Chapter 10 Aliyah POV My heart sank into my stomach when I heard Liam's voice from the other end, and I sprang up to my feet as my eyes narrowed in shock. "What do you want?" I asked him angrily. "I found Nancy here all alone, so I thought to keep her company. She is being bullied by her classmates," Hearing his voice made me feel guilty for leaving her, but the guilt soon dissipated into anger and I felt like strangling him. "I'm warning you, Liam. Stay the hell away from my child, now! Get the hell out of there!" I yelled at the top of my voice, not minding that I was in the middle of staffers here in the company. "Since you are not here yet, I'm going to keep her company for now. Don't worry, my lips are sealed. I won't say a word to her," With the way he whispered, I needed no one to tell me that she must be there with him. "Is that Mommy?" I heard her voice, and I gasped sharply as I covered my mouth with my palm. "Yes, it's her. Do you want to sp
Chapter 11 Jeffrey Cooper I couldn't help the excitement that filled my heart, waking up this morning and realizing that Aliyah would be resuming work today. Although we won't be staying in the same office, at least, she would be working in my company, and I'll get to see her whenever I wanted to. All I would have to do is to go see her in the office, then we are good. Since Ella and Emily now have a nanny to take care of them, my workload here has reduced, so I have only been focused on getting myself ready for work, and dropping them off at school before I leave for the office. As said by my mom, she sent the twenty-five years old Sunshine to work as my maid. Well, so far, she wasn't bad, but I haven't trusted her with my kids entirely. I was still being very careful around her, to avoid the story that touches the heart. 'If anything happens to my kids, you are going to see the ugly side of me. You can't touch a strand of their hair, you can't make them cry. If they
Chapter 12 Jeffrey Cooper The rest of my day in the office was boring since I couldn't just stop thinking about Aliyah. Her image kept popping up in my head every damn minute, and I needed not to be told that I was madly in love with her, and would probably lose it anytime soon. As I reclined on the chair while wondering what I was going to do to get her, my phone started ringing and I answered the call immediately, realizing that it was Sunshine. What's she calling me? I asked myself as I held the phone to my ear. "What is it, Sunshine?" I spoke on the phone as soon as I answered the call. "Sir, what should I make for dinner? I forgot to ask you before you left earlier. I already went to pick the kids from the school. They closed earlier than usual today," Her voice sounded from the other end, and I glanced at the wall clock before I rubbed my fingers on my forehead. I was supposed to leave the office in ten minutes to pick the kids up, so how come she went there
Chapter 13 A few days later Aliyah POV "Mommy, your friend came to see me in school today," My heart skipped when Nancy said those words to me, and I froze on the spot. I had just finished making dinner, and dishing out our food when she said that. "My friend? Which of my friends?" Even though I already know who she was talking about, I didn't want to believe that she was talking about him. "What's that his name again? I think Liam. Yes, he mentioned that his name is Liam," She replied to me, and I slowly clenched my fingers tightly around the spoon I was holding, as I gritted my teeth. Waves of anger sparked through me. I have told him to stay the hell away from my child, so why the fuck was he still hanging around her? What right does he think he has over her to think he could go see her whenever he wanted it? "He is a nice person, you know? He took me out on a walk in the school compound, and even got me my favorite candy. He also promised to check up on me
Chapter 14Aliyah POVMy head banged as I forced my eyes open, and the white ceiling of my room welcomed me. My vision was blurred at first, but as seconds passed, it finally became clear, and I managed to sit up on the bed, wondering how I ended up in my room when I was in the living room the last time I could remember."Ugh!" I groaned tiredly as I touched my forehead. My head wasn't hurting so much again, but I felt tired. How come the fever suddenly went away? I know I took some medicines before I passed out, but it couldn't have been the medicine that worked magic on me, right? I asked myself as I managed to stand up from the bed, dragging myself into the bathroom where I washed my face before I walked back into the room, but I stopped when I found Jeff standing in my room and dropping something on the center table."Jeff?" I called, and he quickly turned to face me, while having a smile on his face."You are awake?" He asked as he tucked his hands inside his pockets, and I slowl
Chapter 15Aliyah POVI woke up this morning, feeling lightheaded and full of energy. Sitting up on the bed, a smile laced up my lips as the thought of Jeff crossed my mind. I had no idea why I was suddenly smiling thinking of him, but I believe it was because he saved me from dying yesterday.'Let's go on dates, and get to know each other' As I recalled the words he said to me yesterday, I sighed briefly and ran my fingers through my hair. I have been thinking about what he said to me, but I didn't know if I was ready for this, honestly. I just wanted to take care of my baby and focus on my career even though I was already doing well in my career. I just wanted to explore the small world I created for me and my baby. Just us alone.My phone suddenly beeped, and I lazily reached out for it, unlocking it.'Good morning. Did you sleep well? If you are not fine, I can come and pick Nancy up for school. You don't have to worry, I won't say a word to her' That was a message from Liam that
