Amara Nicholas;I arrived at the Briggs family mansion earlier than expected. I had not been here before, and as Mr. Timothy drove my father's sleek black Mercedes-Benz into the compound and parked, I couldn't help but admire the front view of the exquisite mansion.The mansion looked so lovely and homely, and the surroundings seemed peaceful and inviting.I finally got out of the car, and just then, I saw an older man step out of the mansion. He was wearing a white polo and black trousers with slippers. He walked up, excited to meet me, just as I finally got out of the car."My beautiful daughter-in-law, you are highly welcome to our humble home," the man said to me with arms wide open, as he approached me and hugged me warmly.I smiled shyly and managed to respond, "Thank you, sir. Good evening.""Good evening, my dear. Come, let us go inside," the middle-aged man ushered me inside the mansion. I recognized him as Mr. Joshua Briggs—my father's best friend and also the father of my po
Amara Nicholas:"My daughter-in-law, don't mind what Samara had said to you earlier, okay?" Mr. Joshua spoke to me again in a polite tone. I responded to him, "Okay, sir."I was exhausted and famished from traveling a long distance to the Briggs' home. I wanted to take a refreshing bath to rest."I am fine, sir. But I would like to have a bath to calm myself from the long hours of travel," I said."Okay," Mr. Joshua replied."Come with me. Let me show you upstairs to your husband's room. Darlington went out to get something. But I have already called him and informed him that you're already here with us," Mr. Joshua said as he led me upstairs.I glanced backward and saw Mrs. Ifeoma Briggs climbing the stairs with us. She seemed like she was going to her room.I wondered why Darlington wouldn't be at home to welcome me, knowing that I was also arriving at their mansion.I kept silent and walked with Mr. Joshua, who was nice enough to speak to me and show me around their mansion.We walk
Darlington Briggs:I arrived late, at around 9 p.m., after leaving the hotel where I had a meeting with Jenna. I was not happy with Jenna's refusal to agree to get pregnant for me, but I still love Jenna.I tried to understand with Jenna that she is a top model in our country, and it matters the most to her to maintain her look and to keep being famous.I remembered Jenna's words about me accepting a surrogate mother with her. Well, I could have received it, but still, I wouldn't say I liked the idea of that.I drove my black car into my father's mansion premises and parked. I got out of the car and went into the living room, expecting to see my parents there and, more likely, the new lady that my father had married on my behalf, but as I got into the living room, I met only Samara and our maid."Good evening, big brother," Samara rushed up to meet me excitedly. She was wearing a white night dress, and I hugged her politely before letting go of her."Well done. Where are Mom and Dad?"
Darlington Briggs;I finally broke the silence between us as my face turned strict to hide the fact that I admired this lady.I felt like I had seen her somewhere before, but I couldn't remember where exactly I had seen her."So, you traveled here for an arranged marriage with me? Do you think that I want to marry you? Why would you accept to come here to my family home without waiting for me to agree on this or not?".I questioned the lady in an annoying tone, and she stared downward and apologized seductively, saying, "I'm sorry about how you feel about all these. But I didn't want to marry you too. My father insisted, and I couldn't disrespect him.""Hmm..." I saw her shivering due to the cold weather, and my bedroom ceiling fan was on and rotating speedily alongside the air conditioning, which was switched on.I strode to the fan, switched it off, and felt her intense gaze. I wasn't so comfortable meeting her blue orbs. She looks pretty, but I made it clear to her."I will not marr
Amara Nicholas, I hadn't expected Darlington and his mother to yell at me. I had only stepped outside the bedroom to have my dinner downstairs with them since I was hungry, and it was only suitable that I come out of the bedroom to inquire about my dinner from them.I knew that Mrs. Ifeoma hated me from the moment that she laid her eyes on me. She didn't acknowledge my presence and wanted me out of her mansion.I am not a village lady, and the way she addressed me with insults made me sad. I wondered if I had met her somewhere before, and I thought to ask my mother about Mrs. Ifeoma.I went downstairs to the dining room. The mansion was vast, like my father's mansion. It was almost similar to my father's new mansion, which I had left in the countryside where I had grown up. It was far more extensive than this house. Yet Mrs. Ifeoma mistreated me just after meeting me for the first time.I tried not to cry, as I wasn't prepared for all this family drama. I love to have my peace, as my
Darlington Briggs;"Hmm, You see what you have all caused. You all showed your shrewd behaviors towards Amara on the first day of her arrival. If she leaves this house, then you will all leave this house too, and I will seize every asset that you all have," my father gave out his warning as he rose from his dinner chair and walked towards the staircase.I was still silent, and my mother and Amara were stunned at the new lady's behavior. She indirectly accused us of trying to poison her, and even though she didn't say it directly, her actions already stated that she suspected us."Just look at. Only today, others are celebrating in their homes. We are here having to deal with a stranger, a lowly human for that matter," Amara cursed, just after my father had finished washing his hands and left us at the dining table to check upstairs on the lady who had darted away."Hmm," I wasn't happy with all of these, but I couldn't voice it out. I knew my father's influence, and he was not joking.
