Chapter 88

Chapter 88
"Where are we going to, mum?" Ryan asked as I fixed their seatbelts at the backseat of the car.  

"Are we going back to Elodie's?" Emma asked.

"Do you want to go back to Elodie's?" I asked. 

"No!" They said in unison. 

I furrowed my brows. "You don't want to see Elodie anymore?" 

"We do. But we want to stay with dad." Ryan said as Ernest walked towards the driver's seat. 

I looked at him. His eyes locked with mine. 

My heart reacted. 

"Mum," Emma called, making me look at her. 

I sensed him opening the door and he entered the car. 

"Where are we going?" Emma asked. 

"To aunt Nikki's. Now, stay calm and stop asking me too much questions." I said and closed the door. 

I opened the passenger seat door and entered. I wore my seatbelt. 

"Dad, please take us to your house." Ryan said. 

"Ryan," I warned. 

"Soon, champ. Very soon." Ernest said. I looked at him. 

He looked at me. 

I looked away from him as he started the car and we drove off. 

I rested my eyes at the view through my window as my mind moved to what Ernest said last night. 

Everything about Ella and what he said about me going back to Robert.  

The bastard is done begging. 

I scoffed in disbelief. 

And he said he loved me. Is that how you fight for the one you love? He is letting me go so easily because he can't continue begging. 

Wow. 

What an egoistic freak. 

I don't want his pleadings anyway. 

I am done with him. 

I have been long done. 

I have Robert waiting for me back at the city. A good man that loves me. 

I don't need Ernest. I freaking don't. 

"Are you thirsty?" Ernest asked.  

I didn't respond.

"Kimberly," 

"Fuck off." I muttered without looking at him. 

He heaved a sigh. "Are you guys okay back there?" He asked the kids. 

"Yes, dad." Ryan said. 

"Yes, dad." 

"Who is thirsty?" He asked, making me roll my eyes. 

"Me!" They said in unison.

He chuckled, handing over a bottle of water to them. 

"Thank you," Ryan said. 

"Hear you go, princess." Ernest said, handing over another bottle to Emma. 

"Thank you, daddy." 

"You are welcome." Ernest said. 

"Aren't you thirsty, mummy?" Emma asked. 

"No. I am not." I said, looking at the window. 

I felt Ernest's eyes on me. 

"Are you okay, mum?" Ryan asked. 

"What did I say about remaining quiet?" I asked. 

"They are just worried about you, Kimberly." Ernest said. 

I threw him a glare. 

He faced the road. 

I looked at my kids. They are drinking their water but looking at me.

"I am fine. Okay?" I said, smiling. 

They nodded. 

I faced the road, heaving a sigh. 

"Who wants some music?" Ernest asked. 

"Me!" They squealed happily. 

"Let's play Taylor swift song." Ernest said, pressing his music box. 

"I stay up too late!" The music boomed. 

I leaned on the window, closing my eyes as my kids sang along. 



"When are you coming to get us, dad?" Ryan asked. 

The kids and I are standing in front of Nikki's building. I am waiting for them to say their goodbyes to Ernest. 

Which is becoming annoying. 

"Soon, champ." Ernest said. 

"Come and live with us, please." Emma said. 

Ernest chuckled a little. "Princess...." 

"He is too big to live in this neighborhood, Emma. Isn't that right, Ernest?" I asked. 

He stared at me. 

I looked away. 

"We are going to miss you, dad." Ryan said. 

"Me too," Emma said. 

"I will miss you too, my babies. I will visit soon." Ernest said. 

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go inside." I said, taking their hands. 

"But, mum...." They whined.

I didn't pay attention but took them in. I didn't look back till I got to Nikki's door. 

I knocked on the door and looked down at my kids.

They look sad. 

I forced myself to ignore them as I knocked on the door again. 

The door opened, revealing Nikki's shirtless boyfriend. 

"Oh fuck." He said, making me cover my kids eyes. 

"I am so sorry. Babe!" He called out as we walked in.

"What?" I heard Nikki's voice. 

"Come and see this." He said, making me furrow my brows. 

I heard Nikki's footsteps approaching. 

"See what?" She froze at the sight of us. She has a towel wrapped around her. 

I smiled at her. 

"Kim!" She squealed happily. 

"Nikki," i called as she walked towards me. We shared a hug. 

"I am so happy to see you." She said. 

"Me too." 

"Ryan, Emma! I missed you guys." Nikki said, pinching their cheeks. 

My kids are still sad. They can't even fake a smile. 

Okay seriously, this is too much. 

This is aunt Nikki in front of them. Why aren't they happy? 

