ROXANNE

I studied my reflection in the long gold rimmed mirror on my room, admiring the navy blue, high slit dress I was putting on for the evening's event.

I was beautiful, I noted, and it was the truth.

I looked exactly the part of the loyal, submissive, well-cared-for, wife of a rich CEO.

But I didn't feel beautiful, neither did I feel like a wife. Not a real one, anyway, I added, glancing at the simple diamond wedding ring adorning my finger.

My blue eyes dimmed in sadness and faint stress lines marred below my eyes.

It's been three days since that incident in Josh's room. I'd been avoiding him ever since, his mother too, although, avoiding Patricia was almost impossible.

The woman liked to be in my business.

From the first day, five years ago, when I'd stepped into this house as a substitute wife and mother. I'd noticed the red flags but I'd been too blinded by my immediate attraction to Josh to turn away and leave.

My mother, Julia, was their housekeeper. The few times I'd come visiting her, Josh wouldn't be home but his mother would, and she was the one who had broached my mother and I with the contract agreement.

At first, I'd disagreed because all I wanted, after waking up to realize that I'd been in a coma for one year after a fatal accident and lost memories that the doctors had proclaimed they weren't sure if I'd ever get back, was to go back to school.

I was twenty, looking forward to continuing my education

Patricia had promised me all of that, insisting I was the one she wanted for her son and her grandchild. I signed the contract hearing those promises and seeing them in writing, but somewhere along the line, I'd managed to forget my dreams, especially when Patricia would become evasive when I brought it up.

And Josh...Josh had made me believe I was alright being by his side and caring for his son. The son he had with another woman.

The same woman whose arrival he'd been excitedly waiting for. Talking in whispers with his equally excited mother.

Tears stung, but I blinked it back.

"It's your fault," I chided myself.

The door burst open, and five year old Ethan came running, handsomely dressed in his black suit and deep pink tie.

He was mini Josh, except for the eyes which made me wonder if his mother, Vanessa, had blue eyes as well.

"Mommy!" He squealed excitedly, "see my suit. I look handsome," his smile was big and cute.

A small, but genuine laugh emitted, "yes, baby. You do look handsome." I gazed up at the maid who had helped dress him up while I prepared as well, "thank you."

She nodded, smiled and left.

"Let's go. Let's go," he tugged on my hand, eager to go show guests his new suit and tie.

Such a dramatic, funny boy. Smart too.

Patricia was throwing a party. Josh had told me it was to celebrate his company's success. Friends, family, business associates and important personalities had been invited.

The party hall was downstairs.

Carefully, holding my purse in one hand, and Ethan's hand in another, I made my way to the hall.

I was greeted by gold lights and white decorated hall. Servers patrolled with small silver trays, looking professional and neat.

Patricia and Josh were already there, welcoming guests with big smiles, making small talks.

My heart did a little jive when my gaze roamed over his tall, lean frame adorned in a custom made suit that made him look impeccably handsome.

A sad sigh left my lips.

"Come here," he gestured over for me.

Still holding Ethan, I went to meet him. Standing beside him, as he wanted, as the loyal wife I usually was in events like this.

"Hello, brother." The deep masculine voice had my attention, I fluttered my eyes over to see a tall guy looking powerful and arrogant in his designer black suit.

"Brother?" I quirked a brow, once he was near us, gazing quizzically at Josh.

The latter's smile diminished some, he held out his hand in a stiffly polite handshake, "hello, Kylian."

If this Kylian had noticed the abrupt change n Josh's demeanor, he didn't say, but his eyes were sharp, giving me the feeling that nothing gets past him. He maintained his own mile-wide smile, "it's been a while, Josh boy."

"Mm," Josh's response was vague and uninterested.

Kylian's gaze shifted to me. The pair of striking green eyes brightly flashed with an emotion I couldn't quite place my finger on, "and this is the missus, I guess?"

Josh's arm came about me possessively, surprising me a bit. He'd never held me that way before, especially in public, "this is my wife, Roxanne. Roxanne, meet my half brother, Kylian Caldwell."

His smile now holding a bit of flirtation, he held out a hand, I extended mine for a handshake, but he surprised me by turning it over and lowering his lips to the back of my palm, "a pleasure to always be graced with the sight of a beautiful woman."

A playboy.

Regardless, I found myself a bit flushed and amused, "thank you. Josh never told me he has a brother and we've been married for five years," I quirked a disapproving brow at Josh who now looked annoyed.

"Well, now you know I do," Josh said in a tight tone, gripping my shoulders still in that possessive manner, he offered his brother a flat smile, "enjoy the party Kylian. If you'll excuse my wife and I..."

