~Rosemary~The shopping bag in my hand fell to the ground. I gripped the woman’s wrist and pulled, but her fingernails continued to sink into my neck. “Please, let me go!”“Are you Rosemary Beckett or not?” she spat in my face. “I have been looking for you for years. You ruined my life. Now, I am going to have my revenge.”I coughed. “I don't even know you…I have never seen you before...”“Shut up! Die!” A sharp pain traveled to my head as she pressed even harder. I felt the air leaving my lungs and blood rushing to my head.In the blink of an eye, my back hit the hood of a car. I pushed with all my might, but she was like a rock.Her red eyes flared as she glared down at me. I quivered, still pulling at her wrists. “Please, don't kill me!”“Die, bitch! Die!”I coughed. After drawing a quick breath, I screamed as loudly as I could, “Somebody help! He—”“Hey!” someone called from a distance.And before I could blink, the scary woman was kicked off. I slipped down the hood of the car i
~Rosemary~Immediately, I dived in fully clothed. The cold water sent a chill through my entire body, but I swam over to Henny in seconds.“Henny,” I called, spitting out a mouthful of water.Henny’s whole body was soaking wet and his eyes were shut. I held him against my bosom and climbed up the ledge on the other side.My heart was thudding in my ears as I laid down him on the floor and unbuttoned his shirt. I put a finger under this nose, but I didn't feel anything.“Wake up, Henny! Wake up!” I screamed, pressing his chest.I heard the nurse run over to me. “Move aside. Let me do this.”Frantically, I continued to press his chest. “Open your eyes, please! Henny!”The nurse pushed me aside and got on her knees. She checked his pulse, then lowered her head to give him mouth-to-mouth.I shivered on the floor, wailing loudly. “Henny! Please wake up! Open your eyes! I promise to be your mommy. Just open your eyes for me okay?”Just then, Henny coughed out water. He let out a cry.“Oh, m
~Rosemary~I blinked, sniffing hard. “What about Susan?”“Actually…” Gerald drawled. “Susan is not as sick as you think?”I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“I mean, she doesn't have stage-4 breast cancer. In fact, she only has chronic hypertension.”“Eh?” I stopped wiping my tears and looked at Gerald sharply. “She doesn't have cancer? How can that be? She said so herself that she's dying. I even saw how bad she looked because of chemo. How can you say that she doesn't—”“I saw her hospital records, Rose. I am dead sure that she doesn't have cancer or anything close to that. She's faking it.”Immediately, I sprang to my feet. I shook my head. “No, that can't be. Susan is one of the most trustworthy people I know. She would never lie about such a thing. Come to think of it…”I stopped pacing and looked at him. “How in the world did you get her hospital records? You are no doctor.”Gerald slowly stood up. “It doesn't matter how I got them. What matters is the fact that Susan is
~Rosemary~“I am the mother of a preemie? W-what are you talking about? I don't have any kids,” I stammered, taking a step back.Martha took a step further. “Are you out of your mind? You have a son. I saw you with my own two eyes when you were rushed into the hospital in a pool of blood. The doctors induced you and your child was born premature. Many people thought he was going to die, but I saved him. I took care of him in the NICU for one week before I was suddenly fired for no just cause. How can you deny it now!”My back hit the wall. I shook my head, tears flooding my eyes. “You must have me mistaken for someone else. I miscarried my son four years ago. He died in my belly. They had to do a D&C.”All of a sudden, she stopped. Her brows furrowed as if she was thinking. Just when I thought she was about to come back to her senses, she shot me another red-hot glare. “You lie! You are denying it because your son made me lose my job. I came homeless because of him, Dr. Luke, and the
~Gerald~Rosemary’s scream reverberated in the hallway. I rushed over to her and held her. “What’s wrong?”Her body trembled against my chest. When I looked at her face, I saw that she looked like she had seen a ghost. I followed her line of vision.And that was when I saw it…A body was hanging down a fan. It was that of the homeless woman. She was foaming in the mouth. Not only that, her skin looked grey and her eyes were wide open but lifeless. I put my hand over Rosemary’s eyes and turned her around. “Let’s get you out of here.”“No!” Rosemary pushed my hand away and ran into the ward. “You can't die now! You still haven't told me everything! Do I really have a son? Who took him? Why did I never see him?”When she reached out to touch the woman’s dangling feet, I grabbed her hand and hugged her. “You shouldn't be looking at this.”Rosemary thumped my chest. “Let me go! I have many questions for her!”“I will find the answers for you. I’ll move mountains if I have to. Just let me
~Gerald~I sat up immediately, holding Rosemary’s waist. “You are drunk. Let’s get you to bed.”Rosemary’s smile brightened. “We don't have to use the bed. You can fuck me here on the living room floor. I don't mind.”I grabbed her hand which had just undid one of my buttons. Flipping over, I carefully moved her away from my crotch. “Well, I do mind.”She slapped my chest. “Stop acting so shy. I know you want to be inside me. I have seen the way you look at me.”Groaning, I held her other hand as it wandered below. “I don't want you to do something you will regret, Rose. I love you, and it's my duty to protect you, not take advantage of you.”She belched, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, she smiled. “What’s your name, handsome?”I frowned. “Gerald…Beckett?”“Beckett?” she repeated in a groggy voice. “You have the same surname as me. Who are you? My brother?”What!She pointed, her neck unstable. “Cousin?”I nodded. “Yes, yes. I am your cousin. You are drunk so I came to t
