Franklin Howard:I decided to go shopping for my wife first and not change my mind about purchasing a lovely present for Natalie. I entered the first women's boutique at the front of the mall, and the sales representative welcomed me. "What would you like to buy, sir? We mostly sell items and clothes for women," the sales representative said. She was a young woman, almost the same age and size as my wife."Well, I'm looking for beautiful gowns and clothes that would fit my wife. I want to give them to her as a surprise gift," I said to the saleswoman, who smiled, as she had two other sales associates in the shop with her."Okay, come this way, sir. What's your wife's size, and what kind of clothes do you want for her? Hot dresses or decent ones?" the saleswoman asked me. She wore a blue top and a black skirt, and I thought about Natalie's preferences. "I don't know, but I want my wife to look beautiful. Can you get any lovely gowns that you think will fit her? She almost looks like yo
Natalie Jackson:I entered back into the kitchen and used the back of my top to wipe my eyes. I proceeded to dish out the delicious rice that I had cooked. I tried not to dwell on the fact that Franklin's family didn't like me. I was not surprised that his mother already believed the story that I was the one who drugged Franklin.I know her son is handsome, but I wouldn't set him up just to become his wife. As I moved closer to my pot of food, I dished out the meal that I had cooked onto smaller plates. The plates were white ceramic, so I served some portions and sat at the dining table in the kitchen to eat my meal alone."Where's that good-for-nothing wife?" I heard Mrs. Howard bark in the living room while Michael was there with her. I didn't respond or make any attempt to stand up and exit the kitchen. I sat there eating the food alone, trying to refill my stomach as I wasn't in a good mood."Natalie!" She pushed the kitchen door open and entered the kitchen to meet me. "What are
**Franklin Howard**"Babe," I said as I moved away from Michael to speak with my wife. "Where are you taking your box to again?"Natalie looked hurt as it dawned on me that her face was red, as though someone had smacked her. The day I hit her after Amelia arrived here at our home was a day I regretted the most in my life. I had grabbed Natalie and taken the tray of food from her hand."You cannot leave my house," I said, moving to stop her as she sniffled."Just stay away from me, Frank. We can discuss this later," she replied, raising her left hand to shield me away. But I couldn't just allow her to leave me.We had already been discussing how to work on our marriage, and I felt helpless, begging my wife to stay.I ignored her words and held her bag. "I will speak with my mother and talk to her. Just calm down, okay?"I held Natalie close, and she didn't resist as she burst into tears in my arms. I sighed and hugged her warmly, rubbing her back and knowing that I had to be around h
**Natalie Jackson**I sat on the black couch in the living room, waiting for Franklin to return from picking up the gift he said he had bought for me. I knew Franklin didn't like me, but he seemed to have changed after our last encounter.Even though he was drunk that night, something about Franklin had changed. The way he looked at me now conveyed love, clearly reflected in his eyes, as if he didn’t want to let me go.I sighed, waiting for him to return. I looked around our home. It was beautiful; I had prayed for God to touch my husband's heart and make him love me.Maybe I should be thankful to Amelia, as it was after she had drugged Franklin that he changed, and I could see the desire in his eyes. It didn’t seem like he was joking, but I feared he might revert to his old self in the long run.Marriage was a lifetime commitment, and I had been committed to Franklin. He hadn't cheated on me that I was aware of, nor had I heard of any infidelity. I sighed; it wasn’t like I knew any o
**Natalie Jackson**Frank and I finished having our dinner. Although he wanted to feed me, I didn’t accept it. I told him I could do it myself.“Why aren’t you happy that I want to?” Frank asked. I looked at his handsome face as he sat beside me on my left. “I am happy, only that I want us to eat quickly while it's hot.”“Okay,” Frank didn’t argue with me, and we continued with the food until we were through. I stood up and cleared the plates to the kitchen, and as I returned, I recalled the tape that Franklin had asked me to keep in the morning before he left for work.“Franklin,” I called him, since I was already used to calling him by his name. He rose from the chair and walked up to meet me.“What’s it?” he asked as he neared me and pulled me into a warm hug, with my back resting against his chest.“How about the tape you asked me to keep? Won’t you check it out?” I asked him, and he shrugged as if he didn’t want to.“I will check it, but not now. I want to have you first,” Frank
Natalie's POV: I thought Frank had left my room door, but he was still there. "Natalie, do you want me to sleep here by the door before you open up?" he asked me, and I smiled, still lying on the bed and not responding to him. "I am already on the floor, and I will sleep here since that is what you want," Frank said. I remained quiet, not responding to him. To my surprise, I heard movement at my door, followed by a groan from Frank as he laid on the bare floor. I didn't know when I jumped down from the bed and rushed to the door to unlock it. To my surprise, my husband—a billionaire CEO—was lying on the hard floor. "Frank!" I gasped, and he smiled as he sat up by the door. "You thought I was lying, didn't you?" he asked, and I blushed. "I never said that you're lying. Get up; you cannot sleep here. Go back to your room, as I am still angry with you," I told him, and he frowned. He rose, towering above me. "What should I do to make you forgive me? I am really serious about u