Chapter 16 Aliyah POV I couldn't stop thinking about my baby all day in the office, so I kept getting distracted, no matter how much I tried to stay focused. Why the heck does my life have to be messed up again? Why was I going through this shit? It was finally lunchtime, and as always, Jeffrey sent lunch to me along with some medicines, and I just couldn't resist it. I was already famished for no reason, and I needed to take some medicines to neutralize the fever that was still a bit there. After I was done having lunch, I continued my work, since I had to publish some chapters on a few platforms. The sound of my beeped phone pulled my attention, and seeing the mail displayed on the screen, I sighed briefly before I reached out for it and checked the message. It was from one of my editors I had told earlier that I wasn't feeling too well. She messaged to check on me. I dropped my phone after I replied to her. Once I assumed that it was Nancy's closing time, I call
Chapter 17 Jeffrey Cooper I tossed on the bed and groaned as I managed to sit. I've been trying to get some sleep since I came back from the office, but I haven't been able to, because of the thoughts of Aliyah. I didn't like the way she has been dominating all my thoughts lately, because it always made me feel like I was going to lose my mind. 'I will think about it' As her words rang in my head, I scoffed and rolled my eyes as I sank my fingers into my hair. Those replies could mean anything, which was not limited to rejection, and that was the last thing I wanted. "Ugh! I think I'm going to go crazy," I mumbled before I reached out for my phone and turned on the data connection with messages trooping in, but since that wasn't the reason I picked the phone in the first place, I went straight to the internet because I needed to check something. 'What does it mean when a woman tells you she will think about it after you ask her out' I know what I was doing is reall
Chapter 116Two weeks laterAliyah POVI stared at my reflection in the mirror and smiled. It was finally the day I'd been waiting for these last few weeks. My wedding day. I was finally going to get married to Liam, and I didn't have any regret neither am I regretting the decision I made weeks ago. We were having a big wedding at the villa."Mommy, we should start going already. We can't keep Daddy waiting," Nancy whined, and I rolled my eyes. Does she only care about her Dad? I was soon done with everything, so I left with Nancy and the make-up artist who came to dress me up. My driver drove us to the villa in the decorated car.My heart pounded hard against my chest, my hands were sweaty as he drove us to the villa. Although I was excited about this day, I was still nervous.As if Nancy read my nervousness, she held my hand and smiled at me.The drive to the villa was brief and we were soon there. The parking lot was filled with different expensive and beautiful cars which only me
Chapter 115Liam POVSpending all my time with my family now is all the happiness I need, and I'm glad that I'm getting all of it.Recounting the last few weeks of my life, I couldn't deny the fact that they were one of the happiest days of my life in these past few years. Coming back to them was a hard decision, but I'm glad I made and stood by it. I'm glad that I never gave up, and even when I did, I'm glad fate brought us together again, but too bad that we may not spend enough time together this time."It's OK, Liam. Just cherish the rest of the days you have with them and take the sweet memories to your grave and live by them in the hereafter," I said to myself, but if only it was easy, wouldn't I be grateful to my maker?The door opened and Aliyah walked inside. She smiled and came to hug me from behind, and my heart skipped. I love the way she makes me feel."Let's stay like this. Just for a moment," She whispered, resting her head on my back, and I smiled. My heart hammered ha
Chapter 114Liam POVMy heart beat rapidly against my chest, and as I kissed her, I wished this moment last forever. How much I've missed this moment so much, just how much I've been wanting to do this again, and now that I have her in my arms, my lips on hers, my tongue exploring her mouth and fighting for dominance, then all I wanted at the moment was for this to never end.I pulled away from her when we were breathless. I held her face in my palms, those sexy eyes piercing into mine and it felt like she was seeing right through me. Something I loved. Is she really mine? Will nothing ever come in between us again? I asked myself, but recalling that death would soon come knocking at the door and I would eventually have to give in to it, I scoffed silently. Can't I be given another chance? Why the heck does this have to happen to me now that I finally have her by my side? I asked myself, but my thoughts were disrupted when she leaned forward and pecked my lips, her eyes piercing into
