It was Christmas Eve, and it was raining cats and dogs. At the Martins residence in Mount Edgecombe Estates, South Africa, the atmosphere was tense. August Martins was sitting at the edge of the bed looking at his stunning wife with tender eyes.
His gaze was filled with love and affection. August Martins had a calm and graceful aura. His beloved wife, Elizabeth Martins, was breathtakingly beautiful. Elizabeth's eyes were red, brimming with tears. Her husband tried to coax her to no avail.
"August, I've told you several times that I don't want this baby, but you forced me to keep it. You promised to find a full-time nanny for her, but to date, I haven't seen anyone, and I am due anytime from now."
His wife, Elizabeth Martins, was leaning on the headboard; she was thirty-seven weeks pregnant. She then started sobbing.
August's heart ached when he saw his wife crying. He tried to hold his wife's hand, but she slapped him.
He smiled and said, "Honey, I will bring my daughter's nanny to the delivery room. Also, I will take care of my baby myself. Please don't worry your beautiful face about anything. Have I ever lied to you?"
He tried to kiss her, but she put her hands in front of her and pushed him. He was caught off guard. He fell on the floor, but he was not angry. He smiled at his wife and shook his head.
She was so angry when she saw her husband smiling and said, "It is clear to me that you are taking this matter as a joke. If I don't see the nanny in the delivery room, don't blame me if I leave your precious daughter at the hospital."
When August heard his wife's words his expression darkened. He looked at his wife with cold eyes and replied, "Elizabeth, I've had enough. Did you forget that before we got married you promised me a big family? I am tired of your nagging.
Since we have built this marriage on lies, why don't you abort this child and get out of my house?" Elizabeth was so shocked she couldn't believe her ears. Was her husband chasing her out of their house?
She stopped crying, she was expecting her husband to hold her in his arms and coax her. It was clear to her that it was her wishful thinking. She knew that she had gone overboard.
She wanted to apologize but pride held her back. She was praying to give birth to a stillborn. She hated her unborn baby to the core. She vowed that she would make her life miserable.
Her husband walked to his closet and took his jacket, and then he looked at his wife and said, "When I get back, I don't want to see you again. Do whatever you want with the baby, I don't care anymore."
He headed down to the living room and asked Rose Walker, the housekeeper, to pack everything for his wife.
He then told his butler, Bruce King, to drive his wife wherever she wanted to go. Butler Bruce was puzzled since Mrs Martins was heavily pregnant, but he didn't ask.
He left his house in heavy spirits. He went to his garage and walked to his black Mercedes Benz SL 65 and drove away.
August Martins was so sad for his unborn baby. When they were dating, his wife promised him a big family. However, after they got married, she told her husband that she didn't want to have kids. In the end, she compromised to give him one child.
After she gave birth to their son, Aiden, her fallopian tubes were permanently blocked.
Three years later, Elizabeth Martins became pregnant again. When she discovered that she was pregnant she was so angry she wanted to sue the hospital. She told her husband that she wanted to abort the baby.
However, her husband threatened her with a divorce. From that day onwards, there was no harmony in their house.
He drove his car to his company, the Martins Group. It was so quiet because it was the festive season; Martins Group's employees were on holiday. Only the security guards were present.
He didn't even switch on the lights in his office; he sat in darkness in deep thought. His deepest regret was marrying his wife, Elizabeth.
The Martins family was one of the wealthiest families in the country. The Martins Group had a number of businesses from hotel chains, restaurants, imports and exports, resorts, and the construction industry. They had dominated the construction industry for a decade.
At that moment, he received a call from his friend, Paul Evans. He was fifteen years older than August Martins. Paul and August met at the orphanage.
When August was one day old, Pastor Basil found him at the church doorsteps. He held the child in his arms and blessed him.
He looked at the baby smiling broadly and said, "You will be called August and you will be great. May the Lord bless you with wisdom and peace.
I pray that everything you touch turns into gold." Then he took baby August to His Miracle Orphanage.
As soon as August learned to walk, he was following Paul around. Paul took him under his wing and protected him. After his 18th birthday, the orphanage hired him as a security guard.
When August was six years old, he was adopted by the Martins couple. They treated him as their own son. August was highly intelligent, he skipped grades at school.
At a young age, he started investing in stock markets. He earned a lot of money and he established the Martins Group when he was sixteen years old.
He asked his friend, Paul, to resign from the orphanage and went to university to study. He gave him a lot of money to start his business. However, he didn't have business acumen and his company went bankrupt.
