Mrs. Turner planned the entire event, even down to the invitees. Once it was time, the guests were seated. They didn't invite everyone, they invited only top businessmen and women, people of noble backgrounds. Most of their business partners were also invited, and the event was held in a very expensive hotel. Mrs. Turner dressed up so elegantly, her pride could be seen as strongly as her joy could be felt. Edwin wasn't interested in the event or even engaging Hannah. Somewhere he had hoped Jessica would show up. At least he would be able to gauge her reaction when she saw him with another woman. But alas, she wasn't invited at all. His mother didn't find her a worthy companion.
The entire event was covered live on TV. When he heard that, he relaxed a little. At least if she wasn't going to attend, she could watch it. Edwin wasn't going to allow any sentiment to ruin his plans for the evening.
After the introductory speech, Edwin invited Hannah up the stage and proposed to her before everyone. Hannah's smile was so wide that it was evident how happy she was. Edwin gave a small smile that made her heart flutter.
***
It was time for the hourly news. Jessica wasn't all that much interested in watching the TV. But when Gabby asked if she wasn't going to watch, she decided to go ahead and watch. After all, the more she did that, the more her kids learned the importance of watching the daily news. She turned on the TV. It was right at the scene where Edwin was introduced and he climbed up the stage.
Jessica sat down, staring at the scene before her. Gabby had heard the name so he knew that the man was their father. Abby was also staring at Hannah. She loved the dress Hannah wore. It made her look like royalty and Abby was imagining herself in the dress.
Jessica wore a pained expression on her face. She never knew her deeply felt emotion was visible on her face. She remembered the entire event. How much she had been in love with Edwin. Edwin had told her so many sweet words and promised her a whole lot. They spent a lot of time together, making each other happy. She smiled sadly. It was really heartbreaking when she walked in on them talking about her. How he had made a bet to sleep with her. She was very heartbroken. She felt used and useless even. Sniffing slightly, she refocused on the event being displayed on the scene.
Gabby turned from the screen to Jessica's face. He could see her pained expression. He turned back to the TV, frowning at his father and the woman he was engaged to.
Abby sighed. "She's so pretty mom! Look at her dress!"
Abby's words only pricked Jessica's heart further. She felt her eyes water a little. She didn't want to cry before her kids. Gabby noticed this as well. He scowled at Abby who was still fangirling over Hannah.
"She's not pretty at all!" Gabby snorted. "Mom is way prettier."
"Huh?!" Abby demanded. She turned to glare at Gabby but she found him glaring at her as well. "She is pretty."
"Mom is prettier!" Gabby said emphatically. Abby stared at him, then at Jessica. She noticed Jessica was almost crying. She turned back to the screen. Just then, there was a clear view of Edwin's face. Abby frowned a little. The man looked exactly like her and her brother.
Was he the father Gabby had talked about before? If he was, why was he marrying someone else? Did not love their mom anymore? Why was mommy crying? Did she still love him?
They sat there in uncomfortable silence, watching the event unfold. Neither was willing to leave at all. Gabby could feel his mother's pain, and somewhere he also felt angry at his father. Abby was just quiet because her mother was sad.
When it was over, she turned off the TV and went to sleep. The twins followed her to her room. They lay on either side of her like they used to do in old times. Jessica refused to shed tears before the children. She didn't want them to worry about her.
Abby brushed her mother's hair with her hand, encouraging her softly. Gabby was rubbing her back as well.
"Mom, don't be sad. You remember you always told us to never give up." Abby said. "You also shouldn't give up. Mom, you are very strong."
"You are our hero," Gabby added.
"Yeah, mom. You are our hero." Abby repeated. "We love you okay?"
Jessica nodded. She hugged them closer. After a while, they slept off. She carried them one after the other to their room. She wanted to inculcate in them the habit of sleeping alone. When she put Abby to sleep, the little girl grabbed her hand in her sleep.
"Keep fighting mom, don't stop. You are strong." She muttered. "Keep fighting… for… jus… tice." She trailed off as she went deeper into her sleep. Jessica paused in her movements. Keep fighting? How could she keep fighting?
She returned to her bed, alone. She curled herself into a ball, hugging her pillow. Gradually, her eyes began to release the water that was stored up. Jessica began to sob very quietly. Her heart broke again and again. Every time she remembered the way Edwin had spoken to Hannah or the way she had smiled victoriously as if they were already married. Her heart would leap again, and a great set of tears would flow down her cheeks.
For hours, she sobbed into her pillow, wetting it. Gradually, she found herself falling asleep. And although she slept, she could still feel the heartache clawing at her, even in her sleep. Yet despite her pain, she bowed to have her revenge. She wasn't going to allow the pain she felt to prevent her from having her revenge on Edwin and the people involved as well.