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
9DiamondAgainst my better judgment, I decided to meet with Agatha. After all, she was my sister. I rounded off at the hospital before six which afforded me the time to search for the place—wherever it was—that Agatha insisted that we meet up. I had called her to come around a cafe that was popular but she said she wanted me to have a bite of their pork ribs, her threat. I probably should be alarmed at the sudden niceties. I mean, the last time we spoke, more like the last time she spoke, she was sneering in my face, warning me to stay away from her husband, and storming away from my presence. Barely a couple of days later, with no communication after that, she asked me to meet her at a fancy restaurant so that she could treat me to their equally fancy pork ribs. Yeah, I checked the maps. It was a five star restaurant. I thought Rebecca was being overly dramatic when she said I should send her my location at all times as Agatha might be planning to give me my last supper. I know w
KarlI was losing my mind thinking about Diamond and the fact that at every minute, she could be with Karl. I was also losing my mind knowing that since the kiss we shared back at my parents villa, we haven't spoken about it; I had texted multiple times but she mostly gave me one-worded responses. At some point, I feared that I might have done something wrong, something to push her away, because Diamond was never usually like this. She didn't ignore me on purpose. In the last four days, I spent an unhealthy amount of time thinking about the woman. I wasn't going to double text her because then that's just desperate but honestly, I was desperate. I wanted to see her, to talk to her, to hold her, and to kiss her again, so badly. I wanted to believe that Diamond kissing me back meant something, she had always kept me at arm's length. She could have easily pushed me away or worse but she chose to remain in my arms and kiss me back right after I confessed my feelings to her. Surely, that
AgathaSunday morning came by quickly and although I dreaded having to put on an act the entire day, I had to really cement my plan. I had figured that the best way to get to Lennox was to get to Diamond. My sister was always vulnerable to family. At first I feared that might have changed with everything that had happened to her in the last five years. But she was still the same as ever: weak. All I needed to do was remind her of the good old days we spent together and she thought I was genuinely sorry for everything that happened, and just like that, I was in her good graces again. Once I'm able to get her trust and make Lennox believe that I am really ready to make amends with my sister, then I'll move on to the next phase of the plan: destroying the trust Lennox had in her. I knew that was going to be a much harder feat than getting back on Diamond's good side again but I was up for the challenge. I chuckled to myself when I remembered her saying she knew I was genuine. How gullib
LennoxAs I was driving through the estate, into my house, I noticed a familiar figure standing by the gate side. But it wasn't that the ‘figure’ which I realized to be Agatha was just standing. Agatha was trying so hard to wriggle away from something, someone's grip. The hair at the back of my neck immediately stood on end, and I accelerated the speed of the car to find out that indeed, Agatha was being held against her will by a man I could not recognize. “Daddy, who is that?” That was Natalia from the back, asking the question my thoughts were poking at me as well.“No idea, baby.” I muttered, watching as Agatha turned around to see the car which was driving up to the house. “Is he hurting her, Daddy?” Natalia asked. I paused for a moment, assessing the scene through the tinted glasses of my car. By now, it didn't look like Agatha was struggling to get out of the grip of the man. In fact, he had released her arm but Agatha rubbing the affected area which was sure to sore was all
KarlI woke up to the sound of my alarm with a terrible hangover that threatened to rip my head apart. I had spent the entire night drinking, cussing at Lennox, strategizing how I was going to tear Lennox and Diamond apart, doing more drinking, and then ultimately falling asleep. I didn't think I could be this affected by a person, more so a woman. Not even my own family had this much control over my mood and behavior. I had learnt to just pretend that they didn't exist and that they didn't matter to me, as they have done to me all my life. It was easy to do that. But with Diamond, the case was very different. When she had broken up with me, I was hurt but I didn't react this way. When she went ahead to get married to my brother, I was devastated but I never reacted this way. Even when she and Lennox threatened to frame me for assault just to get out of their ‘happily married life,’ I didn't react this way. Then, I was already sick of getting hurt by one woman. I had accepted that I l
DiamondAs it has been in the last week, I woke up feeling ecstatic and excited about what the day was going to bring. I didn't have much to do in the hospital today so I decided that I was going to go drop the kids off at school, stop by the hospital, then head back home to do some cleaning, and then some laundry. I felt like I needed to use this time to put the house in order, not that it wasn't, Rebecca was doing a wonderful job cleaning whenever she felt like, but I didn't want to put that on her. As a matter of fact, I was the one that asked her to go out that morning and explore New York. She was planning to stay with me but I refused, hoping that she would get to have some fun in New York before her leave is done. “Braden, Hayden, Jayden,” I yelled from the front door. “If you all are not down here in the next couple of minutes, you'll—”As usual, I didn't get to complete my threat. In fact, I never really know what to say after that. Before I complete it, they're running dow
DiamondEight years ago…My thoughts traveled back to those years before Lennox and I officially got married. I had been nervous especially, because Lennox and I hadn't been courting for long before our parents arranged our marriage. There was some level of likeness between us, I mean, what was there not to like about the man? He was sweet, kind, tall, sexy and very handsome. Truthfully, he was every girl's dream man. I was sad because Karl was never happy with my decision. As much as I cared about Karl Winthrop, there was never this spark in our relationship. He was honestly one of the sweetest men I have come across in my life, he was always there for me when I needed him, especially when my family always made ridiculous demands from me, forcing me to meet up with their expectations. I guess we were alike in that aspect: having parents that wanted to dictate our lives and futures. But unlike me, Karl was not having it. He didn't care about being a doctor, he didn't have the passion
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