August Martins helped Paul Evans nine years ago in a critical situation. After that incident, August offered him a job at the Martins Group as Construction Director.
August smiled and said, "Hello Paul, how are you?" Paul replied, grinning from ear to ear, "Hello August, we are well, thank you. Are you at home?"
August told him that he was in the office. Paul indicated that he was on his way. Then they hung up.
August switched on the lights and walked to the window. The Martins Group was facing the Mount Edgecombe Golf Club. The scenery was breathtaking.
He was thinking about the love they shared with his wife, Elizabeth, before they got married. He was reminded of all the promises she made to him; it was clear to him that it was all lies.
Since that day she wanted to abort his child, something had been dead in his heart. The love he had for her had faded.
At the Martins residence, the housekeeper, Rose Walker, walked into her boss' bedroom with empty boxes to pack her Madam's stuff. Her heart ached for her boss because he was a good man.
She smiled and greeted Mrs Martins with respect, "Madam, I am here to help you with your packing."
Elizabeth laughed out loud and replied, "My husband was just joking I am not going anywhere. Please put those boxes away." Rose Walker looked at her with questioning eyes, then she left Mrs Martins' bedroom without uttering a word.
She then took her phone and dialed Mr Martins' number. When it was connected, she said, "August, your wife indicated that she was not leaving. What should I do?"
Mr Martins sighed and replied, "Aunt Rose, let her be." Then they hung up. He called his butler and told him that his wife was no longer leaving.
Half an hour later, Paul Evans arrived at the Martins Group. He greeted his friend and asked, "How is beautiful Elizabeth?"
August looked at his friend with sadness in his eyes and replied, "Let's not talk about her, my friend. Please ask your lovely wife to find me a full-time nanny. I prefer an older woman, someone who would not be scared of my wife. How is your family?"
Paul smiled broadly and replied, "They are busy preparing for the Art Exhibition. My daughter asked me to remind you about the Art Exhibition on the 5th of January." August smiled broadly and replied, "I will be there to give her support."
Paul was happy to hear that, and then he gave his boss feedback about their current project.
Six years ago, the Martins Group won the government tender to build the largest concrete gravity-arch hybrid dam in Durban. When completed, it would serve as a water reservoir and tourist attraction.
An hour later, they went to His Mercy restaurant for lunch, which was under the Martins Group. His Mercy restaurant was famous for its delicious food. The restaurant manager, Mr Sands, ushered them to the private room, then he took their orders.
Mr Martins had ordered Chef Stuart's signature dish which was a Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Blue Cheese Sauce served with grilled veggies. Mr Evans had ordered Roast Rack of Lamb served with crushed potatoes and creamy spinach.
A few minutes later, their food was served. It was mouth-watering.
Two hours later they left the restaurant and walked to their cars. August looked at Paul and said, "Please don't forget to ask your lovely wife to look for an old lady for me.
Send my regards to your beautiful family. I will see them on the 5th." They shook their hands, and then they got in their cars and drove away.
When Mr Martins arrived home, there was no one in the living room. Butler Bruce told him that Mrs Martins was in their bedroom. He walked to his bedroom to check on his wife. His wife was sitting on the sofa reading the fashion magazine.She looked at her husband and said, "Didn't you say you didn't want to see me anymore? What are you doing here?"Her husband sat next to her smiling. He tried to hug her, but she pushed him off. Her husband wasn't angry at her and replied, "Sweetheart, let's stop fighting. I promised I would find a nanny for our little dumpling."His wife sneered, "August, I told you that I didn't want to be involved in your daughter's life. Please spare me the details. What I want to see is the nanny. That's all. Don't ask me to bathe or to feed her because I hate her. She destroyed our love."August was taken aback when he heard his wife's words and said, "My love, hate is a strong word. Our daughter didn't destroy our love but lies destroyed our love.When I fell i
In the blink of an eye, it was the Art Exhibition Day. Mr Martins had asked his wife to accompany him to the Art Exhibition, but she refused.He wanted to take her out to meet new people and the Evans family. However, his wife was not interested to meet anyone while she was pregnant.August was sitting on the sofa in their bedroom looking at his beautiful wife with gentle eyes and said, "My love, have you changed your mind about not accompanying me? What if someone steals me from you?" Elizabeth glared at him, but she didn't utter a word.At that moment, Elizabeth's phone started ringing. When she saw the caller ID she smiled brightly and said, "Hello big brother, is everything alright?"Her brother, Edwin Parker replied smiling, "Baby sister, I have great news to tell you. Your sister-in-law was in labour this morning. The Lord has blessed us with a beautiful daughter."Elizabeth screamed and said, "Congratulations big brother, I am so happy for you. Please send my niece's photo. I w
