The triplets were in their classes, drawing on their sketchbooks. They were given the task of drawing their family. All the kids were busy, especially Emerald who was drawing with all seriousness, it seemed like she loved drawing. Her teacher noticed her concentration; she wasn't talking like other kids or turning left and right to check what her classmates were doing. This made the teacher walk to her and check her drawing.“Wow, your drawing is beautiful, especially that of your mom. I'm amazed.” the teacher said, maintaining a smile on her lips. “Really? You think it's good?” Emerald looked up at her teacher with a dazzling smile on her lips. “Yes, it's good. You're just five, and I expected you to draw something more childish, but this is a nice try.” The teacher complimented her. “Keep it up!” Emerald squealed, feeling excited about her teacher's praises. She glanced at her brothers. Alden
Emma gripped his hand, trying to push him away, but to her dismay, he quickly climbed on her, grabbed her hands, and pinned them above her head.Her legs were trapped, her hands were held, and her struggle slowly ended. The drug was taking its effect as it waffled more and more into her nostrils. She tried wriggling her hands from his grip, but it was impossible. She drifted off to sleep and her eyes closed. Alex saw this and smirked. He removed the handkerchief from her face and kept it back in his pocket, he released her hands and came off her. As he lowered himself, to carry her into his arms. He received an instant headbutt, then a hard push to the floor. It was so unexpected. Emma snorted and gave her nostrils a quick wipe. Hastily, she climbed off the bed and tried running off, but Alex put forth his foot, causing her to trip. “Ah!” Emma moaned in pain. Her heart was pounding in fear as her body hit the floor. She tried standing up, but a pair of hands grabbed her ankle and
Emma was stunned by his request, but she thought he was joking and wanted to lighten up her mood, so she laughed about it. “Roland, seriously, there are other jokes out there. Is that the best you could come up with?” She chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. Roland was quite upset that she thought he could joke about something like that. “I'm not joking, I want you to marry me,” Roland said more seriously. This was the best moment to tell her about his feelings, but she might think he's crazy and reject his proposal. Emma shifted uncomfortably and stared at him intently. “Why would I want to marry you? Roland, you're my best friend and I never thought you could think this way. How is a marriage proposal going to solve the constant attacks from Alex?” “Emma, he was able to take out two trained bodyguards, and that frightened me,” Roland explained. “But he couldn't take me down. I was able to put up a good fight
Roland was so happy that she agreed. This was the opportunity that he had been seeking for so long. He would use the pretext of the marriage to get much closer to her. He would treat her like the queen that she was and take advantage of being her husband to do things that he wouldn't dare do as her friend. His heart swelled in his chest and his face was filled with excitement. He couldn't hold back the smile of delight that appeared on his lips. “What changed your mind?” Roland asked but scolded himself after asking that kind of question. He didn't want her to become doubtful again. Emma lowered her gaze and replied. “Because I trust you and I think that you know the best way to protect me. I've tried to protect myself and my kids from Alex, but I've failed. So, all I can do now is depend on you.” Roland smiled and walked closer to her. His hands gripped her arms, and he pulled her to himself, hugging her tightly. “I'm glad that you accepted,” Roland said, his heart fluttering.
Roland was driving Emma to work. When they were at home, he tried convincing her to rest or call her boss, but she refused. He said nothing further and took her straight to work. Finally, he reached the company and halted his car. “We're here.” Roland smiled at her. “Oh, thank you.” Emma sighed, touching the bruised side of her lips. “Does it still hurt?” He asked worriedly.“Just a little.” She replied and pursed her lips for some seconds. “I didn't want to say anything about this, but why don't you change your account status to married? I mean your social media accounts. He might buy a sim and try searching for your name online.” Roland suggested. Emma thought about it for a while, then agreed.”Okay.” Roland smiled and brought out something from his glove box. Emma's eyes widened when she saw two rings, she wondered where got them or how long he had them. Her eyes held so many questions t
The hours of work had ended, and Emma didn't see Liam after that time in his office. She didn't dare meet him, either. There was this pang of guilt in her heart that she couldn't shake off. She couldn't comprehend why it felt like she was betraying him. “Emma, what's wrong?” Roland asked as he glanced at her. There was this sad expression on her face which he never liked. “I'm fine.” Emma lied and sighed softly. “It doesn't look to me like you're fine. Tell me what's bothering you, did Alex do anything or did he try communicating with you?” Roland asked but received a negative response from her. “Then, what's the problem?” Roland asked. “Tell me.”“Roland, when I say I don't want to talk about something, or I give you a weird response, then please leave me alone. I'm not obligated to tell you anything!” She snapped at him and turned her face away. Her words made Roland feel unwanted, she had never reacted like that before. “ I'm sorry for being too nosy and caring about somethi