~Rosemary~“Oh, Rosemary! We were just talking about you!” Susan said the second I walked through the door.I forced a smile. “I’m so sorry that my visits have been less frequent this past week. I had something very pressing on my plate.”Susan waved. “No need to apologize. I understand. In fact, I went ahead with the preparations on your behalf.”What! This again? Is Max kidding me right now?“How is Henny?” I changed the topic. “I heard he has been discharged from the hospital.”Susan nodded and took my hand. “I didn't have the chance to thank you the other day. Thanks for saving my grandson, Rosemary. If you hadn't brought him out of the water that day, who knows what would have happened.”She shivered with a look of dread.I sighed. “You don't have to thank me. Henny is my nephew, and it’s my duty as his aunty to protect him.”“And with the wedding, you can be his mother. That way, you can protect him even more.”Despite the enthusiasm on Susan’s face, I said, “Henny already has a
~Rosemary~I couldn't breathe. The dress I was wearing suddenly felt heavier than it already was. I began to bake in it too.“What boyfriend?” Susan asked again.I forced a smile. “Susan, I...Actually, I…”“She doesn't have a boyfriend.”Suddenly, I heard Max's voice. I looked toward the door and saw him come in. He looked a little thinner and smaller than he usually was. On his face was a solemn expression that I rarely saw.He went over to Susan and kissed her on the cheek. “Mom, Henny is just mistaking one of Rosemary’s employees as her boyfriend.”“Oh…” The worried expression on Susan’s face instantly melted. She reached over and pinched Henny’s cheeks playfully. “Naughty boy…”“Come on, Mom. I got you something. It's in the garden.”As Max led his mother out, he shot me a look that clearly said, “We need to talk.”“Rose, is Mr. Gerald not your boyfriend?” Henny curiously asked once we were alone.I put him down and looked at his face. “He’s not just my boyfriend, but you don't ha
~Gerald~I slammed the door in his face. Before turning away, I listened as he stormed off, huffing and puffing about how I was making a huge mistake.“Before you say anything…” I began, looking at Elvis. “Get on the phone with the Russian mafia. I’m sure they would be pleased to know that Angel showed up here.”“No!”“What?” I exclaimed on the way to grab a glass of water.Elvis shook his head. “I don't think it’s a good idea to get involved in the battle between Angel and them. Time and time again, this has always ended with a bloodbath. It was hard enough for you to stay alive all these years despite having many enemies. I can't watch you get involved in a mafia war just because you want to take Angel down.”I sighed. “What do you suggest I do then?”“I suggest we wait. We wait for them to locate Angel and take him out. Since he's roaming without a care in the world, that should be pretty easy.”I shook my head with uncertainty. As far as I knew, Angel was much more powerful than m
~Rosemary~“Boss, are you okay? Boss!” Elvis ran to me as soon as the phone dropped from my hand. He made me sit on the sofa and peered down at my face.His tone changed. “Gerald, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?”I shook my head, clutching my chest. It was as if I was going to have a heart attack. But I knew going to the hospital won't help me.“Was that Rosemary on the phone? What did she say? Why are you like this?”I looked at him. “I don't know what to do, man. She’s getting married to Max again.”“What! How…but your divorce hasn't being finalized. You didn't sign the divorce papers, did you?”“I didn't. But now that she doesn't remember me or the love we shared, I’m afraid Max would make her drag me to court for the divorce. He's manipulating her big time.”I went on to tell him about the wedding photo Rosemary found and how she accused me of faking it and planting it in Max’s house.“This is getting out of hand. Should I tell the boys to take him out?”I groaned. “No. T
~Rosemary~“H-how is this… how did this…”I couldn't believe my eyes at all. I stared at the woman standing beside Max. She was wearing a very beautiful wedding dress. Most importantly, she wasn't me!She looked like me, but she wasn't me. She was Amani. I was sure of it!“So it’s true? What that man said is true! Max divorced me so he could be with Amani?”The photo slipped off my hands. Taking a step back, I stared down at it. “They even had a wedding. But why did Max propose to me two days ago? And Amani was so happy for me!”What the fuck is going on? Who's playing me for a freaking fool!All of a sudden, the door opened. I turned and saw Max. His eyes widened at the sight of me. He looked at my feet, and his eyes widened even more.“Care to explain?” I asked, folding my arms.I was trying so hard to keep it together. Heaven knows I wanted to jump at him and scratch his face. Another part of me also wanted to just break down crying. This moment reminded me of the heartbreak I su
~Rosemary~Call me insecure, but something didn't sit right about this meeting. First, because Amani showed up here at night. And second because for as long as I could remember, Amani had a thing for Max.She even snatched him from me when we were in high school. It was a miracle that we got married. Was she trying to snatch him yet again?But seeing this beautiful ring now, I realized what a fool I had been. Why did I think that the puppy dating they had in school still meant anything to Max after all the love I showed him since Amani left for college?“Yes!” I screamed, putting out my hand. “I will marry you, Max Smith!”“Really?” Max asked, his eyes lighting up.I nodded vigorously. After he slipped the ring on my finger, I raised my hand and looked at it. The rock was much bigger than the one he gave me when we first married. By the looks of it, it was probably worth millions.“You shouldn't have!” I said, tearing up.Max pulled me into a hug. “You deserve the very best, my love.
