Natalie Jackson:Franklin shut the car door and got into the driver's seat. He looked at me, and I smiled, meeting his gaze, before he buckled his seatbelt and turned on the car AC.After that, he honked his horn and waved over to Alex to pull the gate open.Franklin drove out of the driveway and onto the estate road. Once he was out of the estate, he navigated his car onto the expressway and drove towards his family's mansion.They were billionaires, although I didn't know much about all the assets that Franklin and his family had. But they were very influential.After a few more minutes of driving along the expressway, Franklin arrived at the estate that led down to his family house. The security men greeted him and welcomed him as he drove into the estate.We arrived at the front gate of his father's residential villa.Frank drove in after the security men had searched his car. He parked and looked at me, as we hadn't visited here for almost a year now."Welcome home, babe," Frankl
Natalie Jackson:Franklin did not look impressed that Gloria was in his family's house, and I could only wonder what was going through his mind as we started eating.The food was quite delicious, and I did not worry that it might have been drugged because we were all eating from the same pot that had been shared.After dinner ended, Mr. Howard invited Franklin and me to join him outside on the patio, and we sat there while the two men ventured into a business conversation.After a while, Mr. Howard said, "Frank, I know that you might be wondering why your mother invited Gloria Austin here to meet you and your wife. It's only because she's worried that you and Natalie haven't had any children yet. You both should consider doing that, as there are circulating rumors about you two having fertility issues, but I understand that's not the case. I am glad that you both have finally worked out your relationship, and I am happy to see that you both have accepted each other."We sat on the pla
Natalie Jackson:When Frank and I arrived home, I got out of his car and went back into the house."Natalie," Franklin called my name just as I was about to climb the stairs.I paused and waited to hear him out."I am sorry about what went on back there," he said, and I sighed, understanding that it was not his fault."It's alright. I do not hold any grudges against you," I said and turned to go upstairs.I went back to my bedroom and sank into the bed, lost in deep thoughts.I knew that Franklin and I had just reconciled our marriage, and I shouldn't take what his mother said or his family wanting him to marry Gloria seriously.I got up from the bed and went to bathe.Later, I came out from the bathroom, entered the closet, and grabbed a simple white nightgown because it was already night.As I got downstairs, Franklin was nowhere in sight in the living room, so I proceeded to the kitchen and prepared our dinner.Later at the dining table, Frank and I sat there having our dinner as t
Natalie Jackson:Walking outside of the house, the sun was high and shining brightly above me. However, the loud sounds of quarreling and arguing outside the gate caught my attention.It was Franklin's mother, and she was yelling at Alex and ordering him to open the gate."Alex! Open this damn gate, you silly gateman! Did Franklin ask you to lock me out?" she yelled. I gulped and went to the gate. I recalled I had told Alex not to allow any of my family into this compound, but I didn't remember if I told him not to allow Franklin's family either.As I arrived at the gate, my eyes grew wide to see Mrs. Kimberly arriving here with her white car. Not only that, she brought Gloria Austin with her."Good morning, Ma," I greeted Franklin's mother, who was wearing a native brown dress."Hold your greetings there, you slut! Did you order the gateman not to allow us into these premises again?" she asked, and before I could respond, her hand flew and came into contact with my left cheek, smacki
**Franklin Howard:**I went back upstairs to meet my wife after she left the living room. It broke my heart to see Natalie in such a broken state, but I knew it was all my fault."Franklin, you should come and show Gloria to your room. I will soon be leaving you two and heading back home," I heard my mother's voice, but I didn't respond. I was not in the mood to argue with her, and I decided to let Gloria be; she would eventually leave my house on her own once she realized that I do not want her as my wife.I arrived at Natalie's room once again, thinking about how to fix this mess. I knocked, but there was no response from her. I heard the sound of my phone ringing in my bedroom and went there to answer the call."Hello, boss, I have arrived at your home with the two women you requested," Wesley said. I was in no mood to review them."Take them back," I said, as the last thing I wanted was for Natalie to be embarrassed before her staff."But boss, we are right in front of your gate n
Natalie Jackson;I hadn't expected Franklin to send Gloria away. I was annoyed with him and disliked the fact that his family was just like mine. His mother reminded me so much of Amelia's mother.Even though Gloria knew it, trusting anyone at this moment was risky.I would have considered going out, but I had no work, no profession at the moment, and just a little savings. Even my mother was greedy, always asking me for money, so I couldn't rely on her for a place to stay.I knew the only option I had left was to forgive Franklin and stay with him. My biggest mistake was not having a job of my own. But Franklin did surprise me.I still loved him, but I disliked his family. I watched him enter back into the living room, my box of clothes in his hands. He looked at me with a warm gaze, unlike before when Franklin used to stare at me as if I were his enemy."I’m coming, babe. I’ve told Ajex not to let anyone in here again. Let me know if they try to disturb you," Franklin said as he wen
