(Antonio)"Wait, what?" I blurted as I came to a halt and my eyes popped out in shock. "You are what?""Frederick and I are in Mexico," Anna's familiar voice, which was filled with excitement, sounded at the other end of the phone.I exhaled deeply as I tried to maintain composure as workers strolled to and fro on the ground floor of the building. Recalling I was still standing right in the middle of the floor, I moved toward the extreme corner.I had just returned from supervising some production work at the company's warehouse and was walking toward the elevator when my phone rang."For goodness’ sake, what are you doing in Mexico and why did you not let me know you were coming?" I whispered, my face etched with a deep furrow."The second question is inconsequential because I am here already. I would answer the first but not on the phone. I would send you the address and room number of the hotel we lodged in." Anna answered, her voice revealing her displeased mood."Anna…." Before I
(Stephen's POV)Sitting comfortably behind the wheel, I went through the hectic city traffic. Horns blare and engines hummed as I weaved my way through the bustling streets.I glanced in the rearview mirror to take a quick peek at the girls in the backseat as they chatted away animatedly, their school bags on their laps. l smiled as they excitedly pointed at different objects and high buildings, their enthusiasm contagious."Dad, what is that?" Claura quizzed, her high-pitched voice almost deafening my ears."That is called a fountain, baby," I answered. "Although this is an artificial one, we would go visit a natural one during the school holiday.""Yes! Please, yes, Daddy!" The enthusiastic girls chorused as they jumped in their seats."I can not wait to tell Janet that we are going to visit a real fountain during the holiday." Laura beamed, the excitement in her voice so notable."Girls, remember dad is driving, seat belt on okay," I reprimanded them."Yes, Daddy," they replied, f
(Stephen's POV)I walked out of my office, my heart pounding with excitement due to the information I had just received about Jessica, and I felt a bit of worry due to the information about the missing funds."One case at a time, Stephen. This is not a hard nut to crack. We have seen and conquered tougher challenges and we will unwrap and conquer this, too." I reminded myself as I shrugged off the worries and hopped into the vehicle to go meet up Jeff, the tech guy.The evening sun cast long shadows on the city streets as I walked down and made my way to the designated meeting spot after parking my car in a safe parking lot.As I approached the dimly lit alley, I saw a figure leaning against the wall. It was him–the hacker. His piercing eyes and disheveled appearance made him seem like a character straight out of a cyberpunk novel. I took a deep breath and approached cautiously."Hey, good evening, I received your message. How did you do it?" I asked, trying to sound neutral as possib
(Antonio's POV)Fear gripped my soul as I left Stephen's office after the accountant came in, and from the look on her face, it was obvious that all was not well.Being too curious, I waited a little as I shut the door behind me and hid beside the transparent glass to hear their conversation since the accountant had a loud voice. It felt as though my flesh was detached from my body when the accountant announced the missing find to him.Gosh! No, it could not be. My actions of siphoning a huge amount of money had backfired, and panic surged through my veins.To avoid causing a stare, I walked away from the door slightly and pretended to be on a call. Just then, Sarah, the accountant, ambled out of Stephen's office.Feigning concern, I approached the accountant as she walked back to her office, trying to maintain a facade of innocence. "I am sorry, but I overheard your discussion with Stephen. How could this happen?" I asked, trying to sound as shocked as she was.The accountant looked
(Stephen's POV)"Get the stretcher!" I commanded immediately as I stormed into the hospital entrance.I sprinted with my pregnant wife–Kendall in my arms, panic gripping my heart as her face turned pale with worry.With tears rolling down her eyes, she writhed in pain, clutching her lower abdomen. "The baby, Stephen. The baby," Kendall bawled. "Your baby, Stephen, I'm so sorry. Your dream of having…""Shh… calm down, Ken. Your safety first. We can always make another one." I uttered softly, trying to calm her down.Damn! I cussed, as there was still no sign of a nurse or stretcher."Where are all the nurses? What kind of hospital is this?" I barked, my voice echoing down the hallway.Anger surged through me as the nurses seemed sluggish, my pleas for help almost falling on deaf ears.I could not lose Kendall, I could not because it was going to kill me as well. I looked down at her in my arms. It was heartbreaking watching her in this situation. I cared about the baby. But if I had t
(Anna's POV)I strolled toward the beach very close to the hotel, carrying my mat and sunscreen in my hands. As I walked, I enjoyed the view of the early morning sun as it began to risePicking up my sunscreen and applying it on my skin, I lay supine on the mat immediately after I found the perfect spot on the soft sand.The gentle morning breeze brushed against my face, creating a calm and serene ambiance, and the sound of waves crashing nearby provided a soothing soundtrack to the peaceful scene. I closed my eyes and let the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the breeze embrace me. As I lay there, I could feel the sand molding itself to the curves of my body, providing comfortable support. The scent of the ocean mixed with the sunscreen created a unique and refreshing aroma. Seagulls soared gracefully in the sky above, adding to the beauty of the early morning.As the sun climbed higher, the colors of the sky began to shift, transforming from soft pastel hues to vibrant shades
(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
(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