~Gerald~Rosemary was a literal mess when I found her. My heart broke at the sight of her teary face and ruffled hair.“You are here!” she cried, rushing into my arms as I stood before her on the stairwell.Stroking her back, I kissed the top of her head. “Sorry, I wasn’t here earlier. I had no idea.”“Why did they steal my son from me? Wasn’t it bad enough that they betrayed me and left me out in the cold? Why did they have to take the one thing I hold dear!”“I don’t know, Rose. But we are going to find out. I will help you.”After listening to Rosemary relay the doctor’s words, I said, “You should take a DNA test now. Since Henny is admitted here, it would be very easy to get it done.”She looked at me with red and teary eyes. “And when the test proves that he’s indeed my son?” “Then we fight. We fight for custody!” I declared decisively. “For now, let’s go find the doctor.”As I attempted to walk up the stairs with her, Rosemary pressed the back of her hand on her forehead. “I do
~Rosemary~I waved back weakly. “Hey, Susan! Yes, this is my husband—“Just as I was about to pull Gerald closer, his hand slipped off mine.“I gotta go.” Then he turned around and left.Standing in the hallway, I looked at his receding figure which disappeared within seconds. What’s wrong? Does he still not want to meet Susan? So much so that he would abandon me while I was weak?I took a deep breath and circled back to Susan. The woman was squinting now while Max didn’t even bother to hide his frown.“Where did he go?” Susan asked, craning her neck in the direction Gerald went. “I thought I would finally get the chance to see the man who snatched you away.”I smiled, walking up to her. “He didn’t snatch me, Susan. I was very much single when I married him.”“Were you really?” Max commented sarcastically. “If I remember correctly, our divorce wasn’t even a few days old before you married him.”“And does that make me any worse than you? Have you suddenly forgotten that you cheated on
~Rosemary~“The suspense is killing me. Please tell me the result,” I said the very second I sat down in the doctor’s office.The doctor smiled. “Please, calm down, miss. There are protocols to this thing.”Gerald, who was sitting beside me, took my hand and squeezed it. He blinked at me, telling me to keep calm.But I couldn’t.I tapped my fingers on the desk. “What does it say?”“99.9 percent.”I shifted forward. “That means he’s my—““Son. Henny is your son.”Covering my mouth, I sprang up to my feet. “Oh, my God! Oh, my God! He’s my baby! He’s mine!”Gerald hugged me tightly as I jumped for joy. “I am so happy for you, honey.”The doctor cleared his throat. “I also tested your sister. The result proves beyond reasonable doubt that she’s not the mother. She’s just his aunt and the DNA percentage is just a little higher because you two are twins.”“Thank you so much for your help, doc. You have no idea what you have done for us,” Gerald said, pressing my head against his chest.All
~Gerald~“I was just about to come get you. I was wondering—" I paused, seeing Rosemary’s sad face.I got out of bed and rushed to her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”She sniffed. “I just realized that I made a mistake that almost cost me the best thing that has ever happened to me in a long time.”“What do you mean? Is this about Henny?”She shook her head. “It’s about you. About us.”I exhaled. “You scared me there for a second.”Rosemary’s wet eyelashes fluttered. “I just looked at the surveillance footage from that night and it seems I was wrong. You didn’t let Amani in.”“I told you, didn’t I?”Walking away, I held my forehead. I didn’t want to talk about that night. Although I was sure I hadn’t slept with Amani, I was still angry at myself for not noticing that she was in my bed.More so, I was still a little mad at Rosemary.I know I act all good. But sometimes, I want my woman to trust me. I want her to give me a chance instead of believing that I was a cheat and betrayer
~Rosemary~“Do you want some ice cream?” I stopped, the cold bar freezing my fingers. “Are you allowed to have ice cream?”“I guess not,” I added, throwing the bar into the large shopping bag at my feet.I picked up the jug nearby. “What about water? Would you like some?”Henny, who had been staring at me since he woke up, smiled. “I am fine, Rosemary. Just hold my hand.”I fought back tears, reaching out to him. “I was so worried about you. Why did you take so long to wake up?”Henny sighed, holding my pinky tightly. “Thank you for staying with me, bestie.”I took his hand in mine and kissed it. “I missed you.”“Now that I am awake, we can play together. I am tired of staying in bed all day. My back hurts.”I sprang to my feet. “Sorry, dearie. Tell you what, I will go ask the doctor if I can take you to the garden. We can play with some butterflies there.”His face lit up. “Okay!”“You are not taking my son anywhere!” The second I stepped out of the ward, I bumped into Amani who loo
~Rosemary~Max frowned, putting down the bottle in his hand. “I didn’t order for any strippers, so why are you here?”“You didn’t have to,” I said, stepping into the light.In an instant, Max’s droopy eyes widened. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you even know how to find me?”I flipped my hair back. “I have my sources, Max. Besides, have you forgotten that I know you like the back of my hand?”He scoffed, then looked at me from head to toe. “What’s with all these?”I sat down beside him. Pushing down the vomit in my throat, I said, “Why? Do you like what you see?”For a brief moment, lust flashed across Max’s eyes. His gaze lingered on my cleavage before he looked back at my face. “What are you trying to do?”“What does it look like?” I stood up and picked up a glass. “I came here to have fun with you, silly.”“Is that so?”Backing him, I poured two glasses and dipped my coated index finger in one of them. Then, I turned around.“Here you go, handsome. Let’s drink together
~Rosemary~“Why can’t you just stick your nose out of people’s families and marriages? You barren slut!”I laughed, folding my arms. “This is getting old, Amani. Insult me another way, okay?”Amani’s face turned red. “The nerve of you!”“What?” I tilted my head. “I know it can’t be so hard to protect something you stole. But your insecurity and jealousy would get you nowhere!”Amani laughed. “Me? Jealous of you? Bitch, please!”She took a step closer and our noses were almost touching. “Max told me what you and that stupid husband of yours did. You are such a slut!”I stared into her eyes fearlessly. Gritting my teeth, I said, “Yes, I was with Max last night. But did he also tell you that he got so turned on even when I merely touched his cheek.”A vein appeared on Amani’s forehead. She raised her hand to strike me.“Not so fast, sis!” I said, catching her wrist mid-air.My eyes burned hot. I took one step after the other while Amani staggered back. When her back hit the wall, I leane
~Gerald~“She has disappeared with him again! We were too late! She has stolen my baby!” Rosemary wailed as I tried to pull her up from the floor.One of the cops walked into the ward. “Miss, please calm down. We will do our best to find—““Excuse me, may I know what the noise is about?”I turned, only to see a nurse walking in with a confused frown. The other cop said to her, “We are here for Amani Smith. We believe her son was admitted in this ward.”The nurse nodded. “Yes, but he was discharged an hour ago.”“He was?” Rosemary jumped to her feet. “Who checked him out?”“His mother and grandmother.” The nurse looked at everyone one after the other. “Is anything the matter?”“Not at all,” said the first cop.He then turned to Rosemary. “It doesn’t seem like she stole him again. Do you have any idea where they could have taken him?”Rosemary wiped the tears on her face. “Yes.”Twenty minutes later, I halted the car in front of the Smith family’s mansion. I turned to Rosemary as she d
~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