"Kylian?" Patricia came up behind us, her expression also annoyed and uncomfortable, "what are you doing here?"

Still wearing his easy, attractive smile, he greeted, seemingly unoffended by Patricia's rude tone, "hello, mother. Good evening, you look beautiful in that dress."

"You haven't answered my question," Patricia's eyes narrowed slightly.

Kylian shrugged, still unbothered by the subtle hostility, "I'm a Caldwell, aren't I?"

"Regrettably so," Patricia muttered, then continued in an audible tone, "behave yourself at this party, Kylian."

His grin widened, his head bowed a little in respect, "yes, mother."

She huffed and walked away.

I looked around for Ethan to see he was already making himself comfortable amongst kids whose parents had also brought them to the party.

"Have a good evening, beautiful," he winked at me, "see you later, bro." He playfully punched Josh and proceeded to enjoy the party.

I watched him walk away, exuding power and confidence.

"Why were you rude to him?" I asked Josh.

His hand had gone lax on my shoulder, no longer possessive, more casual. But it remained.

"None of your business, Roxanne. Just..."

His words were cut off by the presence of a new guest.

A woman.

She wore long red dress, that wasn't just bold. It was sexy and was created to turn heads. Even the woman beneath the dress was beautiful enough to turn heads.

Conversations stopped. The hall gradually doused in silence.

She paused at the entrance, eyes scanning the room as if she was looking for someone.

Josh's arm slipped off my shoulder.

"Vanessa." He whispered reverently, eyes bright and excited.

The blow came - shocking and painful. My nerves tightened, then came the grip of an unfamiliar emotion within my chest.

This was THE Vanessa?

Envy, jealousy and pain did a good number inside me.

"Hey, Josh." She beamed, spotting him.

He went to her as she took steps forward. He pulled her into a tight hug.

She laughed when he whispered words in her ear.

I fought back tears, watching the scene helplessly.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Patricia leaned in to whisper to me.

Then breaking into a huge smile herself, she went to go greet Vanessa.

"She's the heiress of Gilmore Empire." A guest said in wonder.

"Finally, Josh will be with someone he truly loves." A female cousin whose face I'd seen a few times in family gatherings and events uttered, giving me a smirk, knowing I'd heard her.

"Josh is lucky. Damn! He hit the jackpot. She's not just wealthy, she's smoking hot!" Another of Josh's cousin, a male this time, whistled lowly.

"At least, he'll be rid of this boring one," the same female cousin who had spoken earlier put in.

My world tilted.

"Come say hello," Josh invited me over, not caring about my emotions in that moment.

He didn't even care that I was carrying his child.

My legs suddenly feeling like lead, I walked over to them, mustering a smile.

As soon as her eyes fell on me, the smile disappeared. Blood drained from her face. Something flashed in her eyes - Recognition? Fear? She looked like she'd seen a ghost.

But it was only for a fleeting moment before she composed herself, "w-who's she?"

"She's the daughter of our housekeeper, Roxanne Robertson. The one I told you was a stand-in till you returned."

"Oh," color was coming back to her face. Cautiously, she extended a perfectly manicured hand, "hi, I'm Vanessa Gilmore. Heiress of Gilmore."

Why did I feel like the introduction was her trying to confirm something?

I accepted her hand,"nice to meet you. I'm Roxanne Robertson."

I was proud of myself for keeping it together.

"Where's my son?" She asked, still meeting my gaze, studying. Watching.

Patricia called on Ethan who went to her, "yes, grandma?"

"Come meet your mother, sweetheart." She led him to Vanessa.

Ethan looked at me, at Vanessa. Then back to me. He came to me, raising his hand so I carried him. I obliged.

"What are you doing, Roxanne? He should be reconnecting with his mother," Patricia chided, knowing others were listening.

"Come here, Ethan. Come say hello to mommy," Vanessa reached out for Ethan.

He turned away from her, holding me tight, "mommy. She's my mommy, not you."

The whispers began.

To avoid further embarrassment, Vanessa laughed it off, "don't worry. We can always reconnect. Let her have him for tonight. As for me, I just want to be with my man." She leaned in and kissed Josh on the lips.

Crowds cheered - mostly friends and family members - to their public display of affection. Even Patricia.

Blinking back tears, I took small retreating steps back, fighting tears from falling. Just as I left the hall, my eyes briefly met with Kylian who stood at a corner.

He wasn't cheering. Just observing.

I held onto Ethan, and hurried out of there.

