SOPHIA'S POV

The nerve of this woman. I can't believe she'd show up here after what she.....

I could feel anger flowing through my veins like lava as I thought of the fact that the woman who ruined my marriage is here, sitting so comfortably before me. I wished I could bash her head against the wall but for the sake of the kids. I'll keep my cool.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't contain my emotions. I can feel my face forming into a scrowl.

I believe Lucas caught it because he moved closer to Ava. In a bid to annoy me I know.

"I am famished. You don't mind if I join you. Do you?"

"Of course not. Go ahead. What are friends for?"

I clenched my fist under the table, my nails causing my palms to bleed. What I'm feeling right now goes beyond hatred, beyond anger.

This is still my home and Ava or whoever she is, is a stranger. What right does she have to come in here and ignore me; like I ain't here.

"Ava darling, how has it been with you?" Lucas asked.

"I've had better days. Wow! This pasta tastes really delicious and it tastes quite different from the way it used to. Did you get a new cook?"

"You can say that." Lucas said glancing towards me.

My nose flared as I stared at Lucas. I can't believe he's talking down on me in presence of this woman and even the kids. I willed my hands to stop shaking as I struggled to control my anger.

Looking straight into my eyes, Ava opened her mouth, letting the food slowly fall out of her mouth.

"I suddenly lost my appetite." she said.

My eyes hardened and narrowed into slits on seeing her actions. I was beyond mad but I kept myself in control. I won't loose to her.

"Ava," I called between clenched teeth. Trying hard to steady my voice.

"Sophia!" She exclaimed like she just noticed me. "You're back? Surprising! I thought you'd be gone for good." She said with raised brows.

I could tell she was trying to piss me off.

I gave a light mocking chuckle. "Well I'm here. Alive and kicking. I am married to Lucas after all. I wouldn't leave my home for just anyone to take over. I hear it's what in vogue now. Singles going around seducing and ruining people's homes."

I saw her jaw tense up. Exactly the reaction I wanted. I smirked.

"I see you're here for Lucas. I'll take the kids and leave you two. Kids?" I said stretching my hands towards them.

Aiden and Claire looked at their dad hesitantly. As if asking for permission. It made my skin crawl. I am their mother for crying out loud. But who would blame them. I did abandon them for three whole years.

"It's alright children. You can go with her."

"Wait! I've got gifts for you two." she opened her bag and brought out two wrapped boxes. "Here have this."

The kids reluctantly took the gifts from her and muttered a thank you.

I lead the kids upstairs thinking I finally get an opportunity to talk to them but their next move shocked me.

"We'll just go to our room." they said and left.

They left? They left me standing there alone. I bit down on my lip hard to stop me from crying. I am not weak. I will not shed a tear. I will win them back.

Lucas' POV

I would be lying if I said I wasn't pissed. I was upset. Not because Ava came. She's my best friend, she had every right to be here but her timing was wrong.

We were all complete at the table having dinner. For some reason it made me feel warm. The familiar feeling of having them all around the table gave me an excited feeling.

"Really Lucas?" Ava said jolting me back to reality.

I turned to face her and if I wasn't mistaken, the look on her face was that of anger and betrayal.

"What?" I asked a bit confused.

"She's back? When did you plan to tell me?"

"I didn't know I had to tell you."

"You didn't.... So you're back together?"

"No! Hell no! Look, it came as a surprise to me too. It's not like I enjoy her being here but there's nothing I can do. She showed up unexpectedly with her lawyer and.....

"You don't enjoy her being here? You want me to believe that?"

"It's the truth. I won't lie to you."

"But some minutes ago you were all having dinner together like one big happy family laughing and having fun. You can't tell me you weren't enjoying it."

Okay, she was crossing the line. I don't get why she is acting like this.

"Look Ava, I get that as my best friend, you are concerned and worried about me but don't you think you're overreacting?"

"Over-Overreacting? You think I'm... You know what? It's fine. You do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when she hurts you again." .she said pouting with arms akimbo.

I reached out to her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I'll be fine Ava. I won't be that stupid to give her that chance. The truth is, I only let her stay to see how far she can go. She threatened to take my kids away from me."

"She did? She's got some balls."

