One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 67: We are no longer a family!

~~~There was a time, I packed my dreams away, living in a shell, hiding from myself. There was a time when I was so afraid. But baby that was then, I am made of more than my yesterdays. This is my now and I am breathing in the moment. As I look around, I can't believe the love I see. My fears behind me, gone are the shadows and doubt, that was then, this is my now.~~~

-Jordin Sparks-

"I still am, why do you ask?"

"Hmm... because I saw your reaction when you learned that Luke was joining us for breakfast. And--- I saw you talking to him in the pool area." "Jack, it's not what you think---"

"Hep! Whatever it is, I'm in no position to stop you, but let me just remind you, dear Samantha, I mean, Samantha version 2.0 of your promise to yourself that you will never look back on what you've been through. You said you've already moved on and had no feelings for your husband."

"Ex-husband!"

"Fine, ex-husband--- ex-lover--- ex-bastard or whatever you want to call him, Samantha I just hope you don't forget that promise."

"Jackeline, I wasn't forgetting what I said and just for your peace of mind, he tried to talk to me but I refused. And yes, I already moved on and what has happened in the past, I make sure it won't affect me anymore."

"Okay." She said with a shrug. "I was just reminding you again. Luke was one of the things in the past that you should never reminisce or look back. You now have a new life..." She paused and smiled at me before she continued. ". love and the one who has shown you your importance."

"Yeah, I know and don't worry, I may not be able to avoid seeing Luke or talking to him, but my heart doesn't belong to him anymore."

I smiled at her as a sign of reassurance.

I have decided to stay in San Francisco for a month and Jack will be the one to supervise our business in New York with the help of our assistants. She let me stay so I could be with my daughter and have moments together.

But when I thought staying in San Francisco was a good idea, well, I was wrong. I have no idea that by staying, my patience, my goal and beliefs about moving on would be tested again.

And that test will start...

Today...

I woke up at 7:00 in the morning to help our maids and my mother prepare breakfast, the most important meal of the day.

and love life. A man who deserves your

While having breakfast with my parents and my brother, I noticed the smile that hadn't left my daughter's face, but I chose to ignore it and continued to eat. But as soon as I finished, she dragged me into the living room and asked me if we could go to the mall as she wanted to watch a children's movie and buy some toys.

And since for me it was just a simple wish, I agreed and went with her to the mall.

"Mommy, can we go to the ladies room first?" Cali asked me as soon as we entered the entrance.

"Sure, baby."

she knew my weakness, so I have no choice but to wait for her at the door. She took almost 10 minutes inside the

done, mommy, let's

you so long?" I

inside

myself, nodding. "So what

mommy before we go to the

okay. I'm sorry I forgot about

her hand with a frozen design. "Hmm... I think I want to have some pizza, burger and sundaes, mommy." "Alright, we can have that all, baby but are you sure you can eat all

Daddy always brings me burgers and sundaes every time he comes

soon as that question left my mouth. What do I care if he brought anyone

the fast-food restaurant, I noticed she kept looking at her wristwatch but what shocked me was

Is that a cellphone ringing?" I asked, pointing to

it is, mommy?" She nodded, giving me an awkward smile as she took the phone out of her

think someone is calling as it keeps

that phone, Cali and where did

gave me

was from

to

didn't you tell

tell you, mommy." She answered, avoiding my

forgot to tell me or you really didn't

told me not to tell you that he

He told you not to tell me, but why did he

gave me a

from me?

dad,

with

what he wants, I'll just go to the counter to order

my daughter and saw her on the phone and based on her facial reactions, she

may I know

I'm sorry..." I turned to the smiling lady behind the counter, but before I could even speak for my orders, someone one

please give us three large fries, one bacon cheddar burger, one mushroom swiss burger and please give us extra toppings of cheese and caramelized onions, three pineapple juice and a cup of chocolate sundaes---" (and he added smiling ) "...

with my mouth open as he expressed his

you want?" He asked me with an extra sweet

"What are you

listed on their menu and the lady is waiting for

a choice. "I'm sorry, Miss, just give me one cream cheese and garlic flame

take my wallet but Luke has already passed his

our orders are for dine-in,