Cassy POVThe pounding sounds on the door resonated in my head like drums beaten by unskilled drummers.Dug!Dug!Dug!“Mommy! Daddy! Open the door!”Coupled with the shrill cries of our daughter, they ricocheted into my ears, creating a banging noise that made my head hurt.“Ugh! It’s Oakley!” I mumbled groggily, arms reaching for the pillow to cover my ears from the blaring sound outside our door.I turned to my side, head under the pillow, when I felt strong arms snaked through my waist to pull me to a man’s body, Caleb’s body.We snuggled together amidst the riot outside our room until Mrs. West intervened. She coaxed the kids to leave with her.“But we are going to be late for school.”I heard Oakley protesting in a loud voice.“Your Mommy and Daddy came in late last night. Let them rest. Roger will take you to school.” Mrs. West soothed the kids in her gentle voice.It worked because I heard the fading sound of their footsteps.Finally, there was some peace.I scooted closer t
Cassy POVSince it was lunchtime, Caleb and I treated the kids out.We passed by the lobby and instantly got the attention of employees and non-employees alike in our little parade.There was a collective gasp when they noticed the children with us.As usual, Caleb carried Oaks in his arms while he held my hand using his other hand.I, in turn, used my free hand to hold my son's little hand as we moved along the large reception area.Oakley waved at anyone who dared to stare, and they often rewarded her with an enthusiastic wave back and doting smiles.Others gushed at her cute expressions, commenting on how charming she looked while her brother walked stoically by my side.At the car, the kids ignored us and got busy when Wax brought out the Rubik’s cube his father gave him last month for Valentine's.While they were busy tinkling with the cube, Caleb maneuvered the car out of the parking lot, and in no time, we were cruising along the highway.Sometimes, I would hear Oaks singing a
Cassy POV“I meant it just as you heard it.” Caleb’s mother replied with a haughty glare in my direction.The challenge in her voice was unmistakable.She was in for a fight.I expected as much. Caleb's mother would not allow anyone to upstage her. She always has to win every argument.I have known Mrs. Kingston for a long time. She is a proud woman, set on her ways, and her opinions are always resolute.I learned early on that she rarely changed her mind about a person or something. Once she makes an opinion, no one can change it for her.So many times in the past, I tried reaching out to her to smooth our relationship, but she spurned my attempts until I came to a point where I did not care anymore. It's useless.We were eyeing each other contemptuously when I heard Caleb calling out from outside.“Sweetheart, what is taking you and the kids long?”I watched the expression on Mrs. Kingston's face change from anger to surprise at the sight of her son.I, on the other hand, felt t
Cassy POVCaleb did not follow us when the kids and I walked out. He remained where he was, piercing his mother with an angry glare.I wanted to call him to follow us. Call me crazy, but at the back of my head, I also wanted to see how he was going to defend us from the nasty accusations his mother hurled ruthlessly at us.Walking the narrow corridor, Caleb and his mother's voices reverberated to my ears. They were now engaged in a shouting match.“Son, divorce that b*tch.”“You better stop this nonsense if you do not want me to forget that you are my mother.”“I won't stop until I shake you off your delusions. That woman does not love you. She was only using you. How dare she foist her children on you.”It hurts to hear her false accusations. But I was glad to know that Caleb was on our side.“If you want proof, my lawyer has the DNA test result. He will get in touch with you later.”This revelation shocked the h*ll out of me!He submits the kids to a DNA test without informing m
Caleb POVHorror filled my face when I processed her words in my head.Then, my head swayed from side to side in disagreement.“Not that, Cassy. I had been so used to having you and the kids around. I could go on every day without you by my side. I can’t be without you.”I could hea
Caleb POVCassy’s upper body lifted.She then turned her head over her shoulder to check on me.“Why are you crying?”“I am happy.”She twisted her body to turn around. We were now facing each other.Then, she wiped my tears using the tips of her fingers. She was doing it so tenderly and meticulously that I had to sigh when she retracted her hands and put them to her sides.“You are becoming a crybaby.”She told me after a while.“Yeah. I can’t help it.” I said, agreeing with her.At the same time, I was wiping my face with the back of my hand.Again, Cassy turned her back on me. She pulled my arms to hug her from behind.“Rest. We have an early day tomorrow.” She told me before settling in my arms and burrowing the back of her head in the crook of my neck.Accidentally, I took a whiff and smelled her fragrant hair. The scent calmed me, knowing she was not going anywhere and was resting by my side.I heard her snoring softly and knew that she had fallen asleep.As for me, sleep elu
Caleb POVWhen Cassy realized what our daughter was crying about, the expression on her face was priceless!It had gone from one of shock – her eyes growing wide - before a full-blown smile wreathed her beautiful but eye-puffy face.Then, she burst out laughing and dropped to the bed, rolling.Cassy was cl
Caleb POVAfter the children got down from their high, Oakley turned to me.I raised my brow, silently inquiring what the problem was.Oakley walked toward me on her knees. When she reached me, she felt my forehead to check my temperature.The smile was gone from her face, replaced by a worried frown."Doctor first! You are sick Daddy." Was her verdict.She sounded so firm that I could imagine her when she grew up – looking so much like her mother.Cassy, on the other hand, was filled with concern when she noted Oakley’s words.She inched closer to reach my forehead to che