Franklin's POV:After I left Natalie in the kitchen, I went upstairs to my study to make arrangements for our honeymoon vacation. However, the sound of my phone ringing on the desk caught my attention.I went to pick it up, and upon seeing that my father was calling me, I frowned but eventually answered the call."Hello, Dad," I said, knowing he would ask me about my mother. I still couldn't believe she had brought Gloria to my home."Franklin, what happened between you and your mother? She came home looking hurt and claimed that you asked your estate security men to throw her outside and did not even welcome her," my father said, and I stood frozen in disbelief."Dad, is that what Mom told you? I understand she doesn't like my wife, but Natalie and I are married. I am sick and tired of Mom fighting with my wife for no considerable reason. You both forced me into this marriage, and I have accepted it. Also, I did not throw Mom out. She brought Gloria here to my house as a new wife, an
Michael Austin:I arrived at 2 p.m. hoping to see Natalie. I had been waiting for her to call me, but there was no sign of contact.I called Franklin, and he shut me out, saying I was no longer his friend and not welcome in his home."Oh! How do I get to see Natalie? I really wish I had confessed my feelings for her when she was having marital crises with Franklin, but now they seem to be getting along. I have known Franklin all my life and knew when he was joking and serious. Damn it!" I cursed as I stood by the roadside outside the estate gate.Other cars were going into the estate, but the security men refused to allow me entry, saying Franklin didn't want to see me.As I contemplated going back home, knowing I had little chance of seeing Natalie, the sun beat down on me in my crisp blue shirt, black jeans, and black canvas shoes.I saw a red car approaching, which was Asher's car. I remembered seeing him last at the HW global conference.He slowed down his car, smirked, and called
**Natalie's POV**One week later, after Amelia had welcomed her baby, Franklin's mother came to our home to see us.I was in the kitchen cooking since it was Saturday. I heard the sound of a car driving into the garage, and as I went out of the kitchen to see who it was, I was surprised to see Franklin's mother get out of the car, looking at me with irritation."Good morning, Ma," I greeted her, but she looked away without responding. I sighed and went back into the kitchen as I continued cooking.Later, I came out to the dining room to serve the meal since it was still morning."Franklin, how are you and your wife comfortable staying together when you don't have any children yet? Chris's wife has given birth to a bouncing baby boy, and yet you and Natalie don’t have any kids yet," his mother said."Mom," Franklin sighed, seated across from her in the exquisite living room."We will have kids, Mom. Stop pressuring us about it. We will have kids in God's own time," he replied to her."
Natalie's POV:Franklin and I went up to the third floor where Amelia was admitted. As we arrived, we met Amelia's mother, who was happily looking at her new grandson, but as soon as she saw me, she shouted, "What are you doing here?!"Mrs. Agnes quickly petted the baby to stop crying as the baby in the bed woke up startled by her voice."Mom, I invited Natalie over. Can you just let her be?" Amelia asked her mother, who frowned."I don't want to see Natalie here. Do you want her to infect you with her bad luck?" Mrs. Agnes asked Amelia, who frowned."Mom, that's enough. Natalie is my sister, and it's not like you gave birth to another sister for me to have. Just let her be!"Mrs. Agnes looked pained, but she quickly brushed it off and replied, "Fine. Let me just see my grandchild and leave you two alone."I sighed as James, Asher, and Felix arrived in the room and they went to congratulate their sister."Congratulations, Amelia. So finally, I am an uncle," Asher said happily as he we
Natalie's POV:"Frank, what Michael and I were discussing was only family matters. He was saying that he doesn't love Amelia enough to marry her.""But he wants you," Franklin replied, and I sighed and nodded."I already told him that we weren't going to divorce. He was asking if you will change in the long run of our marriage?" I asked Franklin as he drove the car home in silence.Franklin didn't reply to me, and I didn't bother to ask him again about whether he was going to change.As we arrived at his estate gate, Franklin slowed down his car for the security men to open the gate, then he asked me, "Do you think I am going to change?""I don't know," I replied. "Change is always constant, and anyone can change over time. Maybe if you get bored with me or if we are still unable to have children."Franklin's blue eyes darkened, and he replied, "I cannot change. I married you because I wanted to. Yes, I was childish then, but I've come to realize that a part of me is addicted to you.