On Monday morning, Mr Evans visited Mr Martins' office with his daughter in tow dragging her two suitcases. Mr Martins was so happy to see them and said smiling, "What a pleasant surprise." Mr Evans smiled and replied, "I have found a nanny for you."Mr Martins was overjoyed, he looked around, but he didn't see anyone. He looked at Paul and asked, "When is she coming to see me? My wife will give birth anytime now."Bridgette replied smiling, "I will be your baby's nanny, Uncle Martins." Mr Martins was so shocked, then he shook his head and said, "Bridgette, I will not allow you to abandon your career. Your business is doing well."Bridgette smiled brightly and replied, "Uncle Martins, I have made arrangements with my assistants, they will take care of my gallery." August looked at Paul and asked, "Why don't you talk sense to your daughter?"Paul smiled and replied, "My wife and I are 100% behind her. Please don't try to change her mind."Uncle Martins looked at Bridgette with worried
Mr Martins asked Butler Bruce to protect Bridgette from his wife. Then he told him that Bridgette would eat with them because she was his guest.Butler wasn't surprised when he heard Mr Martins' words because he was aware of the relationship between Mr Martins and the Evans family.When Aunt Rose and Bridgette returned to the house, Mrs Martins was still in the living room watching television.Bridgette wanted to go to her bedroom to rest but she decided against it. She walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. Mrs Martins looked at her with disdain in her eyes and said, "What are you doing in my house?"Bridgette was taken aback and replied smiling, "Auntie, I am here to help Uncle Martins with the baby." Mrs Martins was so furious and said, "Who are you calling Auntie? Please leave my house immediately."Bridgette laughed out loud and replied, "I'm sorry, Auntie, but you don't have the authority to chase me away. I am calling you Auntie out of respect for Uncle Martins, but you
Mrs Martins was so angry she wanted to slap Bridgette hard across her face. Her eyes turned red, and then she took a knife and rushed to Bridgette. She wanted to kill her.Bridgette remained calm and looked at Aunt Elizabeth as if she was a clown. Aunt Elizabeth was no match for her.Mrs Martins was about to stab Bridgette but someone held her tightly. Elizabeth was so scared when she smelled the familiar scent.What was her husband doing at home? Her husband used to drop everything to accompany his wife for lunch. However, she didn't appreciate that she was disrespectful to him. Then he stopped coming home for lunch.Her husband took the knife from his wife's hand and asked, "What are you doing Elizabeth? Are you insane?"Elizabeth struggled in her husband's arms. She turned around and looked at her husband coldly, "Why, did your heart ache because I tried to kill your mistress?"Her husband was so angry and sneered, "Elizabeth, please don't embarrass the Martins family. Have I ever
On Thursday morning around 5 am, Elizabeth shook her husband and said, "August, wake up." Her husband woke up immediately, he was so scared when he saw that the bed was wet and asked, "Love, are you in labour?"Elizabeth nodded her head and said, "August, take me to the hospital quickly the baby is coming."August jumped out of bed, he put the bathrobe on top of the pajamas then he ran to the closet and took his wife's dress.He quickly changed his wife's clothes, and then he carried her in his arms and headed down to the living room. He shouted Butler Bruce's name.Fortunately, Butler Bruce was already awake; he rushed to his boss's side. "Take us to the hospital, my wife is in labour."When Aunt Rose heard Mr Martins' voice she dressed up quickly and went to the living room. Mr Martins told her that his wife was in labour. He asked her to tell Bridgette to accompany them to the hospital.Bridgette was in a deep slumber when she heard Aunt Rose calling her name. She went to the door
Bridgette smiled brightly at Mr Martins and said, "Uncle Martins, you don't have to stay here with us. Also, my mother is coming to keep us company. I promise to call Aunt Rose if something happens."Uncle Martins was moved by Bridgette's words and replied, "Bridgette, I am so grateful that you are here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for availing yourself to help us. Since your mother is coming, I will leave when she arrives."Bridgette smiled and replied, "It's my pleasure, Uncle Martins. This is nothing, compared to what you have done for me and my family. I will be eternally grateful to the Lord for the Martins family."Mr Martins was very busy, but he was reluctant to leave Bridgette alone with the baby. Since Bridgette didn't have any experience of being a nanny. He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that Mrs Evans would visit them.He canceled all his scheduled meetings, but he couldn't move the meeting with the Department of Water representatives. He was told that