Emma saw Liam, lying motionlessly on the floor. Her eyes widened, and her heart pounded terribly in fear. She let out shuddering gasps as her feet made their way to him. She fell on her knees and turned him upwards, making him face her. Seeing his eyes closed made her more scared. Her attention got so fixed on him that she didn't notice the alcohol smell in the air.“Li…am, wake up.” an immediate sob escaped her lips, she took her hands to his face and tapped on his cheek. He let out a grunt and opened his eyes.“You scared me,” Emma sighed in relief and helped him up to a sitting position. “What happened to you? I just walked in and met you on the floor.” Liam smirked at her and as he opened his mouth to speak, she realized he was drunk. Emma shifted a little and pegged her nose for a split second. “Your breath reeks of alcohol. Why are you drinking in the office?”She looked around and finally noticed the bottle of liquor on the table. She hadn't seen it before because she was
“Four years ago, I broke up with my ex, but he reappeared some weeks back and started stalking me to the extent, he became a janitor at the company…” “Your face…” Liam gasped as he noticed the bruises. “Did he do that to you?”“Yes. He came to my house and tried to abduct me. I resisted and he retaliated with violence. He almost took me away, but my male best friend was able to save me, I had involved the cops and hired bodyguards but nothing has been able to stop Alex, so Roland, my best friend, brought a suggestion of marriage.” Emma explained. She told him everything, and Liam finally understood her.“I'm not married or in any relationship.” She shook her head as she clarified. “Well, hearing that has given me some peace, and I'm not going to lie, but I'm overjoyed.” Liam had a broad smile on his lips as spoke. “I don't want you to be with any other person. I love you so much and being with you is my heart's desire.” “But…” He paused. “I don't know if you feel the same way fo
“What I'm feeling is none of your business. Just let me out of this place already! Love is by choice, not force!” Emma cried out and hoped that her bodyguards would find her.“You're going to understand the kind of love I have for you after we get married,” Jacked beamed psychotically, his eyes devilishly scrutinizing her body. “The baby will be aborted after we get married,”Emma gasped, and her hands protectively covered her stomach.“I have to endure his children in our home, I won't bear to raise another one,” Jackson snarled, his eyes darkening at her.“I'll kill you if you try to touch my baby,” Emma threatened, tears brimming in her eyes.“You can try. I love it when you're so rough with me,” He laughed like a maniac.'Liam, please find me. I think the pregnancy made me emotional and now, I have committed a huge mistake. Please save me,' Emma cried inwardly.“A man is coming to get you ready for the wedding. I'll get ready too, see you till then,” Jackson winked at her and left
“Thank you for sending your men to help me, those bodyguards of hers were close to catching me,”Emma heard her father's voice but found it difficult to open her eyes.The next voice she heard was quite unfamiliar.“Well, you made a drastic move to bring my happiness to me. Why wouldn't I help you?” The man responded to Mr. Crown.“May I ask what your name is?” Mr. Crown inquired, his curiosity piqued.“My name is Jackson Taylor,” He responded.The mention of the last name 'Taylor', made Emma more eager to snap out of her unconsciousness. Fortunately, her body cooperated and her eyes slowly opened.Her vision was blurry at first, but within a few seconds, it cleared. She surveyed her environment and saw that she was in someone's sitting room.She darted her gaze to the two men seated on the couch. Anger surged through her when she saw Mr Crown.“You told me that you were having a heart attack!” Emma cried out as she felt a sharp pain in her head.“I am sure that you would have been pl
Emma awakened and found herself in her room. “Honey, are you okay?” Liam asked, his voice full of concern.“Mommy, how do you feel?” Alden asked, holding his mother's hand.Emma groaned a bit and slowly sat upright.“I'm okay,” Emma replied as she saw the worried expressions on their faces.“Are you sure that you're fine, or should I call the doctor?” Liam asked.“Hey, don't make things more complicated. Which doctor would want to come all the way here to examine me?”“There's nothing that money can't do. I can even give him or her a free ride on my yacht,” Liam responded, unconvinced by her positive response. “Mummy, Daddy is right. A doctor should check if you are truly alright or not. We don't want you to fall sick,” Alden muttered and hugged his mother.“I don't want you to be ill either,” Aziel said, resting his head on her lap.Emerald was beside her father, hiccuping. She was so scared when she saw her mother unconscious on the floor. It was her screams that alerted her fathe