Sigh. Have you ever felt that you have to go but cannot make that first step? That is how I feel today. Cassy and Caleb’s story has ended, yet I feel sad at the thought of saying goodbye. I started this story December 2023, and since then, it has brought me so many firsts: * First book with more than 200 chapters, * First book with 200k+ words, * First book with a banner promotion, * First book with highest reads at 70.2k to date, and * First highest-grossing book. This book wouldn’t reach those milestones if it weren’t for you. So, on this page let me thank some of the people who left their marks in my book: First is my editor Lyra Pinter. Thank you for the patience, support and tips you provided to make this book where it is at the moment. Also for GoodNovel. This platform gave me the opportunity to reach out to more audience. Thank you for the gems Chi, Lean Cantara. Jennifer Gonzales, Lhyn, Susan, Yolly Villanueva, Maria Theresa Sant
Cassy POVCaleb spun me around in excitement, and I squealed in delight. When the children noticed what we were doing, they abandoned the toys scattered in the playpen to run toward us. “What’s happening?” Oakley asked.From the background, I could hear my mom tell her. “You and Joachim will have a baby brother or a sister soon.” “Oh!” Oakley sounded surprised.By this time, Caleb had already put me down, and I was watching the enraptured emotion on my little girl’s face. A grin worked its way to her face, making her more beautiful in my eyes. She took her brother’s hand excitedly. “We are going to have a baby! Yay! I am going to be a big sister!” Oakley and Joachim jumped at the news. They were clapping, and so were everyone around us. Even Rosalie Kingston Pierre looked at us with a wistful smile. Greg and James, Caleb’s friends, proposed a toast.“Congratulations on the baby!” They both shouted and tapped their glasses with spoons.It created tinkling sounds that gave off
Cassy POVDuring the party, I could feel that something was bothering Caleb. It's not that I was suspecting him of anything. It was more like I was just puzzled at the antsy behavior. From time to time, he would leave me to talk on the phone, and my lips formed a straight line in displeasure. I am sure it was business, but can’t he postpone business for a while to enjoy the children’s party?“You look lonely, babe. Where is your husband?” Reynold approached me when he noticed I was standing alone in the corner, watching the event while my husband was out of sight. Caleb just stepped out of the room, purportedly to answer Gordon’s call, and it is honestly pi*sing me off. I shrugged my shoulders and looked murderous. The day began magnificently. Caleb and I rose before dawn and tiptoed our way to the twins' bedroom to spruce it up with birthday decor. We wanted to surprise the twins, and we did!The smile on their faces was priceless. Caleb and I could not contain our tears whe
Caleb POVWe started milling around, stopping by some tables to talk to some parents. From the happiness wreathed on the children’s faces, I could see that everyone was having a good time. My two best friends arrived, and I immediately snaked an arm around Cassy’s waist when I noticed Greg smiling at her. I still hadn’t forgotten what he told me before - that he had a crush on my wife. Cassy was surprised but did not remove my arms around her waist while we talked to my best friends. This alone made me shoot Greg a gloating look. If I didn’t need them for my proposal later, I wouldn’t have invited them, especially Greg, but they are the only people I could rely on.A crowd gathered around us, and my two best friends entertained them, allowing Cassy and I to extricate ourselves from the circle to welcome Adam and Cassy’s friends as they trickled in one by one. Martin Crest, Cole Higgs, and John Collins came in one after the other, bearing boxes of gifts for the twins. When Joach
Caleb POVWarmth filled my heart as I listened to Oakley divulge their wish for everyone to hear.My chest felt stuffy when I learned that their wish was me.Even though they did not know me or had no idea about me, my kids longed for me like I longed for them the past years.“I am happy, too,” I responded before grabbing them to kiss the top of their heads.Oakley climbed into my lap. Her little hand started caressing my face.“Thank you, Daddy! I love you!” Oakley declared.My shoulders started to shake. I don’t know what I did before to deserve these children, but I was so happy.“I love you, too, Oakley. You, Mommy and Joachim, are Daddy’s treasures.” I admitted and realized that my voice sounded guttural, even to my ears.I looked at Cassy and saw her smiling through her tears.I don’t think I will ever
Cassy POVDays passed by quickly, and before we knew it, it was already the kids' birthday.“Shhh!”Caleb said when I giggled because, for the first time, it was us barging in on them, not the other way around.The kids were still sleeping soundly.Oakley slept with her arms spread wide. She had kicked off her blanket to the foot of her bed.On the other bed, Joachim slept on his side, facing the wall.“I could not believe they were four years old.” I gushed.Caleb walked to the bed holding the cake we ordered at Felicity&rsq
Cassy POVUnfortunately, thechildren’splan to spend the weekend with their grandparents did not materialize because Mom and Dad told me they were leaving the next day.“Why? Thekids’birthday is only days away?”I could not hide the disappointment in my voice.The children look forward to having the family on their big day. They
Cassy POVI watched my parents, and the happiness radiating on their faces was enough to put a smile on my face.“Now, we can eat,” Oakley interjected.Her declaration broke my embracing parents apart.“Sorry, my little darling!” Mom said awkwardly, chucking Oakley on the chin.Oakley giggled and ran to the dinner table with Joachim in tow.The elder Burkes followed them and helped them with their seats while Caleb and I looked on with smiles painted on our faces.Then, I nudged him. “Tell me, how did Dad manage to order the flower arrangement this fast?&rd
Cassy POVThe children giggled, but they didn’t protest. They wallowed in the attention Mom gave them.“Come on, grandma, let’s eat,” Oakley said after a while. She scooted to the edge of the bed, her feet dangling.Dad took her little hands to hold her while she slid down the bed and her feet connected to the floor.“Wax, let’s go!” Oakley turned around and beckoned for her brother to do the same.Joachim followed Oakley. Dad helped him, too.They both ran to the door, trying to open it. They both jumped, hands touching the knob, but since they were not tall enough, they could not turn the knob open.