The tears finally escaped mid-stairs.

"Stop crying, mommy," Ethan consoled.

I couldn't even say anything, my voice broke when I tried to speak.

I managed to pull myself together and have Ethan ready for bed - bathed and filled with dinner.

Later, I went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea for myself. The maid who had helped prepare Ethan for the event came inside, "you look tired, ma'am. Why don't I help you make it? I'll bring it to your room."

She was right. I was tired - mentally, emotionally and physically. Grateful for the help, I nodded, "thank you."

I went back upstairs to my room to call my mom who had since gone home, "hey, mom."

"How are you darling?"

I sniffled, tears welling again. "I'm... I'm not fine."

The maid came in with the tea just then. I took it, thanked her and closed the door.

"All you need is rest," she said sympathetically, "we'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?"

I sipped tea, gingerly drinking the hot liquid, while I listened to my mom sympathize and calm me down.

She knew everything.

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit my lower belly. I screamed.

"What's that, Roxy?" Mom's tone was immediately alert.

"I don't...ahhhh!" Another bout of pain hit my stomach again.

The cup fell from my hand, smashing to the floor, the remaining content spilling onto the carpet. Warm liquid streamed down from my legs. My breath caught in my throat when I realized it was blood.

Before my brain could process what was happening, I staggered, my vision blurred as my body hit in ground... slipping into unconsciousness.

ROXANNE

"When you get inside, please, don't cause any trouble, Roxy, please." Mom held my hand, her tired, worried eyes pleading.

I swiped at tears, not saying a word.

"Roxy?" She called, her voice carrying desperate pleas.

Mom wasn't one for trouble. And I wasn't as well.

But something had snapped inside of me this morning when I'd woken up on the hospital bed and had the news of my sudden miscarriage delivered to me.

It wasn't miscarriage. It was an abortion.

They had forcefully gotten rid of my baby.

I could take the blame for falling in love with Josh knowing fully well what that contract had stated.

I could even accept the fact that it was my fault for letting it come this far.

But what I wouldn't accept was how cruelly they had ended the life growing inside me before it even had a chance to properly grow.

Anger and pain sat heavy in my chest.

I pulled my hand away from my mom's, "let's go in." I said quietly, but there was no doubting the anger undercurrent.

She heaved a resigned sigh and followed me in.

I heard laughter, and betrayal squeezed tighter.

There he was, dressed casually in a grey shirt and black slacks, sipping whiskey while his mother, as immaculately dressed as always, sat beside him, drinking wine.

He hadn't even bothered to come see me at the hospital.

I let the pain of particular thought sit still.

"How could you?" I approached him, my voice not steady as I wanted it to be.

He and his mother paused.

Patricia's faces scrunched in that familiar spiteful sneer she always harbored for me when I was present, "are you crazy?"

"Mom, please..." He stopped his mother, and stood to look at me.

His brown eyes, calm and cool, studied me for what seemed like a long time, then he sighed, "I'm sorry it came to this, Roxanne, but you know what you were getting into. You were just a stand-in, nothing else."

Again, my heart crumbled at those words.

The tears spilled, anger took backseat for sorrow to showcase, "just a stand-in?"

He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, his eyes flickering between the ground and my face. I didn't need to say much, he already understood what I meant.

I sniffled, "was that why you killed my child?"

He opened his mouth, but his mom beat him to it, she stood beside him, "don't be stupid, Roxanne. You want to know why I chose you for this job?" She paused, letting the question hang in the air.

Tension thickened around us.

"Because you are a nobody. The daughter of a common housekeeper," she spat.

From the corner of my eye, I saw mom flinch slightly at the subtle but effective insult.

"You wouldn't be hard to control. To push around and to discard when the time came. Your job was to be my son's plus one to his events in order to elevate his status and earn respect from the society," her gaze hardened, "but I guess five years tasting wealth has now made you feel like some important personality. No, you are not. You are nothing!"

Her voice, sharp and mean, cut through the room and slapped my dignity hard.

I blinked, humiliated.

"My late husband and Vanessa's late father, former CEO and owner of Gilmore Empire arranged for this marriage between them when they were teenagers. She saved my son's life and bore him a child. You expect my son to pass up such a wonderful woman and partner for... you?" Her eyes mocked, scoffing, "you who have nothing. Come from nothing. No degree. No prestigious family background. Not even the elegance of the wealthy." She tsked, her tone dripping with hostility.

"Let's just end this talk, mom," Josh finally stepped in, he collected documents I had barely noticed sitting on a low stool and handed them to me, with a pen he produced from his pocket.