The meeting with the Minister of Water and Sanitation lasted for two hours. Since Minister Cele took his time to meet him, Mr Martins decided to invite him and his delegates to dinner at His Mercy restaurant at 6 pm.Then he rushed to Aiden's school, Trinity Leadership Academy, to fetch him. It was one of the prestigious schools in Durban and it offered education from the Foundation phase to Grade 12.Aiden was overjoyed when he saw his father. He smiled brightly and raised his arms. His father took him in his arms, and then they went home to change his clothes.His father smiled broadly at him and said, "Aiden, your Mommy had a baby sister this morning. Do you want to see her?" Aiden's eyes lit up, he was grinning from ear to ear and said, "Yes Daddy."Paul Evans went to the hospital to accompany his lovely wife and his daughter. He was praying in his heart that his wife would not spend the night in the hospital because it would be the longest night of his life.They had never separa
Her father smiled and replied, "I promise. Quickly tell Daddy, what is going on?" Avery looked at her father and said, "Daddy, there is someone I like. His name is Jordan Bennet."Her father thought he was mentally prepared, but he wasn't because Bridgette told him about this boy a year ago. He even investigated him. He looked at his daughter with sadness in his eyes and asked, "Do you trust this boy, Sweetheart?"Avery looked at her father and replied, "I love him, Daddy. He put a smile on my face. It is a pity that the human heart is a mystery, it's impossible to see the other person's intentions. Should he hurt me in the future, I will take it as a lesson for being naïve.I promise that I will never disappoint you, Daddy. Also, I will not get pregnant outside of wedlock. I will never give Aunt Elizabeth a chance to laugh at you for refusing her to abort me when I was a fetus.Daddy, Jordan, comes from a poor background. He told me that his father is working at the shoe factory, and
Avery smiled at her mother, but the smile didn't reach her eyes and said, "Mrs Martins, you don't have the authority to chase me away from my home. Do you own this house?If you do, please show me the Title Deeds. Aunt Elizabeth, please don't provoke me because I will ask my father to transfer this house to my name."Her mother started to panic. What would happen if her husband transferred the house to Avery? What would happen to her and her niece? She wanted to strangle Avery, but she restrained herself because Avery wasn't a pushover.Mrs Martins looked at Avery coldly, then she got off on the second floor. Avery got off at the third floor. Her father left the study room door open. She walked in with the food on the tray and put it on her father's desk.Avery smiled brightly and said, "I cook this food with love, Daddy. Enjoy." Her father smiled brightly and replied, "Thank you, my lovely daughter.Your food presentation makes my mouth salivating. The food looks delicious. I cannot w
Jordan didn't sleep a wink, he was tossing and turning. Early in the morning, he sent Avery a text message apologizing to her for ignoring her.He indicated that he was depressed because his best friend, Luca, had been hired at Martins Group, but he was sitting at home doing nothing.Avery looked at Jordan's text message, but she didn't read it. A few minutes later, Jordan called her. Avery didn't want to talk to him, she just ignored it.At that moment, Aunt Bridgette walked into the room and said, "Sweetheart, are you alright? Your phone is ringing." Avery smiled at her and replied, "I am alright, Aunt Bridge. I don't want to speak to Jordan.Sometimes I feel like I am in a one-sided relationship. He lied to me about the graduation tickets. He decided to invite me to the ceremony after I hired a luxury car for him.I feel like he approached me because I am coming from a wealthy family. He told me that he was not happy with me because I didn't invite him to my birthday banquet. He ind
When Avery arrived in the parking lot, Lily was waiting for her. She rushed at her with a raised hand. Aunt Bridge shielded Avery behind her like a hen protecting her chick and asked coldly, "What are you trying to do, Lily?"Lily was fuming with anger and sneered, "Avery, don't hide behind your nanny. I will never forgive you for stealing my guests."Avery was dumbfounded. She didn't even know about her birthday banquet until her father told her during their dance. She looked coldly at Lily, then she took Aunt Bridgette's hand and walked towards their car.Aunt Mia looked at Lily and asked, "What are you talking about, Lily? What do you mean by stealing your guests? Did you have a function today as well?"Lily looked at Aunt Mia with disdain in her eyes and replied, "Stop pretending, Aunt Mia. You know that Aunt Elizabeth was hosting my birthday banquet today and your Goddaughter stole my guests."Aunt Mia was dumbfounded when she heard Lily's words and asked, "Lily, if I am not mista
