(Antonio's POV)My heart pulsated with a heavy rhythm and I maintained a normal walking pace to avoid glaring eyes as I scooted out of the office building and ambled toward the gate."Good morning sir" the security personnel on duty saluted as soon as I came close. "You are not riding your car today?""Oh no! I prefer taking a cab. I will be back shortly," I replied with a smile as I maintained my composure despite being in haste."Alright, sir. Goodbye, sir."I sprinted outside the gate to the main road, slinging my backpack which contained my laptop and a few other personal documents on my shoulder.In haste, I flagged down the second cab that almost drove past me and it pulled over."Need a ride, sir?" the driver asked as soon as he rolled down the window."If not that I needed a ride, would I have flagged down?" I responded with sarcasm as I opened the door and hopped in."Where to, sir?""The park, please, the one at Oakwood Street," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. The
(Stephen's POV)Slowly, I opened my eyes to the soft touch of Kendall's hand as she tapped my shoulder. I smiled when I remembered I had fallen asleep beside her as I watched her earlier."How are you feeling, Ken?" I asked, extending my hands to her chin."I feel better. At least the pain is over.""Then, you must be hungry," I whispered as I darted my eyes at the large clock placed on the wall of the hospital room."Yes, I think I am," she paused. "You have to eat something as well.""Okay, I will be back. Let me check out what they have in the hospital's cafeteria," I uttered and got up from the stool and squeezed her hands with love before exiting the room.As I made my way to the cafeteria after receiving directions from a nurse who I stumbled upon immediately after I left the room, the smell of the antiseptic used in cleaning wafted into my nostril.Yuck! I hated hospitals."Good afternoon Sir. What can I get for you?" the attendant behind the counter, who was wearing an apron o
(Jessica's POV)"I have told you for the hundredth time, I do not know what you are talking about," I snarled at the policeman while seated on an armchair in a closed room with no windows but only a door and a glass wall.I could see Stephen's face as he fired triggers through the glass, staring at me."I won't say a word till I see my lawyer," I added firmly. "You have no proof in any way.""Okay then, you sure do have a long time to stay here," the policeman voiced as he rolled his eyes across the dimly lit room. "I hope you do not die of lack of oxygen when we cut the oxygen channel out," he added with a smirk on his face."Talk to you later when you are ready to talk, Ms. Jessica," he uttered before shutting the door behind him.My calm demeanor instantly began to glitch as I looked around the room one more time, his words of cutting out the oxygen channel ringing in my ears like an alarm reminder."No! I would not budge. I did not do anything. They could not prove a thing," I mu
(Stephen's POV)"Okay, thanks a lot. Please call me if you have any more information." I uttered as I shook hands with Jeff before exiting the station.Hopping into the car and settling behind the wheels, I drove down to the hospital as It was 7:30p.m already and I knew Kendall would be worried already.I could not stop myself from replaying the scene in the interrogation room. If Jessica was saying the truth, which I don't think she was. Who could the kidnappers be? Business rivals?And why was Antonio nowhere to be found and his phone was not going through? Did they kidnap him alongside jy triplet? Damn! Please, keep them safe, Lord!While driving, I picked up my phone and glanced at it frequently, hoping for a text or a call of ransom from whoever had the girls and maybe Antonio, but none came in.About to drop the phone, a call came in and I hurriedly picked it up without checking the caller ID. "Sir, we need you in the company as soon as possible.""Ohh, it is you. Please handle
(Kendall's POV)His face turned pale, his eyes searching mine for any sign that this was some cruel joke. "You lied about him being dead?" he asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger.Sniffing and wiping off the tears that rolled down my eyes, I summoned the courage to face Stephen's wrath head-on. I took a deep breath and began my confession.Stephen's eyes shot hot flames at me and my lips quivered in fear as I struggled to find the right words, my gaze dropping to the plush rug beneath my feet."I... I lied to you, Stephen." I stammered my voice barely above a whisper. "I told you the father of the girls was dead, but he's alive." I paused and watched as every word fueled the anger inside of him. "I don't know how, but somehow he found me and started texting and calling some months back. At some point, he started blackmailing me. He was threatening to reveal himself as the true father of the girls.""You lied to me, Kendall?" Stephen thundered, holding the fist formed by his
(Stephen's POV)As I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turned white with rage and confusion and I drove to my favorite serene spot.My mind was a whirlwind of emotions and I hoped to find some solace when I got there. The image of my wife's tearful face haunted me, as her words echoed in my head—her ex-husband, alive and not dead as she had claimed earlier.Anger coursed through me, mingling with betrayal and hurt. How could she lie to me for so long? My thoughts swirled like a storm, yet my destination remained clear in my mind—a peaceful lakeside beside the old park that had always brought me tranquility, which I often visited whenever I was bullied in my younger days. With responsibility taking most of my time and Kendall having been a source of joy for me, I had not visited in a while.As I parked the car, I stared blankly at the tranquil waves. Though the water flowed to the rhythm of my heart, it did nothing to quench the fire of rage blazing inside of me.Fixing