"Let's put an end to this. The contract has just a month left, but there's no need. Vanessa is back now and she'll soon be here."

For a moment, I could only hear blood rushing into my head and whooshing about my ears. Pain reached out a fist and punched hard, I had to heave and draw in a deep breath.

I lowered my eyes to look at the papers, then back at him.

Five years I've loved him. I let myself be used. Be manipulated.

"You are no longer my wife, but you'll remain as Ethan's nanny." He added.

A sharp, bitter laugh erupted from me, surprising everyone, including my mother.

I accepted the papers and signed, biting back my lips against tears. When I was done, I flung the papers and pen at him, "fuck you."

I hurried upstairs to gather my stuff. I intentionally left the dresses and shoes they bought for me over the years. I didn't want anything of theirs or that had their tags on it.

I carried the small duffel bag downstairs.

Mom was nowhere in sight - probably have been instructed to go back to work.

I heard an additional voice. Vanessa's.

The one Josh was marrying, not just for love. But for the connection and status. For his selfish ambition.

I lost, I told myself, forcing tears away.

But I'd walk away with my head held high, no matter how much it cost me.

"Where are you going?" Josh was the first to jump from his seat.

Vanessa slowly stood as well. Regal and elegant in her denim jeans and silk halter top. She was everything I was not - and would never be.

"I'm leaving." I replied curtly, still moving.

He blocked my path, "you can not leave. Ethan is..."

"...Is no longer my business," I threw back at him fiercely. "As you said, his mother is back. So my work here is done."

"But he knows you. You're..."

"Mommy?" Ethan walked in, his small, chubby innocent face contorted in confusion, especially when he saw my bag.

"Come here, baby." Vanessa tries to go to him.

But he ran away from her, evading her touch and coming to hide behind my leg, "mommy, are you leaving?"

When he looked up at me with such sad, pouty eyes, I couldn't help myself. A tear escaped, but I quickly ducked my head, stooping to his level and covertly wiped the tear.

Then I spread my lips in a false smile, "hey, baby. Your mommy is here now and she'll take very good care of you."

Small lips trembled, mass of curly black hair waved about as he gave a strong shake of his head, holding on to me tighter, "no, mommy. Please, don't go, mommy. Please. I'll tell daddy to take care of you, please."

When he said that, I looked up at Josh who cleared his throat, unable to meet my eyes.

I stared back at the baby I'd loved and nurtured when he was just four months old with his mother overseas. "I love you, baby. But I have to go. Go meet your mommy, okay? She's your mommy," I pointed in Vanessa's direction.

"No! I don't want her. I don't know her! Mommy, please, don't go!" His wails broke my heart but I have to leave. For my sake.

There was nothing left for me anymore.

"Why don't you stop being difficult?" Josh chided angrily, "you still have a month left. I only divorced you, not take away your role as his nanny. He's still getting to know Vanessa, and until then, you have to stay. You're bound by the contract to."

"You're just being ungrateful! You're breaching the contract." Patricia added testily.

"You breached the contract first!" I snapped, "everything you promised to do for me, the same reason accepted the contract, you didn't do it. You and your son manipulated me to stay here for five years without fulfilling your own part of the bargain! Five years of my life, no education. No salary. No dreams achieved! Just clothes for occasions, a heavy dose of daily disrespect and a steady reminder of my poor background!" I yelled, fighting back tears, "so tell me, who's the ungrateful one? Who breached that stupid contract?!"

She raised a hand and brought it down on my face, "how dare you?!"

Ethan's cries increased as Vanessa managed to get him off of me.

I cradled that part of my face for a few seconds, and without a word, carried my bag again to continue my way out of the house.

"Mommy!"

I shut my eyes closed, wishing I couldn't hear him crying for me.

"Mommy, don't go!" He cried pitifully.

I kept walking, keeping my face ahead, swallowing emotions. I didn't trust myself if I turned back.

"Leave me alone!" He screamed amidst screeching wails, "I want my mommy!"

Then I heard the struggle...then, a thud.

Instantly alarmed, I turned to see Ethan lying on the floor, weakly sobbing and holding his head, "m-m...m-mommy, I-I'm hurt..."

Dropping my bag, I ran to him, glaring at Vanessa, "how careless can you be handling your own son?!" I yelled in her face.

"I didn't..."

But I was already running out of the house with Ethan pressed tightly to my bosom, hiccuping through tears, a side of his head bleeding and getting swollen.

Apprehension and guilt almost knocked me over.

I made a beeline for the gate, hailing the first cab I saw, "LifeCare Hospital, please."