The next time I opened my eyes, Tory was watching me.
I looked around, checking for that one familiar face of a man, but he was not around, which made me heave a sigh of relief.
“Hey, you are awake. Are you hungry?” Tory rose from her seat when she noticed me sitting on the bed.
Then, she crossed the small living area to the mini-pantry and started rummaging through the mini-fridge inside my room.
“Your ex brought a lot of stuff. Enough to feed an army.” She announced, ticked off in her fingers the food on the fridge.
“You name it, and it’s here. All I have to do is reheat whatever you fancy.” Then, she closed the fridge.
“I don’t know.” My nostrils twitched after taking a whiff of what was inside the refrigerator and not finding any of the aroma to my liking.
My stomach started to churn.
In haste, I grabbed the IV drip’s handle and ran to the restroo
“Until you get the clear go. The doctor will see you this afternoon. If there’s nothing, she said that she will issue your discharge order tomorrow.” My brother’s voice pulled me back from following Caleb’s movements.I watched as Caleb rose from the chair he was sitting on to hurriedly open the door, closing it right after he stepped out.“Why can’t I go now? I feel fine.” I flexed my muscles to prove my point.Adam, on the other hand, wore a dubious look on his face.Caleb reentered the room carrying a stack of soda crackers in his arms. I watched how he placed them on the table before opening a pack and put the contents on a smalll plate to hand them to me.“Better safe than sorry.”I heard Adam’s reply even when my hands were busy connecting with the plate Caleb was holding.In my eagerness, I almost snatched the plate from his hands. I was so hungry. The sight of the crackers had me salivating in no time.“Easy,” Caleb said when I grabbed a cracker with my thumb and forefinge
Caleb’s POVI wanted to hit someone.My hands clenched into tight fists while I padded through the hospital corridor. I had to leave Cassy’s suite, or else I may be constrained to punch someone in the face.That doctor was all over her, and he brought her balloons and flowers.Hah!I am not blind. I knew the b*stard likes my ex-wife. And not just that, my ex-wife had the gall to smile at him and exchange kisses. In fact, she had smiles for everyone except me.Me, she wanted to throw out.I remembered how she made a fuss about kicking me out of her room. If I had not talked to her parents earlier, I think her brother would do as she wished and thrown me out.I was just glad that the older Burkes understood our situation and were willing to meet me halfway. But Cassy’s proving to me the obstinate one. With their intervention, I was able to stay with Cassy at this time.She’s not showing yet, but her pregnancy completely altered her temperament. She was a wild one.I smiled at the me
I shot Amanda a curious glance, surprised by the subtle change in her demeanor.It was unusual for her to act this way. From the little I know of her, Amanda was always about fun and socializing.She was the love “em and leave ‘em type. She was not the one to freeze into place at the mention of an old lover.Unless,“Why did you break up with Adam?” I asked after I concluded my conversation with Adam Burke.He called to inform me that the doctor had already given Cassy the clearance and would be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.At first, Amanda tried to feign ignorance of the man, feeding all the curious bones in my body.But her body language tells me otherwise.“Are you still in love with Adam Burke?”Amanda looked stricken upon hearing my reprisal. I saw the indecision on her face until finally, she replied,“That’s a taboo topic. Please, don’t mention his name again.”Her reply made me more curious.“Did you fight? Or was it because of the promise we made to Margaret bef
Adam’s scowl confronted me after I loosened my hold on Amanda and stepped back.“This is not what you think it is.” I tried to explain, but Adam already walked past me.Then, he stopped and turned his head around.Our eyes met. I saw anger flashing in Adam's eyes, but I was glad he did not make a scene.“Just make sure you commit to your words. Our parents are generous enough to let you be a part of Cassy’s pregnancy, but one wrong move, and I will do anything in my power to keep you off my sister’s back.”My jaws clenched.“Cassy is here?” Amanda asked to break the awkward silence after Adam Burke left.“Yeah.” I nodded. Amanda squeezed my arm. “You better go to her then.”I agreed because Adam’s threat still plays in my head. I had this crazy notion that he would take Cassy away the minute he got the chance, and I could not let him have that. With a little wave, Amanda turned around and walked away from me. I watched her walk unsteadily. I knew she was not fine, but she was a br
Caleb’s POVWhile I watched Cassy asleep, I called one of my friends with whom I arranged to do something for me.It had been at the back of my head for days now, and talking to Amanda made things easier for me.Seeing her reaction right outside the doctor’s office when she saw Adam Burke, everything had been crystal clear to me at that moment.“Any update on my request?”My lawyer friend Greg Davis laughed at the anxiousness in my tone. Well, I could not blame him for being amused.I have a very unusual request.“Come on, Greg. I am serious. What happened to my divorce record? Did you manage to settle it?”There was a pause, and the wait was killing me.I need to know right away so I can make another plan. I flexed my fingers when I heard Greg's snicker on the other line. I let it pass, ignoring the veiled sarcasm.“I could never understand you. Why divorce your wife when you are going to steal your divorce record later? And what if our accomplice snitched on us? You know how money
Caleb’s POVI don't know what came over me as I strode out of Cassy's room as if in a daze.My hand connected to my phone, and I started pressing numbers as dread swept over me.“St. John Hospital, how may I help you?”“I want to know the exact time Cassy Burke checked out and who fetched her." I barked on the phone.Startled, the girl on the other line nervously tried to explain.“I am sorry, I can not provide the information you seek. We at St. John Hospital value our client's privacy. We are not allowed to give away vital information regarding them." She stammered.Maybe she could sense the authority in my voice and did not want to get herself into trouble.“Do you know who I am?” I asked as I pressed the down button.The elevator is taking time to arrive, adding to my frustration.“Uhm no sir. I-a-am sorry.” The stammer was back.
Cassy’s POV“You should be resting.”I was startled when Tony broke into my thoughts.I did not realize that he had followed me here. “I just came back from hospital confinement where all I did was rest. Besides, I am resting.” I replied, glancing at him before pulling my gaze back to return my focus to the sea beyond.The waves lapping at the beach mesmerized me. The way it pulls in and back as it kisses the sand on the beach creates a relaxing rhythm for me.Tony joined me. He sat on the towel I laid out to sit on, the skin of our arms touching, but neither one of us spoke. We simply enjoyed each other's company and the silence, the breeze, and the waves serving as our background. I sat with my arms wrapped around my bent-up knee, looking to the sea and beyond.“Are you sad?”“Why would I?” I shot back too quickly like I was afraid the facade I kept holding on to would collapse any minute.“Come on kid. We have been friends for years. You can not fool me.”He nudged me with hi
Cassy POVThe next morning, I heard a commotion from outside, prompting me to wake up. There was a shouting match, and the mention of my name forced me out of bed. I hurriedly padded through the floor and went to the window, drawing the drapes back to get a glimpse outside.My eyes widened when I saw my ex-husband calling out for me. He looked unkempt, unlike the usual pristinely groomed Caleb Kingston I know. “Cassy. I know you are here. Please, let us talk.” Desperation filled his voice. Adam’s friends held him back. There were four men, including my brother, and he was only one. I was surprised he came in alone. With his money and connections, I think he could have mobilized an army to face my brother’s wrath. But he didn’t.I sighed. Caleb Kingston could be stupid sometimes. Didn’t he realize that he was outnumbered? What if Adam's restraint slipped? Caleb would be black and blue after Adam was done with him. “Cassy. Please, let us talk!” “Will you cut it? I told you C
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.