Natalie Jackson;
I watched my husband laughing so hard with my elder sister.
What pained me more was seeing how well he got along with her.
Franklin Howard had never laughed like this with me before, and here he was, laughing loudly with my elder sister in the living room.
Amelia Jackson was my elder sister. We had the same father but different mothers.
My mother was once my father's mistress, and because I was the unwanted child, my family didn't like me.
I had three older brothers, James, Asher, and Felix, all doting on Amelia.
Amelia and I were the same age, but she was only a month older than me, so that made her my elder sister.
We were both fair-skinned, but while she was tall, I was short and chubby.
Frank is a billionaire in this part of the city, and he never liked me, his wife.
It was all a mistake that led to Frank and my marriage. A mistake that I shouldn't have accepted.
Taking you back three years ago, my father and Frank's father were best friends. And while my father had a business party at home, he invited many tycoons.
One thing led to another, and Frank and I were caught in my room.
I knew Amelia was the one who set us up, but no one believed me. Even Frank didn't believe me. He felt I was the one who drugged him and lured him to my room so that he would sleep with me.
We were forced to become a couple to hide the embarrassment, as Frank's family was also disappointed. Everyone knew I was my father's illegitimate daughter, and they would be wondering why my father had kept me instead of kicking me out and allowing Amelia to marry Frank.
It was after my wedding with Frank that I discovered Amelia had a hidden crush on Frank. She regretted drugging my drink, which was what I had served Frank when he came to speak to me on that eventful night.
Many invitees had also come with their adult children, but none of them came to speak to me.
I was already 22 years old then, naive, and with Frank and I caught in a compromising position on the bed, we got married while Amelia wept that Frank was supposed to be her husband.
Frank didn't like me. After that night, we didn't sleep with each other, and I didn't conceive either, even though it was my first time.
We were living like neighbors who hated each other, and now that Amelia had graduated, Frank wanted to divorce me to marry her.
How shameless of a sister to want to date her younger sister's husband!
Amelia is so shameless. Frank is five years older than me. As I'm 25 years old now, he's 30 years old.
I watched as Frank, wearing a white singlet that revealed his masculine abs (he loved to gym), was fair-skinned and more handsome than any other man I had seen.
His skin glittered like the sun, and I saw how Amelia was drooling over him.
Frank is very tall. His arms are big, and so are his thighs. I am not even up to Frank's chest, to tell you, I'm a shorty. Although, I have an hourglass shape.
Frank doesn't find me attractive in any way.
"How were your studies, Amy?" I heard Frank asking Amelia. He had switched from calling her Amelia to Amy, her short abbreviated name.
Amelia blushed as she picked up the glass cup of fruit juice that Frank had refilled, while I sat at the dining table setting up our dinner.
We have no maid at home, simply because Frank mandated that I wouldn't be going to work since I didn't have any meaningful certificate.
As my parents' illegitimate child, I didn't further my education, and I was forced by my stepmother to learn tailoring, while Amelia went to university and became a certified accountant.
I wasn't even allowed to sew, as Frank felt it was a useless profession to become a fashion designer.
He calls me ugly and says that I wasn't fashionable.
He doesn't like to take me out to hang out with his friends. Neither does he give me money for upkeep.
I only managed to get money for my upkeep when he gave me money to restock the house with foodstuffs. Only then did I manage to save money for my personal use.
"It was fine, Frankie," Amelia replied.
I hated how Amelia and my husband were calling each other pet names.
This was my matrimonial home, and Frank only called me "Natalie!"
In short, he shouted my name with so much rage, like he didn't want to see me.
"Natalie! Is dinner ready?" Franklin asked me, as he settled across from Amelia on the next black couch in our exquisite living room.
I had finished preparing the delicious African delicacy of pounded yam and vegetable soup.
I looked at the food that I had prepared and at my husband and my half-sister.
"Natalie! I am talking to you!" Frank shouted at me again.
"Hmm, no food for you both," I replied and covered the food that I had already served.
Firstly, I didn't invite Amelia to my home. Neither will I serve her any food. She should get out and return to our father's house and look for her own husband to call pet names with.
Frank immediately rose from the couch and dashed up to meet me.
"Where are you taking the tray of food? Have you lost your mind?" Frank slapped me as he approached me and took the tray from my hand.
