~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
~Rosemary~My heart trembled at the tone of the police officer’s voice. This couldn’t be good, could it?“What’s the matter, officer?” Gerald asked in my stead.“Until this matter is resolved, none of the two parties involved can have custody of the child in question.”“What? Why?”He shrugged. “That’s just the rules. It’s either the child is kept with a relative or he’s taken into the system.”“Henny doesn’t stay with his mother. He stays with me,” Susan, who had been silent all this while, spoke up.The officer turned to her. “You mean, the suspect? The child doesn’t live with the suspect?”Susan nodded. “I have him here more than 80% of the time. He doesn’t have to be taken away.”She looked at me. “Rosemary, I really don’t understand what’s going on here, but Henny is safe with me. I promise that no harm shall come to him.”Crying, I turned away and pressed my face into Gerald’s hard chest. He rubbed my back as I trembled.“I want him to be with me. I have been deprived of so muc
~Gerald~“Hit me with the good news first.”Hearing that, I opened a document on my phone. “Earlier today, I finally traced the account that sent money to Luke. But it was closed down yesterday.”“Really?” She took the phone from me. “Who owns the account?”“Amani. Apparently, she opened it under a pseudonym in another country with less strict banking laws.”“I knew it!”Rosemary zoomed in and out of the document. Afterward, she looked up. “So what’s the bad news?”I exhaled. “I already sent the proof of the transaction to the police, but they refused to take it.”“What? Why would they do that?”“They gave no good reason. Something about it being obtained illegally. Besides, I found that they aren’t prioritizing the case. I suspect foul play.”Rosemary shot to her feet, slapping the table. “Those two thieves must have bribed them. But how could the police be so corrupt!”“And Max. Didn’t he act like he knew nothing about the theft the other day? Why is he still helping Amani?” she add
~Rosemary~Gerald’s head shot up as soon as I spoke. His eyes lit up and then, I felt his body crushing mine.“You are back!” he said, kissing my face. “What took you so long?”He pulled back and held my face. “Oh, my God! You scared the shit out of me. Don't do that again, okay?”I chuckled. “Okay, Mr. Beckett.”“I was so worried about…” His words trailed off. “Wait, what did you just call me?”I shrugged, “Mr. Beckett?”“You…you remember me?”I nodded. “I remember everything, Gerald. I am sorry that—”Before I could finish speaking, he knocked the breath out of me with a hard kiss. I smiled against his lips and then parted mine.Until now, I didn't know how much I had missed his lips on mine. As always, it felt like heaven. I held his strong arm despite the pain in the back of my hand due to the IV needle.“Catch your breath,” Gerald said, pulling back after like a minute.“What?” I chuckled again.“I’m not done yet. Just breathe.”I did as he said. And the second I was no longer g
~Gerald~“Seize them!” I roared the second I kicked the door open.All six of my men matched in and surrounded Max and Amani. They struggled but were pinned down within seconds.I squatted by the door, seeing Rosemary lying down.“Baby!” I scooped her up.She smiled at me. “You are here.”When she coughed out blood, I held her face. “Shh! Don't say anything. Let’s get you to the hospital.”“Wait!” Rosemary reached out and held my face. “I’m sorry for not believing you. Sorry, I realized too late.”“No! It’s not too late.”“I’m afraid it is.” She smiled again. “If I were to come back to this world again, I’d love to be your woman again. I would love to know love like you love me. To love you and be loved by you, Gerald. Just by reading your words, I realized that you are the man I always dreamed of having as a child.”She rubbed my face. “Promise me that we will meet in another life? Promise me that you will look at me the way you are looking at me right now.”“No! I can't promise you
~Rosemary~It was already past closing hour for most jobs, but my lawyer agreed that I come in to start the process. On the way, my phone dinged.A notification from the doorbell camera had just come in. I opened it and saw the live footage of Amani’s car pulling up in the driveway of Max's house.What’s she doing there? And immediately I just left too.I watched as Amani got out of her car. Max showed up from the inside. They spoke for a while. I thought they were arguing again. But then…“Oh, my God!” I screamed the second Max kissed Amani.“Ma’am,” said the taxi driver. “Are you okay?”I covered my mouth, shaking as Amani and Max made out on the porch. They looked like they wanted to gobble each other up. Max even grabbed her ass and squeezed it. Then they staggered into the house, still not letting each other go.“Ma’am, is anything the matter?”Hearing the taxi driver’s voice again, I raised my head. “Please, can you take my back? I will pay double.”He looked at me through the r
~Rosemary~I couldn't stop thinking of what Gerald said to me about proposing a prenuptial agreement. He sounded so sure that Max wanted me for my money. But Max was a billionaire, right?Right?I took out my phone and searched for the name of Max’s company. A few headlines came up.The first one: Brix Cars to get new CEOThe second: Max Smith resigns from the CEO position. Would this mark the end of the family’s hold on the company?The third: Brix Cars reportedly plunges into 30 billion-dollar debt.My jaw dropped lower with each headline I read. I had no idea that Max’s business was suffering this much, let alone the fact that he was no longer the CEO.Why didn't he tell me? Did this mean Gerald was right?Well… there's only one way to find out.I pulled out my phone and called the number saved under legal. “Erm… I’d like to draft a prenuptial agreement.”*****“What’s this?” Max frowned the second I handed the document to him.I kept my distance, a little scared. “Since we are goi
~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