(Kendall's POV)I dragged my feet toward the sofa and bent over it as soon as Stephen left the room. The look on his face and his words pierced through my heart, tearing it into shreds.Collapsing onto the sofa, I burst into another round of tears and everything was crumbling down. As I sobbed gently, the screeching sound of the door jolted me out of my reverie. Instantly, I wiped off my tears and raised my head, hoping it was Stephen. Rather, I met with the soft eyes of Gab."Sorry, I had to let myself in. I had been knocking for quite some time," she uttered in her soothing voice when my eyes met hers.As she approached me, she sat behind me on the arm of the sofa and placed her hands on my shoulder. She asked, "What's wrong? I heard a loud noise like someone slamming a door and when I came out to take a look, I saw Stephen flounced out of the house. And the kids… Why are they not back yet?""He's gone... He stormed out of the house." I paused, trying to hold back tears. "He knows
(Frederick's POV)"Those brats of yours won't stop babbling and asking questions," Anna complained immediately after she stepped into the room, her face etched with disdain and bitterness.I could not tell if she was pissed that the girls were mine or if she was pissed because they were Kendall's."Just let them be. They are kids, and you know kids always ask questions," I replied, dropping the leather bag I held to the floor and walking toward her, trying to soothe her anger."Fine!! You deal with them," she spat as she shrugged off my hand, which I placed on her shoulder. "I need a shower.""What's with the…"I stopped talking when she got into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.After I unpacked some of the luggage, I decided to go see the girls in the room they were kept in.As I approached the door, I cautiously opened and entered the room. Immediately, the kids noticed me and began to move back in fear."Who are you and where's our mummy?" One of the girls asked her ex
(Stephen's POV) - A YEAR AFTERMy wife and I stood side by side in front of the full-length mirror, a flurry of excitement in the air. Tonight was a momentous occasion; the event we had been planning and looking forward to for weeks. The merging of our companies was a significant step forward, and this party was our chance to celebrate with colleagues, friends, and loved ones. I adjusted my tie, glancing at my reflection, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. "How do I look?" I asked, half-jokingly.Kendall turned to me, a playful smile on her lips. "You clean up pretty well, I must admit."Chuckling, I gave her a mock bow. "And you, my dear, look stunning." And she did — her red silk gown cascading elegantly to the floor, a perfect match for the occasion.She blushed and turned back to the mirror, fussing with her hair. "I hope I'm not overdressed. Isn't this jewelry a little too much?"I stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and a soft kiss on her neck
(Stephen's POV)A few months after our wedding took place, my wife rested her head on my thighs as I caressed her protruded belly while watching our favorite family show.The doctor said her due date was just two days from now according to the gynecologist, and I was doing my best to ensure she witnessed no pain.The show's opening scenes played out, and the triplets wriggled and giggled between us, seemingly just as eager to enjoy the film.Suddenly, a hushed gasp escaped Kendall's lips, her hand instinctively reaching for her belly. I felt her tense against me, and then it happened, a rush of warm liquid and soft pop. Panic surged through me as her water broke right there on the couch."Ken, are you okay?" I asked, trying to hide my alarm.She managed a weak smile, her breathing becoming uneven as her contractions started. "I think... think it's time."My heart raced as I scrambled to my feet. Gab sprang up immediately too.My eyes darted between my wife and the kids, who were now
(Kendall's POV)My eyes sprung open, welcomed by the warm greetings of my little darlings as I exited the dreamland.Each of them held a unique bouquet and my all-time favorite chocolate bars, their faces beaming with smiles, reflecting the love and excitement that filled the air.I rubbed off my eyes and sat upright. "Good morning, my babies. How was your night's rest?""It was nice," they chorused.What's the occasion, little angels?" I asked after seeing the boxes of pizzas and strawberries beside me too. "Are these all for mummy?""Yes, mummy, look! I picked these sunflowers for you because they're as bright and beautiful as you!" Laura replied, her voice clear and smart as always."And I brought these roses for you too, Mummy. I want you to always be happy." Claura gently added."And what do we have here?" I asked, my gaze turned to Flora."Wildflowers, Mom," she responded, smiling as she stretched it towards me. "We picked them from the garden."Taking the flowers from each of t
