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
Micheal's POV:After my sister ran upstairs, my father looked at me and asked, "Since when was Franklin married?""I just called Mr. Howard, and he never mentioned anything about Franklin being married. Are you sure, Micheal, or do you just not want your sister to be happy?" My father looked at me with narrowed eyes, and I laughed, almost drunkenly."Why not? I want Gloria to be happy, and she knows Franklin is married. Well, she just discovered it now, and it's too late for her," I replied, still drinking from the vodka I took from the bar."Hmm, but I don't understand why Franklin's marriage is kept away from the public. Or did you attend it?" My dad asked, and I nodded."Fine. I'll see Gloria later and discuss this with her," Dad said, looking away at the TV console. I finished my drink and went back to my room on the top floor. Although this wasn't my house, I just came home for other reasons.As I arrived on the second floor, I marched up to Gloria's room to see her. I could hear
Amelia's POV:Earlier, when I received a phone call from an unknown number, I thought it might be Franklin. I was bored at home with my three brothers monitoring me like television, and I was sex-starved. I wanted to be touched by a man.Yeah, I know Natalie has been accused of being a hoe, but I am sure I'm worse than her. My irritation stemmed from her snatching my dream man, and I wanted revenge, even if it meant setting her up. However, she declined every man I sent to ask her out on a date, even before I returned to this city.Natalie has been faithful to Franklin, and that made breaking their marriage difficult. Franklin now sees me as a villain after discovering that I was the mastermind behind him being drugged the last time.He believes I was the one who drugged him in the past too. Well, I'm not too bothered about that; I just don't want Natalie to be the woman beside Franklin.For now, their wedding hasn't gone public, and many folks, even in their club, don't know that Fra
Micheal Austin:The sound of my phone beeping got my attention. Damn it. I couldn't believe that I had slept with Amelia Jackson. She was such a horny bitch, and now I felt so ashamed that I had done it with her.I grabbed my phone and saw that she had already sent Natalie's number. Now I didn't know how to face Natalie or whether to contact her.It was late, so I assumed Natalie would be asleep. Later, I would call her and try to talk to her. I knew Natalie had already told me that she didn't want to divorce Franklin, but I wanted her, not Amelia.I stood up and went into the bathroom to freshen up, feeling sour and dirty from sleeping with Amelia.I didn't care to call Amelia to find out if she had gotten home. Once I was done bathing, I got out, put on my night robe, and went to bed to sleep. However, seeing the rumpled sheets, I pulled them off and replaced them with a new bed cover. As I lay on the bed, the memory of my encounter with Amelia flashed in my mind. I groaned and trie
Natalie Jackson:Waking up to a bright Monday morning and the fact that my husband has changed from avoiding me to loving me has been cool.I carefully sat up on the bed to the delicious smell of fried eggs and bread."Franklin..." My eyes widened in shock as my husband came in, dressed in a white robe and holding a tray containing tea, bread, and fried eggs.He smiled as he approached me, who lazily sat up on the bed."Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night? I didn't want to wake you up," Franklin grinned as he set the white tray on a stool beside the bed. He sat down beside me and kissed my forehead."How are you this morning?" Franklin asked, and I smiled and replied, "Cool. Aren't you going to work this morning? It's almost 10 a.m."My eyes flew to the wall clock in my room. Franklin smiled and replied, "No, babe. I told you I want us to go on vacation."He watched me get up from the bed, and I told him, "I am coming."I went to use the bathroom. I got out and joined Frankli
Franklin Howard:I was nervous when I saw my wife acting anxiously. Gaining her trust back was one of the happiest moments of my life. I knew I had been cruel to her, but with the type of women in this city, getting someone like Natalie was rare. I had judged her wrongly, and I did not want to lose her again."Don't worry, we will have a baby soon. Come, let's go upstairs and freshen up. I will give you a bath," I said to her, my gaze locked with hers as I rose from the couch first and carried Natalie up in my arms as if she were a baby."Franklin, put me down," she said in her sweet, delicate voice as I held her firmly in my masculine arms, grinning at her nervousness."Why? Aren't you my wife?" I asked her with a smile as I climbed the flight of stairs to her room."I am," she pouted her pink lips as I ascended the stairs.Natalie was shy, and I couldn't believe that she was still acting shy even after we had been intimate several times since we reconciled last week.I couldn't beli
**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