"What is wrong? Why the long faces?" Nikki asked them as she looked at me. 

I shrugged, giving her a signal. 

"Why don't you all go to your room and relax? I will make you all something to eat." 

I nodded. "Thank you, Nikki." 

"We are not hungry." The kids said in unison as they headed for the room. 

I heaved a sigh. 

"Okay, that is strange. Why aren't they happy to see me? I mean, duh, it's me,  Aunt Nikki." Nikki said. 

"I am confused as well." I said, looking at Nikki's boyfriend. 

"Oh, this is Asher. My boyfriend." She said, holding him.

He smiled at me. 

"Asher, this is Kimberly. My bestie who got kidnapped on her wedding day." She said, raising her brows at me. 

I rolled my eyes. 

Nikki chuckled. "You really have spill all the tea, girlfriend." 

I nodded. "I know. " 

"It is nice to meet you, Asher. My friend is head over heels for you." I said to him. 

"Well, he knows that." Nikki said. 

"Yes I do. And I am head over heels for her too." He said. 

Nikki chuckled. "Go freshen up, girlfriend. And watch those two angels of yours." 

"Yeah yeah." I said, walking past them.

"And get ready to spill all the tea for me." She said.

I threw her a salute. 



THREE DAYS LATER .......

"Ryan!" 

"No!" He yelled back.

I was taken aback by his tone. 

What the hell? 

"We want to go back to dad, mum!" Emma said. 

"Yes." Ryan said.  

"Take us back." They both said in unison. 

I scoffed in disbelief. What has gotten into these children? 

"What is going on here?" Nikki asked, walking into the room. The kids ran out of the room. 

"Emma! Ryan!" I called but they didn't answer. 

I rubbed my temples. 

"What's wrong?" Nikki asked. 

"My kids has changed totally. Seriously, I don't recognize them anymore." I said worriedly. 

Nikki sighed. 

"They now yell at me. Can you believe that? What has he done to them, Nikki?" I asked, feeling my clenching heart. 

Nikki walked towards the bed where I am seated and sat next to me. 

"That bastard is indeed my freaking worst nightmare. He has completely turned them against me." I said, feeling tears approaching. 

"No, girlfriend. This is clearly blood speaking." She said, making me look at her. 

She nodded. 

I leaned my head on the headboard. 

"I think you have to take them to him." 

I looked at her. 

"What?" 

"Just for a while. Let them stay with him for a few days. They just want to be with their father." 

I scoffed. "Are you listening to yourself, Nikki? I should take them to Ernest? That freaking jerk. Who's side are you on anyway?" 

"I am on your side for life, girlfriend but the kids will not stop acting the  way they are acting until you give them what they want." 

I dropped my gaze. 

"I am not saying you should get back with Ernest. But you have to sacrifice for your kids sometimes even though it is the hardest thing to do. You have no idea what a lot of women out there are putting up with just for their kids' sake. Men are shitty beings." 

I rubbed my temples. 

"Well, except my Asher, though." She said, chuckling. 

I heaved a sigh.

She caressed my hair. "You had them all to yourself for five years. It is time you adjust and let their father take responsibility. You need some princess treatment, girlfriend. You need to relax. You haven't even gone out to see Robert since you came back." She said. 

I moved the strand of my hair behind my ear. 

"You know your kids are used to big houses and shiny things now. That's part of the reason they are like this. They don't want to be in this little place of mine anymore. Take them to their billionaire father already and let yourself be taken care of. I wonder the quantity of the cob webs that are down there right now." 

I looked at her. "Nikki," 

"What? I am telling the truth. When last did you get laid?" 

I didn't respond. 

"You said Robert has not touched you since you've known him. Ernest didn't make a move during your time with him. Well, he did but left as you told him too." 

I stared at her. 

"The only pleasure you have ever gotten so far is that day he fingered you." 

"Okay, can we stop talking about that? You are making it worse." I said, looking away. 

"Yeah right. Take the kids to Ernest and go get laid. Robert is waiting for you. You don't want to be the bad guy to your kids, do you?" She asked. 

I laid on the bed. 

"I can help you pack if you want." 

I looked at her. 

She winked at me. 

"Just go back to Asher. Leave me and my misery alone." 

She chuckled, getting on her feet. 

"Just think about it, girlfriend." She said and walked away. 

I placed my palm on my temples, giving it a thought. 

I got on my feet and walked towards the living room. 

I saw my kids playing unhappily with their toys. 

God, this is serious. They have been like this since we got here. For three days now. 

I don't recognize them anymore. 

I heaved a sigh.

"Kids," i called, smiling. 

