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
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'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
**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"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
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:"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: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
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 Voice:Standing in the meeting hall, I peered out at the parking lot and saw Paul arriving at my hotel.I had 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
Amelia's POV.I exited the hotel building and saw Paul standing beside his car, waiting for me."Good evening, Paul," I greeted him with a smile as he stood by his car. He smiled and replied, "Well done, Amy. How was your day today?"Paul wore a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and shoes. He looked handsome and didn't seem to have changed in his looks or his smile, even after it had been long since I last saw him."My day was fine; and yours? You shouldn't have come here to pick me up," I told him, and he nodded with a smile, still standing beside his car in the hotel's parking lot and looking at me."You're right. But I couldn't help but desire to see your pretty face. Can we go now? I want us to visit somewhere special and reminisce about old times since we haven't seen each other in a while," he asked me in a gentle voice like a perfect gentleman.I blushed and replied, "Alright." I looked back at the hotel's magnificent building and got back into my car.I then drove off to anot
Amelia's POV:I continued the rest of the day working at my counter and attending to the hotel’s new visitors.My job was to collect their payments while the staff assisted the guests in finding what they wanted and showing them to various sections of the hotel: the rooms, the restaurant, and the event center.The hotel was a luxury hotel, and I don't regret picking this job. It gives me a view of all the drama that unfolds and the top-notch guests that arrive.I saw when Michael came in; he cast a glance my way but immediately looked away."What's going on between you and the boss?" Ivory asked me, and I sighed, not wanting to tell her about my affair with Michael.While most of them were aware that Michael had a child out of wedlock, they knew he was still single because he only posted my son on his social media profile. In short, he used my baby as his display picture, and he didn't even have to ask me to send photos of Almond to him. He would save any picture he liked from my page
AMELIA JACKSON:I awoke in my room and saw my son awake on the bed, playing with his toy.Meeting his gaze that looked like Michael's made me smile. Though Almond was fair-skinned like me, he was Michael's carbon copy.I smiled, getting off the bed as I remembered the kiss that Michael had given me. I set off to leave for work. Although I recalled Felix's refusal about me working in a hotel, I knew my three overprotective brothers would have dug out the name of the hotel I worked for. So I avoided leaving my bedroom the previous night and stayed in my room with my son, having dinner with him.Getting off the bed, I went to prepare my bath and to bathe my son as I was in a good mood. Sometimes I bathe him, and other times I allow Nancy to do it.As I prepared to bathe Almond first and help him strip off his clothes, Lady Nancy arrived with a smile, and I greeted her, "Good morning, Ma."She donned a white top and black skirt, and she replied with a smile, "Morning, Amelia. Your father
FRANKLIN POV:I got a call from Wesley regarding the man that Chris hired to attack me upon learning that I was in the hospital with Natalie. It raised my suspicions about what had gotten into Chris.I quickly swung into action and had the man arrested as soon as I left the hospital room where Natalie and her mother were, as the police came in time and whisked the man away.Being worried about my wife and twins' safety, I requested extra security personnel to privately safeguard them, as I hadn't hired bouncers before to look after me. Most families living around here were rich, so there was no point in my walking around with bodyguards. But right now, I couldn't take that risk.As I exited the hospital grounds and went to my car, I called Chris directly on the phone and cautioned him, "Chris, what games are you trying to play with me?"Chris was silent on the line and pretended not to know."What are you talking about, brother?" he asked jokingly, and I told him, "You will find out s
AMELIA JACKSON:"You sent for me, sir?" I asked Micheal, emphasizing "sir" so that he would understand why he summoned me."Yes. I did. What relationship did you have with my cousin?" He bluntly asked me, and I looked taken aback."Your cousin? Well, he is my ex, so that makes us familiar," I replied. Micheal rose from his office chair as he walked out to meet me.His office was extremely spacious and painted in white, similar to Franklin's office. I think they had the same taste, as Micheal's home seemed similar to Franklin's too."Familiar enough that you would have to kiss him? Is that how horny you are, Amelia?" Micheal reached for me and grasped my arms, but I shrugged him off."What's wrong with you? You shouldn't be concerned about whether I'm into his cousin or not. You don't want me, so stay away from my affairs." I wanted to leave, but Micheal caught me and pulled me closer to him. Before I could react and push him off, he sealed his lips on mine and kissed me hungrily."Mmm