Darlington Briggs;I stayed in the living room; shortly after, I had dismissed the maid to go upstairs and deliver the dinner to Amara.I wouldn't accept her as my wife, although I knew my father wasn't joking. I wasn't a kid to be swayed. I am 30 years old, not a young boy for my father to control however he pleased.I remember not having my phone, as I had rushed out of the sitting room and went downstairs to inform the maid. Growing tired, I went upstairs to my sitting room again to get my phone and change my purple T-shirt and black pants into a warm night robe.I needed to take my evening bath, and I thought about using a guest room downstairs as I didn't want to share my space with Amara.I got into my sitting room, as the entire mansion was now eerily silent. It was past 11 pm, yet my family and I were still awake because we now had a new addition to our home.She comfortably sat on the couch and ate her food on a small stool placed in front of her. She licked her fingers and st
Darlington Briggs;Amara frowned and asked me, "Did you not attend Country Z private university?" I froze and looked at Amara as she mentioned the year I had graduated as the year she met me."Hmm, all that is past tense now. I have a woman in my life now that I am in love with, and I cannot accept you.""Okay. Then I will stay on a month's holiday here. After that, I will return home to my family's house in the countryside," Amara said, casually stretching again on the couch."Fine," I looked away from Amara, seeing that her movement attracted me to admire her more.I wanted to go downstairs for a good night's sleep; however, Amara asked me, in her charming soft voice, "Can I sleep here on the couch?""No. So that you can report me to my father tomorrow, get up, and go inside my bedroom and sleep there. I will be going downstairs to sleep. Or isn't that why you're here, to share my property and become my wife too by force?""No," Amara responded and looked away from me, blushing. I sa
Jenna's POV, The day of my wedding arrived. I dressed elegantly in a white wedding dress and accepted Collins Kingston as my husband. Collins was nice; he wore a black tux and tried to make me happy, but he wasn't Darlington. He could never be Darlington Briggs. I had to take my husband's permission to invite Darlington and his wife Amara to our wedding, but Darlington didn't want to attend. He only sent me a wedding gift: a big box full of baby clothes. After our wedding, I decided to focus on my career as a model and my husband. It was a private wedding, and it went successfully. Though I was heartbroken not seeing Darlington Briggs around. I had hoped Darlington would grace the event. But throughout the reception, I never saw him and knew that I was married to Collins now and not Darlington. I let go of the remaining feelings that I harbored for Darlington Briggs. A few days after our wedding ceremony ended, my husband and I traveled to California for our honeymoon. That was
Amara's POV, I wasn't happy when I came to Darlington's office and saw Jenna Colton with him again. Darlington assured me that he had nothing to do with Jenna, but upon seeing them standing close, I felt they wanted to kiss each other but quickly separated the moment they saw me enter the office. Jenna also appeared sad when I saw her leaving. She didn't tell Darlington goodbye, and she kept her face downward and fled the top floor where Darlington's office was. I was relieved when I saw that, and I told Darlington that I went to get some of my baby's things and would be heading home. So, I just dropped by his company to see him. Darlington smiled as he cupped my face and told me he was through with his office work. So, we went home together. Upon getting home, I saw the news trend on the television showing the engagement video of Jenna Colton that had gone viral. I couldn't believe my eyes as it hadn't been long since I last saw Jenna in Darlington's office, shedding crocodile t
Jenna Colton. "Huh!" My jaw dropped as I saw Collins with a golden ring, down on one knee in front of everyone, proposing to me. We stood in the hallway, not disturbing the others who had come for emergency treatment. Since it was no longer clinic hours, the hospital was less crowded than it usually was in the morning when a lot of outpatients filled the lobby and hallways. "Aww!" My eyes welled up with tears as I saw some fans pulling out their phones to record me. They awaited my response, and since I wanted to get out of the hospital ward quickly, I said yes, knowing that this was a new chapter of my life. Since Collins was ready to marry me, not minding my flaws and wanting to have me as his wife, I had to accept his ring. So I told him, "Yes. I accept." Collins slipped the engagement ring onto my left finger, and tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I hugged him heartily just as he rose. He was taller than me, and he didn't press to kiss me. We just hugged. "Congratulations
