Chapter Twenty
Five years later.
JESSICA'S POV ~
Gazing through the tinted windows of the black SUV, I observed the passing scenery through the dark shades and a hoodie that concealed my features. FIVE good long years had gone by, since I discovered that I had transmigrated into the body of a young girl who had committed suicide.
Her parents had briefed me on the cause of her death, explaining how her sex tapes had been leaked. Unable to bear the blow and criticism from the internet, she had ended her life. Sylvia had been a famous A-list model, known by everyone in the country. I still couldn't believe I was now in her body.
I felt a mix of emotions—weird, uncomfortable, yet somehow at peace. Why? Because I was going to kill two birds with one stone.
Sylvia came from a strong wealthy background, providing me with the resources I needed to seek my revenge.
What more could I ask for?
"Miss, should we park here or continue?" my driver asked, interrupting my thoughts. I turned to face him, then glanced at the convoy of cars following us before looking away.
"You can move forward. I'll take it from there," I replied. He nodded respectfully, and the car began to move again.
Although, my gaze was fixated on the passing people and the beautiful streetlights, my thoughts were consumed by revenge.
I wondered what my babies would look like. Would they resemble me or Keagan? My jaw clenched at the thought of Emma raising them, and pain spiked through my heart as I wondered how much they had grown. How I had missed five years of their developmental years. Had Emma told them horrible things about me through the years? Had they grown to hate the mystery woman Jessica Stone? Do they even know who I was? Goddess, I shouldn't have taken a whole five years before returning to them.
But those five years weren't in vain.
Over the years, I had become even more famous, securing numerous ambassadorial deals and garnering the admiration of many companies. With the support of the couple who had adopted me after discovering I wasn't Sylvia but another girl inhabiting their daughter's body, my influence had only grown stronger.
To my surprise, they had welcomed me with open arms, although they had cried more than I had expected. Every year, I visited Sylvia's grave, assuring her that I would fight for both of us—her battle and mine. She wouldn't die in vain.
The car gradually came to a halt at the location I had instructed the driver to stop. I took hold of the fresh red roses that Sylvia had loved, as told by her parents, clutching them tightly in my hands. Making sure the hoodie still covered my face, I opened the car's door and alighted.
Several of my bodyguards lined up to follow me, but I stopped them with a wave of my hand.
"I need to go alone. Wait here; there's somewhere else I need to go after this place," I instructed.
The head guard gave me a reluctant look, knowing he was heavily paid to protect me and stay by my side.
"But ma'am—" he began to protest.
"That's it," I ordered, cutting him off. I stormed off into the distance, disappearing into the crowd of people on the street.
There was a small house on the edge of town that Sylvia's parents had bought and named after her. They had filled an empty coffin with her belongings and laid it to rest in the house where she had resided whenever she visited this part of town.
Following the map's directions, I made my way toward the house, ignoring the curious glances from the neighbors.
The bungalow stood before me, shrouded in an unsettling silence that hung heavy in the air.
Cautiously scanning the surroundings, I unlocked the large gate looming in front of me before venturing into the vast compound.
My heart pounded in my chest as I proceeded, my footsteps echoing through the desolate garden. The bungalow's dark windows peered at me like empty eye sockets, sending a shiver down my spine.
Upon reaching the door, I noticed the thumb encryption lock, its sleek surface glinting in the dim light. My fingers trembled as I pressed my thumb against the cool metal, watching as it scanned my print and released the lock with a soft beep.
The door slowly opened, revealing a darkened interior. I hesitated for a moment before turning on the flashlight on my cell phone and began making my way into the house.
My hands groped for the light switch, and as soon as I found it, I flicked it on. Shit! I exclaimed as my heart jerked at the sight of a large white coffin in the middle of the room, its empty space hauntingly still. Several beautiful framed photos of Sylvia surrounded the coffin. Each time I entered this place, goosebumps would line my skin, an involuntary response to the eerie atmosphere.
I had always wanted to know who had leaked Sylvia's sex tapes and the people she had been involved with. I needed to uncover her entire story, but my investigation was progressing slowly because I had invested most of my time in growing her fame and searching for my own children.
"I'm back, Sylvia, like always," I murmured, my heels clicking on the tiles as I approached the coffin. Gently placing the fresh roses on top, I slowly stroked its smooth surface. "I'm trying, I assure you. I promise to help bring justice, but please guide me from wherever you are. I can't do this alone." My voice wavered, fighting back the tears threatening to spill. "I'll leave now. Rest in peace."