Natalie's POV.One week later, Franklin and I set out to attend Chris's wedding. The wedding venue was at a Catholic church, so we made preparations in our room.Frank donned a black tuxedo, and I wore a golden dress that perfectly accentuated my figure."Frank, did your brother invite my family?" I asked, to which Franklin replied, "I don't know. But I think so.""Alright."We finished dressing up and made our way downstairs to the living room. Lady Esther was still cleaning up the house, and we told her to give the key to Alex once she was through.Franklin and I got into one of his cars, as my car was parked in the garage.Franklin drove off to the wedding venue, and I was amazed at the large number of guests that were present. It was unlike my own wedding to Franklin.I watched as the wedding ceremony started. Some guests in black tuxedos who were familiar with Franklin greeted him as we watched the bride make her entry into the church hall.The pianist played the keyboard as she
Natalie's POV"Why, Frank? Why don't you want me to go and see Michael? It's not like I want to do anything with him; I just want to speak with him about accepting Amelia," I said as I pouted my lips in his car."You cannot be the one to advise Michael. Just leave him alone to decide for himself," Franklin bluntly refused, and I looked at him and asked, "Don't you trust me?"Franklin looked at me just as he parked his car and said, "I do, but not with a man who has his eyes on you. I cannot stand that chance, Natalie. Try and understand me.""Fine." I pouted, and Franklin assured me, "Don't worry, I will see Michael, or whenever we run into him again, then I can permit you to discuss with him on the way, and not in the confines of his home or office.""Alright," I replied, and Franklin turned off his car engine, and we got out of his car.I followed him, and we went into the house together.As it was nightfall, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare our dinner. After I was through, I m
**Franklin's POV**I sat back on the couch in the living room just after my wife had left the house. I wasn't impressed with the way my mother often disrespected my wife, and I was wondering when all this would stop."So, Mom, what do you want me to do for Chris?" I asked her, as I had clearly rejected her invitation the previous week.Although I knew why she was calling me, it was about the company and about Chris having a fiancée who was pregnant with his child.I didn't know my brother's fiancée, although I knew he had posted that he was engaged, but I wasn't sure of who he was dating.This was my first time seeing her here, and to be honest, I didn't like the fact that the white dress she wore was revealing her baby bump."Franklin, I am sorry about what happened at the company the previous week. I tried negotiating with Dad, but he wouldn't comply. He feels I wouldn't manage the company well, even when I had done well in your absence the previous month," Chris said, and I looked
**Natalie's POV**The following week, Franklin and I spent time together setting up my new shop, where I intend to start selling the following week.We got all the sewing machines needed to sew some of my customers' clothes, and now he seems to appreciate my work.We went to the new hospital during the week to check if either of us had any medical issues that could be the reason I hadn't conceived yet. But the doctor said that we both were fine, and I tried not to worry about having a child again.It had been my dream to own my own store, and here we are.As the new week arrived, I was eager to start my shop and welcome my first customer for the day.I got up from bed and prepared to leave for work. The second woman who worked for us had stopped, and only Lady Esther Jacob still arrived to clean the whole house.I went to take my bath while Franklin was still sleeping on the bed.We made love the previous night, and now I had to prepare for my new business."Frank, good morning," I sa
Natalia Jackson:After Franklin and I finished touring the new shop, which was fitted with new glass at the front and freshly painted, we spoke about hiring someone to help me set up my shop.I was glad at the end of the day, and we thanked the staff before going to a restaurant for dinner.My mind was still preoccupied with thoughts about Amelia's pregnancy as Franklin and I sat across from each other at the restaurant table and chairs.Since I had grown too lazy to cook due to my unnecessary worrying, Franklin suggested we eat out, even though he doesn't usually like it."Babe, should we hire a chef?" Franklin asked me, trying to distract me from my thoughts."A chef?" I pondered it but shook my head."No. I don't need a chef. Don't worry, I will make lovely dinners for us tomorrow," I told him just as our meals arrived. We resumed eating, but just then, Gloria Austin came into the restaurant. Her face was stern as she walked in. Her expression changed as her eyes caught sight of me
Natalie Jackson,Arriving at the hospital where my family and I were registered, Franklin parked his car in the hospital parking lot, and we got out.We made our way into the hospital. The nurses in white uniforms welcomed us; they were already familiar with us."Who are you here to see?" one of the nurses asked, while the other attended to other patients.It was already afternoon, around 1 p.m., when Franklin and I arrived, and I gave the nurse Amelia's ward number."She's my sister. So we're here to see her," I told the female nurse, and she responded, "Alright. You can go there now, but note that visiting time will soon be over.""Thank you," we replied. Franklin and I went to the second floor where Amelia was admitted.As we got there, Amelia's mother was in the room. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw us enter."What are you doing here, Natalie? Get out!" she barked, her left hand pointing at the door for me to leave."Good afternoon, Ma, we are here to see Amelia," Franklin