Jenna Colton: I walked out of Darlington's office to leave the Briggs group and saw him and Amara holding hands as he hugged her to his shoulder and walked ahead with her into his office. I immediately bolted from there like a flash, not sparing another glance their way. I went back downstairs, entered my car, and drove home. My phone rang in the car, but I was in no mood to pick it up. I cried as I found my way home. Soon, I arrived at my father's compound and wanted to drive in, but I recalled my mother would be at home. I then navigated the car and drove to the hospital to see my father. I arrived at the hospital where my father was admitted. I parked my car in the parking lot, and my phone rang again. I wanted to ignore the call as my crying could have made my voice break, and I didn't want to inform my mother about it or make her aware of my broken heart. I took up my handkerchief, wiped my face, and finally got out of the car as I proceeded into the hospital to check with
Jenna Colton, I awoke in my room to a fresh start of a new day. I decided to visit Darlington at his company to see him directly, rather than just talking over the phone as we had been trying to do. I knew that Darlington had blocked me, but I still wanted to see him. It had been a week since Darlington told me off and asked me to move on, but I didn’t want to adhere to it. Also, Lily’s brother had invited me to one of his clubs to meet with him, but I didn’t want to visit him. I desired to meet with Darlington first to know if there was still any hope of our relationship rekindling. After finishing my bath, I got out of the bathroom and dressed in a blue sleeveless dress, wanting to look pretty as I paired it with black shoes. I stepped out of my closet and went to adjust my hair in front of my room mirror. I wanted to look presentable before Darlington, so I exited the house, holding onto my car key and my black purse. So far, my father had been improving in his health, but he
Amara's POV:I awoke in the bedroom to a brand new morning, and Darlington was preparing to leave for his office. I hadn't expected the wedding gift he bought for me the previous night. I thought he was trying to reconnect with his ex, but he proved me wrong by telling me he had blocked Jenna and didn't want to have anything to do with her again.I smiled as I observed Darlington stepping out of the bathroom and walking up to the luxurious king-sized bed to meet me.He sat on the bed, water dripping from his wet hair, and drew nearer to me. "How are you and my baby doing?""I'm fine; our baby and I are good," I replied, a cute blush on my face. Darlington smiled and said, "That's good. I'm going to the office today. You remember that your dad wants to partner with me. Although he mentioned he would like you to be present, he hasn't spoken about the date for signing the partnership deal.""Does my dad want to come and visit us?" I asked Darlington as I watched him dry off his wet mascu
Jenna's POV:"Seriously, Jenna. You're very funny. Do you know that my brother has been your fan since forever? He really likes you and told me that you're his kind of woman. Hot and spicy," Lily teased me."That's enough of the teasing, Lily," I shouted at her. "I know you want me to move on from Darlington too, but I guess you haven't honestly been in love.""Oh, really? Tell me what love is all about," Lily inquired. I shook my head and went to pack my handbag that my younger sister, Rita, had brought from home."I don't have time to teach you about love. But I know what I want, and what I want, I shall get."Lily's eyes widened as I looked at her, and she burst out laughing once more. "Hahaha, how do you plan to win Darlington back? Tell me. Do you intend to kidnap him and force him to marry you, or do you want to harm his wife and eliminate her to have Darlington all to yourself now?"I paused packing my handbag and looked back at Lily's face."None of the suggestions. I know wha
Jenna's POV:I was still in the hospital, awaiting discharge. Although my father's health had improved and he had been moved from the intensive care unit after waking up, he suffered from a stroke that impaired his left hand and left leg. The doctor informed us that, with time, my father would improve as the stroke didn't affect his vocal cords.I was saddened by this fact as I waited for Darlington, who had promised to show up. However, he didn't. I called his phone several times, but it was switched off.As it got late, I was free to move around my hospital ward. The doctor had treated me after I fainted, so I was no longer confined to the bed. I called Darlington again, knowing he would have closed from his office as it was already past 6 PM. However, Darlington phoned me and told me that he didn't want to have anything to do with me anymore and that he was now dedicated to his wife, Amara.I couldn't believe what Darlington was saying. I knew he was now officially married to Amara
Darlington's POV:"What's wrong, babe?" I asked Amara as I entered our shared bedroom. She didn't reply and instead walked back to the bed to lie down. She wore a long white nightdress and laid on her side, ignoring me and not welcoming me.I frowned, looking from my wife to my briefcase in my hands and the gift I had bought for her.It crossed my mind that she was sad, thinking I went to spend precious time with Jenna when I had been working hard in my office, sitting for hours in my executive chair and focusing on some projects. I would have felt more guilty if I had actually gone to see Jenna, especially since I had switched off my phone after I told her I wouldn’t be able to meet her."Babe," I called Amara's attention as I carefully dropped my briefcase on the couch in our cozy bedroom. I walked over to the bed covered with a white mattress to meet Amara."Babe," I said, sitting on the bed beside her, but she turned to the other side to look away from me, not wanting to speak.I