As I turned to leave, a loud clattering noise echoed in the room. My heart jumped and I spun around to see one of vases of flowers in pieces on the floor. A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn't dare investigate further.
Hurrying to the door, I locked it and bid my goodbye, returning to the waiting convoy.
~
"Where would you like to go next, ma'am?" the head guard inquired.
I slowly slid back into the car, taking a moment to collect myself before releasing a deep sigh.
"I'll input the location on the GPS. Just follow it," I said. He nodded before shutting my door.
The head guard signaled to the rest of the guards, who proceeded to their respective cars as we prepared to depart.
Following the GPS directions, the car screeched to a halt at a familiar location. A sudden tightness gripped my chest, and I realized I was tightly gripping the car seat, my clenched fists trembling.
"Are you alright, miss?" the driver asked, concern lacing his voice. It was then that I noticed how hard I was grinding my teeth.
"I'm fine!" I snapped, forcefully pushing open the car door and marching out.
My bodyguards hurried to follow, but I signaled for them to stay put.
I couldn't understand why I was shaking, my eyes burning, and my breathing turning ragged. Before me stood the mansion that had turned my life into a living hell.
Laughter rang through the compound, and my ears twitched in frustration as I struggled to identify its source. Though I had lost track of Keagan's activities and I don't even care! I desperately sought information about my children and their welfare.
Strangely, Keagan never allowed them into the public eye—perhaps for their safety or perhaps not.
Ever since I had transmigrated into Sylvia's body, I noticed remarkable changes. I was faster and stronger, possessing the abilities of an Alpha wolf, with sharp hearing and extreme rapid healing. No longer the pathetic Omega begging for attention, I now commanded the attention of others. My eyes grew cold as I focused my wolf's senses on the laughter, straining to hear the voices.
My breath caught when I finally heard them—two children laughing, followed by Keagan's boisterous laughter and then Emma's. My shoulders slumped, and it felt as though my heart had dropped into my stomach.
No!
Those were my children! Not hers! Not Emma's! MINE!
My feet moved of their own accord toward the mansion's large gates, prepared to barge in, ready to punch Keagan in the face if necessary to reclaim my children or to unleash my pain upon Emma.
I just wanted my babies!
But a furious snarl ripped out of my lungs when I felt a hand grip my arm. Spinning around with deadly intent, I found my head guard, his face frozen in shock.
"Let go of me!" I hissed and he gulped, slowly releasing my arm.
"Ma'am, please... Your parents would like to speak with you. She's on the phone," he informed me, taking several cautious steps backward.
Sylvia had always been known as an unruly child—short-tempered, rash, proud, and self-reliant, never cowering from anyone. A quintessential Alpha Female, even her security guards had learned to be wary around her.
"Fine! Don't ever put your hands on me. Ever fucking again!" I ordered, knowing how much she despised physical contact from anyone who wasn't close to her.
The head guard nodded, and I returned to the SUV, where the driver handed me the phone.
"Hi, Mom," I said, answering the call.
"Sylvia, my dear child, what are you trying to do? The head guard says you're in front of the mansion! Have you forgotten our deal? You can't afford to screw this up. Be patient!" Lydia chastised. A nerve ticked in my jaw, and I shot a scathing glare at the head guard, who quickly averted his gaze.
Sliding into the SUV and shutting the door, I signaled for the driver to excuse me. Once he left, I groaned into the phone.
"Mom, I want them! I can't believe I could hear their voices after so many years apart. They are so close to me, yet there’s a wall keeping me from my babies. I feel like I'm going insane." My voice cracked on the last word, a whirlwind of emotions consuming me. I pulled in a deep breath to regain control.
"I know, child, but you need to give it some time. Besides, who would believe that you're Jessica? Nobody. Not the kids, not Keagan, not the witch who stole your life away. Perhaps she might, but don't you think she'd strike again? Let me share a secret. To get these precious babies back, you must go through Keagan. You need to grow your fan base and your net worth, my dear. Plan meticulously, and watch as the kids come back to you."
For several moments, I was silent, heaving as if I had run a marathon. My knuckles turned white around the phone but I still held on. Thoughts of destroying Emma and bringing Keagan to his knees swirled through my mind.
"Sylvia, are you there?" Lydia asked, concern creeping into her voice.
My eyes glazed over. "Of course, Mother," I replied, throwing my head back against the car seat and staring at the roof with a cold smirk. "It's time to plot their downfall. They'll all feel the wrath of a woman scorned."