Avery smiled and asked, "Didn't you tell me that you are not interested in dating?" However, she took her friend's hand and walked towards Siyabonga, and said, "Big brother, let me introduce the most important person in my life.This is my best friend, Gabriella Stone. Gabriella, this is my elder brother Siyabonga Cele."Siyabonga kissed Gabriella on both cheeks and said, "Nice to meet you, Miss Stone. I heard a lot about you from my sister."Gabriella smiled shyly at Siyabonga and replied, "Pleasure is mine, handsome Mr Cele." Gabriella was smitten. Avery looked at her friend and shook her head.The atmosphere was lively. The DJ was playing soft music. The Shelton brothers were sitting beside him with a glass of Mango juice in their hands.Aunt Caroline hugged Avery and said, "Happy birthday, Sweetheart. When I saw you on the television during the Grade 12 awards, my heart swelled with pride. Can I just steal you from the Martins family?" She loved Avery a lot.Avery giggled and repli
The following morning, Lily approached Uncle August in his study room and said, "I am sorry, uncle, I have to return the Penthouse keys, I don't want to leave my aunt alone here."Uncle August smiled and replied, "Lily, I was not trying to chase you out of the Martins mansion." It was clear that his wife had persuaded Lily to return the Penthouse keys. He took the set of keys and put them in his drawer.Aunt Elizabeth told Lily that she would invite the Prince family and the Black family to her birthday banquet, which would be on the 13th at His Grace Hotel.She told her that she had booked the 10th private room for her birthday banquet. Lily was over the moon.During breakfast, Mr Martins looked at Bridgette and said, "Bridgette, thank you so much for everything. I will never forget what you have done for me.I am eternally grateful to you for giving me a helping hand." Then he gave her the set of keys.Bridgette was overjoyed. She hugged Avery tightly and said, "Thank you, Uncle Augu
At the Martins residence, in the early hours of the morning, Aiden went to his father's study room and knocked on the door. His father looked at his watch, it was 4 am. He walked to the door and opened it.Aiden smiled brightly and said, "Daddy, please accompany me to the garage to buy a newspaper." Aiden was fully dressed; it was clear that he hadn't slept. His father put a robe on top of his pajamas, and he took his car keys.They walked to the lift and pressed the ground floor button. They drove to the garage in their Audi Q7 which was parked in the driveway. It was not far from their house.When they arrived at the garage, they saw parents and their children with newspapers in their hands. It was clear that they were looking for their children's names. Some parents had tears of joy because their children had made it.Some parents were gloomy because they didn't find their children's names in the newspaper. Aiden quickly walked to the garage with his father behind him. He forgot to
Avery and Aunt Bridgette celebrated the Festive Season together, and they exchanged lots of presents. Avery brought lots of gifts from Australia. She bought gifts for her loved ones except for Aunt Elizabeth and Lily.Aiden bought her a bracelet as a peace offering. Avery told him that she forgave him, but she was scared to treat him as her brother because he was easily influenced by his mother. Then Avery gave him elegant gold cufflinks.Avery received a call from Siyabonga asking her to meet him at His Mercy restaurant. Avery asked Aunt Bridgette to drop her at His Mercy restaurant. She smiled brightly when she saw her elder brother.They hugged each other, and then they sat down. Later, Avery gave him two gift bags and said, "This gift is for your cousin and the other one is for you."Siyabonga smiled broadly and thanked her. He opened his gift bag. Sitting in the gift bag was an engraved Rolex watch. Siyabonga hugged her and said, "Thank you so much, my baby sister. I love my gift
Afterward, Mrs Shelton took them to a luxurious restaurant, His Awesomeness, which was under the Shelton Group. They were welcomed by the restaurant manager, and he ushered them to their private room.Mrs Shelton smiled and said, "I have already ordered a few dishes. Please don't be shy to add more dishes should you see something you like." Avery smiled at her Godmother and nodded her head.A few minutes later, the waitresses filled the table with various mouth-watering dishes. Mrs Shelton looked at Avery and Gabriella and said, "I have ordered the kangaroo dish as well, please have a taste."Avery looked at the dishes; most of them were her favourite dishes. She smiled at her Godmother and thanked her. Also, there were spicy dishes which were Gabriella's favourite dishes.During their meal, her Godmother looked at her and said, "Sweetheart, I need a favour. Our Hand model, Sylvia, is seriously injured, and she won't be able to work until the cast is removed.She had a scheduled photo