Diamond I tried to ignore the nagging thoughts in my head as I climbed into my car and started the car, on my way to the children's school to pick them up. I was already a few minutes later than I would normally leave but it wasn't a cause to fret. I liked to give the kids sometime to mingle with their friends after school before coming to pick them up. There was a bit of traffic on the way but thankfully, it cleared up in no time. I was already ten minutes late when I arrived at the school. By now, the children were seated in their usual bench, with Natalia, waiting for their parents. And as usual, they had big smiles on their faces, and were giggling and chatting. Apparently, they had a good day today.I watched them for a brief moment, feeling a smile crawl up my lips. Suddenly, I forgot all about the thing that was bugging me, just watching the kids be happy. They were my absolute source of joy.A few moments later, I got down from the car and began heading in the direction the
DiamondAs much as I felt a tad bit fo fulfillment, having watched Mr. Cater, the irresponsible and sexist dean, squirm at my threat of going to the board to report his inadequacies, I also felt livid, recounting how he said the words he said so freely, without an iota of care about how I might receive or how it might affect my children, and other kids who happened to have single mothers as parents. It was no empty threat that I was going to go the board. Although I didn't know any board member, and prior to today, I didn't even know that there was a board, but I was going to find a way, not only because I felt discriminated for being a single mother, but because my children were beginning to suffer for this very fact.I was livid because I thought we had moved into a century where these nonsensical things didn't matter; where there was gender equality, and everyone was given a fair chance at opportunities. Apparently I was wrong because Mr. Cater had defended his reasons for making
Diamond I wasn't going to say, “Hey, Lennox, funny story or maybe a not so funny story, but my boys, you know them; Hayden, Jayden and Braden, they're actually yours. And by yours I mean that you are their father.” Then I'll chuckle, and add, “And they thought I couldn't carry a baby for up to 9 months. Well, jokes on you, I carried not just one but three babies.” Then I'll chuckle again, not because I found it funny, no. I wasn't even funny, at least I didn't consider myself to be. But I'll chuckle because I was so nervous and I didn't know how to react other than to laugh. I sighed. I could only imagine how that would go so wrong. So when I opened my mouth to speak, it wasn't to tell Lennox the truth, it was to tell him…“Lennox, I promise you, I'm fine.” And yes, I know you care about me, I also care about you, too. More than I would like to. But of course I didn't add that last part. He didn't look convinced by what I said but he did have a choice. It was clear as day someth
AgathaI didn't realize when my phone was ringing as I was lost in my thoughts. It was when one of my colleagues tapped my shoulders that I was dragged back to reality. I startled, practically jumping away from her and also ready to bolt if I turned to see that it was Martin Oliveira. Well, thank goodness it wasn't him. Eyeing me suspiciously, she pointed to where my phone was charging. “Your phone is buzzing all over the place and it's giving me a headache. Answer it or throw it out, I don't really care. Just make it stop.”With one glance from my head to toe and in a deep frown, she looked away from me and went back to arranging her locker. One of my other colleagues, Sarah, walked up to me with a concerned look on her face.“Are you okay, Agatha?” she asked.I looked up at her and tried to pass a reassuring smile her way but it was a failed attempt. There was just too much going on in my mind and in my life at the moment and I felt very unsafe. Sarah was perhaps my only friend,
Agatha Six years ago… It has been a dramatic couple of weeks; Lennox has agreed to divorce Diamond and had suggested we get married. Which means that Lennox and I are to be married after I put to birth. He said that we were going to get married after the divorce had been finalized. But this meant other things to me. I was elated, for sure, but I knew that I had to find a way to tell Martin, my lover or if you would prefer to call him my boyfriend, that I was getting married to another person which inevitably meant that we couldn't see each other anymore. I paused for a moment, while putting the jewelry around my neck. How was he going to take the news? Martin wasn't one to handle shock well. He liked to see it from a mile away so to string this on him? That wasn't good. But if it was just a shock, he would get over it. It's not as though the shock that came from my news of getting married was going to be that bad, bad enough to kill him. I wasn't even worried about him dying.
