CHAPTER 3: A New Beginning
Four years. It's incredible how much can change in such a short time. As I pushed the shopping cart down the supermarket aisle, I couldn't help but marvel at the little boy sitting in it, his cowboy hat slightly askew on his head.
"Mommy, don't forget the cookies!" Leo chirped, his big brown eyes sparkling excitedly as he consulted the crumpled paper. "It's right here on my list, see?"
I leaned over, pretending to study his 'list' - a colorful scribble of crayon marks that only a mother could decipher. "Oh, of course! How could I forget the most important item?" I said, tapping his nose playfully.
Leo giggled, the sound warming my heart in a way I never thought possible before he came into my life. He was my miracle, my second chance at happiness after everything.
As we turned the corner, a familiar voice called out. "Natalia! Leo!"
I saw Anna Collins, my best friend, and Leo's godmother, hurrying towards us. Leo's face lit up at the sight of her.
"Godmother!" he exclaimed, stretching his arms for a hug.
Anna scooped him up, peppering his face with kisses. "There's my favorite little cowboy! Are you helping your mom with the shopping?"
As they chatted animatedly, I felt gratitude wash over me. Despite the physical distance between us over the past few years, Anna remained a constant support source. Our frequent video calls had kept our friendship strong, and she knew everything about our life abroad - the struggles, the triumphs, and most importantly, every adorable thing Leo had ever done.
"I was just about to call you," Anna said, turning to me with a grin. "How about we finish here and head to that new restaurant downtown? My treat!"
I hesitated, glancing at Leo. "Are you sure? We don't want to impose..."
Anna waved away my concerns. "Nonsense! It's not every day I get to spoil my two favorite people."
With Anna's help, we quickly finished our shopping and headed to the restaurant. However, when we arrived, we were disappointed. A wealthy patron had booked the entire place.
"Well, that's a shame," Anna sighed. "Let me get the car, and we'll find somewhere else."
As Anna walked away, I stood with Leo near the entrance, taking in the elegant facade of the restaurant. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a man stepped out.
My breath caught in my throat. He was quickly the most handsome man I'd ever seen, dressed impeccably in a black suit accentuating his tall, lean frame. But it wasn't just his looks that captivated me - the aura of power and confidence that seemed to radiate from him. His expression was cold, almost frosty, but something was magnetic about his presence.
I wasn't the only one who noticed him. Leo tugged on my hand, whispering loudly, "Mommy, look! That man is so handsome!"
I quickly shushed him, mortified that the stranger might have heard. But the man didn't even glance our way. He strode purposefully towards a waiting car, his face a mask of indifference.
A moment later, a young woman burst out of the restaurant, tears streaming down her face. "Wait!" she cried out, chasing after the man. "Please, just give me a chance to explain!"
The man paused, turning to face her with an expression of icy disdain. "I believe I made myself clear," he said, his voice low and controlled. "Do not attempt to contact me again."
With that, he got into his car and drove away, leaving the woman sobbing on the sidewalk.
I sympathized with her, realizing she must have arranged this meeting under pretenses, only to be coldly rejected. It was a harsh reminder of the world I had left behind - a world of power plays and ruthless ambition.
Anna returned with the car, and as we drove away, I found my thoughts drifting back to four years ago. I had been so lost, so broken after discovering my pregnancy. My initial reaction had been to abort the child, erase all evidence of that night, and move on with my life.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans. When the doctor informed me of my rare blood type and the risks associated with future pregnancies, I realized this might be my only chance at motherhood. It was as if the universe was giving me a sign, a reason to hope again.
So, I decided to leave everything behind. I went abroad, ostensibly to care for my mother and complete my studies. But in reality, I was running away—from the betrayal, from the pain, from the life that had been stolen from me.
Giving birth to Leo was the most terrifying and beautiful experience of my life. The moment I held him in my arms, I knew I would do anything to protect him, to give him the love and security I had been denied.
For three years, we lived a quiet life abroad. I finished my degree, worked as a radio host, and devoted myself to raising Leo. We were happy, or at least, I thought we were.
But then came the diagnosis that shattered our peaceful existence: leukemia. My beautiful, vibrant little boy was sick, and I felt my world crumbling around me once again.
That's when I knew we had to return home. Dr. Edward Hale, a renowned specialist in childhood leukemia, was our best hope. And so, here we were, back in the city I had sworn never to return to, fighting for my son's life.
As we pulled up to the hospital, I felt a familiar knot of anxiety in my stomach. I hated leaving Leo here, but I knew it was necessary for his treatment.
"Mommy, do I have to stay?" Leo asked, his lower lip trembling slightly as we walked into the pediatric ward.
I knelt in front of him, cupping his face in my hands. "Just for a little while, sweetheart. The doctors need to run some tests to help you get better. But I'll be right here, okay? I'm not going anywhere."
He nodded bravely, and I felt my heart swell with pride—my little warrior, so strong in the face of something no child should endure.
As I watched the nurses settle Leo into his room, I couldn't help but think about the long road ahead. The treatment would be expensive, far more than my savings could cover. But I would find a way. I had to.
And it wasn't just about the money. In this city filled with painful memories, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. It was time to reclaim what rightfully belonged to me and my mother - the company my grandfather had built, the legacy that had been stolen from us.
I thought of my father, Alex, Felix, and all the people who betrayed and underestimated me. They thought they had broken me, but they had no idea how strong I had become.
For Leo's sake and my own, I would fight. I would take back what was mine and build a future where my son could thrive, free from the shadows of the past.
As I sat by Leo's bedside, holding his tiny hand in mine, I made a silent vow. No matter what it took, no matter who I had to face, I would give my son the life he deserved. And in doing so, I would reclaim the life that had been taken from me.
The road ahead would be difficult, filled with challenges I couldn't imagine. But as I looked at Leo's peaceful sleeping face, I knew every struggle would be worth it.
This was our new beginning, and I was ready to face whatever came our way.