Over the weekend, Liam and his family headed to his private island to have some fun. They went via a chopper that Liam had purchased.As they arrived at the Island, they stepped out of the chopper and watched it fly away with the pilot.“Bye,” Emerald smiled, waving at the chopper.“The pilot isn't going to see you, stop waving,” Aziel scoffed.“I wasn't waving at the pilot,” Emerald retorted, continuing to wave to annoy her brother.“Follow me,” Liam said and began walking away.Emma and the kids followed him into the mansion that was situated on the island. The kids were so excited to play and make sand castles when they returned to the shore.“This mansion is beautiful,” Emma commented, having her seat beside Liam. “Yes, it is,” Liam smiled, glancing around. “It has been a while since I've been here,” “Sophia would have loved to come,” Emma said, referring to the Nanny. “I'm sure that she's happy about taking a break. I also believe that we should spend some quality time with ou
Mr. Crown hung up the phone and began lamenting.“What am I going to do now? I haven't thought of anything yet,” Mr. Crown muttered, his voice laced with worry. “How am I going to tear them apart? I've used almost every means I know, but they've remained madly in love. What could I do to change that? Is there anything that can make their love fade away?”“Even if they break up, how am I going to force Emma to get married to a stranger? She's no longer a kid, and she doesn't want to see me either.” Mr. Crown muttered, unable to think of anything that could help him.“I am as good as dead if I don't get this done,” Mr. Crown lamented, his eyes stinging with tears. “What have I gotten myself into?”He darted his teary gaze upstairs and said, “I could have asked for her help or ideas, but she's not in the state of mind to respond to me,”“I can't let that man pressure me into doing anything. I've got to relax and think carefully about my next steps,” Mr. Crown said, sucking in a deep brea
Emma clenched her fists and darted her gaze to the shattered vase. She looked at her stepmother again, and anger surged through her veins.“I can't believe that I was feeling sorry for you and your daughter,” Emma gasped, shocked by her own emotions. “I have been tormented from the moment that you came into this house and your daughter set me up and almost ruined my life,”Emma took a step forward, but Liam held her back.“I've got this,” Emma muttered and gently removed her hand from his grip. She walked to her stepmother and snarled coldly, “I shouldn't pity you. You deserve whatever is happening to you right now. Your daughter also deserved to die, I wish her death were more painful,”“You bitch,” Mrs. Crown raised her hand to slap Emma, but Emma grabbed her hand before it struck her face.Without thinking twice, Emma slapped her so hard that she was knocked down to the floor.“Your daughter has tried killing me more than once. She tried using my allergies against me, she almost d
“Ahhh!!” Elizabeth screamed as fell off the rooftop.Liam stretched his hand to catch her, but he was too late. Her body dropped to the floor with a loud thud and her skull broke.Liam gasped at the horrific sight as blood gushed from her broken head. He heard Emma's gasps from behind, she looked so shaken.“Oh my…God,” Emma shuddered, her hands flew to her mouth in shock. “Oh, my goodness!!!” She let out a scream and tears slipped from her eyes.She shouldn't be crying over someone who had tried so many times to ruin her life, but she couldn't help it. Everything happened too suddenly.“Liam, what…are we going to do? Is she dead?” Emma asked, tears rolling down her cheeks.“Yes, she's dead,” Liam replied, a hint of sadness in his voice.He was unhappy that the poor baby lost its life. It might not have been his child, but he didn't wish for any of this to happen.“Liam, we might get blamed for her death. Are there no cameras around here?” Emma asked, looking around.“There are no cam
They broke the hug and smiled at each other.“Let's have some lunch,” Vanessa proposed and rubbed her stomach. “I'm so famished,”Emma chuckled and folded the DNA result into her bag.“Let's go,” Emma said and they exited the hospital.They boarded a cab and Vanessa told the name of the restaurant to the cab driver.“Bring your phone. I need to send the pieces of evidence to you,” Vanessa muttered and extended her hand.With a smile on her lips, Emma gave her phone to her. Vanessa transferred the details and returned the phone to Emma.“I might head to the police station and give them the details of the doctor, so if anything happens to me, they would know whom to arrest,” Vanessa said, her voice laced with a hint of fear.“He's not going to do anything to you. But it wouldn't do any harm to protect yourself. Thank you so much for confronting him on my behalf. I have been stressed, and it was quite shocking to learn that he faked the results. I was speechless,” Emma laughed lightly.“
Emma was shocked by the doctor's response. Though she wasn't surprised that Elizabeth would do something like that, she didn't expect the doctor that Liam spoke so reputedly about to be a partner in her evil.“I can't believe this,” Vanessa gasped. “Weren't you concerned about the damage the DNA result could do? How could you be so heartless?”The doctor lowered his head and released a sigh.“I'm sorry,” He apologized.“Emma, let's go,” Vanessa muttered and held her hand.As both of them walked to the door, the doctor stopped them.“Wait,”Emma and Vanessa halted their steps and slowly turned to him.“What about the money?” the doctor asked, stunning both of them.“You greedy bastard!” Vanessa raised her voice in anger. “How can you expect another payment after what you did? You should be stripped of your license for your actions!”“I told you the truth because you promised to pay me double of anything that Elizabeth paid me. You should keep to your part of the deal,” The doctor insis