Novah’s POV
Pacing about with my lips in between my teeth, I had my back against the wall as a million and one ideas ran through my head at once. Blinking uncontrollably, I tried to push back the tears that had pooled up in my eyes but it was to no avail as it began to flow down my cheeks in torrents. Mother had been ill for a while now, causing us to go bankrupt all in a bid to pay for her medical bills and other necessities. Working around the clock, I tried to keep up with the bills that keep piling up each day but my efforts were not enough. Just this morning while I was attending to a customer at the mall, the hospital called, informing me of my mother's condition and immediately, I made my way here. It had been more than two hours since mother was wheeled into the OR, yet no one had stepped out or gone in. Sliding through the wall to the floor, I pulled my legs to my chin as I began to sob uncontrollably as fear overtook my body. The attention I was getting didn't move me as I was too depressed to care. Mother was the only family I had. Since birth, I had never met with my father. Even after I pestered my mom so much to tell me about him, she wouldn't say a word and so I gave up trying. If anything happens to my mother, I’m going to be doomed. Putting my hands together, I muttered a swift prayer to my maker and as if on a cue, the door of the OR flung open and immediately I rose. Staring at the doctor in charge with a look of fright on my face, I asked, “My mother?” Flashing me a smile, he peeled off his gloves before grabbing my shoulder, the smile on his face never leaving. With my heart beating against my chest, I kept my gaze steady as my legs shook from fatigue. “We should talk in my office.” He said, steering me in the opposite direction but I was adamant. “I want to see her before leaving.” I said stubbornly but he got the upper hand over me. Now seated on the chair opposite him in his office, I watched as he flipped through the files that were scattered on his table. Grasping the warm mug of cocoa he had offered me, I parted my lips several times to speak but words refused to form. For more than ten minutes, I sat there, watching him as I struggled with my words before he finally decided to come to my aid. “Your mother is critically ill and needs to be operated on in two hours.” He dropped the bomb shell and immediately, the mug I was holding crashed against the floor. Grasping the edge of the table with my eyes which were pooled with tears, I asked, “Did you just say two hours?” My voice was shaky as my heart rammed against my chest. Beads of sweat broke out on my body and I could literally feel them dripping from my skin to the tiled floor. “You owe a lot of money Novah.” He took a deep breath before picking up the pace, “With my influence, I had been able to cover up for you when the matter arises during our discussion but I can't do that this time around.” “This surgery is not my specialty… your mother will have to be transferred to the neurosurgery department so she can be operated on…” The rest of his words fell to the ground as I was too numb to react to a thing. Fiddling with my fingers, I allowed my eyes to roam around the office for a while as I racked my head which was already hurting. If I was told when I was still a kid, living the best life with mom in our comfy home that in my early twenties, I would be in a tight corner like this, I wouldn't have believed it a bit. Overnight, a happy family changed to a mourning one. “Novah!” Doctor Fernandes called and immediately, I doubled over, holding my chest as my chest as my heart constricted against it. “Novah! You have to calm down.” “My mother is going to die.” I cried in anguish, imagining how my life was going to turn out without my mother. “Come on Novah, don't say that. You always told me about your belief in miracles, is your faith wavering already.” He tried to soothe me with his words, instead he ended up making me even more furious. “There is no such thing as faith when it's glaring that my mom is going to die.” I yelled with my heart in my mouth. “Novah… calm down okay. We can…” “I don't have money for her surgery and no one will lend me such a huge amount of money.” Exhausted from my demonstration, I pulled myself to my feet, locking eyes with Doctor Fernandes who was staring back at me with a pitiful look on his face. “I can't watch my mother die.” I mumbled but before he could respond to my words, I dashed out of his office. Avoiding making contact with people, I walked by the wall with my hands wrapped across my chest. My vision was blurry as my eyes were cloudy with stubborn tears that refused to return to my glands. In my absentminded state, I walked out of the hospital, pulling my feet down the alley that led to the road. “Mom…” I muttered, the good memories we had shared clouding my senses and at the same time making me light hearted. When I got to the point when her health began to fail, I halted for a moment, grasping my gown with both hands. “Mom wouldn't be getting the surgery, I don't want to show my face at the funeral