I looked at him irritably and at Amelia, who smiled and rolled her eyes, as I knew her target. She wanted to take my husband.
She sent me a text message the previous month, telling me that she was coming back to take everything that I had stolen from her, including my husband.
"Frank, why did you slap me? I cooked this food, and you cannot eat it?" I said, holding my cheek as tears rolled up in my eyes.
"Why? Did I not give you the money you used to prepare the meal? Did you work for the money? Move away and get me a bowl of water to wash my hands, and don't think that I will apologize to you for the slap. Come, Amy, don't mind your sister. That's how silly she behaves," Frank called out for Amelia, and I watched as she seductively stood up from the couch in her brown dress that made her look like a model. The brown dress accentuated her hips and bust.
Amelia walked up to the dining table, and I stood there watching as Frank served her the delicious plate of pounded yam and vegetable soup that I had suffered to cook.
I know Amelia was my sister, and I wasn't supposed to be jealous. But Frank has never served me any food before, not to mention the one that I cooked myself.
Frank also saw that I didn't serve a bowl of water, and he went to the kitchen himself and brought a bowl of water for Amelia to wash her hands.
Frank sat across from Amelia, and Amelia was blushing, not caring to ask me to join them in eating.
"Frank!" I shouted and walked toward the plate of soup that I served for myself, as that was the portion that Frank had served for Amelia.
"What's wrong with you, Natalie? Should we leave this food for you to eat? Come, Amy, let's go out to get something more palatable to eat," Frank said, standing up from the dining table. I hated it whenever I suffered to cook, and my husband would have to go out of our matrimonial home to eat.
"Frank!" I tried to stop him, and he warned...
"Stay away from me, Natalie. Just go and eat your food since you don't want your sister and I to eat it. Who knows if you have poisoned it."
"Frank," I frowned, as his words broke my heart. He quickly took the stairs in our living room and dashed upstairs to his bedroom.
Yes, Frank and I have separate bedrooms. I looked back at Amelia and shouted at her, "You shameless slùt, aren't you ashamed to be dating your sister's husband? As beautiful as you are, you cannot use your beauty to find your own husband!" I cursed at Amelia, and she hissed.
"Get out of my house!" I was enraged, remembering that Amelia and her three older brothers never liked me. They mostly maltreated me, and while I had thought that getting married would bring me happiness and a family, this very family that doesn't want my happiness wouldn't let me be.
As I rushed to push Amelia out of my house, she fell down and pretended to be hurt.
Natalie Jackson;"Ah!" Amelia cried out like the doll she was, and Frank rushed up to meet us."What did you do to her?" he growled at me as he softly helped Amelia up.I didn't even push her with force; I only wanted to drag her out. And because she saw Frank rushing downstairs to meet us, she faked being hurt."Frank, your wife—I mean, Natalie—bit me just now and pushed me away," Amelia held her arm and sobbed as she got up from the floor.Frank looked at me angrily and spat, "I can't believe you would do this to your only sister. You're not even the legitimate daughter of Mr. Liam, and yet you can't treat your sister right. Come, Amy, let's go out and eat and allow her to eat her food alone."Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood watching them. The day was Saturday, and Frank definitely didn't go to work on Saturdays and Sundays.I sobbed, wanting to stop them, and I went outside just in time to see Frank getting into his car after he had helped Amelia close the door like the gentle
Franklin Howard:"You're right. We would have gotten married, but it's not too late to divorce your sister now. She isn't up to my standard, and I don't like her," I said as the waiter brought our dinner, and Amelia smiled sweetly."How about me, Frankie? I've always admired you. Honestly, that night, I felt sad seeing that Natalie drugged you and used you as her pawn to escape from our parents' home. She's just wayward, and I've always admired you, hoping we would become married," Amelia said, tears gathering in her eyes.I sighed."Don't worry, I will end my marriage with Natalie, okay? And she can move on with her life with whomever she pleases. I don't care," I told Amelia, and she smiled sweetly at me."Does that mean you will consider dating me now? I really do love you, Frank," Amelia asked me, looking at me sweetly.She was really beautiful, and with her blue eyes shining, I couldn't say no to her request.I had always wanted to date her. I used to like her then. She was tall,
