A Fateful Chance — Chapter 40: A STRIFE’S BREATH

Deandra's POV

I still couldn't believe it myself. Why did Khalid do that for me?Did he love me above his daughters? I am holding my baby inside our room as I look at our picture frame.

We had a picture with the three of us: me, my husband and Walter who was six months old that time. I couldn't help but shed a tear. After his death, I had the time to look into this picture more and I can see that he has the sweetest smile.

"Baby, please stay strong because it is only the two of us."

The door of our room opened as Priya entered the room.

"Are you happy now? How dare you to get the wealth of our father?"

"Walter is asleep right now. If you're not going to say something important, you can go out now."

"How dare you to tell me that in my own house?"

"I thought the lawyer made it clear to all of us that I am the sole owner of this house more than you? How can you still do that in front of my face?"

"Priya looked at the two bodyguards that's behind her. It made her pissed off even more.

"I won't get easy on you, remember that."

She slammed the door in front of me. I closed my eyes because of the impact it created. Even Walter cried because of the noise.

"Shhh, baby Walter it's okay dear." I held him in my arms as I tried rocking him to sleep. Honestly, I am not planning to talk back to Priya and everything she does. However, if my baby is involved, I will not hesitate to fight back. As young as he is, I don't want him to get involved in every encounter that we had.

"Ma'am, you can make them leave this house. It is all yours now."

"Lilian, I don't want to do it as much as possible. They are still the daughters of Khalid. I have to give them their freedom in this house has all their memories, especially with their mother.

"Ma'am, they only stayed here for two years, the remaining eight years were in the U.S.A. How come they will have some memories in here? You know what, they only do that to you because you don't know how to fight back."

I looked at my personal maid and cried to her again. She hugged me as she gently rubbed my back. I also noticed that my husband's faithful bodyguards were sympathetic to my situation.

"I will try to be tough for Walter. Thank you so much, Lilian."

"We'll be here, ma'am." The two bodyguards were also smiling at me as if wanting to comfort me right now.

"Thank you so much to all of you. When you talk to me and you'll be on my side, I feel comforted already."

I had a conversation with them until I came up with a decision. I informed my stepdaughters that I will be stepping out from the grand mansion because I want to be at peace. I bought a villa near the beach and I hired everyone from the grand mansion who are willing to go with me. There were a total of twelve people who went with me, together with Lilian and my late husband's bodyguards. I also made sure that Khalid's daughters will never locate where I went for my safety and peace. I wanted a quiet life out of the limelight. I have to continue my studies and support my baby, too.

I am happy that my late husband assigned trusted people to run the business he started. It inspired me to continue my studies, taking up Business Management courses and even related programs abroad to further understand how the business world works.

My two personal maids supported me well. Also, I brought my three sisters and my mom to my villa. I told them everything that happened to me. They thought of me working abroad but then, the experiences that shaped me were more than that. I also introduced my baby Walter to them who is seven years old now. Despite all the pain and the things that happened, they accepted me wholeheartedly and we started a new life.

After seven years, I produced my version 2.0. I even changed my name from Deandra to Dianne Swiss because of safety reasons. I know Priya and Denysse were still looking for me as they insisted that I was the one who killed their father. The resentment that they have planted bloomed within them that revenge will not be impossible anytime. I added some security features of the house, even the number of bodyguards because I am a great prey for them.

"Deandra, until when are we going to live this kind of life?" My mom told us out of the blue while we're having our dinner. I guess it's her first time to experience this kind of life. I assume that she's afraid this life she's enjoying right now will change in a blink of an eye.

"Mom, you don't have to worry. Everything will be alright for as long as we are all staying in one roof."

"We're not going to go back to our old house, right?" Dahlia asked in her worried tone. I smiled as I caressed her long, lovely hair. She is sitting beside me. That's why it's easy for me to hold her hand whenever she feels anxious or worried.

"I will not let this family go back to the way we used to be. For as long as you'll all help me, we will still be enjoying this kind of life."

"Our dear Deandra is the best!" Dina cheered but Dee stopped her as she gave her a blank expression.

"Hey, it's Dianne, not Deandra, okay?"

"Oops, sorry our dear Dianne. I forgot." I giggled because of what Dee did that I stood up to touch her hair. It became messy and Dina chuckled.

"I am still beautiful. Dianne will comb my hair later." She said, still having her blank expression.

"Of course I will." I looked at the table and Dahlia enjoyed a bowl of fried chicken for herself. From the kind of life we're having right now, I promised myself to do my best to be a successful business woman someday.