AgathaOn July 2nd, I received the best news in a while: I had gotten the job at Karl Winthrop's modeling agency. Now that Diamond was back, that nagging feeling that I didn't do something tangible with my life, save for getting married to a super rich and super hot doctor who I don't want to admit to myself might still be secretly into my sister. So my life wasn't going great at the moment. Actually, it has never been great. Ever since Diamond's return, I have been paranoid and angry. I was counting the days to when she was finally going to leave and go back there Texas because even if Lennox doesn't admit it to himself, his head was screwed from the moment he saw her. But over my dead body will I allow him and Diamond ever get back together. I am his wife now, he left her for me and that is exactly how it is going to remain. But if I wanted to keep my husband from falling for my sister, I needed to make something of myself, make a name for myself. So this modeling job was my best b
DiamondI was worried about Lennox. I could only imagine the shock and the horror when he found out that his daughter had been in an accident. When he had mentioned it to me, my thoughts immediately went straight to my boys. I was worried and restless that something bad might have happened to them, too, so I had to call the dean to inform me of the well-being of my child. When I asked about Natalia, he said it wasn't in his place to disclose that information. So I concluded that I'll have to wait until Lennox is back to ask him myself. I said a silent prayer for Natalia, and continued about my duties and his. Thankfully, he didn't have much on his itinerary. I was in the middle of the patient rounds when I encountered one of Lennox's patients. Before going into the room, I check the name of the patient. It was a 72 year old woman named Mary Winslow. When I walked in, Mrs. Winslow was screening through the channels of the television in her room. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Winslow.” I sai
KarlWe were seated in a cafe not far from the makeshift office that was serving the purpose of my modeling branch in New York. I admit that to expand my business in New York and buy a ridiculously expensive office was because I wanted to be closer to Diamond and also to keep her away from Lennox. At the time, I wasn't thinking of the financial problems this might incur; Diamond was the only person in my mind and I feared that I would lose her to my brother again. So, yeah, the decision might not have been entirely strategic but it was paying off. This big contract to ‘supply’ a well known designer with the fittest models in my company provided enough financial relief from the expansion and on a few occasions, I have considered making it permanent. Obviously, I want Diamond and I to get out of New York and continue our lives in Texas, free from all the drama that comes along with being around our families. And of course, with Lennox out of the picture, I stand a greater chance of win
LennoxAfter managing to calm a frantic Agatha down, as we awaited the doctors as they treated and stitched up some of Natalia's bruises, we went inside to see her. She was still sleeping. I stood by the door side as Agatha raced towards her and collapsed on the bedside, sobbing profusely. I was still very much upset with her because if I had been doing my patient rounds—where I don't carry my phone—or if emergency surgery that needed my attention came up, I wouldn't have been able to answer the dean's secretary call and no one would have come for Natalia.I was going to have a word with her but knowing Agatha, she was going to get all defenses up so I needed to ensure that we did it in a secluded place like my office. After sobbing and kissing Natalia's cheeks, hand, and everywhere, I said to her, “We need to talk, Agatha.” “I know, I know. I'm sorry sorry—” “Not here,” I cut her off. “Let's not disturb Natalia.” She nodded once, picked up my bag and followed me. On our way down
AgathaAfter leaving Lennox with those words, I stormed out of the office with my bag. I had wanted to stay with Natalia but I figured that he was there already and I really didn't want to ruin my mood by constantly seeing him and Diamond ‘working’ together. Plus, someone needed to go home to prepare for Natalia's arrival tonight. It was a win-win situation for everyone. As I was storming out of the office, I saw Tim from a distance and he waved at me with a crooked, mischievous smile on his face and I wondered what his deal was. I didn't bother smiling back and ignored him. And when I entered the elevator doors going downstairs, it was unfortunately the one Diamond was in as well. And she was on a call. She was probably expecting me to step back and take the next elevator but she should know by now that her sister wasn't one to back down from a potential confrontation, especially one that has been long overdue. Maybe this was going to be that conversation we have for the first time
DiamondI was in my late twenties and I still didn't understand how the world worked or how people reasoned. Especially my own sister who I grew up with. Was I expecting Agatha to go through that entire elevation ride and not say anything? No, far from it. But was I expecting her to tell me to stay away from her husband? Definitely not. Was I expecting her to call me a snake? No. Was I expecting her to do her signature hiss and storm away: the one she has been doing since she was six years old? Most certainly.I wasn't surprised that Agatha said and did all of these things, I couldn't put these past her and maybe this was a bit of confirmation that I did know her. But what baffled me the most was the audacity to spit out something so ironical. I'm the snake? I scoffed as I walked towards my car in the parking lot. She dared to call me a snake after she was sleeping with my husband behind my back and went as far as getting pregnant for him. I scoffed again, utterly baffled and ama
LennoxAfter a long day at the hospital, I ended the day by finalizing Natalia's discharge paper so that I could take her up. When I went into her room, she was working on a coloring book a nurse had given her.“Daddy!” she said joyously when she saw me in the entire room. A huge smile formed on my face knowing that my daughter was smiling and happy. I almost went out of my mind when I found out that she was unconscious and had a concussion. I really didn't want to imagine what my life would be like if something worse had happened. Natalia was the light in my life, she kept me sane and I intended to do right by her always. “Natty,” I drawled, going to sit on the beside and leaning in to hug. She threw her tiny arms around me and although they didn't go as far as behind my shoulders, it was the best embrace I could ever ask for. “How are you feeling, baby? Does your head hurt? Your bruises, do they hurt?”As I was asking, she was shaking her head in negativity saying, “It doesn't hu
DiamondI haven’t felt, in a long while, more in tune with that saying, “you woke up on the right side of the bed” than I felt today. I mean, literally, I did wake up on the right side of the bed. But my mood was ecstatic and really positive that morning. Actually, ever since July 4th, I have been feeling this way. Perhaps it was because I was beginning to relax in New York, remembering all the things I used to love about the City I grew up in. I had come back to New York dreading meeting the family I believed didn't care about me, the ex-husband who cheated on me, and all the things that went wrong here. I was most especially concerned about the fact that Lennox will find out that he was really the father of my kids and will try to take them away from me, and complicate the uncomplicated life I had built for myself in New York. I was always looking over my shoulders, trying to remain safe and remain hidden even if that was literally impossible because I was working with the man. Mos
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