Franklin Howard:"Okay," Amelia replied, and we started eating the chicken pepper soup that the waiter had served us earlier.We didn't speak to each other while eating, as the pepper soup was spicy. After we were finished and had a few drinks, I began to feel a light headache. I smiled at Amelia and told her,"I have to go home now. How about we meet up tomorrow, Sunday, again? Do you go to church?""Um, yes, Frank. But I would like to have some time with you today. You know, just you and I," Amelia touched my hand, and I quickly withdrew it, understanding what she wanted."No. We cannot do anything silly for now. I'm still married to your sister, and my family isn't aware that I want to divorce her yet," I told Amelia, as I was beginning to sweat despite the air conditioning in the private parlor.Amelia frowned and tried to touch me again, saying, "No one would know, Frank. I have always wanted you, and now that I'm back, we will be together, and you will send Natalie away."I wante
Natalie Jackson:I fell asleep waiting for my husband to return home after he left the house with Amelia. When I awoke, it was 10 p.m., and I heard loud banging on the door, followed by the doorbell.I rushed to see who was there and unlocked the door, seeing that Franklin was back. He began accusing me of drugging him.I was stunned and thought he was joking, but he was dead serious. He carried me in his arms, not giving me a chance to explain, and took me straight to our bedroom on the top floor.Before my mind could register what he was about to do, Franklin slammed me on the bed and started kissing me passionately.Franklin had not kissed me since we got married. He didn't want to acknowledge me as his wife. He mostly avoided me and said that I was his wife in name only.He ate my food and said he didn't like eating food from outside because it wasn't cooked well and often lacked ingredients. However, he returned home to eat what I prepared for him and often ordered me to bring his
Natalie's POV,I rushed downstairs to the living room of our enormous mansion and quickly grabbed my second phone from the center table.After picking it up, I unlocked the screen and swiftly called Dr. Famous Joseph. He was our family doctor, and since I married Frank, Dr. Famous had been the one coming around to treat us whenever either Franklin or I fell ill.Frank rarely visited the hospital, so he sometimes invited Dr. Famous to our home. I was scared of anything happening to my husband. Even though I knew Frank didn't like me that much, it hadn't come to the point of wishing him dead.It was a bright and sunny Sunday, and the phone call went through."Hello, Doc.""Yes, good morning. Who is this?" Dr. Famous asked, catching me by surprise that he didn't have my phone number stored in his contacts."Doc, I'm Mr. Franklin Howard's wife. Please, there's an emergency at our home. Frank came home last night acting drunk, and I don’t know what happened to him. He's unconscious and hasn
Natalie Jackson:Dr. Famous offered me a warm smile as he saw me descend the stairs and approach him. He was sitting on one of our black couches waiting for me and my husband's arrival."Frank will be with you shortly," I let Dr. Famous know, and he smiled at me.A few moments later, Frank with an angry face came downstairs and stopped to greet Dr. Famous in the living room.Dr. Famous also stood up and shook hands with Frank. "Good morning, Mr. Howard."Frank and Dr. Famous shook hands, to which Frank replied, "Welcome, Doc.""Your wife already told me what happened, but I would like to perform some tests on you to know what truly happened and where you got drugged," Dr. Famous said, but Frank remarked, "You don't have to worry yourself with that, Doc. I will get to the bottom of this matter by myself, but I'm a little better now.""Are you sure, Mr. Howard? I would like to draw a sample of your blood to perform some tests and to know the cause of the problem. How about we meet at the
Natalie Jackson:I stood aside, looking from my husband to my sister. As Frank was asking her if she was alright."No, Frank. Allow me to go home. Natalie must rot in jail today!" Amelia sobbed, and Frank tried to speak to her, not to leave our house, but she refused."I'm a model, Frank! Look at what your stupid wife did to me!" Amelia was turning her hands for Frank to see the bruises that the cane had caused her."She dared to flog me just because I came here to visit you guys.""Did I invite you? Leave here, you bitch, and go back to our father's house. Aren't you ashamed of yourself to be lusting after your sister's husband? Are we on good terms that you would claim that you came here to visit us? Do I need your stupid visit?" I barked at Amelia, and her eyes narrowed at me."You won't get away with this, Natalie! Get ready to rot in jail!" She cried and got into her car as she shut the car door and left.I was satisfied that I had disciplined Amelia, as I wondered what she came t