Agatha Six years ago… I have always been seen as the villain in the Lennox and Diamond story; our parents favorite between my sister and I. But as the saying goes, everybody has their demons. And my greatest demon was/is Martin Oliveira. Of course he hadn't made me spread my legs for Lennox to insert his dick inside of me. Frankly and honestly, the first time was a mistake. But the second time, the third time, the fourth time, and all the times after that wasn't. Lennox was an amazing lover, but Martin just knew the right buttons to touch to drive me over the edge. Perhaps because he has known me longer, in ways that Lennox would never have thought about exploring if he wasn't dead drunk. But who was a better lover didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Who has power, influence? Who could turn my sorry life around and make me respected in the community? That was definitely not Martin so whatever we shared was something that ought to remain in the bedroom only. Perhaps I didn'
Diamond“There's goes my only opportunity to get Mr. Carter to be sacked from being school principal,” I said when the call with Agatha ended. Sighing in defeat, I threw myself to the couch, beside Rebecca who was dying to tell me the deeds about her day today with Karl. I was really interested in how they went from being sworn enemies to now spending the day together and acting enjoying it.“Come on, Diamond, don't sound so dejected. Just because Agatha doesn't have the contact, which I do think she does, doesn't mean you can't talk to other people who might have it.”I had already told Rebecca what transpired between the principal and I earlier today and she was fuming as much, probably even more than I was. Rebecca was once in a feminist group which turned out to be an extremist group. That was when she backed out. So she may seem chill, but once she notices where women's rights are being trampled upon, or she senses any form of discrimination against women, she would swoop in lik
KarlJust as I reached the inside of my car, I heard my phone go off once. Then severally, as though so many notifications were going in all at once. But my mind and thoughts were mostly on what I overheard Rebecca and Diamond talking about. I was going to knock. In fact, I did knock but they seemed so engrossed in the conversation they were having that they didn't hear me. When I stepped inside, I was just about to announce my presence when I heard them say the name, Dr. Tim. Tim did say he was moving ahead with his plans to separate Diamond and Lennox today. Though I haven't seen the effect of this plan. Otherwise, Diamond would be running back to me, realizing what a big mistake she made by choosing Lennox over me again. I didn't get to hear much of the conversation, as I was moving closer, they heard my footsteps and turned around. But I needed to know what Tim did so I picked up my phone to dial him. The phone was still buzzing with several notifications that made me question w
Diamond2 years later…I looked around happy with the table arrangement. Lennox would sit beside me of course, the kids and then Karl and Rebecca beside each other. The oven dinged and I went over to check the chicken. Rebecca loves her chicken golden brown and properly crisped, so I left it in for a few more minutes.Rebecca and Karl were coming over for dinner and final preparations for their wedding tomorrow. She had always wanted to go on her honeymoon the night of her wedding, so I won’t get to see her for a while after tomorrow. That only reiterated the need for this dinner. Lennox and I would be hosting them, alongside the kids. We were happily married now and might I say, this two years have been the best of my life. A lot had happened within the span of two years. My parents and I were finally on good terms although we don’t speak frequently because that can’t just change after so many years. I had gotten a permanent job at the hospital. After the incident with Tim, he an
Diamond My hands were trembling as I made my way to Lennox’s room. Karl was behind me and I could sense that he was equally as anxious as I was. Rebecca had gone to inform Lennox’s parents about his condition. I slowly knocked on the door before letting myself in. I turned to see that Karl wasn’t following me in. He nodded and closed the door behind me. Lennox was staring at me intensely as I walked across the room to the bed. “Hey”, I said as I sat beside him. “Hi”, his smile was wide and genuine. He took my hand in his and brought them up to his lips, placing a small kiss on my knuckles. “I was so scared…”, I began as tears filled my eyes, “I’m sorry”, I said cleaning the tears off my eyes. “What are you sorry for, you didn’t do anything” “Exactly, I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything, I…I thought I was going to lose you. I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing you again, of not having you in my life.” “Diamond…”, he squeezed my hands gently and looked into my
Karl I paced around the hospital hallway after my discussion with the doctor. He had spoken to Diamond first since I was nowhere to be found. After making sure Hayden was alright, I left the hospital to go search for Agatha and Lennox since they both had mysteriously disappeared. Rebecca had to stay with Diamond and the kids for emotional support. But during my vague search, I saw on the news that Lennox had been shot by an ex-convict. I had never been more sacred in my life. I began panicking and stumbled over anything and everything in my way, but I didn’t bother to pick them up. I had been to the bar I met Lennox in. At that point I just searched everywhere Lennox would normally be that I was aware of. The bartender and a few drunk men yelled at me as I exited the bar but I payed no attention to them. I immediately ran to my car, fondling with my keys, before I finally opened it. I hopped in and sped off quickly in the direction of the hospital. A lot of things went through my