Franklin Howard I arrived at my company, and compared to the previous day, I was in a good mood. I focused on my office work and later summoned my assistant into my office. I wanted to hire new staff for Natalie to lighten her workload at home. She wasn't my maid after all, and I had decided to take good care of her and pamper her like a billionaire's wife. My assistant came into my office to see me. He wore a black suit and smiled at me. "You sent for me, boss?" "Yes, I did," I replied, looking at him as I paused what I was clicking on my computer. "I want you to hire new domestic staff for me. Not here, but for my home," I said, leaning back in my office chair and maintaining eye contact with Wesley Ryan. "Okay, boss. Anything else you want me to do for you?" he asked. "No, that's all," I replied. "You can leave now and bring the new staff to meet with me once you hire anyone. The age group should be middle-aged women and above. I don't want any young women in my hous
Franklin Howard:I didn't find Michael's revelation funny at all. I moved back to my desk, settled into my office chair, and looked at him."Is that why you came here to tell me that you want my wife?" I asked him, gazing directly at his face as I placed my hands on my desk. I had started to prepare my lunch that Natalie had brought into my office."Yes, Franklin," Michael replied. "I used to admire Natalie. I wanted her before you two accidentally got married, and you claimed she drugged you and that you were caught on her bed. I wished I was the man who had gone after her that night."I frowned as I watched my friend's face, hearing him express how much he wanted my wife. He concluded, "But it was already too late for me. Why don't you proceed with divorcing Natalie now? It's still early, Frank. Besides, you and I know that you don't like Natalie. Just let me have her."I shut the blue food flask that I had taken out of the lunch bag."No, Michael," I shook my head and picked up my
**Natalie's POV**After I finished my bath, I dressed in a red top and black flared skirt, paired with my black sandals. I hurriedly grabbed my debit card and phone, placed them in my purse, and rushed to the market to buy all the ingredients I needed to prepare the delicious meal I wanted to take to the company for my husband.The market wasn't far, and luckily, I got a cab that took me there. I paid for both the ride there and back, returning home on time. I made a pot of yam and eggs since there was still time until lunch break.Franklin had already called me and told me he would be in a meeting when he asked if I was coming to his company. I smiled and told him yes after finishing cooking and seeing his missed calls. I was excited, so I wrapped up my arrangements, feeling eager to go to H.W. Global in my new car. However, since I hadn’t learned how to drive yet, I booked an Uber and recalled that Amelia had given me a birthday present the previous weekend. I hurried back to th
Amelia's POVIt's been 6 weeks plus since I had an affair with Michael. Although I tried to reach out to him, he had blocked my number, clearly not interested in speaking with me.I couldn't forget our intimate night, and I thought of how to get his attention again.I had wanted to use my father, but it didn't work out, and I didn't want my brothers to get mad at me if they found out the truth that I was the one who had flung myself at Michael just because he wanted to get Natalie's number.I tried to reach out to Gloria, but she was totally avoiding me, and I didn't understand why.The last time I came across her salon, she sent me out and embarrassed me.I couldn't understand what I did to her, but I was determined to get her brother whether Gloria liked me or not.I came hovering around Franklin's office, wanting to ask him about Michael's company.Michael had placed tight security on me, not to let me into his house, and I knew he was still interested in Natalie. If Natalie was th
**Franklin Howard**I arrived at H.W. Global at 8 AM and went to my office on the third floor. I received the report for the press meeting that we had at noon, due to my one-month absence from the company.I had completely forgotten that Amelia still worked here, and seeing her hovering around my secretary's door, I frowned as she greeted me, smiling bashfully. I recalled that Natalie had told me Amelia was up to something mischievous, but I didn't care to know."Good morning, CEO Franklin," Amelia greeted me with a wide grin on her pretty fair face. She wore a white shirt, a black skirt, and silver shoes. Her blonde hair was let loose, and she looked beautiful."Morning. What do you want here?" I asked her, not smiling, as my secretary, Ms. Mary Elliott, rose from her chair and greeted me too. "Morning, sir.""Morning, Mary. Prepare the files for all the appointments I have today," I instructed her, noting she was dressed in the same style as Amelia."Okay, sir," Mary settled back
**Natalie’s POV**I woke up the next morning and found myself still in bed. It was a bright Monday morning, and I knew that Franklin was finally going to work. The weekend had been splendid, and he had tried his best to make me feel better.As I carefully crawled out of the vast bed, the sound of water running in the bathroom caught my