parlor.” I muttered. Raising my head slowly, I watched the speeding vehicles on the road and immediately, an idea popped in my head. Smirking, I ran into the road without looking for incoming vehicles and at once, a car picked me off the ground. The warm blood trickling down my face as a result of the hit made a little smile appear on the side of my lips. “I did it.” I muttered and then shut my eyes, blocking off the screams surrounding me.Novah's POV It started as a dull ache and then the pain began to come in bolts, causing me to squint as I tried to sit up. “Oh dear, you should stay down.” A feminine voice rang in my head and with all the strength I could muster, I snapped my eyes open. My head was still fuzzy and so it took a while before I could fully adjust to my current environment and immediately I realized I was in the hospital, I sank deep in my bed. “I'm supposed to be dead.” I groaned, pushing my hand into my hair in anguish and just then, Doctor Fernandes walked in. “Why did you save me?” I said the moment he appeared by my side. “Calm down.” With a solemn voice I proceeded to say, “I can't face my mother, allow me to die before she does.” “Novah, you need to calm down.” I was about to yell at him when he said, “Miracles do happen, another just did.” Staring at him with my mouth slightly agape, I tried to speak but words refused to form no matter how much I tried. “Yeah! Miracles do happen.” Smili
Riana’s POV Her response made a smile break out on my lips but it didn't last for long as I quickly switched back to a hard expression. “You made the right decision, you should be proud of yourself.” I said, my voice firm and deep.From the little I had heard from Doctor Fernandes who had been her family doctor for several years, I couldn't help but to pity her. Paying for her mother's surgery was something I could pull off easily without striking a deal with her but I couldn't hold myself.She was young and so I believed she would be able to carry my child even though it was just a one night meeting. At first, I wanted to discard this thought but when Doctor Fernandes wouldn't stop talking about her predicament, I had to propose the deal. “Sir, my mother… the surgery… time is running by quickly.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she grasped the edge of the chair with both hands. “I have settled that already.” I replied but the look on her face showed disbelief. Before I coul
Novah's POV With shaky fingers, I received the pen from him and proceeded to sign the documents without bothering to read through it. “Here,” I passed the document to him, ignoring the look I was receiving from the woman he was strangling earlier. “Good!” He nodded as he turned in the direction of the woman, “My wife, Jaylen Gunnar.” He pointed at the woman and immediately, she stormed out, banging the door shut. Her reaction was the least of my concerns as I wasn't going to have anything to do with her. According to Doctor Fernandes, I was going to be inseminated, that was all and not going to lie, I sincerely hoped I wouldn't be the one to carry his heir. “According to the document which you had signed, the moment the child is weaned, you have no right over the child anymore.” His deep voice brought me back to consciousness. Nodding, I replied, “That's fine by me.” With my lips pressed tightly together, I began to fiddle with my fingers, expecting more words from but he refu
Novah's POVA month later…Even though I still regretted my meeting with Riana, I couldn't ignore the fact that my current status was due to his involvement. Though I still worked at the mall, I wasn't bothered about anything as I had more than enough money to cater for my needs and that of mom who was still hospitalized. That night, he left me with a huge amount of money and as if that was not enough, he sent some money to my bank account. While I was still attending to a customer, my boss, Lady Elsie as we always called her, walked up to me. “Come see me in my office.” She said swiftly and then turned around to leave. “Yes ma'am.” I replied and the moment I finished attending to the customer, I made my way to her office. She was on her computer when I walked in but immediately, she took her gaze off and with her eyes on me, she asked, “Are you pregnant?” Startled, I staggered backwards, my heart lunged in my throat as I stared back at her. “Answer the damn question Novah.” S
Riana's POVFlipping through the documents in front of me, I tried to concentrate but my mind kept diverting. Frustrated, I fell back on my seat with my eyes tightly shut, thinking about the conversation I had with Jaylen this morning. Ever since Novah disappeared without a trace, my life had never been the same. I felt like a failure as I was unable to protect my unborn child and his mother. “Another surrogate… I will have to skip this. I bet it's my destiny to end my family legacy.” I muttered, sitting upright with my hands resting on the edge of the table. A few minutes later, the intercom in my office rang. Not in the mood to speak to anyone, I decided to ignore the call but the caller was persistent, pissing me off in the process. Before I could slam at the person on the other end, a feminine voice came through, “You must be Riana Gunnar.” “Yes!” I replied through my teeth as I wondered who I was speaking with. “Wesley King has invited you for dinner, you should meet wit