DiamondHayden was awake and could finally have visitors. He’d have to stay in the hospital for a few days before he could be discharged. The doctors had to monitor his progress and recovery. “Put that down”, I ordered Braden who was accessing some of the equipment on a tray“I know you’re curious, I was too at your age, but these are sharp objects and not something you play with”, he pouted and stepped away from the tray, “I’ll get a nurse to take the tray out”Jayden was sitting beside Hayden on the bed, he had not left that position since we came in to see Hayden. I hated having to put them through this, it was my mess, they didn’t have to suffer for it too.I left the room to get a nurse to come clear the tray.I was about entering the room when I turned to see Rebecca running to me. She got to where I was standing, breathing heavily.“What’s wrong, Rebecca? Why are you running?”She was still panting heavily but managed to get her words out.“Le...Lennox, he was rushed to the ho
LennoxI had never felt more scared in my life. My heartbeat elevated as we ran into the hospital. I tried to collect my thoughts. I felt so guilty. I never should have let Natalia out of my sight. If anything happened to her it would be my fault and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.We rushed to the security office. Rebecca was there, in a heated argument with one of the security guards.“What’s going on?”, I asked as we neared them.Rebecca turned to me and said the man wouldn’t allow her see the security footages. I mentally smacked myself in the head, why didn’t I think of this first before running to the police station.Agatha walked passed me and began threatening the guard who seemed unfazed by her words.We had to get permission from the board in other to view the footages but there was no time for that. So I stepped forward willing to plead with the guard. To my surprise he recognized me, and his tone changed to one of respect.“Dr. Winthrop, are you with t
AgathaI wasn’t sure I had heard right.“What did you say?”, I asked, anger and disgust clear in my tone.Diamond stood her ground looking as confident as ever.“You heard me…”“Diamond”, Lennox called and my eyes immediately flew to him.I couldn’t believe it. Lennox was the father of these bastards?How is it even possible?They are probably a year younger than Natalia. So when did it even happen?Where they still seeing each other behind my back?So many questions swirled in my head. I assumed a variety of conclusions.But deep down there was one final conclusion which I didn’t want to accept. And it seemed like the most reasonable…She had gotten pregnant before their divorce.That would mean he didn’t cheat on me or betray me.I turned to look at the two boys with identical faces. I had never seen it before, mainly because I never bothered to observe them, but there was a resemblance to the Winthrops…to Lennox.I shook my head in disbelief.Turning away from the b
DiamondWe were in the waiting room, expecting the feedback from the doctors in the OR.Everywhere was tense. The boys clung to me tightly.Rebecca had gone to get coffee, even though it was pretty late for that.She came into the room with a plastic cup of coffee at hand. She had asked if I wanted some but I declined.She gulped down the entire cup before assuming her position of resting on the wall again. Even when there were many available seats.Lennox was also in the room, although I didn’t dare look at him.Our conversation earlier was pretty heated. And it ended with me leaving the rooftop in tears. I didn’t even know when he entered the room since I was lost in my head.It hurt so much because everything he said was true. I hadn’t really thought about it then. But I could see now that what I did was wrong, not only to Lennox but to my boys too.Could you really blame me though?I was humiliated and I had no one. And my boys deserved the best. They still do.The door
Lennox‘His father’s blood is a match’The words kept replaying in my head. I didn’t understand.Why would the doctor call me Hayden’s father?Maybe he made a mistake.“What are you saying Doc?”, I asked.“Well you know how we are incorporating new technology into every field in this hospital. So we used the STRs for a more accurate and faster result”The STRs…It is a specific genetic marker.That method would not just check the compatibility of the blood group but also genetic similarities.No I couldn’t believe it. I shook my head turning away from the doctor.“Here are the results”, he said for more confirmation.I slowly took them from his hands, eager yet scared to see what it was.I unfolded the paper.Positive…Match…Applicable…He was right. The Doc was right.So many thoughts swirled through my head. I didn’t even know where to start.“You can come in for the transfusion whenever you’re ready”, he said, bringing me back to reality.He turned away from me
Diamond I blinked a million times. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. I couldn’t believe that was Hayden on the floor. Rebecca shook me yelling my name before I finally snapped out of it.The realization dawned on me.I quickly ran to Hayden who was lying unconscious. The boys began to cry tugging on Hayden. He was bleeding from his head. I looked up at Natalia, her expression had gone from angry to frightened.I turned to her sharply and yelled.“Why did you do this? Why did you push him?”, I was so furious now I couldn’t think straight.“What the hell is wrong with you?”“I don’t…I” she stammered, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw the blood flowing from Hayden’s head.The boys kept crying now and fought the tears that threatened to fall.I hurriedly carried Hayden in my hands and Rebecca ran to get the keys to the car.No communication was needed.I rushed to the car and placed an unconscious Hayden in the back seat and I hopped in sitting beside him