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
KarlAs soon as I pulled over in the driveway of the building to my office, I turned to face Rebecca to sound a clear as day warning. “Just wanted to make some things clear before we head inside or you stay here. I would honestly prefer that.” I watched her as she shrugged her shoulders and she gathered her bag and cup of coffee. “Are you saying you want to lock me in the car? What am I? Twelve?” She paused for a second then added. “Okay, twelve is too little. What am I l? Five?” How is this woman concerned about what age is appropriate for the warning I was about to sound instead of the actual warning? “Look, Rebecca—”“Oh, are we on a first name basis now? Because this is the second time today that you're calling me Rebecca.” She smiled, and her eyes twinkled with genuine mirth. How was she even amused by me just calling her name.“Can you please just keep shut and listen to me for twenty seconds?” I had sighed before saying. She made a gesture of zipping her mouth and throwin
Diamond The call ended abruptly, right after Tim got in the sentence, “I need your help.” Instinctively, I called him back almost immediately but there was no response. I called him again, but still, there was no response. Worry filled me as I wondered what it was that he might need my help with. Also, his voice sounded hollow and distraught, which made me wonder even more. Was Tim not at the hospital today? Realizing that I didn't even know where he was, I dialed nurse Amara. “Hi, Amara. How is it going today?” I asked when the line cracked as she answered her phone on the second ring. “Everything is going well, Dr. Caddell. Alicia has been in bed all day, but not to worry, I have constantly been checking up her. It's a reaction from the drugs we gave her.” She answered. “Thank you, Alicia. Please, continue to keep an eye on her.” I took a pause then asked. “Is Dr. Tim in the hospital?” “Umm…I haven't seen him today. Then again, I haven't really moved around the hospital.” She
DiamondI woke up to a splitting headache but that was the least of my concerns. Despite how hard my head was pounding, I was quick to realize where I was. First of all, the bed had a familiar softness; secondly, the room had very familiar colors which I loved. The furniture, just as much was familiar, too familiar, almost like something I wake up to everyday. It was a bit ironic because the last time I had blacked out from being unconscious, I panicked because when I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar room which I knew wasn't my room. But this time, the familiar colors, furniture, picture frames on the wall, were all the indications that I had woken up in my room. I paused for a moment, scanning the entire place to be sure that my head wasn't just doing a number on me. I looked around and when my eyes landed on the painting of our family plastered on my mirror by my boys, I knew that I wasn't hallucinating. I was indeed in my room.Which was funny because the last thing I remembered w
KarlI couldn't help but wonder what it was that Tim had in mind. I know I told him to hurry along with the plan, but a part of me was beginning to worry. And why would he even call me to tell me to be there for Diamond as she might need me? Was what he intended to do that grave? My thoughts danced around the place, I lost track of the fact that I had to prepare for my meeting. It wasn't until Abigail knocked on the door of my office and came in to inform me that the clients are here, that I snapped out of my reverie. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to prepare but there was no cause for alarm. I had gone into several meetings ‘unprepared’ and had absolutely crushed it. I like to think that I have a flair for winning over clients and closing the biggest deals even on short notice. I guess that was what I was good at. My brother saved lives, yes, it was a big deal, and my parents absolutely adored him for that. But maybe if they cared to pay attention to their other son, they would se
KarlAdam and I spoke for a bit more, catching up on our college days, making plans for our business deal, and also making plans to make more plans about our business deal over a drink or two, in a downtown bar he recommended sells the good stuff. He had asked me about the lady I was interested in but I preferred to remain vague about it. I simply told him that she was a childhood friend who I have had my eyes on for as long as I could remember. Noticing my reluctance to talk about the subject, he didn't probe any further. It's not as if I didn't want to talk about Diamond; I would show that woman off the world at every instance I get. She's beautiful, ambitious, driven, smart, and genuinely the strongest, most resilient person that I have met. It's just that, unfortunately, she's been unlucky in love and continues to put herself in a position where she would remain unlucky while I was right there, waiting for the moment that she would finally see me. I was done waiting now and I was
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
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