Novah's POVFrightened, I stepped backwards as I held onto the now empty cup of coffee.The moment he snapped his head upwards and we locked eyes, I began to run my mouth, “I didn't mean to run into you. I was… I mean… I should have taken the exit route instead of…” I filtered off in fright. The menacing gaze I was receiving from the man in front of me made my heart constrict against my chest. He was the one who was at fault even though I decided to take the blame and so he should let it slide. If he wanted a new shirt, I could get that for him as it was easy peasy but I decided to keep my cool until he said or did something that would vex me. With a low tone, he called, “Novah!” “Huh! Have we met before now?” I asked, giving the man a suspicious look with my head tilted to the side. “You don't recognize me?” He asked and immediately I tilted my head to the side. Still standing there, Thorne and Bishop, my five year old son arrived. “What is going on here?” Thorne asked, scoopi
Riana's POV“Novah!” I muttered, watching as she trailed after Thorne. Suddenly, my sour mood changed as a smile appeared on my face. Finally, my search was over and another thing that delighted me even more was, she was Wesley's daughter. “My instincts never lie to me.” I muttered, shifting my attention from them and then proceeded into the mall. But why Thorne? What was she doing with him of all people and then the child he was carrying? A lot of questions kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to any of them. Halting suddenly, I remembered the strange look on her face when she saw me. I had recognized her immediately, why didn't she recognize me also. Swirling towards the door, I dashed out of the mall only to see Thorne pulling out of the parking lot and even before I could try to get his attention, he drove off. Soon it was evening, meaning it was time for the dinner meeting with Wesley which I wasn't going to miss for any reason. On arrival, it was Alexa that welc
Riana's POV“Novah!” I muttered, watching as she trailed after Thorne. Suddenly, my sour mood changed as a smile appeared on my face. Finally, my search was over and another thing that delighted me even more was, she was Wesley's daughter. “My instincts never lie to me.” I muttered, shifting my attention from them and then proceeded into the mall. But why Thorne? What was she doing with him of all people and then the child he was carrying? A lot of questions kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to any of them. Halting suddenly, I remembered the strange look on her face when she saw me. I had recognized her immediately, why didn't she recognize me also. Swirling towards the door, I dashed out of the mall only to see Thorne pulling out of the parking lot and even before I could try to get his attention, he drove off. Soon it was evening, meaning it was time for the dinner meeting with Wesley which I wasn't going to miss for any reason. On arrival, it was Alexa that welc
Novah's POVFrightened, I stepped backwards as I held onto the now empty cup of coffee.The moment he snapped his head upwards and we locked eyes, I began to run my mouth, “I didn't mean to run into you. I was… I mean… I should have taken the exit route instead of…” I filtered off in fright. The menacing gaze I was receiving from the man in front of me made my heart constrict against my chest. He was the one who was at fault even though I decided to take the blame and so he should let it slide. If he wanted a new shirt, I could get that for him as it was easy peasy but I decided to keep my cool until he said or did something that would vex me. With a low tone, he called, “Novah!” “Huh! Have we met before now?” I asked, giving the man a suspicious look with my head tilted to the side. “You don't recognize me?” He asked and immediately I tilted my head to the side. Still standing there, Thorne and Bishop, my five year old son arrived. “What is going on here?” Thorne asked, scoopi
Riana's POVFlipping through the documents in front of me, I tried to concentrate but my mind kept diverting. Frustrated, I fell back on my seat with my eyes tightly shut, thinking about the conversation I had with Jaylen this morning. Ever since Novah disappeared without a trace, my life had never been the same. I felt like a failure as I was unable to protect my unborn child and his mother. “Another surrogate… I will have to skip this. I bet it's my destiny to end my family legacy.” I muttered, sitting upright with my hands resting on the edge of the table. A few minutes later, the intercom in my office rang. Not in the mood to speak to anyone, I decided to ignore the call but the caller was persistent, pissing me off in the process. Before I could slam at the person on the other end, a feminine voice came through, “You must be Riana Gunnar.” “Yes!” I replied through my teeth as I wondered who I was speaking with. “Wesley King has invited you for dinner, you should meet wit
