might not have woken up if the drugs had stayed in their system.

Filled up with fury, Tessa picked up the call and snapped, “You sure have some nerve, Harry. How could you? The kids liked you!

They called you uncle! They trusted you! How could an adult who was supposed to protect them do such a thing?! Are you even human?”

There was silence from the speaker save for the heavy breathing coming from Harry.

“Tessa, I’m sorry. I just wanted you to be mine.”

“How does kidnapping my kids make me yours? Are you crazy?”

“The kids are making you go back to the man that hurt you. Have you forgotten, Tessa? He’s the man that gave you a cheque to leave so he can be with the love of his life. He’s the man that didn’t want you or put you first. You were just a substitute and once the woman he truly loved came back, he cast you aside without hesitation. How could you forget all this and give him your attention? Why? I wanted to get rid of the kids since they seem to bring you close to Aaron!” Harry said in one breath.

Tessa gasped. She didn’t know Harry could be so unreasonable. Was he pretending to be nice all along? Was this the real him?

This man with a twisted and scheming mindset was a stranger to her.

“How could that be a reason to kidnap, drug and traumatise my kids? Did you want them to grow up without knowing who their father is?”

“No! I was ok with them knowing about him as long as you agreed to be with me. But you fell for him again! You were supposed to love me. I stood by your side. Helped your mother get better. But what did I get in return? Nothing!”

Tessa dragged in a shuddering breath. She didn’t respond to Harry’s rants and stated, “You’re a wanted criminal. If you hand yourself over to the police, perhaps I can forgive you but we can never be friends again.”

A dark chuckle from the phone sent an eerie chill down Tessa’s spine. Harry scoffed and replied, ” Hand myself in? No way. I’ll make sure you have no peace. I want you to live the rest of your life in fear. Constantly looking behind your back just in case I creep up on you.”

He laughed like a maniac and then he added, “Since I can’t have you, I’ll find a way to stay in your mind forever. When you have nightmares, it will be me you will dream about.”

With those words, Harry cut the call. Tessa immediately informed Aaron and the call was traced to a cliff on the outskirts of town.

They assumed Harry had jumped to his death and fell into the sea but they didn’t find his body.

~END OF FLASHBACK~

A cold shiver ran down Tessa’s back at the memory. She shook her head to rouse herself from the thoughts. She wouldn’t give Harry the satisfaction “He’s a psychopath! They are the only ones who have double personalities. They pretend to be nice and sweet, but they are evil inside,” Michelle said.

Tessa nodded and suggested, “Let’s go back to work. I don’t want to watch any more news about that man. He gives me the creeps.”

Meanwhile, the Winston family had fallen from riches to rags overnight.

Luckily, Mrs Elizabeth Winston had some assets in her name so they moved to an average house.

Serena was fuming as she sat in the small living room with her parents. She looked around the tiny house and disgust flitted through her eyes.

“Are we supposed to live like this? Like peasants?” She screamed.

Her father, Benjamin Winston narrowed his eyes at her. He scolded, “Do you think you’re still a rich princess? We lost everything all because of your brother! After causing such a mess, he even killed himself! This is what we can afford now, take it or leave.”

Serena huffed and folded her arms. She haughtily said, “I’m not going to live like this. This is not. the life I deserve. I’m going to be Aaron’s wife.”

Benjamin’s eyes lit up. He stroked his beard and said, “That’s right. Edmund had called me about cancelling the contract. We won’t agree. Serena, work on Aaron and make him fall in love with you. Marrying him is better than having 15% shares of his company. The Wentworth group will be yours.”

Serena nodded with determination, saying, “Yes, Dad. I’ll make him mine.”

Her eyes turned cold as she thought about her plan to get rid of Tessa. She was the only one stopping her from marrying Aaron.

Serena thought Aaron would return to her once Tessa did something wrong.

A wicked smirk crossed her lips as she said silently. I’ll make her pay and avenge my brother.”

When Tessa was done with work, she was taken back home in a convoy of cars that were provided by Aaron The first and last car had trained bodyguards and there were two bodyguards in her car.

She thought it was too much but it was either that or moving into Aaron’s mansion. Tessa didn’t want to do the latter to avoid complications so she settled for the bodyguards.

Walking into the apartments, her three kids rushed to her gleefully.

“Mommy! Welcome back!” They chorused.

Seeing her kids, a warm smile crossed her lips. It was good that they were still high spirited but Aaron had them go through therapy so that they wouldn’t get traumatised “Hey, my babies. How are you doing?”

“We are fine! Mommy, Daddy is cooking dinner for us!”

Tessa arched an eyebrow. “Your Daddy?”

“Yes, Mommy! He’s in the kitchen, wearing your apron,” Reagan said excitedly.

This piqued Tessa’s interest. She never knew Aaton as the type to cook but when she walked to the kitchen, a mouth-watering aroma reached her nose.

She stood under the archway and watched Aaron do his thing. He was in black pants and a black shirt dress. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to his elbows and her white apron was wrapped around his lean waist.

He looked handsome and sexy as he made his way around the kitchen.

“I never knew you can cook,” Tessa said, making her presence known.

Aaron turned to glance at her and smiled warmly. He replied, “I didn’t. But during the five years that you were not here, I learnt how to cook. You had cooked me a lot of meals so I gave the lessons my all so that I can cook for you when you return.”

Tessa bit her lower lip and entered the kitchen. A thought occurred to her and she ended up asking, “What if I didn’t return?”

“I would have continued to search for you.”

“What if it took twenty years?” She asked again.

“I would still look for you until my last day on earth I would have never given up on you.

Tessa smiled, feeling giddy at his words for some reason. She noticed that she was starting to feel things so she quickly excused herself.

“I’m going to freshen up. I can’t wait to taste your food, Mr CEO,” she said, chuckling.

Aaron raised an eyebrow at her. He asked, “Are you questioning my cooking skills, Miss CEO?”

Tessa shrugged and responded, “It’s hard to believe. I’ll know if you’re skilled or not when I taste the food.”

Aaron placed the spatula on the table and stalked Tessa. He took a step forward, and she took a step back until her back hit a cabinet.

She clutched her dress and swallowed. Aaron was too close. She could smell his cologne and almost feel his skin.

“W-what are you doing?” Tessa stuttered as Aaron bent over, placing his hands on top of the cabinet on either side of her body.

He lowered his head and whispered, “There’s something else that I’m skilled at. Would you like to taste it?”

Tessa’s heart did a flip. Her eyes fell on his plump lips and she gulped, her heart pounding.

“Aaron, 1-”

“Don’t you want to check my skills? I’ll make you feel good, I promise”

Tessa began to feel hot. Strange sensations coursed through her body and she wound up clamping her legs shut.

Her eyes widened when Aaron’s head began to draw closer to hers as if he was about to kiss her.

‘What should I do? Should I push him away?’ Tessa’s mind reeled with thoughts while her heart galloped violently.

Just before Aaron’s lips could meet hers, Reagan’s voice echoed around them and they stepped away from each other quickly.

“Wow! Mommy and Daddy are kissing!”

Tessa cleared her throat and ran to her room while Aaron chuckled.

He then glanced at his son, “Do you want to help Daddy cook?”

“Yes! Daddy, you were kissing Mommy. Will you live with us now?”

Aaron ruffled Reagan’s hair and lifted him, putting him on the countertop.

He smiled at him and said, “Soon, son. I have a feeling that we will start staying together soon