They didn't respond or look at me. 

My smile fell. 

"Fine. We are going to your dad's place." 

Their faces lightened up instantly. 

"Really?!" They asked. 

I nodded. "Yes." 

"Yay!" They squealed happily as they ran towards me and hugged me. 

"I love you, mum." Emma said. 

"Me too. You are the best mummy in the whole wide world." Ryan said. 

Yeah right. I am not buying that. 

They held me tightly. 

I caressed their hair, smiling at them. I leaned down and kissed their hairs. 

Here we go. 



"Hundred dollars, ma'am." The taxi driver said. I took out some money and handed them to him. 

"Thank you." He said and drove away. 

I turned us to Ernest's gate. 

"Wow," Emma said. 

"Is this dad's house, mummy?" Ryan asked. 

"Yes. It is." I said, walking towards the button spot. I pressed it and the gates opened. 

"Cool" Ryan squealed. 

"His house is so big." Emma said. 

"I know." I said, walking in. I held their bag with one hand and the other, I held Ryan's hand and Ryan held Emma's. 

They took in the aesthetics of the place with their eyes as we walked. 

"I love it here, mummy." Emma said. 

"Yes. We are never going back to aunt Nikki's." Ryan said. 

Oh wow. 

Just wow. 

Why am I not surprised? 

Getting to the entrance door, I pressed the doorbell. 

Not long later, the door opened, revealing Martha.

"Aunt Martha!" The kids squealed happily as they ran towards her and hugged her. 

"My gorgeous angels." She said, hugging them back. 

"Welcome, ma'am." She greeted me. 

"Kimberly," I corrected. 

She nodded. "Kimberly." 

I smiled a little as I walked into the house. 

The last time I was here, I was given a cooking task by the asshole that owns this house. 

"Did you miss me?" Martha asked them. 

"Yes, we did." They said in unison. 

"And dad too. Where is he?" Ryan said. 

"Is that who I think it is?" I heard Ernest voice, making my heart pick up. 

He is descending the stairs, dressed in a black tank top and ash-colored sweatpants.

Breathtaking as always. 

"Dad!" The kids squealed happily and ran towards him. 

He chuckled as he leaned down and picked them up. 

"My champion and Princess." He said, kissing their temples. 

"We missed you, dad." Emma said. 

"Yes, dad. We missed you so much." Ryan said. 

"I missed you both too. I was actually preparing to visit today." He said, as I stood there, staring at them. Martha took their bag from me. 

"But I am more excited that you are here. Where is your...." He trailed off the minute he saw me. 

Noticing my presence for the first time. 

How sweet. 

He placed the kids down on their feet and they ran towards Isabel. 

"Hey," he said to me. 

"Hey," I said. 

"I wasn't expecting to see you here. Talk more of bring the kids with their bags as well." 

I shrugged. "I wasn't either. They couldn't stop disturbing me about seeing you so I had to bring them." 

He stared at me.  

"You have succeeded in brainwashing them completely." 

"It is not....." 

"Save it." I retorted. 

He heaved a sigh. 

"Just so you know, I didn't take them to Robert because you ordered me not to. But because I didn't want to. You are not the boss of me." 

He shook his head slightly. "I am not. You are your own boss" 

"Good. I didn't know bastards had brains." I said. 

"You look beautiful by the way." He said, as if he didn't hear the remark i just dropped on him. 

"Well, I am going to my fiancé's place from here. I am supposed to look my best." I said. 

He stared at me blankly. 

I flipped my hair proudly. 

"I see." He said. 

"You can have the kids for a week. I will come and get them after a week." 

"You are going to stay with him for a whole week?" He asked. 

I shrugged. "Why? Do you have a problem with that? Or, are you jealous?" 

He didn't respond but stared at me. 

I smirked. "I should be with him for the rest of my life but you ruined it." 

"I don't regret doing it." He said, making me scoff. 

"You are supposed to be mine, Kimberly" He said, making my heart react. 

"But I am not. And I will never be." I said. 

He stared at me silently. 

"Bye for now." I said, turning to leave. 

"Can they stay with me for more than a week?" He asked, stopping me on my track. 

"Excuse me?" I asked, looking at him. 

"I presume you will need more than just a week to spend with your fiance." He said. 

Anger washed me. 

I scoffed internally. 

I walked back to him. "You know, for someone who said they love someone, you do know how to show it by giving up easily in fighting to get back that love." 

He furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?" 

I scoffed. "Forget it. Go fuck yourself." I said, turning towards the door. 

But Darlyn walked in, stopping me on my track. 

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the husband thief." 

Did she just call me a husband thief?