Natalie Jackson.As I walked downstairs and into the living room, Frank was trying to calm Amelia down as he was standing beside her and speaking to her. "Calm down, Amy. We can discuss this amicably. It hasn't gotten to the point of you involving the police in this. Didn't you think about my reputation and yours as no one knows Natalie?"Yes, I wasn't a public figure, but my husband and half-sister were celebrities with millions of followers on their page."No way, Frank! Don't tell me to calm down. Your wife attacked me, and she has to be punished. Your ex-wife, I mean," Amelia said, and my eyes narrowed at her words as I finally descended the stairs and looked at the officers in black uniform standing in my living room."Good morning, Police officers," I greeted the two police officers who were looking at me in disbelief.I was short, but I had an hourglass shape."Good morning, ma'am. Are you Natalie Jackson?" One of the two police officers asked me, as I saw the way his eyes looke
Amelia's POV."Hey, Amelia, easy. Where are you in a hurry to?" Franklin asked, as he caught me before I tripped and fell.I steadied myself and moved away from him."I'm fine. I am going to see Michael's mother. How are Natalie and your twins?" I asked him, and he grinned."They are fine," he replied, and I asked him, "What are their names? Are you going to do a naming ceremony for them?""No. We already named them, so that is not needed," Franklin said, and I gasped."Oh. It's fine. I'm asking because you and my sister are married, so I was thinking that you both would want to do your babies' party?" I asked."No. Natalie and I discussed it, and we decided not to. Maybe during their birthday, but we already shared their names online. Victor and Victoria Howard," Franklin said with a proud smile on his face, and I smiled back."That's fine. I am glad and would have loved to go and see her, but it's late for today. Send my warm regards to her," I told Franklin, and he nodded."Okay. A
Amelia's POV. I gulped hard and followed Paul to the front of the hall. Many guests peered at us like we were the celebrants. Micheal''s parents looked surprised, especially his father, who knew me. He frowned but tried his best to mask it. Paul led me to where his mother sat, and I felt like the ground would open up and swallow me. "Mom, meet Amelia Jackson, my friend that I told you about," Paul introduced me to his mother. She resembled Micheal's mother and was a bit older than her, but they looked alike. "Amelia, it's nice to meet you, my dear. My son spoke so much about you," she said with a warm smile, and I greeted her with relief. "Nice to meet you too, Madam," I told her, and she grinned. "You're welcome." "Where's your son?" she asked me, taking me by surprise, and I pointed over to Gloria and her friends carrying Almond. "I see. It's unfortunate that Paul is in love with you and Micheal wants you too. You should know that our families have been close for years, and
Amelia's POV."It seems like your parents don't like me," Paul said as he drove ahead to Micheal's father's house."I don't think so. They are just surprised to see you for the first time," I said, even though I knew it was obvious that my parents didn't like him. He sighed and replied, "It's alright. I am not going to force them to change their mindset about me because they already know Micheal and would prefer him to me.""Mmm," I sighed, seeing that Paul took another turn and wasn't heading to Micheal's father's house. "You don't have to worry about my parents. I am the one to make my choice, and I already told Micheal that I cannot accept him," I said while gazing out the window. Almond sat on my thighs, watching the road too, enjoying the ride with a smile on his face. "It's okay. I will respect whatever choice you make. But I want you to make your own choice and not let your family influence you. Besides, when we get married, we will move to another city and not reside here,"
Franklin's POV:I walked into the hospital room and met my wife, her mother, and likewise my babies, who were awake. "Good evening, honey," Natalie came to meet me and pecked me on my lips. She wore a green dress and black slippers as she was set to return home. "How are you and our babies doing?" I asked her, and she grinned. "They are fine. We are set to go home," she said, smiling as she had packed up her bag and our babies to return home. "Alright. I will be back; let me clear our discharge bill," I told her and greeted her mother again. "Good evening, in-law," I said to her, and she smiled as she wore a cream top and black skirt. You might think she was Natalie's older sister. "Welcome, in-law. How was office today?" she asked with a polite smile, and I replied, "Good."Later, I went to clear off my wife's discharge bill, and we set to head back home. I had already informed the head of the security men I hired that my wife and I were leaving, so their duty had come to an e
