Chapter 44Karl’s POV It was hard being away from Diamond and the kids of course.I couldn’t stop thinking about them even throughout the ride to Texas.When I arrived Donald was already waiting for me. He held up a sign with my name on it.I grumbled as I walked towards him.“What is this Donald?”I pointed at the stupid sign he was holding, my voice stern.I was already pissed that I couldn’t salvage the moment Diamond and I shared that evening.“A..a sign? For identification?”He stammered. I nodded my head and walked passed him, towards the car. I took the keys from him and drove us straight to the company.For the next hours, I sat in my office as Donald filled me in on the details of the contract, all that had been done in my absence and the paper work I needed to fill.After our brief meeting, I went on the fill the paperwork and reply emails too.I also had to send a draft of emails to Donald to forward to our business partners.By the end of the day, I was ex
Diamond’s POV“Mommy can we have pizza for lunch in school?”I dropped the vegetable dressing fork I was holding and picked up Hayden. I set him on the kitchen counter and cupped his face.“You boys need to eat healthy okay. I’ll tell you what, sometime this week maybe we can have an ice cream sundae, what do you say?”“Yayy!!”, he jumped down from the counter and ran into their room to tell his brothers.“Take it easy, Hayden. And you boys should get dressed okay, I’ll take a look at your backpack when I’m done.”I was really busy now. Even before Karl, at least I had Rebecca and Aaron before he died. But now it was just me. I had to wake early, cook their lunch and get them ready for school while I prepared for a day at the hospital too. And of course after that I would pick them too. Thankfully, there had been no course to stay extra hours at the hospital recently. I thought about contacting Karl’s friend who helped us watch after the kids when we had dinner together but I
Lennox’s POV Natalia couldn’t stop talking about her play date with Diamond’s kids throughout the ride home.It warmed my heart seeing her so excited, something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.“You’re really excited, aren’t you?”“Yes daddy. We’re going to have so much fun at Aunt Diamond’s house,” she continued beaming.Seeing her interact so freely with Diamond was something I never expected. And when she hugged her legs earlier my heart felt some kind of warmth. I could comprehend what it was.We arrived at the house and Natalia immediately got out of the car yelling Mommy. She couldn’t wait to tell Agatha.I closely followed her behind to prevent her from hurting herself due to all the running.Agatha was in the kitchen preparing dinner when we entered the house. Natalia immediately ran to her and hugged her from behind.“Mommy, I’ve been invited to a play date at my friend’s house.”I smiled as I equally anticipated Agatha’s response. But Agatha ignored what s
Lennox’s POV Natalia ran upstairs immediately. She must have witnessed the bickering between Agatha and I.And she wasn’t the only one who did.Agatha’s parents stood at the door way. They both looked very disappointed and I couldn’t blame them.Who would want to visit their daughter’s home and find her in a situation like this with her husband. And to make matters worse, our child watched us fight.I took some steps back, away from Agatha while still maintaining my distance from her parents. “How could you do this Lennox? In front of Natalia”, Agatha’s mother moved closer to Agatha as she rubbed her back.“Me? Did you hear our conversation?”She looked back and forth between Agatha and I.“No we just came in now. But we know you guys were arguing.”I expected nothing less from her. In her eyes Agatha couldn’t do any wrong. I felt uncomfortable being in the kitchen with all them so I excused myself. They were supposed to be my in-laws but we’ve never had that kind of rel
Lennox’s POVHow could she say that?It made me question if Diamond was really her daughter. Of course I knew she was, but still.A mother who doesn’t have her daughter’s best interest at heart?It was beyond appalling that she could even utter such words. I was stunned that Diamond’s mother could ask for such a thing from me to her daughter. There was no way I was going to adhere to it. Knowing Diamond, she definitely earned her spot in the surgery and no one had the right to take it away from her except the senator himself of course.“I can’t do that?”“Why not?”, she frowned.I was surprised she could even ask why. But I couldn’t sound too defensive before she began to question my loyalty again.“I don’t have the right to do that.”Finally taking the hint, she nodded and turned back to the TV. She picked up the remote and hit play.The sound of women chattering soon filled the room again. Just then, Natalia came into the living room to tell us that dinner was ready. I barely notic
Diamond’s POV The play room was almost ready.I had arranged all their favorite toys and some toys I thought Natalia would like. They had a TV in the room where they could watch their favorite shows. I thought the play date was a good idea to go all out for the children not just on special occasions.I went into the kitchen to prepare their snacks.I got all of the boys favorite snacks, candy included. I didn’t forgot to make some salad by the side though. They would have that for lunch. I had woken up early to prepare and set up before it was time for the boys to prepare.When I was satisfied with the way everything looked, I got the boys prepared.I walked into their rooms to make sure they were already dressed. Yes, they were at home but I still needed to make sure they looked smart.“Already boys? I’m sure Natalia will be arriving with Lennox anytime from now.”“We are ready Mummy!!”, they chorused.“Wait, I want to wear my green joggers too”, Hayden said immediately
Diamond’s POV I didn’t want to stress what could have been perceived as normal.Aaron could have been a family friend after all. Besides, he was just looking at one framed picture.And in the spirit of not stressing things more than they should be, I went back to the kitchen to make his coffee the way I knew he preferred it.Two spoons of sugar and condensed milk.For a doctor, he took a lot of sugar.I held the steaming hot coffee in my hand as I walked back to the living room.Thankfully, he had dropped the framed picture now. He was staring at something else.I walked further into the room and Lennox turned to look at me.“Why isn’t Karl in any of these pictures?”I didn’t understand the question until I looked down at what he was holding and I was met with the sight of my worst nightmare.Lennox had moved on from looking at the framed picture to the photo album I had made of the boys.It contained pictures of the day I gave birth to the boys as well as other memorie
Diamond’s POV I was surprised to see Karl.We had spoken to him earlier in the morning and last I checked the time it was mid afternoon already. I was sure he was in Texas when we had the phone call with the boys. Although the journey from Texas to New York wasn’t a long one, especially if you were using a flight.Either ways, I wasn’t expecting him anytime soon.He didn’t mention that he would be back in New York.Or was it an attempt at a surprise?The situation he found me in didn’t look so good though.I was in a heated conversation with Lennox when he walked in.The expression on his face showed that he disliked everything about the situation.“We were just talking. I’ll excuse myself,” Lennox said and left the room.Karl frowned and walked towards me.“I didn’t know you were coming back today? You didn’t say anything over the phone.”“I missed the boys and I missed you. I wanted to see you guys, so I caught the next flight to New York”, the frown never left his
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