"I'll make you something to eat," Tyrson said, kissing her forehead before disappearing into the kitchen.

Meryl looked around the apartment, admiring the sparkling cleanliness of the place. It was as if no one had ever touched anything before.

She continued to explore the apartment, looking in each room. Everything was perfect, from the furniture to the decorations.

Even the artwork on the walls was exquisite. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she took it all in.

Meryl's eyes widened as she pushed open a door and found herself in a bedroom. There, on the wall, was a large portrait of Joanna.

She looked around the room, and everything she saw reminded her of the years she and Tyrson had spent together, happy and in love.

Then she saw it: a family portrait of the three of them, taken on Joanna's fourth birthday. Meryl's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at it.

The image of the three of them, together and smiling, was so painful to see. She reached out and touched the frame, Meryl's fingers traced the faces in the portrait, lingering on Joanna's smiling face.

She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

But then, she noticed something else. There was a small photograph on the nightstand. She picked it up and saw that it was a picture of her and Joanna, taken not long before Joanna's death.

They were both laughing and smiling, and she could feel her heart breaking all over again.

"I miss her," she said out loud, her voice breaking. "I miss her so much."

The more Meryl looked at the photo, the more she saw the resemblance between Joanna and Michelle. They had the same eyes, the same smile. It was uncanny.

And as she thought about how Tyrson must have felt all these years, living with the memories of Joanna, she felt a wave of guilt wash over her.

She had accused him of something so terrible, and he had been innocent all along.

She knew she had to tell him about Michelle. He deserved to know the truth.

"Meryl!" Tyrson called out, walking through the house. He couldn't find her anywhere, and he was starting to get worried. He checked all the rooms, but there was no sign of her.

Just as he was about to give up, he heard a sobbing coming from the bedroom.

He rushed to the door and pushed it open, and there was Meryl, sitting on the bed with tears streaming down her face.

He rushed to her side, his heart breaking at the sight of her in so much pain.

"Meryl, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of concern,"I love you"

Meryl's words were like a shock to his system. "You...you love me?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion. He couldn't believe his ears. This was the last thing he had expected her to say.

She sniffled and looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. "I love you, Griffin," she said again, this time with more confidence. "I love you more than I can ever say."

He cast a quick glance over her shoulder, and his eyes fell on everything, their memories. He signed heavily, his thoughts turning to the past, before pulling her close and kissing her hair.

He looked at her and smiled, a soft, gentle smile that made her heart skip a beat. "I love you too," he said, his voice gentle and warm. Then he added, in a playful tone, "But I love you more, Channel."

She blushed, not sure how to respond. She wanted to say something witty and clever, but her mind was blank. Instead, she just smiled at him, her cheeks turning pink.

He leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. "You're adorable," he whispered, making her shiver.

She spoke up, her voice halting and unsure. "I... I have something to tell you," she said, her words faltering.

He looked at her expectantly, his brow furrowed in concern.

As he was about to ask her what was on her mind, he remembered that the food he had prepared would go cold if they didn't eat it soon.

"Let's eat first," he said, a gentle smile on his face. "I'll be here to listen after."

  He guided her to the table, pulling out a chair for her and settling her into it. she tried to relax and focus on the present moment.

He reached for a soup bowl and carefully ladled some hot broth into it, placing it in front of her. Then he sat down next to her, turning to look at her with a gentle smile.

"Can you take me somewhere after we finish here?" she signed, and he smiled.

"Sure! Where would you like to go?" he asked.

"That's a secret," she replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"C'mon, you can't just leave me hanging like that!" he said, feigning exasperation. "You have to give me at least a hint!"

*****

"What do you mean?" Julia asked, her voice tense as she stared at Ludovic.

"You heard me," Ludovic replied. "Meryl has a child with Tyrson."

Julia's laughter was manic and unsettling. "You mean my Tyrson has a child with Meryl? Well, the good news I have is that she's dead!" Julia smirked, and Ludovic's eyes widened. He laughed out loud, but there was no humor in it.

