“How old were you?” Rose asked while wondering how she knew such secrets.Franchesca laughed. “I was sixteen. We both were. But my mother worked for the Smiths all her life. So she knew things others didn't know. Sometimes I wonder if they're the ones who killed her.”"Your mother told you this?""Yeah, I guess she only trusted me, and since we were around them so much, it was safer to have information you could trade as a safety precaution."“So you became friends with Zoe despite suspecting her parents?” “No, I became friends with her so I could be close enough to investigate. Honestly, I never liked how uptight she was. But after seeing was cruel her parents were with her, I understand why she craved Ethan’s love because he was the only one who showed her care.”“But, the day I met Ethan at the bar, she had rejected him. He was so drunk that he told me everything. Although I didn't need him to. Everyone knew how attached to the hip those two were.”“I love Zoe, but she became o
“Oh my goodness!” Natalie exclaimed, not knowing what to do.Meeting her father-in-law was not on her do list and she had never experienced it before. “Welcome sir. Please take a seat.” Natalie smiled.“That’s so kind of you.” He responded dryly as his eyes dropped to her growing belly.Natalie felt uncomfortable under his gaze and instinctively grabbed her belly in protection. She walked over to her desk and sat down, sighing in relief at the way the desk was keeping her protected. “Would you like something to drink?” She asked when the room fell silent.Henry smiled, “No, I actually won’t be long. I’ll get straight to the point.”Natalie swallowed.“I need you to break things off with Zane. I don’t need to explain why because I’d like to believe you’re a smart woman. I don’t know what game you’re playing or what you have on him, but he has a girl we’ve picked for him. Someone decent and good for him and the business.” Natalie felt too stunned to speak,Henry reached into his pock
Zane’s expression darkened instantly. “My father?” His voice dropped a few degrees. “What the fuck did he want?”Natalie swallowed hard. “We made a deal. He wasn’t mean or anything.” She lied but he saw through her.“Natalie.” His voice had a warning tone that made her shift uncomfortably. She didn’t want to cause problems between them. She was the one dying, the last thing she wanted was to turn his family against him.“Zane let’s just-”“If you won’t tell me, I’m still going to find out. Your choice.”“What will you do when you find out and you don’t like the deal we made?”Zane didn’t respond. Luckily for Natalie, the waiter came with their food. He took her plate and cut the stake into small pieces for her and quietly placed it in front of her. Natalie sighed, “Fine. He came to tell me to break things off with you. He’s decided I’m not good enough for you... and that you deserve someone better for the family business.” She paused, studying his face before she continued “He gave
“Ethan!” Rose giggled as he lifted her off the floor. “Come with me. Amanda and Grandpa will keep Daisy and Caleb busy for two days.” Ethan responded as he walked to the car that was parked outside.“Where are you taking me?” Rose giggled, feeling like a school kid.Things seemed to calm a little although they were still on their toes. Rose took the recording Franchesca gave her to Micheal who proceeded to double-check everything with the forensics and once it was ruled as evidence, they opened the investigation. They had to search and somehow find the owner of the voice in the recording while Zane and Natalie took charge of the comments and tracked each one of them, They worked as a team, where Zane tracked and sent her the names and she made sure to take full-scale defamation lawsuits, civil suits for emotional distress, criminal charges for the death threats, If they had been paid to do it, they were bound to break eventually.“I’m taking you for a break. You need it.” Ethan pla
“Mummy? When are you coming home? I miss you!” Daisy’s tearful voice pleaded on the other end.Rose wanted to do nothing but to rush home and hug her princess tightly in her arms but she couldn’t. “Mummy will be home soon, she’s at the hospital, okay my angel?”“Are you feeling sick?” It was Caleb who asked.“Not me baby, but Aunt Natalie is.”“Can we come to see her too? Why is she sick Mummy?”“You will see her soon, the doctor hasn’t yet told me. I love you guys, please be good okay?”“Okay, mummy! Can we talk to Daddy?”“He’s inside with Uncle Zane, I’ll tell him to call you when he’s out.” “Okay! Bye mummy,” They said in unison.It was crazy how two little humans could become one’s anchor and give one a strong will to live and overcome anything life threw at you because you wanted them to experience the best version of you. Rose couldn’t imagine life without her children. That is why it was easier for her to understand why Natalie insisted on having the child despite putting h
