Cassy POVThat night, we put the kids to bed.“Goodnight kids,” Caleb said, tucking them into bed, but Oakley was fast.She grabbed Caleb’s hands and pulled him to the wooden bench at the bottom of the window.Next, she took a picture book from her bag and ran to her father, placing the book in his waiting hands.“You wanted me to read you a story?”“Uhuh!” She nodded before tucking her little body on her father’s left side.Caleb groaned. Throughout the dinner, he kept whispering to me how he was anticipating the alone time, but Oakley was making him wait.I laughed, prompting Caleb to tug at my hand and make me sit beside him.“Caleb!” I shrieked, but Caleb only wrapped his free arm around my waist to pull me to his side.Joachim, on the other hand, sat on his sister’s side, listening while his hands were busy twisting his Rubix cube.Then, he started reading.“Once upon a time, in a land far, far, away….” He droned on.Every time Caleb had to turn a page, he would nudge me because
Cassy POVRing!Ring!Ring!The noise coming from my phone woke me up. Wearily, my hands groped the nightstand and groaned when my muscles creaked in protest.I felt like a truck had run over me.The call persisted, and when the tip of my fingers touched my phone, I latched on it quickly to place it on my ear.“Hellow!” I croaked.“Mommy! It’s Oakley. We have been banging on your door endlessly, but it won’t open. What is wrong? Where are you and Daddy?” I heard the panic in her voice, quickly brushing the haze of sleep. Brushing back the strands of hair that fell into a curtain covering my face, I glanced at the bedside table to check the time. My eyes grew wide in panic when I noticed the time.“Caleb! Wake up!” I nudged him none-too-gently as I shoved the comforter away from my body.I swung my legs over the bed, my feet reaching the floor where they landed on my house slippers. I slipped them on and hastily ran into the bathroom to shower and change.Caleb has just woken up. He
Cassy POVThe kids were still in their pajamas, so I took them to their room to shower and change.One of the nannies Caleb hired when we moved in helped me. When Oakley and Joachim emerged from the bathroom in their matching terry-cloth robes.They raced in my direction, embracing each of my legs when they reached me.I pat them dry, working on rubbing their fragile skins gently.I let them choose what to wear. Oakley chose a white Charlotte dress with a floweret at the waist. She partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot that looks good on her.Joachim, on the other hand, chose a formal vest suit in white and navy. He also partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot for boys that matches what his sister wore.I sat Oakley on my lap and started braiding her hair to create a crown on her head.After I finished with her hair, Oaks quickly ran to our room with Wax. I followed them.When we reached the door, I opened it to find Caleb looking dapper in smart casuals. Oakley pranced around hi
Cassy POVI looked in Tory’s direction to confirm. She only nodded shyly before looking down, but not before I saw the usual sadness I gleaned from her eyes when she looked at Tony every time she knew he was not looking.It was pathetic.My friend looked vulnerable, like any moment she would snap, but then the production coordinator clapped his hand to get our attention.When Tory snapped her head back, she was all smiles. It made me think that the desolation I saw flashed before her eyes was just a figment of my mind.I shook my head.I could not be mistaken.Tory and I have been friends since we were young, and apart from that brief moment when she dropped out of school when we were sixteen, we had been inseparable.“Ms. Brent, Mrs. Kingston?” The coordinator led us outside the house.It took me by surprise when I found that our gazebo had been transformed into a magical place.So, this is where Caleb chose to do the interview. It was a good choice. I nodded in my head my silent app
Cassy POVI squeezed his hand to tell him that I appreciated the honesty. All the while Tory gazed at us, a soft expression laced her face.Caleb lifted my hand and kissed it.Tory looked away; her expression was one of wistfulness.I followed the direction her eyes went, and I found her gazing at Tony and the children.A wistful smile lingered on her face as she focused her glazed eyes on them.I do not know what Tory thinks while watching Joachim and Oakley interact with Tony.The kids maintain a wonderful relationship with Tony being their godfather. He was also patient with them and truly liked them.Then, I caught Tory gripping her hands together. I don't know what was on her mind, but I decided my best friend and I needed to have a heart-to-heart talk now. She was hurting, and knowing she had no one to back her up made me want to hug her tight.Tory had been estranged from her parents since she returned from her unannounced vacation to Canada when we were sixteen. She lived of
Cassy POV“Let’s talk,” I told her and saw the color drain from Tory’s face.“Cassy…”“Don’t Cassy me. I had been trying to keep my distance, respecting your privacy. I can not force you to share your secrets with me, but I could see you hurting. I have to step in.”Tory looked down. I can not pin her with my gaze. But before she concealed her face from me, I was able to see the swirling emotions in her eyes.Her body stiffened, and it was like she was erecting a wall to surround her – shielding her from my hawk-like eyes.I gazed at the top of her head, trying to get into her.Tory had to snap out of that perfect shell she surrounded herself with. She had to cry.“You are my best friend, Tory, and seeing you hurting wanted me to scratch Tony’s eyes. I knew he was the reason for the pain you were carrying over your shoulder for years, and I want you to let it out.“I won’t judge. I won’t criticize. I am only here to listen, and if you need to cry, then you can use my shoulder.” I t
Cassy POV“So, I tried tracking her down. My father put her up for adoption. Even when I was still pregnant with her, my father kept harping about her existence tarnishing his name. He wanted me to abort the baby.“He said he was giving me a clean slate to start over with my life.A baby would only complicate my life.How can I take care of the baby when I was just a child myself?“But I could not do it. That is my baby.“I told him I aborted the baby and went somewhere far away. But my father tracked me down. I was due to give birth when he found out.“When I gave birth, they induced me to sleep. And when I woke up, my father said the baby died a few minutes after it was born. He then presented me with a lifeless child, but I did not believe him. My child was not dead. It couldn’t be dead.”Tory stared off into space.My heart went out to her.She looked lifeless.I remembered that night eight years ago, and something clicked in my brain. “When was her birthday?”“Third of November
Cassy POVCaleb winced. He noted the venom in my eyes and took my hand.“I am not your enemy. Why are you shooting me down?”It was my turn to look contrite. “I am sorry.” I turned my head to the second-floor landing and saw Tony standing there, hands in his front pockets, staring at me.“Why you!”I marched up to him, hands clenched into fists.Stopping short when I got near him, I raised my fists to pommel into his chest.I was so enraged.“You good-for-nothing a*sh*le! You’re selfish! Ruthless!” I hurled every derogatory w
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.