~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~My heart thumped against my chest as soon as I saw Henny standing at the top of the stairs. I took a step forward, but my leg felt heavier than lead. “Henny…”“Are you my mommy?” Henny asked again. “I thought you were my auntie.”“She is!”Before I could blink, Max walked up the stairs. He squatted before Henny and held his small shoulders. “She is your auntie, all right?”Henny looked away from him. His eyes were narrowed as he addressed me. “I just heard you say that your sister stopped you from being a mother to your son and that you came here for him. I am the only kid here, so it’s me right?”He pointed at himself. “I am the son, right?”I clutched my chest. Nodding with tears in my eyes, I said, “Yes, Henny. You are my son!”“Rosemary!” Max shouted.At that moment, I felt Gerald’s grip on my shoulders. He pushed me up the stairs. I swallowed hard, looking at Henny’s confused eyes.“Are you not my auntie anymore? Did you marry my daddy?”Ignoring the harsh stare I wa
~Rosemary~As Amani slowly turned around, I picked Henny up and hugged him. “Did you come here to aggravate him? He's just a child. My child!”Amani chuckled. “Your child? Why don't you let the judge be THE JUDGE of that?”“It doesn't matter what the verdict is,” I said, covering Henny’s ear as he rested his head on my shoulder. “It doesn't matter how many gifts you get him, I will always remain his mother. You made me lose so many—”Amani rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Tell me something I haven't heard before.”“What’s going on here?”I looked up the stairs, only to see Susan wearing a long dress with a gray coat wrapped around her body. Her face looked a little thinner than usual.“Are you okay, Susan?” I asked, feeling a little guilty for staying mad at her since the truth came out about her fake illness.She smiled at me faintly. “I am. It’s just the cold. I am too old for it.”“How…how about I make you a cup of hot tea?”She waved. “I would love that. But first…”“Why are you here
~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