"Died you say? She is alive and breathing. Meryl was pregnant with Tyrson's child when she left him" he said

"What? Are you saying she's still alive?" Julia asked, her voice trembling. "I thought she was dead!"

"It's been four years now, and the girl is four years old," he said, and Julia's eyes grew wide with shock and anger.

Tyrson would never want her now that he had a daughter, and Julia knew she couldn't have children. Meryl already had a child with him, and that was the final blow.

"No no!" Julia exclaimed, anger and frustration in her voice. Tyrson would never choose her now that he has a daughter of his own! And she can't conceive, and he knows that, while Meryl already has a child with him.

She screamed in frustration, and angrily knocked a flower vase off the table. It shattered on the floor.

Ludovic watched, his face impassive as he puffed on his cigar.

He knew how to manipulate the situation to his advantage, and he had judged that Julia was foolish enough to play along.

"Meryl has to tell Tyrson about the child, before that you still have a chance with him. Otherwise, you'll never have a place in his life.'" Ludovic smiled, his expression both cruel and cunning.

Julia's sobs began to subside, and her expression turned cunning. A wicked smile spread across her face as she realized she still had a chance.

"You mean I have to get rid of the child?" Julia laughed, a dark and sinister sound. She looked at Ludovic, who smiled slyly.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked, picking up a glass of wine.

"It's simple," he replied. "I want Meryl, and you want Tyrson."

She raised the glass in a mock toast. "To us getting what we want," she said, taking a sip.

Their glasses clinked together, and they both drank from their cups. For Julia, nothing would stand in the way of her getting what she wanted, not even murder.

If Michelle had to die so that Julia could have Tyrson, then so be it. She would stop at nothing to make him hers.

******

Julia looked down at the picture of Michelle she was holding, a cruel smile spreading across her face. "It's a pity you have to pay for your mother's sins," she said to the picture. "You'll be seeing your sister soon."

She lit a match and set the picture on fire, dropping it to the ground and stomping on it.

As she got into her car, she put on a face mask and a baseball cap, her features hidden from view.

She revved the engine and drove off, her mind filled with dark thoughts. As she drove, she plotted her next move.

Michelle had to pay for taking what was hers - Tyrson. She would make sure of it, no matter what it took.

The ends would justify the means, and she would do whatever it took to get what she wanted. Nothing could stand in her way.

******

"We're here!" Meryl exclaimed as Tyrson pulled over at Winter Springs Park. Tyrson raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?" he asked.

Meryl gave him a quick kiss, then wiped the lipstick from his lips. "You'll be meeting her soon," she said with a nervous smile.

She had no idea how both the daughter and father would react once they found out they were related. She could only hope for the best.

"Who is it?" Tyrson asked, curiosity piqued. Meryl looked out the window, and saw Michelle jogging toward the throng of students rushing out to meet their parents.

"There she is!" Meryl muttered, opening the door and stepping out of the car. Tyrson followed suit, still not seeing who Meryl was referring to.

"Mom!" Michelle screamed when she spotted her mother, her face lighting up with joy. Meryl waved her over, but just as she was about to walk toward her, Tyrson pulled her back.

As a car came hurtling toward Michelle, Tyrson dashed forward with speed. He could tell that something was terribly wrong.

"Michelle!" Meryl screamed as the car bore down on her daughter. Tyrson was just fast enough to snatch her out of harm's way, but they were both knocked aside by the vehicle's momentum.

Michelle landed on her back and was knocked unconscious.

"My child!" Meryl wailed as the car sped off. She rushed to Michelle's side, oblivious to Tyrson, who was nursing a bleeding forehead from the collision.

"Wake up, Michelle!" Meryl sobbed, cradling the unconscious girl in her arms. Tyrson looked on in shock, not understanding what was happening.

Had she just called the girl her child?

"Tyrson, please do something!" Meryl pleaded. "Our child is dying!"

Tyrson felt as if the world was crashing down around him. His head was spinning with questions. What did she mean by "our child"? What was going on?

Tbc