Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Annabelle's POV

The next morning at 10 o'clock, Mr. Campbell and I left Chicago's central business district or "The Loop" where I was staying at Hyatt Palace Chicago, and drove to West Englewood where my step-family lived.

As we approached their small dilapidated, shabby house where they lived, I was struck by the poverty-stricken neighborhood. I had heard of the crimes in this area. Mr. Campbell told me that it was considered one of the most dangerous places to stay in all of Chicago. I was shocked. How did my stepmother and her children live here?

We knocked at the rickety main door and a boy around 10 years of age opened it wide. He had beautiful green eyes and brown hair just like mine. His clothes were shabby and dirty and he looked too thin for his age. I looked at him and felt a tug in my heart. He looked as if he was my own brother.

"Hello son, I'm Henry Campbell, please call your mother," said Mr. Campbell to the boy and he nodded and went inside.

A small petite woman about 7-8 years older than me came out wiping her hands on a torn apron. She had doe-like chocolate brown eyes which reflected kindness. Her straight black hair was tied in a messy bun. There were crinkles around her eyes indicating the hardships that she faced. A small girl of around 5 years of age hid behind her mother and peeped at me. Her green eyes looked exactly like mine while her jet black hair was just like her mother's.

"Hello Mr. Campbell, I am Margaret Carter, second wife of the late Mr. Joseph Carter," She said in a trembling voice. Then looking at me with wide eyes she asked timidly, "Are you, Annabelle?"

"Yes," I said, looking and smiling at her and the children. They seemed nice, helpless, and genuine people. I was suddenly glad that I had found a family to call my own. I liked them since they didn't at all seem like what I had imagined them to be.

"Please sit," she said, indicating an old shabby sofa in a corner. We sat, and she got us water.

"Thank you," I said, accepting it. Margaret asked her children to play outside.

After the children left, Margaret let out a huge sigh.

Mr. Campbell excused himself and went out to take a phone call.

"Believe me, Annabelle, I didn't want to claim any of your father's properties, but I have been evicted from here due to lack of payment, and since I lost my last job as a waitress, I didn't know where to go with the kids. I just wanted a roof over our heads. Just allow me to stay till I get a hold over my financial conditions," She spoke softly.

"This is a very bad neighborhood but this was all I could afford. I want to move away from here. I don't want my children to grow up into criminals. So I thought of shifting to New Jersey and getting a respectable job but I can't afford the rent there. I hope you understand," she tried to explain herself to me.

I felt bad for her. She must have undergone a lot of hardships while I had a life with all luxuries. Had my dad been alive, I was sure he would have provided a better life for them.

"I do understand Margaret. How did you meet my dad? Why didn't he tell me?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I met your father after your grandfather's death. He used to come daily to the casino and bar where I worked. He spent his entire inheritance away at the casino, and at the bar on booze, and took random women with him to hotels," she informed me.

"I was 20 and coming from a broken family and as such, I had never associated with someone as refined as your father. He was very good to me. He was 36, way above my league but every day chatting with him while serving him, I got to know him very well. It made me get very close to him. We fell in love and he proposed marriage to me. He left all his bad habits and took up a job at a transport company. He talked about you and wanted to apologize to you for his behavior but he didn't get the courage to do so," she went on and I listened intently.

A tear slipped from my eyes. Margaret rushed to hug me. I hugged her back.

"I'm so sorry Anna. I wanted all of us to live together as a family. Maybe if your father would have been alive, he would have talked to you and convinced you to live with us," She said with eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Mr. Campbell came in and cleared his throat to get our attention.

"So what have you decided Annabelle?" Mr. Campbell asked in a serious tone.

"I want to transfer the ownership of the mansion in Princeton to Margaret. Please get the papers ready Mr. Campbell," I said as Margaret nodded her head.

"No, no Anna. I don't want ownership. Just let me stay till I settle down with a job. I can't maintain the upkeep," She said.

"Please Margaret, let me do this for my siblings. If dad would have been alive, you would have been living there already. He wouldn't want his children to live like this. You don't have to maintain it. There's a trust fund for maintaining the mansion. But if you wish to sell it and shift to a smaller place, you're most welcome. You can keep the money from the sale too. It's completely up to you," I convinced her.

"Thank you, Anna. I'm so glad to have met you. I was tired of struggling all alone," Margaret said.

"You're not alone anymore. We're family. We'll be there for one another. I'll complete the formalities as soon as possible and you can shift. I have a dance institute there. I'll send you the details. You can join us. We will see what job we can arrange for you," I told her, and Margaret's eyes shone with happiness.

"Thank you, Anna. I'm forever indebted to you, for your kindness," she said, with a genuine smile on her face.

"So am I. I never thought I would have a family to call my own, siblings of my own. I'm glad that I met you, Margaret," I said.

"Alright Anna, I'll complete the formalities as soon as possible. Let me now drop you off at the hotel. I have some work to take care of, " said Mr. Campbell, taking his leave.

Margaret and I exchanged phone numbers. We hugged each other. I kissed my siblings, Donald and Diana, after introducing myself and then left promising to meet them soon.