“You look like shit.” Rose laughed.“Bullshit, I always look flawless,” Natalie responded before they both burst into a fit of laughter. Rose was feeling better as they waited for the scan results. She had insisted on getting a bed in Natalie’s room and since the VVIP rooms were spacious, they were able to organize one within an hour and she was now settled...The laughter died down and the room was now silent. The tears returned to Rose’s eyes as she looked at her friend.“Why didn’t you tell me?” She half whispered.Natalie couldn’t look at her. She was ashamed. “I don’t know.” She responded, “I just didn’t want anyone’s pity.”Rose stood, she was still in the hospital gown as she crossed over and sat on Natalie’s bed. Holding her hands in hers, she squeezed them as a tear slipped down her cheek,“I’m sorry I failed you. But I want you to know that you shouldn’t be afraid of looking vulnerable in my presence. You’re my best friend Nat. You’ve been there for me all my life. Let me
Rose’s scream echoed off the bathroom walls, her heart hammering in her chest. Her mind was still spinning with the intensity of what she'd overheard, and the shock of the sudden hand on her shoulder sent her into a panic.“Rose! It’s me!” Natalie’s voice was sharp but calm as she gripped Rose’s arms to steady her. “What happened?”Rose's eyes widened, still panting from the scare, and she pressed a hand to her chest as she tried to regain her composure. “I—I thought I was alone,” she stammered, her voice shaky. “You scared me.”Natalie frowned, studying her friend’s face carefully. “You’re trembling. What’s wrong? What happened?” Her voice dropped lower as fear gripped her heart at the possibility of her being...“Are you sick?”“No, Nat.” Rose’s voice was still shaky as she tried to compose herself.“Rose…” Natalie’s voice softened as she turned her so she could look Rose in the eyes. “Talk to me. I know that look. Something’s wrong.”Rose swallowed hard, her throat dry. She wanted
“What do you mean by that?” Ethan asked through gritted teeth. Is your hospital becoming stupid, too?” Ian ran his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I’ll get to the bottom of it. I had to speak to Dad and stepped out for a bit. It has also never happened before. Especially when the patient is VIP.”“That’s what makes me worried, here. Results can’t just go fucking missing. Find them, or I have to take action and you don’t want me to do that.” Ethan warned his gray eyes a dangerous storm.Ian sighed because he knew the man he was standing before wasn’t his best friend at that moment; he was a husband who would set the world on fire for her. A part of him wondered when he turned around and became Rose’s guardian angel when, at one point, he didn’t even want to hear her name.“Understood.” Ethan turned on his heel to pick Rose up and take her home. Natalie had been discharged earlier and left with Zane. Rose’s results had been delayed, so they stayed to wait for Ian, who gave them th
Hello, my dear readers.We've reached the end of our book and like I promised, I didn't drag it. We had planned to make it 300 chapters but Ian's story will be an independent one although I'm not sure when it will be released.I'm so grateful to each and every one of you for your continuous support and how you've rocked with me since the beginning. Your comments, gems, and gifts, have been my lifeline. I wrote this book from start to finish with nothing but love in my heart.I really hope you loved it and how I wrapped it up. My next book will be dropping next week keep an eye out. I really hope you'll give it a chance too because I love the storyline as well.Thank you so much, I love you guys. OTHER WORKS.....Please do check out my other books too, THE COLD-HEARTED CEO'S SECRET LOVE: MY REBORN WIFEMR. CEO, PLEASE LOVE OUR MUMMYBILLIONAIRE'S SWEETHEARTOWNED BY THE MAFIA KING.QUESTION:Would you like the next story to be purely Billionaire or have a touch of Mafia?I'll be rea
Seventeen years later……“Ethan!” Rose’s voice boomed through the house as she clattered down the stairs, her heels clicking furiously. “We’re going to be late! Daisy and Caleb’s graduation starts in twenty minutes, and you know how she is about punctuality!” she yelled as she tried to fix her left earring. Ethan emerged from the kitchen, tying his tie with a smirk. “Relax, baby. I’m ready, and I already have the car waiting.” He pulled her close before giving her a soft kiss on the lips. They were so in love even after so many years it was surreal. “You’ve been more worked up than they have. Caleb probably doesn’t even give a shit.”Rose huffed, brushing a stray hair back into place. As she created some distance so she could think clearly, “Worked up? It’s not every day our surviving triplets graduate college! And you know Daisy will never let me hear the end of it if we’re late. As for your uptight twin, I’ll pull him by the ear if I have to. He will attend.”“Mama Bear is Fesity.