Amelia's POV: "Yes," I replied to Felix and pulled the door open. I met his curious gaze and he asked, "What's going on between you and Michael? Have you agreed to marry him?" "No. I do not know yet," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do you think that I should do?" I asked, peering at Felix's face. He maintained a calculated gaze and replied, "It's up to you to know. I only came here to check on you and to know why Michael was here." "He was apologizing and saying that he wants me to marry him," I told Felix, and he scowled. "After embarrassing us. Well, I would have suggested that you don't accept him, but I know Dad will object. So let's wait until after his parents' reunion party," Felix told me, and I nodded and said, "Good night." Watching Felix exit my room, I carefully shut the door. As I moved over to the bed, I sat on it and pondered about my life for a while. Shortly after, I laid on the bed and succumbed to sleep. **** Natalie's POV: I was surprise
Amelia's POV:I was shocked when Micheal made that confession that I was special to him. I knew that he was saying all this now because of Paul. Why didn't he say them to me before? He wanted to ruin my chances with Paul so that I would end up single, chasing after him when I knew that he desired Natalie."It's you I want. I used to want your sister. But after she refused to divorce Franklin and made it clear to me that she cannot accept me, I took my time studying you and tried to understand your personality. It was difficult because you are not as bad as I thought," Micheal said, walking out of the dining chair to meet me."I'm sorry that I had you and desired someone else. Please give me a chance, okay? I know that I'm a difficult person, but I have come to realize you and accept you. Please." Micheal begged me, and I was dumbfounded.Was I dreaming? I pondered and let go of my box of clothes to drop on the floor. I looked at my family. My dad stood by the stairs, looking at us as
Micheal's POV:James and I walked into the living room and met his mother seated on the living couch. We greeted her, "Good evening, Ma."Lady Agnes Jackson looked from James to me, surprised; her face frowned, and she replied, "Welcome both of you. James, how was work today?""It was fine, Mom. I came home with Mike to see my father," James replied, and she nodded."That's fine. Your father will be back soon. You both can have a seat, and let me find out what the chef is preparing," Mrs. Agnes said, rising from her chair and moving to the kitchen.I sighed with relief, not expecting that would have been her reaction, because I thought she loathed me, and would yell at me, but the reverse was the case.I waited for Mr. Liam's arrival, and when he did, I rose from the couch with James and welcomed him, "Good evening, sir. Welcome home."Mr. Liam wore a black suit, and he looked at me in surprise and asked, "To what do I owe your lovely visit to my home, Mr. Austin Jr.?""Good evening,
Michael's POV. Standing in the meeting hall, I peered out at the parking lot and saw Paul arriving at my hotel. I already made it clear to him the previous night not to chase after Amelia. She was the mother of my child, and I didn't want her going after him. For some unknown reason, I had been uncomfortable since Paul returned, knowing that he desired to marry Amelia. It made me angry, and I knew that if I did not act quickly, then Paul would beat me to it and rush to make his intentions known to Amelia's parents, as he was so serious about her. I knew that if such a thing happened, I would have already lost my chances with her, as her parents wouldn't listen to me and would be ready to give her up to Paul to marry her. Paul Kingston is a good guy and a popular attorney in the States. My fists clenched, and I swiftly wrapped up the business meeting, as well as discussions about my parents’ reunion. We wrapped up at six, and I asked Asher about his dad, as I would like to see hi
Amelia's POV,I smiled, meeting Paul's curious gaze, and told him, "I don't know, but Michael made it clear that he wouldn't marry me. Maybe he is just joking with you.""I'm not joking, Amelia. I want you to make it clear to me that if my cousin comes to ask for your hand in marriage, will you accept him?" Paul repeated, and I lowered my gaze, avoiding his."I don't know. I have always wanted a complete family, and if Michael is serious, then I wouldn't accept you. I'm sorry," I said to Paul as I raised my head and looked at his handsome face. I saw the look of hurt flash in his eyes."So, aside from using your son as an excuse, why would you want to settle for a man who doesn't really love you but wants your sister?" Paul asked, and I was quiet.Well, I guessed it was my punishment for hurting my half-sister so much. But a part of me wished Michael weren't so cold towards me. Learning that he was a reserved guy like Michael and my brothers and not a playboy was part of what had draw