(Kendall's POV)I returned to our master bedroom after checking up on the girls, my body heavy with the weight of the pregnancy and I felt relieved that Gab was already taking care of their baths.Since we came back to Mexico, putting things in order has been my hobby and a way of releasing the stress that comes with additional lives in the belly. Moreover, this was like an exercise.After the room felt just right, I decided it was time for a bit of relaxation and the idea of a warm bath was too tempting to resist, given the ache in my back and the swelling of my feet.Slowly, I undressed and stepped into the soothing embrace of the bathwater. The gentle lap of water against the sides of the tub created a calming rhythm, and soon I stepped out of the bathtub, feeling rejuvenated.Wrapping myself in a soft towel, I moved back to the room and began applying fragrant body cream to my skin. Just as I was lost in the soothing sensation, the door creaked open. I turned, surprised to see St
(Stephen's POV)After Kendall finished hurling the words she couldn't say when she caught them together, we left and prepared ourselves back to Mexico.A few weeks after we flew back to Mexico, I stepped into the gym, and the soft glow of the overhead lights illuminated the sleek exercise equipment that lined the room. The rubber mat beneath my feet was cool to the touch as I climbed the treadmill. With a flick of a switch, the machine hummed to life and I adjusted the settings.As I started jogging, the steady rhythm of my footsteps matched the beat of my heart. The view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed my tranquil garden, still shrouded in the morning mist.The gentle whirring of the elliptical machine in the corner called out to me. Transitioning smoothly, I moved to the machine, gripping the handles as I began to pedal. The low hum of the machine and the focused burn in my muscles created a serene sense of accomplishment.Sweat began to form on my brow as the minute
Kendall's POVI woke up to the sound of a familiar voice, a voice that had become a comforting presence in my life."Arise and shine, Mrs. De La Cruz."As I blinked my eyes open, I saw Stephen humming one of my favorite songs delightfully, a song he knew I loved as he placed a tray of food on the stool close to the bed. Awwwn!."Behold the queen of the empire. Mrs. De La Cruz is awake," he uttered dramatically.I watched as he approached, his eyes never leaving mine, his love and care palpable in every step he took.The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his tousled hair and the gentle smile on his lips. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast wafted through the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.With a gentle chuckle, he leaned over me, planting kisses all over my face as his fingers brushed against mine in a tender caress."What do we have here? You cooked?" I asked, surprised, butterflies dancing in my heart as I chuckled shyly."Just for t
(Kendall's POV)It's been over two weeks since I had been in the hospital and we're ready to leave as Gab folded my things into a packing bag. Staring out of the glass window, my heart leaped with joy that the gloomy days were over. The thought that I had forgotten who my triplets, Gab and even Stephen were caused a crack in my happy heart.I wondered why I'd be waking up uttering Fred's name. I hoped Stephen wasn't sad about it at present because I'd have flared up if he had to be in my shoes and he began to clamor Jessica's name.Also hearing the information about Antonio, I was devastated. Stephen held him in high esteem and I felt very annoyed knowing that he had ulterior motives for all he did. Very sad."Forget the past, Kendall, it's a new start now. Life has given you another chance. Don't contaminate it with the past." I cautioned myself as I rubbed my baby bump that was beginning to shoot out."Oh! You're set," the doctor voiced immediately as she entered the room, almost s
(Stephen's POV)What! I glared intensely with my mouth slightly opened as the prosecutor revealed that Antonio was in communication with Frederick and Antonio.Why didn't Jeff mention when he called me about the kids earlier?As I sat down, I wanted to yell out to the world, my heart sinking in betrayal. I suspired and managed to comport myself so as not to disturb the stillness of the courtroom."Why did you not tell me about the third party?" I growled at the prosecutor's attorney, who was smiling in victory at the way he handled the case immediately after the court session was over."I am sorry, Mr. De La Cruz. I found out, just a few minutes into the court session.""You still should have…"Just then, I was interrupted by the dinging notifications of my phone buzzing and it was from Jeff.My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. "Found him. Arrested. At the NYPD's 23rd Precinct. I will give you details when I see you."Adrenaline surged through my veins as I walked hurriedly
(Frederick's POV)I sat behind the well of the courtroom, hovering my eyes around as I floated in the turmoil of sad emotions with the depths of guilt and regret pressed down on me.All evidence was clearly against me, although there were no witnesses in the murder case. My notebook, the fingerprints, everything pointed to me.While I sank in my misery with sadness written all over my face, a few inches beside me, Anna also sat in the dock, her face void of any remorse. She looked ready for anything that came up as her arms crossed against each other.On the other end of the docks was a lady named Jessica and two young ladies I leaned were her spies both at Stephen's workplace and home. They had been orchestrating some evil plans toward Stephen and Kendall.I switched my eyes back to the jury. Their eyes bore into me, a mix of curiosity, judgment, and perhaps even a hint of pity. The courtroom felt suffocating as if the air itself was tainted by the terrible deeds I had committed."OR