One year later…The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft, warm glow over the cemetery as Rose, Ethan, Natalie, Zane, and their children made their way to the gravesite. The day was peaceful, with a gentle breeze, as if the world had stilled in respect for the family reunion.Rose held a bouquet of white lilies, her fingers tracing the edges of each petal. Beside her, Ethan wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, offering silent support as they stood before the headstones of her parents. Caleb and Daisy held hands, their little faces observing the scene unfold as they watched their mother, while Zane and Natalie held baby Arabel, who gazed curiously at her surroundings. Marie held Riley, Rose, and Ethan’s baby girl who was seven months old. It was Rose’s parent’s memorial but this time she wasn’t alone. She took a deep breath, kneeling down and placing the lilies gently in front of the graves. Her voice was soft as a tear slipped down her cheek.No matter how much time pass
“Zane.. what..” Natalie’s voice trailed as she covered her mouth in shock.Zane smiled as he held her gaze. “Natalie,” he began, his voice full of excitement like he couldn’t wait to wife her and just be alone with her, “I fell for you the first day I laid eyes on you. Your fire and focus were the first to flip my heart. Your beauty was a bonus and Damn, I’m not complaining because my little firecracker is so fucking gorgeous. You showed me there is more to life than just living. You’ve been my strength, my joy, and my reason to keep fighting. Winning your heart has been my biggest flex but I promise you, even if it took me ten years, I would have kept trying and proving myself until you opened up for me. You’d probably fight me, but it’d be worth every broken nose I’d get.”Natalie laughed, her fingers clinging tightly to the bouquet.Zane opened the box, revealing a beautiful ring with a sparkling diamond, Her eyes widened when she realized it was the ring she helped Rose make a m
“You’ve been my rock, my best friend, and my greatest love. You’ve made me a better man, and there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to make you as happy as you’ve made me. Today, I vow to stand by you, to protect you, and to cherish you for the rest of my life. I promise to love you more deeply each day, through every joy and every challenge. You, and the beautiful family we’ve created together, are my everything.”A few tears slipped down Rose’s cheeks, and she bit her lip, smiling through the emotion that welled up in her chest. She took a steadying breath as the officiant turned to her, and Ethan’s hands gently held hers, grounding her.“Ethan Sinclair, father of my children and King of heart, ” she began softly, her voice a gentle whisper that grew stronger as she spoke. “When I first met you, You were a pain in my ass.” The guests laughed.“I’ve loved you even before I knew what love was. You hated it, I could see through you but that made me want to heal your broken pieces
The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm, golden glow over the outdoor wedding venue giving it a magical look as rows of white chairs lined the green lawn, decorated with different kinds of flowers except the Roses, the look creating an aisle that looked like a path straight out of a fairytale. At the altar, Ethan stood in a tailored black suit, his expression a mix of excitement and nervousness as he waited for his bride. His hands were clasped tightly together, his breath catching as the music began to play softly, signaling Rose’s arrival.Daisy came first, She looked cute in a beautiful white dress and her hair was made into two cute ponytails, small earrings, and a bracelet made by Rose specifically for her. She had on white socks which had a small lace at the top and white shoes with a small heel. She gave a wide smile as she walked while tossing the peony petals on the white long carpet. The crowd of guests smiled and were all in awe as they watched her little figure walk
Two months later…“This feels weird,” Rose said as Natalie tied the ropes behind her dress.“Why do you feel weird? Because you’re in a wedding dress while pregnant with two kids and another adopted baby?” Natalie teased making Rose laugh.“Very nice way of making me feel so much better!” Rose mocked. Natalie smiled warmly, her hands resting gently on Rose’s shoulders as she turned her around to face the mirror. “Look at you, Rose. You’re absolutely glowing,” she said, her voice emotional, “This little angel is surely doing you justice, I looked like I had swallowed balloons when I was carrying Arabel.”Rose laughed, “You exaggerate too much. You looked stunning, it’s no wonder Zane always lost his mind over you.” Her throat felt dry as the emotions she was trying to hold back came crashing down.It had been two months since Natalie woke up and made a great recovery. Ian was still observing her closely but she was better.Arabel, who was born prematurely at seven months had also reac
“A little scared, but yeah, I’m ready.” He responded with a small smile.Agness nodded as she held the door open for him. He stepped inside, his heart pounding as he approached her bed. Gently, he took her hand in his, feeling the faint warmth of her skin beneath his fingers. He swallowed, a knot forming in his throat.She looked like she was just asleep and not on the verge of death.“Natalie,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s me. I’m here.”Her hand was still, but he held on, willing her to feel his presence. “You’re not alone, baby. I’ll be here every step of the way. I’m not going anywhere. We have a little girl, I heard you named her Arabel. It’s a very beautiful name, and she’s waiting to meet you, and I know she’s going to love you as much as I do.”His voice cracked, and he blinked back the tears threatening to fall. “You have to come back to us. I need you. Arabel needs you. We’re not complete without you.” He lifted her hand to his face as tears ran down his
One week later…“CONGRATULATIONS, IT’S A GIRL!” Agness smiled at Zane as she delivered the news. He had woken up two days after Ian saved him, stabilized four days later, and was now able to stand. “Can I see her?” Zane asked, feeling like his chest was stuffed with emotions. “As soon as you get better and you’re able to walk again, I’ll take you to her. We can’t bring her out yet because she’s premature and has to be observed.” Agness explained kindly.“Congratulations, man. Welcome to fatherhood.” Ethan tapped his shoulder.“Congratulations, Zane.” Rose smiled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Everyone surrounded him including Ilet his mother and Henry.“You’re finally grown, my sweet prince!” Ilet let out a cry making Henry groan because he knew she was about to start being dramatic.“Mum,”“Don’t mum me, young man. You’re in so much trouble! Just wait until you get better. You’re lucky I was too preoccupied with Arabel to hit you.”“Arabel?” Zane asked arching his brow in c