~Max~The cold was biting hard. Standing on the lawn, I listened to Amani as she went on and on about her grievances.Just two weeks ago, she had asked for a divorce. I knew it was because of my current financial woes. It hurt a lot that she wanted to leave me. But I begged.I begged her like I had never begged anyone before. She was my life!“I will stay on one condition. Get me everything that Rosemary has,” she had said.At the time, I thought that would be impossible considering the fact that Rosemary hated my guts. But after I received that call ordering me to come to the hospital because my “wife” was admitted there, I thought maybe…maybe it wasn't impossible after all.Although I suspected that Amani had a hand in Rosemary’s accident, I didn't dare to ask her that or even tell Rosemary the truth. I was going to do anything to make Amani stay with me.She agreed to leave the house for a while so I could make Rosemary comfortable with me. The plan was to make her transfer all he
~Rosemary~My eyes zoomed in on Max’s puckered lips. It was as if I was having a nightmare in a horror film.“No!” I said, turning the other way.Max sniffed. “My love, what’s wrong?”Yeah, what’s wrong with me? I thought I loved him? Or did that man get into my head?“There’s no rush, okay?”I turned to see him smiling awkwardly. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Max. I just…”“I understand perfectly. You don't have to explain yourself. You have just been through something so traumatic. I shouldn't have made such a move.”Aw… He’s so understanding. Seeing his face, I felt even guiltier for thinking about that guy. Why can't I get him off my mind? This isn't fair!“But… I just want you to know that I love you, Rosemary. Although we have had our ups and downs and people have tried to break us apart, we are soulmates.”I nodded, remembering what he said about us having a fight and me getting deceived into divorcing him and remarrying someone else.“Ermm. What was our quarrel about again?”Max scr
~Rosemary~The man stared at me before taking the burger from me. He smiled. “Thank you.”“Don’t you ever get tired?” I blurted out. He chuckled. “What do you mean?”“Come, sit,” he added, tapping the space on the bench.I hesitated. I didn't even know this man, but here I was, sharing my lunch. There was something warm about him.“Don’t you ever get tired?” I asked again, sitting down on the edge of the bench.I turned, smiling. “I do, Rose.”“But you have been staying out here day and night.”He shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you were all right and I wanted a chance to talk to you. Max banned me from coming close to your ward.”I sighed, placing my hands on my knees. “My husband… I mean, Max doesn't like you. He says you are bad news.”He shook his head. “Honestly… I am not in the least surprised by his behavior.”“Because you are a gigolo who deceived me into marrying you?”He chuckled. But when I looked at his face, he looked sad.“Actually…” he began, turning to face me again.
~Gerald~Amani gasped. “Of course not! Why would you accuse me of such a thing?”I shrugged. “Maybe because of the fact that you have always been jealous of Rosemary and you have been shamelessly trying to get with me. Or the fact that you are the most evil person I know!”Amani slapped her chest. “That's mean, Gerald! I might not be perfect, but I would never push my own sister off a cliff!”“Oh, cut the crap! Do I have to remind you that you once put honey in her food, slept with her husband, and even stole her baby?”Amani rolled her eyes. “I don't know what you are talking about.”“Typical!”I sucked my teeth and began to walk away.“Wait! I have something else to say,” Amani stopped me.I frowned. “What is it?”“I was thinking..” Amani fiddled with her fingers like a little girl.“Get to the point. I don't have all day!”“Ermm… I was wondering if you could give me some money.”I scoffed. “I don't have money to give you.”“But I heard that you are a billionaire and you own several
~Gerald~“Rose, it’s me, Gerald. Can you see me now?” I uttered, pulling back so she could see my face.But Rosemary squinted even more. “Why are you in my ward? I don't know who you are, sir.”What! Did I hear wrong?I blinked, then shook my head. “Rose, you are joking right?”“I came as soon as I found out you were here. Why didn't you call me?” I added, sitting on the edge of the bed.Rosemary slowly turned her neck to look at me. “Why would I call you? I don't know you!”“Why do you keep saying that? It’s me, Gerald. Can't you see me?”She frowned. “Look, mister. As you can see, I am not in the right state to be arguing. I need to rest. Leave now before my husband comes and sees you here.”“What!” I sprang to my feet. “Rosemary, please you are taking this joke too far. I am your husband!”“No, you are not!”The second Rosemary raised her voice, I heard the door open behind me.I turned to see who it was.“Max? What the fuck are you doing here?”Max stood frozen at the door with a