Chapter 113Two weeks onAliyah POVHow time flies? It has been one week since Liam got discharged, and I've been by his side since then even though he never liked the idea and kept pushing me away. I know I deserve it, anyway. I thought I was doing everything for my daughter, but over the last weeks since I've spent most of my time with him, I've come to realize how much of a changed man he is. I've come to realize that although I lost feelings for him in the past, a part of me still has a twinge of feelings for him. A part of me wanted to work things out and stick around with this man for the rest of my life, and that is what I've decided on."Why are you smiling, Mommy?" Nancy's voice pulled me out of trance, and that was when I realized that I was smiling."Me? Nothing much. Just thought of something," I smiled again, and then she leaned forward and smiled too."Mommy, is it about Daddy?" How she was able to guess so fast was amazing, and the wide smile on her face when I nodded m
Chapter 112Marcus POVTears brimmed in my eyes as I stared at her. I couldn't deny the fact that I've missed her so much. I mean, I was just seeing her again after several years. I thought I hated her, but seeing the tears in her eyes and how vulnerable she looked, I didn't know what I felt anymore. I didn't know if this was still hatred or if this was me missing her all this while."Mom has been through a lot. She has tried to reach out to you severally but you cut her off completely. You didn't want to see her...""And why the fuck should I see her? Do I have any reason to?" I turned to face Jeff who was already on his feet. "Are you blaming me now for being like this when it's obvious whose fault this is? Are you saying that this was all my fault when it's clearly not?" I scoffed unbelievably. I didn't want to shed a drop of tears in front of her, but I couldn't hold it back anymore."Does she deserve to be called a mother when all she ever did was hurt me?""Marcus! Mind the way
Chapter 111Marcus POV"You should tell her how sorry you are and get back together. You are still in love with her, so don't hold back," Jeff tried to sound as much convincing as he could. He has been on with this for the last few days, trying to convince me to get back together with Chloe, but there's no way I was ever going to agree to that. She won't ever forgive me for treating her like that in the past, so what was the point of trying?"Ugh! Are you going to keep being like this?" I whined frustratingly."I shouldn't have told you about it in the first place," I further complained, and he scoffed."You are crazy, Marcus. You know I was never going to give up trying. Just give this a chance before it's too late.. ""It's already too late, Jeff. I told you what happened between us. I ditched this lady for no reason...""You were not mature then. You were scared of taking responsibility for your relationship, and now you are mature enough to handle things. Why don't you at least tr
Chapter 110Sunshine POVMy heart pounded hard against my chest as I stood in front of the door. My hands were sweaty, and beads of sweat formed on my forehead. Am I ready for this? I asked myself to be sure of what I was about to do, but at this point, I needed to get this off my chest and be fine. I would continue to suffer in silence if I were to keep hiding this."Let's go for this," I whispered, reaching for the doorknob, but I removed my hand immediately and stepped away from the door. What if I get rejected? What if he ends up throwing me out of his house? Where will I go from here? For an abandoned orphan without a family who has been living years of her life in a rough phase before I got a chance to be here, I didn't want to leave this place because that would mean that I would have to go back to the street which may not be favorable for me again like it was before."It's fine even if you get rejected, Sunshine. You are not a coward, so you should go for what you want," I sai
Chapter 109Liam POV How did we get here? I asked myself the same question I've been asking for the last six days that I've been here. How did I suddenly get diagnosed with brain glioma? I never felt like something was off with me, so how the fuck did I end up like this after getting drunk just once.That day, I was so frustrated and I thought maybe having a few glasses of alcohol at the bar would help clear my head, but that seemed to be the biggest mistake I ever made in my life because I've been regretting it. Who knows, maybe this would've been avoided if I hadn't gotten drunk. At least, that's what I thought, but have I stopped to think about when this has been there? 'You have just eighteen months to live' I scoffed as the Doctor's words replayed in my head, and I slowly tightened my fingers around the window frame while staring out of it.The sound of the footsteps in the room pulled my attention, and as the familiar perfume filled the air, I didn't need to look to confirm th
Chapter 108Aliyah POVI placed my palm on his forehead after I removed the damp towel from it, and I was glad that his temperature had come down, unlike earlier when it was so high.I carefully dropped the bowl on the ground and pulled the duvet to cover him, but he held my hand, stopping me from doing it, and I was forced to look at him for the first time since I'd been avoiding his gaze since he woke up."I'm fine. I will take care of it," It's crazy how he was still able to claim he was fine even after all the pain he had been through. How he was still trying to hide the obvious. Is he trying to act like he is strong or what?"It's fine," I muttered and pulled the duvet to cover him."Are you ok? Are you hungry? Do you need me to get you something to eat?" He must have felt weird by the way I suddenly started to treat him, but everything I was doing was genuine. I feel bad for him for being in this situation. "Hmm. I'm fine," He replied to me blankly, and I slowly nodded.I sat o