"I tell ya. She'd be joking to think that after what she did to me, I'd just let her come and take my kids away. Hell no! She doesn't know what's coming to her."

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Nothing for now. I'll just watch her. Let her play her card."

After about an hour, Ava's phone rang and she had to leave. She said something about having a photoshoot.

I sent the kids to their room and I was going to retire for the night when Tony, my secretary came in with my phone.

"I'm so sorry to disturb you sir but it's urgent."

"Who is it?"

"Lee's construction...

"Is something wrong with the merger plan?"

"He didn't say. He asked to speak directly with you."

"Hand it over."

I collected the phone from him and dismissed him with a wave of hand.

"Hello." I said into the phone.

Just as he began to speak, I heard light footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked up and saw Sophia.

I suddenly couldn't hear what Mr Lee was saying. Why did it seem she was climbing down the stairs in slow motion? What is this feeling in my chest?

I tried speaking but my throat suddenly dried up. What in the world is going on?

She climbed down and was walking past me. My reflex instantly kicked in. I held her arm.

"You don't ignore me in my house." I said suddenly feeling angry.

SOPHIA'S POV

I turned over, my eyes scarcely open. My bed was awry now, the perfectly organized pads tumbled to the floor. I could feel one of my last cushions wavering at the edge, and I bumped it over with my foot.

My eyelids shined pink, making it difficult to return to rest. The haze of the neon lights above frequently kept me conscious, yet I never rested without them on.

I looked over at my open PC. Yawning, I pulled myself up and swung my feet onto the floor. The hardwood was super cold.

A bang sounded behind me. I turned my head with perfect timing to see one of my photographs clack to the floor. I stood by, tuning in. The remainder of the house hushed up.

I had fallen asleep? I tried to put my thoughts together when my phone rang. It was Thomas calling.

"Sophia! Where aren't you answering your calls? Do you know how worried I was?"

"I'm sorry Thomas. I slept off."

"Oh!" he said sighing in relief. "I thought something had happened to you."

"I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine. Tell me what happened."

"I'm just.... It's only been one day and I feel so frustrated. It's harder than I thought. I don't think I can do this."

"Is this really you? The Sophia I know wouldn't give up so easily."

"The kids don't even want to come close to me."

"Surely you didn't expect them to just accept you just like that. It'll take time. You were away for quite a long time."

"You don't understand....

"I get you. Just remember you're doing this for your children. That alone should keep you going."

I took in a lung full of air and relaxed. He was right. I have to be strong if I want to win against Lucas. I shouldn't let his tactics get to me.

"You're right. Thank you Thomas."

I ended the call. Looking, at the screen I saw twelve missed calls all from him. He sure was worried.

I fell back on the bed and looked at the picture that had fallen earlier. It was a picture of my Aiden and Claire covered in mud. I smiled as I recalled that day.

*Flaskback*

"Mommy, mommy. Let's play outside." Claire said pulling my dress.

"We can't honey. It raining."

"But that only makes it more fun." Aiden concurred.

"You'll get a cold." I said.

"We won't. I promise we're really strong. Please oh please." they sang into my ears.

Who would dare say no to these cute little fellas.

"Okay but just for thirty minutes. Okay?"

"Okay!"they chorused.

"So what do you wanna do?"

"Plant!"

"Yes, yes. I love to plant." Claire agreed

"But you can't plant in the rain."

"Yes we can." they echoed in unison. Come, mom let's go. "

"Huh? You want me to go with you?"

They nodded looking at me with puppy eyes.

"Oh fine. But go change into older clothes and put on your rain boots while I go get us some towels to dry ourselves"

Long story short, we did not end up planting a thing. Rather we stepped in the little puddles made by the rain splashed muddy water on each other. We played tag and football too. The pure joy the exhumed gave me a great deal of satisfaction.

It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I did not want to forget it in a hurry so I captured those moments with my camera.

*Present*

As I recalled the moments spent with my boys, tears welled up inside me and flowed down my cheeks. I squeezed my eyelids shut hoping it'll stop the tears from falling so fast. I really missed my kids.

Holding on to the pillow beside me, I let out soft shaky breaths to steady my emotions. This isn't the time to cry. It hurts, yes but if I let my emotions rule me, I might loose to Lucas. I have to pull myself together. I will win. I must win.