THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECOND CHANCE

FIVE

Tara Coleman

Two months later

Two months passed after I moved to Paris, France, to start a new life away from the chaos. Life was tough to adjust to at first, but I got used to the new city and the way of life. My pregnancy was growing as well and I was just excited I couldn't wait to meet my child.

I opened up a small cosmetic business that was slowly picking up, but I couldn't just run away from the fact that I missed my family, especially my mother and I always fought the urge to call her a few days after settling in. I wanted to call her and tell her I was safe and sound but every time I took my phone to call my Mom, I would break down and not go forward with the call. I didn't know what to tell her, especially after we had just spoken and had a mother-daughter moment before I ran away without telling her. I needed to make sure that Mark wasn't able to find me and I knew he would use my mother to get to me and he would demand to be in our child's life.

I wanted a fresh start, and that is what I got. I even started a small cosmetic shop that kept me busy as I sent my resume to several companies for a job.

I had already jumpstarted my healing journey, but every time I went online and saw how happy Mark looked, my heart churned, and I wondered if he even regretted what he did to me. He seemed happy in every photo of him on social media, signing deals, winning awards, and trending for being the youngest billionaire under forty, even on Forbes.

To be honest, I was quite jealous that he got to live his life and enjoy every moment despite what he did to me. It was like he moved on much faster than I had anticipated.

That evening after work, I decided I was going to call my parents and let them know I was safe and sound. There was no point in punishing my parents for something they didn't do. I drove to my apartment, made dinner, and got ready for bed.

I contemplated so much whether it was the right move to call my mom, but after thinking through it, I decided to call her. Her phone rang several times before she finally picked it up. I was nervous at first, but as soon as her voice came through, memories and guilt surged through.

"Hello?" Her voice rang in my head like she was next to me; it was like a dream to me, but when her voice came through again, I exhaled sharply before summoning enough courage to talk to her.

"Mom? It's me, Tara." I whispered, and I heard her gasp on the other end. It was like she wasn't expecting to hear from me; I would be shocked as well.

"Tara? What the hell? Are you okay?" She blabbed, and I chuckled, typical worried mom.

"Yes, Mom, I am sorry I left so suddenly and I couldn't call you sooner. I am so sorry, but I needed a break after what happened."

"I understand, but you had me and my father worried. He has paid a lot of PIs to look for you but to no avail. Where are you? I want to see you."

"I am very far away, Mom, and I am sorry, but I can't tell you where I am at the moment. I know Mark will use you to get to me, and I don't want him to be any part of my life."

"I understand that part, but I'm not Mark, and neither is your father. You can't keep punishing us and pushing us away for something we didn't do."

"I know, Mom, I wasn't supposed to call either, but I missed you and I wanted to hear your voice. Tell Dad that I will call him when I'm ready, and I will visit you guys, but I need some personal time right now, more than anything."

"Are you okay? Do you need money? I know you are probably in a new city with no money and no one around to help you. Let me in, honey; let us help you." She begged, and I hated the fact that I made her worry so much about me.

"I am okay, Mom. I was working, and I saved enough to cover my expenses here. I am looking for a job at the moment, and I believe I will get one soon. I just wanted to check up on you and see how you are holding up. Say hi to Dad, Lydia, and Cara. I miss them so much, but I need this time and space to think." I countered, and she hummed in response.

"Stay safe, baby, and call your father, please. He is sick and worried about you." She begged, and I nodded absent-mindedly. I knew I caused my parents a lot of pain when I left, but it was for the best; it was the only way I could skip town without Mark hiring his goons to track me down, especially after finding out that I was carrying his child.

"I will, Mom, but I have to go; I have an incoming call." I hang up, trying to avoid a lengthy conversation with her that I knew would end up with one of us sobbing or crying our eyes out.

I was emotional while talking to my mother, and that's when I noticed I couldn't cope in Paris and be in touch with my family; I needed to move on, and I could do that if my past kept catching up with me.

My life was officially over—a total cluster f**k—and I was even ashamed to say I was married to the love of my life, Mark Coleman.

I mean, how could I fail to notice the closeness between Mia and Mark? How dumb was I not to see how she was always speaking highly of him, singing his praises, and always taking his side?

As I slid between the sheets and tried to catch some sleep, I held my stomach and marveled at the moment. I was carrying a child that was going to keep me company, a reminder that patience pays. I couldn't wait to meet him and give him the kind of life he deserved.

I was feeling drowsy, so I closed my eyes and let sleep surge through, but the shilling sound of my ringtone woke me up. I checked the caller, and it was a new number. I hit the receiving button and sighed deeply as I waited for the caller to speak.

"Miss Tara?" A female voice came through, and I sighed.

"Yes?" I replied with a composed voice, and she cleared her throat nervously.

"I am sorry to call you so late into the night, I was supposed to call you before the end of the day but I had so much work that it slipped through my mind. My boss would kill me if he knew what I just did; that's why I called."

"Okay, who is this?"

"This is Brinnah, I am calling about the job you applied for a week ago. I am pleased to inform you that you are among the few selected for the interview tomorrow at 10 a.m." She replied and I swear, I almost jumped out of bed excitedly. I was in ecstasy and thrilled at the same time but I knew I had to compose myself.

"Thank you for calling Brinnah. I appreciate your call and the fact that my application was considered."

"You are welcome, I know I shouldn't be telling you this but I overheard my boss speaking and they were discussing you, You got the job, Miss Tara, This interview is just for formalities. Goodnight and you didn't hear this from me." She whispered before she hung up and I smiled, mouthing a short prayer before sliding back into my warm-awaiting comforter.

As I slept through that night, I was excited about where life was taking me. I was now sure of a job and the only thing that I needed to do was concentrate on work and build up my career. As long as my family knew I was alive and safe, I needed to stay as far away from home as possible, far away from Mark and his accomplice, Mia.

Just like my therapist said, "To move on, you need to let go of the past and focus on the present as you hope for the future."

My unborn baby was my future, while my career was my present, Everything that happened in my life was for a reason, and for that, I made up my mind to do everything in my power to make sure that I gave my child the kind of life that he deserved, the best life.