attention. I knew that Franklin was in there taking a bath, so I went to the closet to grab an outfit to wear.The time was past 7 AM, and my mind wandered back to the events of the weekend—Franklin getting me a new car on our return trip, and the fact that it was my birthday. He confessed his love for me and asked me not to leave him.I decided to stop worrying about anything else, including our inability to have a child. I believe that a child will come to us soon. So I carefully took a nightdress and put it on to go downstairs and prepare my husband’s breakfast like the good wife that I was.As I stepped out of the closet and got dressed, Franklin wa
**Franklin's POV:**Inside Doctor Famous's office, I watched him examine my wife while asking her a few questions. His lab assistant came in and drew her blood into a test tube."When was the last time you saw your menstrual cycle?" he asked her after checking her body."This week," Natalie replied, her head lowered, and Dr. Famous smiled."It's alright. Everything will be fine," he assured her, but her face fell as she watched him finish his physical examination."Doctor, is it possible to be pregnant and menstruating at the same time?" Natalie asked, and he shrugged."In some cases, but it's a rare occurrence. You shouldn't worry about being pregnant, madam. Pregnancy comes on its own," he assured her, typing on his laptop, but Natalie wasn’t happy."Doctor, we should wait for the test report. I just want to find out if I am pregnant," she said, as if being pregnant were the only way to make me love her and not divorce her."You will. How about the last supplements I prescribed to y
**Franklin Howard:**I wasn't pleased with the fact that Michael came to my house the previous night and brought a birthday present for my wife. Although Natalie told me it was nothing and that I should forgive Michael and be friends with him, I couldn't be friendly with a man who lusted after my wife. I was sure many other men in my position wouldn't want to get close to someone who openly gawked at their partner.Wesley arrived with the two women to take care of sweeping and mopping my mansion to make it look neat. It’s not like Natalie wasn't doing that before, but I decided to treat her right. Since I had the money to pay for the househelp, getting someone wasn’t a big deal. However, Natalie chose the two women.They finished sweeping the entire mansion, but when Natalie came to inform me that she wanted to go to the hospital to see Dr. Famous, I decided to follow her."Ma'am, you’re done with your job for today. My wife and I will be going out," I said to one of the two women, na
**Natalie's POV.**It was nighttime, the weather had turned dark, and the estate road was deserted, with only a few passersby.As I stepped out of the gate, I saw Michael standing beside his car—a black car."Hi, good evening," I greeted him as I walked up gently to meet him."Evening, Natalie. Happy birthday to you," he replied, looking genuinely happy to see me as his dark eyes held mine. He wore a crisp white shirt and black trousers, paired with black sandals. He was also holding a white plastic bag as I approached him to accept his gift."I couldn't wait until tomorrow to present this to you. I saw the videos Franklin posted and knew you were back," he said as I reached him and accepted his gift."Thank you, but you shouldn't have stressed about coming here at this hour. It's getting late," I said, knowing the clock had passed 10 PM."I wouldn't mind coming here at 11 PM or midnight to present my gift to you. But I’m glad to see that Franklin is taking good care of you," he said,
**Natalie's POV:**I immediately recoiled from Amelia’s hug, unable to suppress my irritation."Stand back," I said to her, then immediately looked at our father. "Good evening, Dad.""Natalie, how are you doing?" Dad asked, while Amelia frowned and moved back to meet our father."I am fine, Dad. Nice to see you both," I forced out my response, and Dad smiled at me."I am glad to see that Franklin is taking good care of you. It’s actually your birthday, and I told Amelia to join me in seeing you. We brought a present for you too," Dad said, waving over to the white plastic bag he was holding for Amelia to give to me.Amelia marched up to the center table and dropped the bag there. "Happy birthday to you, Natalie," she said, smiling, but I frowned, looking at her.*What does she want that made her look so happy?* I was lost in thought and didn't hear what my father said."Natalie, you should try to calm down so that you can conceive and give your husband children. Getting angry with Am
**Natalie's POV**I jumped up in joy and rushed to unlock the car. "Are you serious, babe? Is this car really for me?" I asked my husband in disbelief, as I couldn't believe my ears."Yes. It's pretty—a brand-new Mercedes Benz GLC. It's all for you, my love," Franklin said, and I was so happy."Oh my goodness!" I rushed to envelope him in a tight, warm hug."Thank you so much, my sweetheart. I wasn't expecting this lovely present," I said to him, and he grinned."You don't have to thank me. Don't worry; I will get you more lovely presents, okay?" Franklin told me as he held me closer and sealed his lips on mine."Can I start the car?" I asked him as a wave of excitement washed over me. I was so happy, yet nervous. I hadn't been to a driving school, but I just wanted to sit my butt in the car and start it."Yes, you can. But don’t drive it. I’m sure you don’t have any driving experience," Franklin said, and I grinned.As I accepted the car key, I opened the car door and sat inside. Fra