Novah's POVA month later…Even though I still regretted my meeting with Riana, I couldn't ignore the fact that my current status was due to his involvement. Though I still worked at the mall, I wasn't bothered about anything as I had more than enough money to cater for my needs and that of mom who was still hospitalized. That night, he left me with a huge amount of money and as if that was not enough, he sent some money to my bank account. While I was still attending to a customer, my boss, Lady Elsie as we always called her, walked up to me. “Come see me in my office.” She said swiftly and then turned around to leave. “Yes ma'am.” I replied and the moment I finished attending to the customer, I made my way to her office. She was on her computer when I walked in but immediately, she took her gaze off and with her eyes on me, she asked, “Are you pregnant?” Startled, I staggered backwards, my heart lunged in my throat as I stared back at her. “Answer the damn question Novah.” S
Novah's POV With shaky fingers, I received the pen from him and proceeded to sign the documents without bothering to read through it. “Here,” I passed the document to him, ignoring the look I was receiving from the woman he was strangling earlier. “Good!” He nodded as he turned in the direction of the woman, “My wife, Jaylen Gunnar.” He pointed at the woman and immediately, she stormed out, banging the door shut. Her reaction was the least of my concerns as I wasn't going to have anything to do with her. According to Doctor Fernandes, I was going to be inseminated, that was all and not going to lie, I sincerely hoped I wouldn't be the one to carry his heir. “According to the document which you had signed, the moment the child is weaned, you have no right over the child anymore.” His deep voice brought me back to consciousness. Nodding, I replied, “That's fine by me.” With my lips pressed tightly together, I began to fiddle with my fingers, expecting more words from but he refu
Riana’s POV Her response made a smile break out on my lips but it didn't last for long as I quickly switched back to a hard expression. “You made the right decision, you should be proud of yourself.” I said, my voice firm and deep.From the little I had heard from Doctor Fernandes who had been her family doctor for several years, I couldn't help but to pity her. Paying for her mother's surgery was something I could pull off easily without striking a deal with her but I couldn't hold myself.She was young and so I believed she would be able to carry my child even though it was just a one night meeting. At first, I wanted to discard this thought but when Doctor Fernandes wouldn't stop talking about her predicament, I had to propose the deal. “Sir, my mother… the surgery… time is running by quickly.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she grasped the edge of the chair with both hands. “I have settled that already.” I replied but the look on her face showed disbelief. Before I coul
Novah's POV It started as a dull ache and then the pain began to come in bolts, causing me to squint as I tried to sit up. “Oh dear, you should stay down.” A feminine voice rang in my head and with all the strength I could muster, I snapped my eyes open. My head was still fuzzy and so it took a while before I could fully adjust to my current environment and immediately I realized I was in the hospital, I sank deep in my bed. “I'm supposed to be dead.” I groaned, pushing my hand into my hair in anguish and just then, Doctor Fernandes walked in. “Why did you save me?” I said the moment he appeared by my side. “Calm down.” With a solemn voice I proceeded to say, “I can't face my mother, allow me to die before she does.” “Novah, you need to calm down.” I was about to yell at him when he said, “Miracles do happen, another just did.” Staring at him with my mouth slightly agape, I tried to speak but words refused to form no matter how much I tried. “Yeah! Miracles do happen.” Smili
Novah’s POV Pacing about with my lips in between my teeth, I had my back against the wall as a million and one ideas ran through my head at once. Blinking uncontrollably, I tried to push back the tears that had pooled up in my eyes but it was to no avail as it began to flow down my cheeks in torrents. Mother had been ill for a while now, causing us to go bankrupt all in a bid to pay for her medical bills and other necessities. Working around the clock, I tried to keep up with the bills that keep piling up each day but my efforts were not enough. Just this morning while I was attending to a customer at the mall, the hospital called, informing me of my mother's condition and immediately, I made my way here. It had been more than two hours since mother was wheeled into the OR, yet no one had stepped out or gone in. Sliding through the wall to the floor, I pulled my legs to my chin as I began to sob uncontrollably as fear overtook my body. The attention I was getting didn't move m